Best Beaches in Croatia: Where We Actually Went and What We Loved
If you’re searching for the best beaches in Croatia, here’s the honest version: the water is extraordinary, the beaches are mostly rocky and getting to the good ones often involves stairs. A lot of stairs. We spent weeks traveling the Croatian coast through Dubrovnik, Split, Čiovo Island, Pag and out to Lopud, swimming every day, dragging Rex across pebbles and chasing that perfect combination of clear water and zero crowds. We found it, repeatedly, just not always where we expected.
This is our real guide to the best beaches in Croatia. Not a list of places we looked up but the ones we actually swam at, came back to and would recommend to anyone willing to pack water shoes and embrace the rocks.
What to Know Before You Visit Croatia’s Beaches
Sandy or rocky? Mostly rocky and actually better for it. The water
clarity on a pebble beach is unreal. The one exception is Šunj Beach on
Lopud Island which is genuinely sandy and worth the boat trip.
Best time to visit: June and September are ideal. July and August are
peak season with the warmest water but the popular beaches get crowded
fast. We’ve done both and September wins every time. Quieter, cheaper and
the sea is still perfectly warm.
Water shoes are not optional. Sea urchins are real, the rocks are sharp
in places and you’ll want grip getting in and out of the water. Don’t skip them.
Getting around: A rental car unlocks Croatia’s best beaches. Most of
the hidden spots including several of our favorites aren’t reachable by
public transport. We always rent one and it always pays off.
Traveling with a dog? Croatia is more dog-friendly than you’d expect at
the beach. See our dog-friendly section below for exactly what worked for
us with Rex.
Dubrovnik Beaches: Stairs, Cliffs and That View
Dubrovnik’s beaches reward effort. The harder they are to reach, the better they get. Here’s what we found.
Banje Beach
Banje Beach is the classic Dubrovnik beach for a reason. It is easy
to access from Old Town and the view back toward the city walls is
unreal. Even when it is crowded it still feels iconic. If you want
that postcard Dubrovnik photo this is where you get it. It is a mix
of pebbles and beach clubs so expect loungers and music in high season.
Best for: First-time visitors and Old Town views
Access: Walkable from Old Town
Crowds: Busy in summer
Dog friendly: No
Pasjača Beach
Pasjača Beach is about 30 minutes south of Dubrovnik and it is
dramatic. You park above the cliffs then walk along a narrow path
and down a long staircase carved into the rock. There is a moment
halfway down where you question your decision. Then you turn the
corner and see it. Turquoise water, steep cliffs, almost cinematic.
It is not the easiest beach to reach but that is exactly why it
feels special.
Best for: Dramatic scenery and photos
Access: Cliffside path and steep stairs
Crowds: Moderate but spread out
Dog friendly: Yes, on leash
Plaza Beach
Lisa did this one solo while we held down the fort with Rex. More
stairs than Banje, more payoff too. It is quieter than the main
beaches and feels more local. Worth the effort if you have the legs
for it.
Best for: Escaping the crowds
Access: Steep stairs
Crowds: Light to moderate
Dog friendly: Yes, on leash
Split & Čiovo: Sea Urchins and Inflatable Mayhem
We based ourselves in Okrug Gornji on Čiovo Island just outside Split. This stretch of coast surprised us. You could go from inflatable chaos to total quiet in under ten minutes. It became one of our favorite bases in Croatia. Here’s what we swam at.
Planikovica Beach
This was literally outside our Airbnb door in Okrug Gornji and
it set the tone for the whole stay. Calm, clear and never
overcrowded. The kind of beach you take for granted until you
leave and realize it was actually exceptional.
Best for: Daily swims and slow mornings
Access: Walkable from Okrug Gornji
Crowds: Light
Dog friendly: Yes
Hidden Bay
Lisa named this one and the name stuck. A small cove near our
Airbnb that never felt crowded no matter what time we showed up.
No facilities, no crowds, just clear water and rocks. One of
those spots that feels like a secret even when it probably isn’t.
Best for: Quiet swims away from the crowds
Access: Short walk from Okrug Gornji
Crowds: Very light
Dog friendly: Yes
Copacabana Beach
Lively, loud and genuinely fun. There are restaurants right on
the water, gelato within easy reach and a giant inflatable park
that Dylan spent an embarrassing amount of time on. This is the
social beach on Čiovo and it earns its reputation. Good for a
half day when you want energy rather than peace.
Best for: Families, food and inflatable chaos
Access: Easy, well signed from Okrug Gornji
Crowds: Busy in peak season
Dog friendly: No
Beach Kuzmića
This one was an unexpected favorite. Natural shade from the pine
trees, a laid-back local vibe and the kind of relaxed atmosphere
where you end up staying three hours longer than planned. No beach
clubs, no music, just people actually enjoying the sea. We kept
coming back to this one.
Best for: Shade, locals and a slow afternoon
Access: Short drive from Okrug Gornji
Crowds: Light to moderate
Dog friendly: Yes, on leash
Tatinje Beach
Worth the extra drive. Scenic, peaceful and noticeably quieter
than the beaches closer to town. A good reminder that getting
slightly off the main route in Croatia almost always pays off.
Best for: Escaping the crowds
Access: Short drive required
Crowds: Light
Dog friendly: Yes, on leash
Pag Island: Where We Found Our Favorite Beach
Pag is wild! You drive through a lunar landscape, cross a little bridge and suddenly you’re on a party island. We skipped the EDM scene entirely and found something much better.
Planjka Beach
This became our daily ritual without us ever really deciding it.
We walked Rex here every evening and swam here more than anywhere
else on the trip. Easy to access, never overwhelming and genuinely
gorgeous. The kind of beach that just quietly becomes your favorite.
Best for: Daily swims and dog walks
Access: Easy, close to Pag Town
Crowds: Moderate
Dog friendly: Yes, this was Rex’s favorite spot on the entire trip
Babe Beach
Livelier than Planjka with inflatables in the water and more of
a scene. Good when you want a bit more energy. Still far removed
from the Zrće chaos.
Best for: A livelier afternoon without the full party beach experience
Access: Easy
Crowds: Moderate to busy
Dog friendly: Yes, on leash
Plaža Prnjica
On the far side of the island and completely worth the drive out.
Quiet in a way that feels almost surreal given how much noise is
happening elsewhere on Pag. If you have a car, go.
Best for: Escaping the crowds
Access: Car required
Crowds: Very light
Dog friendly: Yes
Zrće Beach (The One We Skipped)
Zrće is Pag’s most famous beach and it is essentially an outdoor
EDM festival that runs all summer. World-famous DJs, multiple clubs
right on the sand, people dancing at noon. If that is your thing
it is apparently one of the best party beaches in Europe. It is
absolutely not our thing so we drove past it, waved, and found
a quiet cove instead. No regrets.
Best for: Party crowds and festival season
Access: Easy, well signed
Crowds: Extremely busy in summer
Dog friendly: No
Lopud Island: Sand, Boats and Peace
Lopud requires a boat and it is absolutely worth it. If you only do one island day trip from Dubrovnik, make it this one.
Šunj Beach
One of the only genuinely sandy beaches on the Croatian coast and
it earns the trip. The sand sticks to everything, the water is
shallow and warm and the whole pace of the afternoon just slows
down. Not crowded even in peak season which felt like a small
miracle. We had lunch at a casual spot tucked into the trees nearby
where the food was simple and exactly right. Summer camp for
grown-ups.
Best for: Sandy beach lovers and a proper slow day
Access: Boat from Dubrovnik to Lopud, then a short walk
Crowds: Surprisingly light even in peak season
Dog friendly: Yes, on leash
Dog-Friendly Beaches in Croatia: What Actually Worked for Us
Traveling with Rex meant doing extra homework on every beach and Croatia
surprised us in the best way. Here’s what we learned:
Pag Island was our dog beach winner. The outer beaches including Planjka Beach and Plaža Prnjica are relaxed about dogs, have plenty of space and the water is calm enough for a dog to paddle. Rex swam at Planjka Beach almost every evening and it became one of our favorite routines of the whole trip.
The free outer park areas in Dubrovnik accessible through Queen’s Gate are dog-friendly with a leash. It’s a long rocky shoreline with places to swim and Rex had a brilliant time. The formal beaches near Old Town are much stricter.
Čiovo Island near Split was genuinely easy with a dog. Our Airbnb in Okrug Gornji put us right next to Planikovica Beach which was calm, quiet and never felt like anyone was going to give us trouble about Rex.
The general rule: Croatia enforces dog restrictions more on the high-season tourist beaches and less on the quieter local ones. Early morning swims are almost always fine even where dogs aren’t officially permitted later in the day. Use common sense, keep a leash handy and you’ll find Croatia one of the most dog-friendly beach destinations we’ve traveled.
Croatian Beach Day Must-Haves
Heading to the sea? These are the exact things we pack for beach days in Croatia. From our favorite European sunscreen that actually works to our go-to beach shoes, towels, and waterproof gear, everything here has been tested and loved on our trips.
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We only covered a portion of Croatia’s coastline on this trip. The Dalmatian islands including Hvar, Brač and Korčula are high on our list for next time and we’ll update this guide when we get there.
Croatia Beaches: Your Questions Answered
Are Croatia’s beaches sandy or rocky?
Most beaches in Croatia are pebble or rock not sand. This is actually what makes the water so clear and clean. The main exception is Šunj Beach on Lopud Island, one of the few genuinely sandy beaches on the Dalmatian coast and worth a boat trip specifically for it.
What is the best beach near Dubrovnik?
Banje Beach is the most accessible and beautiful despite the crowds. For something more dramatic, Pasjača Beach about 30 minutes south is stunning with a cliffside walk, steep stairs and a payoff that’s hard to match. For a quieter swim the rocky shoreline accessible through Queen’s Gate is a local favorite and dog-friendly.
Are there dog-friendly beaches in Croatia?
Yes, more than you’d expect. Pag Island, the outer areas around Dubrovnik and the quieter beaches on Čiovo Island near Split all worked well for us with Rex. Quieter beaches and early mornings are almost always fine. See our dog-friendly section above for the full breakdown.
What is the best time to visit Croatia’s beaches?
June and September. The sea is warm, the crowds are manageable and prices are lower than peak July and August. September especially feels like Croatia at its best with the tourists thinned out but the water still warm.
Do I need water shoes for Croatian beaches?
Yes, 100%. The pebble beaches are beautiful but can be hard on bare feet and sea urchins are present. Water shoes make getting in and out of the water much easier and more comfortable.
More From Croatia
Planning your trip along the coast? Here’s what else we’ve covered from our time there.
Looking for the full picture? Our Croatia Travel Guide covers the best cities, islands and practical tips for planning your trip.
