Best Sandy Beaches in Croatia
We rank the 9 sandy beaches in Croatia. Rajska Plaza (Croatia) comes first with 4.6 / 5, followed by Sakarun Beach, Saplunara.
The sea reaches about 25 degrees C in season, and most of these beaches are at their best from June to September. 6 of the 9 have easy access, and 3 are hidden gems.
1Rajska Plaza
Lopar, Rab, Croatia · 4.6 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CAlso called Paradise Beach, the best-known beach on Rab, a long stretch of brown sand where the warm, shallow water reaches far out.
2Sakarun Beach
Dugi Otok, Croatia · 4.6 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CA long, shallow, white-sand bay in the Kornati archipelago — rare for the Adriatic and ideal for families.
3Saplunara
Mljet, Croatia · 4.6 / 5 · Moderate access · about 25 °CA rare sandy bay at the southeast end of Mljet, relatively quiet and set in protected surroundings.
4Nin Beach
Nin, Zadar County · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CQueen Beach (Kraljicina plaza) is a sandy beach of more than 2 km on the Nin lagoon near Zadar.
5Porat Beach
Bisevo, Croatia · 4.5 / 5 · Moderate access · about 24 °CA small sandy bay on the island of Bisevo, with very clear water, a few houses and terraced fields behind.
6Slanica Beach
Murter, Sibenik-Knin, Croatia · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 24 °CA sandy bay near the town of Murter with shallow water and pine trees along the shore.
7Sunj Beach
Lopud, Dubrovnik Riviera, Croatia · 4.5 / 5 · Moderate access · about 24 °CA shallow crescent of sand about 200 metres long, backed by pines on the car free island of Lopud, a rare sandy beach near Dubrovnik.
8Bačvice
Split, Croatia · 4.2 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CSplit's city beach, with shallow, sandy-bottomed water and the home of picigin, a ball game played in the shallows.
9Zaton Beach
Zaton, near Nin and Zadar · 4.2 / 5 · Easy access · about 24 °CA long, shallow beach between Zadar and Nin on the Adriatic, mostly sand with pebbles in places.
Quick comparison
| # | Beach | Country | Score | Water | Best season | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rajska Plaza | Croatia | 4.6 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 2 | Sakarun Beach | Croatia | 4.6 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 3 | Saplunara | Croatia | 4.6 | 25 °C | June–September | Moderate |
| 4 | Nin Beach | Croatia | 4.5 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 5 | Porat Beach | Croatia | 4.5 | 24 °C | June–September | Moderate |
| 6 | Slanica Beach | Croatia | 4.5 | 24 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 7 | Sunj Beach | Croatia | 4.5 | 24 °C | June–September | Moderate |
| 8 | Bačvice | Croatia | 4.2 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 9 | Zaton Beach | Croatia | 4.2 | 24 °C | June–September | Easy |
How we picked these beaches
Included when the shoreline is mostly of this type, then ranked by our editorial score. See how we rate beaches for the full method.
Frequently asked questions
Which are the top-rated sandy beaches in Croatia?
Our top three are Rajska Plaza (4.6 out of 5), Sakarun Beach (4.6 out of 5), Saplunara (4.6 out of 5). Scores are editorial ratings from the EuroShores team.
When is the best time to visit these beaches?
Most are at their best from June to September. Water temperatures average about 25 degrees C in season. Each beach page lists its exact season.
Which of these beaches are easiest to reach?
Rajska Plaza, Sakarun Beach, Nin Beach, Slanica Beach, Bačvice and 1 more have easy access. The others need a walk, stairs or a rougher road, so check the access note on each page.
More lists
- Best Pebble Beaches in Croatia
- Best Family Beaches in Croatia
- Easiest Beaches to Reach in Croatia
- Hidden Gem Beaches in Croatia
- Best Sandy Beaches in Europe
- Best Pebble Beaches in Europe
- Best Rocky Coves in Europe
- Best Sandy Beaches in Greece
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