Croatia Beach Holidays: Coastal Towns, Cities and Islands

Croatia is one of Europe’s best places for a beach holiday, with coastal towns, historic cities, and islands along the Adriatic coast. We’ve visited quite a few of them, and in this guide I’ve rounded up some of my favourite destinations for swimming, relaxing, walking and enjoying the coast.

The sea in Croatia tends to be crystal clear and very calm during the warmer months. Beaches in Croatia are usually pebble, rock or concrete platforms with steps into the water rather than long sandy stretches. Despite this, the country’s beaches are fantastic and a wonderful way to relax.

Croatia’s coastal areas have many restaurants serving seafood from the Adriatic. Coastal towns and villages also have many small fish markets.

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Tried and Tested Croatia Beach Holiday Destinations

Mali Lošinj

Mali Lošinj is a fantastic destination for a relaxing break in Croatia. It is a small town on the island of Lošinj in the Adriatic Sea. Mali Lošinj has the nickname ‘the island of vitality’ for excellent reasons. They have well over 200 days of sunshine per year, and boy, is the island beautiful.

The town has a picturesque harbour, plenty of coastal paths for walking, and many beaches, giving you access to the water. You can also take part in many water sports or enjoy a relaxing boat trip.

Popular beaches on the island include Cikat Bay and Valdarke Bay. Both have larger beaches for fun and a nearby rugged coastline. Cikat Bay is very picturesque and has many large Austrian villas. The area also offers resort hotels with private beaches and posh restaurants.

The island has many fantastic restaurants serving dishes from land and sea. The island’s seafood platters are fantastic to share for a meal out. Mali Lošinj is a bit difficult to reach, as you have to fly to the nearest airport and take a ferry.

Split City

Split is a big, historic city by the sea and a popular summer destination. It has a fantastic old-town area within the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace. This is well worth spending a day exploring. The Riva of Split is a vibrant place to enjoy yourself, with lots of bars, including many that stay open late. For those who enjoy a walk, the coastal paths and Marjan Hill are wonderful.

Split has many beaches, including sandy and shingle beaches, and access to the sea via steps. Some can be busy; however, there are some lovely places to relax along the coast paths. Split has some very nice restaurants and bars to enhance your stay.

Veli Lošinj

Also on the island of Lošinj is the picturesque village of Veli Lošinj, a small place for a summer holiday, but it has lots of options for places to stay.

Veli Lošinj has plenty of spots to swim on its stunning coastline, including Beach Punta next to the big resort hotel, Vitality Hotel Punta. Many small swimming spots are south of the village. You can also arrange boat trips, including dolphin watching, from the small harbour in Veli Lošinj.

For those who want an active holiday by the Croatian seaside, there are plenty of options. This includes renting bikes or hiking to explore the island. You can also rent SUPs or kayaks for a sea adventure. Veli Lošinj has many restaurants overlooking the pretty harbour.

Cres Island

Cres is an island an hour’s ferry ride from Rijeka on the mainland. The island’s main town is also called Cres. Cres town is a beautiful place with a nice harbour and a beautiful coastline. Many beaches line the coast near Cres town, with a variety of water-based activities. You can hire SUPs or kayaks or just enjoy swimming in the sea. The coastline is also lovely for walks, as are the island’s inland areas.

Visitors to Cres have dining options; most restaurants serve fresh, local seafood. Some offer fantastic views of the small harbour.

Stari Grad On Hvar Island

Hvar Island is a popular place for holidaymakers on the Croatian coast. There are a few popular towns to stay in, and on my visit I opted to visit Stari Grad. Stari Grad is a pretty place with lots of historic buildings. I got there by ferry from Split, which took just under 2 hours.

The coastline is great for a holiday, with plenty of places to enjoy the sea. The town has many bars and restaurants; the ones I tried were great. As a bonus, the nearby countryside is wonderful for a walk and some tranquillity.

Šibenik

Šibenik is a mainland city by the sea with many reasons to visit. It has a UNESCO-listed old town and four fortresses, which are ideal for history buffs. I really enjoyed 8 days in the city and found plenty of things to do to keep me entertained.

Sibenik is a port with ferry options to the nearby islands. There are also some nice beaches nearby; my favourites were just outside the city in Žabljak, near St Nicholas Fortress.

Because it’s near the coast, seafood is a big part of the restaurants’ menus in Šibenik. We enjoyed quite a few meals out and also cooked some from the city’s fish market. The city is also near Krka National Park, home of some epic waterfalls, which makes for an excellent day out.

Rijeka City

Rijeka is an interesting seaside city with plenty to do. It has many museums, a castle, and other attractions. Rijeka is a major port with lots of boats to see, including a marina home to some impressive yachts.

Rijeka has beaches; however, they are a bit of a trek from the city centre. You can arrange boat trips on the Adriatic Sea, including ferries to the nearby islands.

The city has some fantastic seafood restaurants throughout and a laid-back café culture. For those who are on a self-catering holiday, the fish market is fantastic for supplies.

Ilovik Island

Ilovik is a small island south of Lošinj and a nice place to visit. The island has a lovely harbour and beaches. You can find many places with sea views to dine out on Ilovik. A fascinating fact: cars are not allowed on this small island.

Beaches are available in the main settlement, with more remote options along the coast. You can enjoy watersports on the island, including kayaking. It is also a lovely place for hiking, including via some remote churches.

Reaching the island is a mission; the easiest way is the ferry from the mainland in Rijeka or, during the summer, from Zadar. Ilovik offers accommodation options, including apartments in town. You can peruse options on Booking.com.

Susak Island

Another beautiful island to visit just off Lošinj is Susak. Susak is a small place accessible by the Jadrolinija ferry that connects a few islands in the area. Susak has many beaches, including a sandy beach in the principal town and options for remote beaches along the coast.

The island is great for coastal hikes or climbing to the hilltop church overlooking the island. Susak has restaurants and bars, many of which serve local seafood. Booking accommodation in Susak can be a challenge as there’s often little availability on Booking.com.

Opatija & Matulji

Opatija & Matulji are small coastal towns in the Istria region and are great places for a break near the sea. Both are near Rijeka, and we enjoyed staying in the area. Matulji is a small town on the hills overlooking the Adriatic Sea.

The views from the village are splendid. To reach the beaches, it is a 25-30-minute walk or a short ride on the number 34 bus. We found Matulji to be a good-value place to stay, and the prices for beer, food, and accommodation were low.

Opatija is very close to the seaside and a beautiful town with lots to see. These include many Habsburg-style villas, an opera house, and some luxury beach resorts.

Opatija has various beaches to enjoy the water, and the coast path is a wonderful walk. Opatija offers many options for dining out or drinks with sea views, and it’s well worth visiting.

Pula

If you want access to interesting attractions on a beach holiday, Pula is a great city. It has many historic sites to visit, including a Roman amphitheatre and some hill forts. Pula has many beaches in the northern part of the city, including some near the resort hotels.

Pula is well connected and easy to visit if arriving by plane, coach, or ferry. Pula also has fantastic restaurants, many of which serve Adriatic seafood.

Trogir

On the Dalmatian coast is the pretty town of Trogir, with lots of sights to see. Trogir is on an island and has lots of coastline to explore. There are loads of beaches to enjoy a short walk from the central area, including rock and shale options.

Along the coast, many resorts cater to summer vacations, including those in nearby villages on Čiovo Island. It is also popular with people hiring boats or those departing on Adriatic cruises. We really enjoyed exploring the coastline and found many things to do.

Is Croatia Worth Visiting For a Beach Holiday?

Croatia is a fantastic destination for a seaside holiday, especially if you like the clear blue water. The rugged coastline is fantastic for hiking, cycling or watersports. Accommodation options suit a range of budgets. It is a chilled country, and well worth slowing down to enjoy a slower pace of life. For foodies, the local cuisine is fantastic.