Croatia is known for their beaches along the Adriatic Coast with some of the clearest blue waters you have ever seen either on the mainland or on one of over 1,000 of it's islands. There are four main kinds of beaches in Croatia. You have your choice of sand, pebbles, concrete or rock beaches and they all have something to offer you during your vacation. The Crikvenica Riviera, on the north coast, includes the city of Crikvenica and the towns of Selce, Dramalj and Jadranovo and has all four types of beaches within only a few miles of each other.
1. Sand Beaches:
I grew up along the east coast of the United States going to sandy beaches in Delaware and Maryland. I love the feeling of sand between my toes and it is usually pretty comfy to set your towel down on and just sink in to. The downsides of sand beaches are it causes the water to be less transparent, even though in Croatia the water is still much clearer than the greenish-brown water I am used to from the mid-Atlantic. The sand beach in Crikvenica is located near the city center and is about a mile long.
Other sand beaches on the north coast include:
Krk Island - Sveti Marak, Punta Debija, Vrtaca, Skrila,
Cres Island - Meli
Lošinj Island - Čikat, Engleza
Rab Island - Sahara, Ciganka, Kandarola, Livačina, Rajska, Stolac, Pudarica, Valentina
Rovinj - Vestar
Poreč - Lanterna, Val Marea, Polidor
Umag - Punta, Zambratija
2. Pebble Beaches:
Pebble beaches offer clearer water than sandy beaches and an opportunity for rock lovers and geologists to have a day of discovery, but depending on the size they are not always the most relaxing to walk or sit on. The pebble beach in Crikvenica can be found near the city center and in the town of Jadranovo.
Other pebble beaches on the north coast include:
Senj - Prva Draga, Škver North, Škver South, Voda, Treća Draga, Diga, Druga Draga
Novi Vinodolski - Dog beach, Rivica, Lopar, Dugno, Skrpun, Zagori
Krk Island - Oprna, Potovošće, Baška, Jezevac, Zgribnica, Vela Luka, Mocca, Omišalj, Njivice
Cres Island - Beli, Lubenice, Plave grote (Blue cave), Kovačine, Zdovica, Raca/Valun, Nedomišje
Lošinj Island - Krivica, Plieski, Rovenska, Srebrna, Veli mal, Zabodarski, Zlatna
Rab Island - Banova Vila, Kozica, Suha Punta, Mag
Rijeka - Plaza Ploce, Sablićevo, Preluk, Kostrena, Kantrida, Svezanj Bay, Glavanova
Opatija - Dog beach, Lipovica, Škrbići
Pula - Gortans, Batana, Hawaii, Histria, Cyclon's Beach, Centinera, Ambrela, Banjole
Rovinj - Mulini, Lone Bay, Borik, Punta Cabana, Kuvi, Polari, Porton Biondi, Cisterna
Poreč - Astra, Delfin, Pical, Parentium
Umag - Laguna Stella Maris, Villa Rosetta, Polynesia, Svjetionik, Kanegra
Want to learn more about Crikvenica? Here is why it's our Favorite Vacation Location in Croatia and 8 Great Places on the Crikvenica Riviera.
3. Concrete Beaches:
Concrete beaches are popular because they are usually located near city or town centers and their marinas. Some also offer close by amenities like coffee shops, restaurants, showers, etc. Like pebble beaches, the water is ordinarily clearer than a sand beach. Many have built in stairs you can use to access the water. They are normally easier to walk along than rock or pebble beaches. Downside is they are not always the comfiest place to lay down your beach towel. The concrete beaches in the city of Crikvenica are located around many of the boat piers, as well as in the town of Dramalj and the town of Selce.
Other concrete beaches on the north coast include:
Senj - Škver North, Škver South,
Novi Vinodolski - Main town beach, Prva Dražica
Lošinj Island - Punta
Opatija - Angiolina, Slatina, Tomaševac children's beach, Črnikovica
Pula - Valkane
Poreč - City Beach, Brulo
Umag - Aurora, Osmica
4. Rock Beaches:
Rock beaches are where some of the clearest waters are located and depending on the depth of the sea floor can create all kinds of shades of blue. This is a popular location for cliff divers, snorkeling, diving and spear fishing due to the rich marine life easily seen here. Like concrete beaches, it is not always the easiest beach to find a spot to lay down a towel and rocks can be slippery when wet. Some rock beaches are very easy to access and some are found adventurously by hiking, a trail or even only by boat, but are worth the secluded spot. Rock beaches can be found on the outskirts of the Crikvenica Riviera. One of our favorite rock beaches is Kačjak.
Other rock beaches on the north coast include:
Novi Vinodolski - Riva
Krk Island - Sveti Juraj
Cres Island - Mali bok, Sveti Blaž, Koromačno/Belej
Lošinj Island - Artatore, Bojčić, Borik, Kadin, Poljana, Valdarke
Pula - Svjetionik
Rovinj - Baluota, Zlatni Rt
Poreč - Bellevue, Bijela
Umag - Canova
Interesting fact:
Croatia was the first country to offer nudist holidays. British King Edward VIII and his American mistress Wallis Simpson created the nude beach on the island of Rab while cruising the Adriatic. When you pass markings that say "FKK," meaning Freikorperkultur in German, or "Free Body Culture" in English then you are entering a nude beach. If you have never been to a nudist beach you should definitely give it a try, because it is not what most people think. People at nude beaches are typically not concerned with how they or others look and people do not stare or take pictures or they might get kicked out. It is actually very liberating and allows you to be how nature originally intended.
Another beach, not yet mentioned, but definitely deserving of credit is Monty's Dog Beach and Bar. The original opened in the city of Crikvenica in 2015 and a second location opened on the island of Rab a couple years later. This is a pebble beach with an agility course and sun beds dedicated to your furry friend. Serving drinks and treats to not only the four legged, but humans as well.
Want to visit a beach on one of Croatia's islands? Check out our article,
It would take someone probably a lifetime to visit every beach in Croatia. Beaches follow its entire coastline and are surrounding its many islands, but if you are looking to experience all four varieties of beaches in a few miles you should definitely check out the Crikvenica Riviera on the north coast of Croatia.
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