Best Places to See Sunrise & Sunset in Croatia

One of my favourite things to do while in Croatia is to watch the sunrise and sunset. There are lots of places to watch the sun rise or set. I enjoy taking a few photos while taking in the light show.

Early morning sunrise walks are a chilled-out affair, and few people are about in Croatia. For sunsets, there are usually more people about doing their thing. I’ve enjoyed sunsets on the coast and various inland places in Croatia.

Timings

Sunset time in Croatia varies depending on the time of year you visit. You can find times using the SunCalc website. I find it best to arrive 45 minutes before the specified time to enjoy the sky changing colour, and wait 45 minutes after, extending the spectacle. Taking a drink and a pastry with me is my preference over sitting and taking it all in and pondering whatever.

Both are fantastic times of the day for a swim in the Adriatic Sea during the warmer months. You can get some epic distance done without bumping into many others enjoying the water.

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Tip – If you see wispy clouds in the early evening, the chances of a colourful sunset are fantastic.

Places to Watch Sunrise & Sunset in Croatia

Some of my favourite places to watch the sunrise and sunset are in Croatia. Many of the popular tourist towns in Croatia also have sunset cruises, many of which you can organise via the Viator website.

Where to Watch Sunsets & Sunrises in Mali Lošinj?

The geography of Lošinj Island means there are many pleasant spots to watch the sunrise or sunset. During my extended holidays in Mali Lošinj, I was lucky enough to see lots of good ones, including some epic skies. Walking along the coast and seafront is the best; however, the early and late nights can be enjoyed all over the town.

The harbour is nice during the late sun, and a coastal walk on the east coast is the best place to watch the Croatian sunrise. If you can book a table, the Tematski Vidikovac Providenca viewpoint overlooking the island is supposed to be very special. Sadly, it gets very busy at sunset o’clock and is difficult to book.

The West Coast For A Morning Walk

Early in the morning, Plaža Sv. Martin is a fantastic place to enjoy the sunrise because it faces east towards the mainland. The area tends to be quiet early in the morning, with the occasional runner passing by.

Sv. Martin Bay is fantastic at sunrise too, especially near the fishing harbour and church. There is a coastal path that runs through the bay, with many places to sit and enjoy the view.

Mali Lošinj is famous for its collection of aromatic plants, making it feel like a permanent aromatherapy session. The area near Plaža na kamenu is a hotspot for wild onions, and these certainly add a unique aroma to a sunrise walk.

Early Exploration of Sv. Martin Village

The bay near St Martin’s Church is a lovely place to photograph while the sun comes up. There are lots of features to enhance the views.

The fishing boats of the small harbour certainly add a great backdrop at any time of the day. As does the church and its graveyard.

Čikat Bay At Sunset

Another pleasant area of Mali Lošinj for a sunset walk is Čikat Bay. Cikat Bay is perfectly positioned to watch the late sun. As a bonus, the coastal path and forest are beautiful too.

The bay is also fantastic for an evening swim before heading to a bar or restaurant in the area. The colours while swimming can be fantastic, and the water is quieter during the sunset.

Coastal Paths During Golden Hour

Leading up to sunset and after sunrise, the sun does fantastic things to the scenery’s colours. Hence its name, the golden hour. The coastal paths on the west side of Mali Lošinj in Croatia are particularly special.

The Main Square For Late Sun

The main square in Mali Lošinj is also a fantastic place to watch the sunset. The seats in the square have a bird’s-eye view of the late sun. As a bonus, some bars nearby have seats ideal for watching the spectacle. The pirate boat makes a great backdrop if you are after red-sky photos.

Split

Split, a city on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, is another place where I’ve enjoyed many sunsets. There were loads of enjoyable moments; thus, I created a separate sunset guide for Split. There were loads of brilliant spots along the coast to enjoy the spectacle, including on the Riva in the city centre.

The Old Town of Split was also a fantastic place where the light really enhanced the ancient buildings. The city also has options for sunset cruises, which you can arrange via the Viator website.

Sunset in Pula

Pula is a beautiful city, and I really enjoyed exploring during golden hour and sunset. My favourite place was near Pula Arena, the 1st-century Roman amphitheatre.

There are lots of places to enjoy the late light while walking around the site. However, the area near the Church of St Anthony was great for photos. If the church is open, the terrace next to the church entrance is the best.

Pula Riva, by the waterfront, is also a top place to watch the sun going down. There are lots of places to sit down and features that enhance the experience.

Red Skies in Karlovac

Karlovac is a small city near the capital of Croatia, Zagreb. It has the moniker ‘City of Parks’ and is a great place to watch the red skies at sunrise or sunset. Our accommodation was in a high-rise, so one of the best views we had was from the balcony, looking downstream along the river.

Sunset Overlooking Fuzine In The Mountains

Fuzine is a small village where we enjoyed some cool sunsets. I found the best ones were on the high ground overlooking Lake Bajer. The side of the lake was pretty cool, too. Our accommodation was on the hill, so I didn’t have far to walk to see the setting sun.

The Train Window

We travel by train in Croatia, and sometimes the train windows hit you with a real gem of a sunset. My favourite was when we were travelling from Hungary to Zagreb in the open countryside.

Ogulin Sunsets

The small town of Ogulin in central Croatia is a lovely place to visit. I really enjoyed the sunset walks in the town, especially overlooking Dulas Abyss, a gorge in Ogulin. The water, trees, and mountains certainly enhanced the views of the late sun.

Opatija Sunrise

Opatija is a beautiful town in the Istria region of Croatia. I enjoyed a fantastic sunrise walk along the coastal path here. There are lots of nice features to see with the early sun, including fishing boats, Habsburg-style villas and other seaside details.