Many travelers ask themselves whether there are any sandy beaches in Croatia at all. The answer is simple: Yes, there are some really beautiful white sand beaches in Croatia. Everywhere in the country, whether on the mainland, on the islands, in the popular regions such as Istria, Zadar or in Dubrovnik, enchanting beaches with fine sand can be found! You just have to know where to find these wonderful bays! But what are the best vacation resorts that include sandy beaches, which beach is suitable for children, what are the most beautiful natural sandy beaches in Croatia, and where is the best place to spend an unforgettable seaside vacation?
In this travel guide, we show you the most beautiful sandy beaches in Croatia. This selection exclusively lists beaches and bays with fine and natural sand. Additionally, you will find amazing pictures and great insider tips on the best places for an unforgettable vacation by the sea.
Paradise Beach Rajska Plaza (Lopar)
The Paradise beach, also called Rajska Plaza, is one of the largest sandy beaches in Croatia. This dream beach is located in the resort of Lopar on Rab Island, which is famous for its fine sandy bays. On a length of almost 2 kilometers you can enjoy a flat sloping sandy beach, which offers plenty of space for sunbathing, playing and building sandcastles. The tourist offer is also great. There are sunbeds and umbrellas for rent, numerous bars and restaurants, and also numerous water sports activities are offered.
Tip: Especially popular on Paradise Beach are the cozy mobile homes from San Marino Camping Resort and the modern apartments of Apartmani Villa Zora near the beach.
Paradise Beach
Sandy Beach Slanica (Murter Island)
A really popular beach is the beautiful Plaza Slanica on Murter Island. Here you will find a fantastic, fine sandy beach with beautiful sea colors, which slopes gently and is therefore ideal for families with children. The water on this stretch of coast is also crystal clear and perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Directly behind Slanica beach there is a great tourist offer with restaurants and cool beach bars that invite you to linger. Water sports activities, volleyball and tennis courts are also available nearby at this vacation resort.
Tip: The apartments of Villa Paula are, thanks to their perfect location and great facilities, the perfect choice for a beach vacation on Murter.
Sandy Beach Slanica (Island Murter)
Sandy Beach Duboka Draga (Vir Island)
Probably one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Croatia is Plaza Duboka Draga on Vir Island. This dream beach near Zadar is a beautiful natural bay located in the north of the island. In this magical place, the extraordinary backdrop of picturesque red cliffs, turquoise-blue sea and slightly reddish fine sand is particularly impressive. Great here are also the peace and quiet and the unique idyll because there are neither bars nor accommodations in this bay! You should bring your own food and parasols.
Tip: On Vir there is a fantastic offer of apartments, which are perfect for a beach vacation. Some of them are located directly by the sea, like theApartments Svetec.
Sandy Beach Duboka Draga
Sakarun Beach (Dugi Otok)
For many, probably the most beautiful sandy beach in Croatia is the breathtaking Sakarun Beach. It is located on the idyllic island Dugi Otok and is the perfect beach for an unforgettable beach vacation in Croatia. Some people also come from Zadar on a day trip to admire this natural jewel because here you will find an absolute perfect beach with white, velvety soft sand and a turquoise blue sea as you normally only experience in the Caribbean. Even families with small children love this gently sloping sandy beach, where the little ones can go into the water without bathing shoes.
Tip: About 1 kilometer away from the dream beach is the Guest House Sakarun,a nice vacation home with a great terrace and a magnificent view.
Queens Beach (Nin)
A beautiful sandy beach on the mainland of Croatia is Queens Beach near Nin. Also known as Kraljicina Beach, it is a popular place for a relaxing vacation. With a length of about 3 kilometers, it is one of the absolutely longest sandy beaches in Croatia and offers enough space for everyone. Whether for old or young, the flat and clean sea, the fantastic water quality and the natural ambience inspire. Also food and drinks are provided in the 3 cozy beach bars and those who like can rent sunbeds and umbrellas.
Tip: There are no accommodations directly on Queens Beach. About 600 meters from the beach is Kartini Apartment, which convinces with perfect equipment.
Queens Beach – Sandy Beach
Sandy Beach Prapatno (Peljesac)
Another highlight among the best sandy beaches in Croatia is Prapatno Beach on the Peljesac peninsula in the south of the country. This natural dream beach is about 4 kilometers away from the charming villages of Ston and Mali Ston and is a real insider tip among Croatia connoisseurs. A breathtaking backdrop awaits you here, as beautiful and unique as out of a picture book. This bay is surrounded by green pine forests, the sea glows in the most fantastic water colors and the beach is uniquely fine sandy. There is a cozy campsite right behind the beach.
Tip: Right behind the beach there is a charming camping site. The nearest hotels and vacation apartments are in Ston or Mali Ston. Recommendable is the Hotel Ostrea with great location.
Sandy Beach Prapatno
Sandy Beach Bilotinjak (Zadar)
A real insider tip among the most beautiful sandy beaches of Croatia is the Bilotinjak Beach. This unbelievably great natural bay lies a bit hidden in the surroundings of Zadar and is also not far away from the vacation resorts of Nin and Zaton. While swimming, you can enjoy a beautiful sandy beach, which amazes with fantastic sea colors and a very extraordinary picturesque landscape of red rocks and natural sand. The flair is absolutely idyllic and makes the sandy beach Bilotinjak unique in Croatia. An absolute dream beach in a quiet and idyllic location!
Tip: For a quiet beach vacation, we recommend the wonderful Apartment Lily, which is in a top location just behind the beach.
Sandy Beach Bilotinjak
Grabrova Beach (Crikvencia Riviera)
The Grabrova Beach is located in the resort of Jadranovo and is a real highlight on the famous Crikvenica Riviera. Here attracts a very fine, snow-white sandy beach, which conjures up a touch of Caribbean flair in Croatia with dreamlike turquoise sea colors. The water is extremely clear and truly invites you to swim and snorkel. You won’t find any natural shade, but you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas for a reasonable price. Just behind the beach you will find a wide range of bars, restaurants and cafés that provide snacks and drinks.
Tip: The apartments Villa Antonia are located only a few minutes walk from the beach and inspire on top with a magnificent view of the sea!
Beach Grabrova
Sandy Beach Zambratija (Umag)
Also in Istria there are a few sandy beaches to discover. A real highlight is the picturesque Zambratija Beach. This small natural bay is located in the north of Umag and is one of the insider tips for a quiet beach vacation. The sea is crystal clear and very shallow so thatyou can wonderfully wade through the water. Also families with children love this beautiful beach. Right behind the bay there is also a cool beach bar, which spoils its guests with cool drinks, delicious snacks and a stunning sea view.
Tip: Highly recommended for a holiday are the Linda Apartments Zambrattia, which are only a few minutes’ walk from the beach.
Sandy Beach Zambratija
Pine Beach Pakostane
The sandy beach Pine Beach Pakostane, also known as Plaza Bužakovina, is one of the most popular bathing bays in the vacation resort of the same name, Pakostane. With its snow-white, velvety sand and turquoise blue sea, it is a real eye-catcher and brings a touch of the Caribbean to Croatia. There are parasols and sun loungers for rent on Pine Beach and a cozy bar where you can enjoy the unique atmosphere with delicious co*cktails. Although this sandy beach is part of the Pine Beach resort, it can also be visited by non-hotel guests for a small fee.
Tip: The Pine Beach Pakostane – All Inclusive vacation village is located behind the beach. Here, the lovely Polynesian thatched huts create a special vacation feeling.
Pine Beach Pakostane
Sandy Beach Vela Przina (Korcula Island)
The beach Vela Przina is located on the Korcula Island and is definitely one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Croatia. Situated in the popular vacation resort Lumbarda, this beach captivates above all with its idyllic location among green vineyards, which gives this bay a very special charm. The sea is particularly shallow at this sandy beach, which families with kids also appreciate. In the bathing season, a restaurant and a co*cktail bar spoil the guests and also massages with a view of the sea are offered. You can rent umbrellas and sunbeds as well.
Tip: Only 200 meters away from Vela Przina are the beautiful Apartments Pržina, which score with modern furnishings and a fantastic view of the sea.
Sandy Beach – Vela Przina
Beach Lanterna Camping (Porec)
The white sandy beach Val Adria Sandy Family Beach in Istria is artificially created, nevertheless really beautiful. It is located in the middle of the popular vacation village of the Lanterna campsite, on the edge of the vacation resort of Porec. Here, a snow-white, velvety sandy beach with enchanting blue sea colors awaits you. There are parasols and sun loungers for hire, and pine trees provide natural shade at the edge of the bay. Especially families with children love this beach and the great facilities, like pools, restaurants, playgrounds that can be found inside the campsite.
Tip: The Lanterna Premium Camping Resort with its beautiful mobile homes is one of the most popular campsites in Istria and is perfect for a beach vacation with the whole family!
White Sandy Beach Lanterna Camping Porec
Sunj Beach (Lopud Island)
One of the most impressive sandy beaches in the Dubrovnik region is the beautiful Beach Sunj. This dream beach is located on the small, car-free island of Lopud and is a popular destination for boat trips from Dubrovnik. Some also spend their summer vacations on this quiet and idyllic island. Adults and also children appreciate this wide and very fine sandy beach, where you can wade through the warm water and play in the sea. There are hardly any shady places on this sandy beach. However, umbrellas and sunbeds can be rented on site.
Tip: On the small island of Lopud, there are a few places to stay for a quiet vacation in Croatia, including the charming Hotel Glavovic right on the promenade.
Lopud Island – Sandy Beach Sunj
Podbrizi Sand Beach Vrgada
The Podbrizi Sand Beach Vrgadais a real gem near Pakostane and an insider tip among the most beautiful sandy bays in Croatia. This fascinating, natural sandy beach is located on the pretty mini island of Vrgada and can be easily reached by ferry from the harbor in Pakostane or by boat. A special feature of Vrgada sandy beach are the steep, golden cliffs, which together with the turquoise blue sea create an incredibly beautiful backdrop. There is also a dense pine forest directly above the bay, which gives the landscape a unique Mediterranean flair.
Podbrizi Sand Beach Vrgada
More about Croatia:
Top 20 Best Beaches in Croatia
20 Unique Things to Do in Croatia
The 10 Best Cities to Visit in Croatia
Croatia Road Trip Itinerary: The Best of Croatia
10 Hidden Gems in Croatia You Must Visit
Keep Exploring
Beaches in Croatia
Split Beaches | Dubrovnik Beaches | Pula Beaches | Zadar Beaches | Rovinj Beaches | Krk Beaches | Brac Beaches | Hvar Beaches | Istria Beaches | Makarska Beaches | Trogir Beaches | Korcula Beaches | Porec Beaches |Umag Beaches | Crkvenica Beaches | Opatija Beaches | Medulin Beaches | Sibenik Beaches | Rijeka Beaches | Rab Beaches
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