Discovering the Beaches of Croatia

Kristof on May 28, 2018

Discover a dream road trip along the Adriatic coast.

With a long coastline stretching along the Adriatic Sea, Croatia has become one of the world’s most enviable beach destinations in recent years. While many tourists fly into the country then get stuck in one spot, there is far too much to discover here for that. A much better way to find out what this nation has in store for you is to pick up a Croatia motorhome rental and road trip your way down the coast, sampling the very best beaches on offer. To make your life a little easier, we’ve highlighted a number of excellent coastal destinations in Croatia that you can visit along the way. Hit the ground rolling and get the best out of your time in this gem of a country.

Dubrovnik

Not only is Dubrovnik one of the most spectacular Game of Thrones filming locations, it’s also home to a number of stunning beaches.

Sure, this is where all the tourists are visiting these days (thanks Game of Thrones) but it’s still worth starting here, even if you don’t stick around for too long. The medieval streets of the city are a take-it-or-leave-it attraction - they do provide a unique glimpse into both Dubrovnik’s past and a number of famous filming locations, but the whole experience has been pretty heavily commercialised in recent years. The beaches are still lovely though: Banje Beach is the most popular choice, and there are a number of other spots that can more than rival Banje. Sveti Jakov is one of the most scenic beaches around Dubrovnik and is well worth making an expedition to find, though travellers should be aware that you have to take a 160 step staircase to reach the beach. Buža Beach is a less traditional choice and you’ll have to pass through an actual hole in the city’s southern walls to get there but the views are more than worth it. Visit in the morning for the best chance of light winds, which tend to pick up in the afternoon.

Gornja Vala

Lying on the seaward side of the small town of Gradac, Gornja Vala is about two hours northwest on the D8 from Dubrovnik. This beach is one of the largest on the Adriatic coast and is sheltered from the wind in multiple directions, making Gornja Vala a perfect spot to sunbathe, relax in the shade or play a friendly game of beach volleyball (bring your own ball).

Bacvice

Try out a game of picigin (a local beach sport) while you’re visiting Bacvice Beach - after all, this is where it originated.

Continuing up north by the D8, E65 and D1, you’ll reach Split in a little over an hour and a half. This bustling city has a rich history but to enjoy its coastal attractions you’ll want to head down to the pebble and sand strand of the popular Bacvice Beach. This is where the popular Croatian beach game of picigin is believed to have originated, so don’t leave without joining a round or two and attempting to keep the small ball out of the water. Bacvice has also won awards for its cleanliness and facilities, and once you’re done sunning and swimming you can take the coastal path east for a gentle stroll along the local bays.

Nin

It’s not the quickest route, but for pure scenic value we’d suggest taking the D8 along the coast, through Zadar and up to Nin. The town of Nin, set just 20 minutes north of Zadar, is one of the best coastal recreation spots in Croatia. The various beaches around Nin add up to a staggering 8 kilometres of coast so finding a spot on the sand around here should be no issue. Arguably the best beach in the area is Queen’s Beach, a 3 kilometre stretch of golden sand set amidst the Nin lagoon. This is a particularly great beach for families as the shallow waters of the lagoon provide a safe space for young children to paddle around. Queen’s Beach is also right next to a large medicinal mud (peloid) site which has been used in various remedies by locals and visitors alike for decades.

Rovinj

Rovinj is a quaint picturesque city, perfect for exploration on foot but it also has a wide range of beaches, each with their own appeal.

Rovinj is quite a lot further north than the other beaches we’ve mentioned above, so if you’re hitting all the beaches in a single trip, this may be one that you have to skip. On the other hand, if you’re happy with the extra mileage, this city is more than worth the trip. It’s a wonderfully photogenic spot and boasts a good handful of excellent beaches, each with their own kind of appeal. Borik Beach, situated to the north the city centre, is one of loveliest coastal spots in the area with the added benefit that there’s no entrance fee, unlike a number of other beaches around Rovinj. Baluota (also known as Monte) Beach is a stone beach right in the middle of the city perfect for sunbathing, though there’s no shade to speak of so you may want to take this into account. For a locale that’s a little more connected to nature, Lone Beach is an excellent choice. You’ll have to park up your motorhome and take a 10 minute walk to get here, but this means a total lack of traffic noise with the added bonus of being surrounded by lush natural greenery.

Of course, this is only a small sample of what Croatia has in store - in addition to all the other beach spots scattered all along the coast, there’s all kinds of natural and cultural attractions in this wonderful country just waiting to be discovered. Book your Croatia motorhome rental and see for yourself what the Adriatic coast has in store for you.


Written By: Kristof Haines

It’s funny how motorhome memories stick with you. I can still recall a motorhome vacation my family took when I was five years old and how awesome I thought I was, tucked away in a loft bed above the cab. From revealing unique destinations to providing tips and tricks, it’s my mission to help others build great motorhome memories too.