Top Island Beaches in Croatia
Located near the town of Baska, on the island of Krk, Sveti Ivan Beach - also known as Plaza Sveti Ivan or Plaza Sveti Ivan Baska - is a small pebbly beach with many rocky portions. The beach is positioned near Baska Beach in a natural cove along the northern Adriatic Sea and has a beautiful backdrop of rugged cliffs, rocky hills, and a few oceanfront buildings, providing a serene coastal experience. Plaza Sveti Ivan is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve natural beauty and wildlife.
Spiaza Beach is located in the city of Susak on the small island of Sansego off the Istrian Peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. Sansego is relatively difficult to reach – aspiring visitors must take the daily ferry from Pula to the island, which will take nearly three hours. Once you arrive in Susak, you’ll be greeted by a picturesque, small town and welcoming local population of about 150 people.
Sansego, which derives from the Greek word for oregano, is one of the top ten islands in the Mediterranean. Due to the island’s small population, the attractions here are limited, but visitors can still take a stroll along the town’s stone streets, which are only accessible via bike or tractor. For food on Sansego, try the Knob Ankora restaurant, which serves a specialty lamb dish that is based on traditional spices found on the island, or the Hotel Sansegus restaurant, a small diner located within the island’s only hotel. For accommodations on the island, your best bet is renting a seaside villa from an online service, such as Airbnb, as the hotel has a very small occupancy and having your own house will allow you to experience living like a real Croatian!
Sansego visitors should spend the majority of their time at the foot of the city, where the beautiful Spiaza Beach lies. This beige sand beach is slightly less than a half-kilometer in length, but due to the tiny population of the island, it’s easy to find a spot to relax in the sun. There are also many umbrellas and lounge chairs on the beach that are available for public access, or, if you prefer, you can wade in the shallow, blue waters and gaze at the sailboats that line the mouth of the bay. Sansego island is unique among Croatian islands due to its size and remote location, so be sure to experience this one-of-a-kind place on your next trip to Croatia!
Located on Lopud Island, part of the Elaphiti Islands in southern Croatia, near Dubrovnik, Sunj Beach - also known as Beach Sunj - is an 800-meter-long stretch of beige sand with rocky portions. The beach is positioned near Lopud village in a sheltered cove and has a beautiful backdrop of mountains, cliffs, pine trees, lush Mediterranean vegetation, and several oceanfront buildings, including a few restaurants and shops, which together provide breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea. Sunj Beach is part of a protected area, preserving its natural beauty and ecosystem. .
Croatia’s Zrce Beach is located in Novalja on the beautiful, western island of Pag. The city of Novalja has a permanent population of nearly 4,000 people, but during the summer season, it’s a far different story -- flocks of partiers descend on the city for its raucous parties.
Zrce Beach is known for its beautiful, white pebbles and vibrant, teal waters, which set the scene for the perfect party atmosphere. Beachside bars and imported palm trees are plentiful, and so are the drinks. The main reason that visitors come to Zrce Beach is to visit the beach’s six clubs! Club options range from the affordable Papaya Club to the luxurious and scenic Noa Beach Club. Our favorite is Rocks Beach Club, which hosts the best nightlife events right on the sand. If you’re planning ahead, you should try to visit on a weekend of a music festival to get the full experience – festivals such as the Hideout Festival, Fresh Island Festival, and Black Sheep Festival are held annually.
For visitors who don’t particularly enjoy the party scene, Zrce Beach still offers a myriad of things to do. Activities on the beach include waterskiing, wakeboarding, and jet-skiing. Jet-ski rentals are available from Vodeni Sports Rental on the south side of the beach. The neighboring city of Novalja offers attractions such as the old Pag town, vineyard tours, and the Town Museum, which offers underground tunnel tours. Zrce Beach and Novalja as a whole offer something for all types of travelers, so be sure to book your trip today!
