Best Beaches in Croatia: Where We Actually Went and What We Loved
Croatia is beautiful—but if you’re expecting soft sand and beach clubs you’re going to be surprised. The Croatian beaches are rocky, the hikes are real, and the water? Absolutely unreal. We swam, we floated, we climbed down more stairs than we care to remember—and we’d do it again, all in the pursuit of enjoying the stunning Croatian beaches.
Here’s where we went, what we loved, and what made each spot worth the effort (or not):
🏰 Dubrovnik: Stairs, Cliffs, and That View
We stayed on a cliff above Old Town, which meant stairs. Lots of them. The first beach we hit was Banje Beach, a classic for a reason—easy to access and beautiful, even when crowded. We also drove about 30 minutes south to Pasjača Beach, which involved a cliffside walk, a long steep staircase, and a moment of panic before turning the corner and realizing, yeah, it was worth it. One of the most stunning views of the whole trip. Lisa also went to Plaza Beach on her own—more stairs, more payoff.
🌊 Split & Čiovo: Sea Urchins and Inflatable Mayhem
We based ourselves in an Airbnb in Okrug Gornji, on Čiovo Island just outside Split, where Planikovica Beach was right outside our door. Calm, clear, and perfect for daily swims. Lisa swam every morning in a nearby spot we called Hidden Bay, and we loved heading over to Copacabana Beach on Čiovo Island—lively, full of restaurants and gelato, and a giant inflatable park in the water. Beach Kuzmića was an unexpected favorite with natural shade and a laid-back, local vibe. One afternoon we drove to Tatinje Beach—scenic, peaceful, and worth the extra time.
🌕 Pag Island: Moon Rocks and Full Moon Swims
Pag is wild. You drive through a lunar landscape, cross a little bridge, and suddenly you’re on a party island. We skipped Zrće Beach (EDM central) and found our own peaceful routine. We walked Rex every night along Planjka Beach and swam there often—it was easy, familiar, and gorgeous. Babe Beach had more inflatables and a livelier feel, while Plaža Prnjica on the far side of the island was completely quiet and totally worth the drive. We even found an unnamed beach tucked into the rocks that felt like our own private spot.
🏝️ Lopud Island: Sand, Boats, and Peace
This one you have to boat to. We were taken to Šunj Beach on Lopud, one of the only sandy beaches we found. The sand sticks to everything, the water is shallow and warm, and it felt like summer camp for grown-ups. The beach wasn’t crowded even in peak season, and we had an amazing lunch nearby at a casual spot tucked into the trees. If you’re up for a boat ride, this one’s worth it.
🎧 Want more?
Our full podcast episode is out now—hear all about the rocky coves, inflatable chaos, hidden swim spots, and which beach took 200 stairs to reach. Link at the top.
