Best Beaches in Istria and Kvarner
21 hand-picked beaches in Istria and Kvarner, ranked by our editors. Top pick: Rajska Plaza (4.6 / 5).
Rajska Plaza
Lopar, Rab, Croatia · Sandy Beach · 4.6 / 5
Kamenjak Beach, Premantura
Premantura, Istria · Wild cape with quiet rock coves and clear sea · 4.5 / 5
Pinizule Beach
Premantura, Istria, Croatia · Rocky Pine Cove near Cape Kamenjak · 4.4 / 5
Lone Bay
Rovinj, Istria · Pine-shaded pebble bay near Rovinj · 4.4 / 5
Stara Baska Beach
Stara Baska, Krk · Long pebble bay at the southern tip of Krk · 4.4 / 5
Zlatni Rt, Rovinj
Zlatni Rt Forest Park, Rovinj, Istria · Pine park and rock beaches south of Rovinj old town · 4.4 / 5
Cikat Bay, Losinj
Cikat, Mali Losinj, Losinj · Pine-shaded bay with clear water on Losinj · 4.4 / 5
Valun Beach, Cres
Valun, Cres · Pebble beach in a quiet fishing village on the west coast of Cres · 4.3 / 5
Njivice Beach, Krk
Njivice, Krk · Family pebble beach with pines on the island of Krk · 4.3 / 5
Suha Punta Beach, Rab
Suha Punta, Rab · Pine-shaded rocky coast and swimming spots on Rab · 4.3 / 5
Girandella Beach
Rabac, Istria · Pine-shaded pebble beach in Rabac, Istria · 4.2 / 5
Medulin Beach
Medulin, Istria · Shallow Istrian bay with pine shade · 4.2 / 5
Crikvenica Beach
Crikvenica, Kvarner · Long promenade beach on the Kvarner Riviera · 4.2 / 5
Umag Beach
Umag, Istria · Old town peninsula with pebble and rock beaches · 4.2 / 5
Selce Beach, Crikvenica
Selce, Kvarner · Sheltered pebble beach with pines and a small harbour · 4.2 / 5
Lovran Beach
Lovran, Kvarner · Pebble promenade beach in an old Habsburg resort · 4.2 / 5
Opatija Beach
Opatija, Kvarner · Stone bathing platforms in the old Habsburg resort · 4.2 / 5
Ambrela Beach, Verudela
Verudela, Pula, Istria · Rock and pebble beach in a pine-clad resort peninsula · 4.2 / 5
Bijeca Beach, Medulin
Bijeca, Medulin, Istria · Shallow sand and pebble beach among pines in southern Istria · 4.2 / 5
Novi Vinodolski Beach, Kvarner
Novi Vinodolski, Kvarner · Long pebble promenade beach on the Kvarner coast · 4.2 / 5
Porec Beach
Porec, Istria · Rock and pebble swimming spots near a Roman old town · 4.1 / 5About beaches in Istria and Kvarner
Istria and the Kvarner Gulf in northern Croatia mix rocky coves, concrete bathing platforms, pebble bays and a few sandy beaches on the islands of Rab and Losinj. The sea is clear and the coast is green.
When to go
June to September is the swimming season. The northern Adriatic warms up later than the south, so July to early September is the most reliable.
Getting around
Roads are good and distances are short, so a car or a bike works well. Many beaches have platforms and ladders instead of sand, so bring water shoes.
Easiest beaches to reach
Rajska Plaza, Kamenjak Beach, Premantura, Lone Bay, Stara Baska Beach.
Quieter hidden gems
Kamenjak Beach, Premantura, Pinizule Beach, Valun Beach, Cres.
All beaches at a glance
- Rajska Plaza: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
- Kamenjak Beach, Premantura: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Pinizule Beach: best June–September, water about 23 degrees C, access moderate.
- Lone Bay: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Stara Baska Beach: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Zlatni Rt, Rovinj: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Cikat Bay, Losinj: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Valun Beach, Cres: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Njivice Beach, Krk: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Suha Punta Beach, Rab: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
- Girandella Beach: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Medulin Beach: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Crikvenica Beach: best June–September, water about 23 degrees C, access easy.
- Umag Beach: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Selce Beach, Crikvenica: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Lovran Beach: best June–September, water about 23 degrees C, access easy.
- Opatija Beach: best June–September, water about 23 degrees C, access easy.
- Ambrela Beach, Verudela: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Bijeca Beach, Medulin: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
- Novi Vinodolski Beach, Kvarner: best June–September, water about 23 degrees C, access easy.
- Porec Beach: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the beaches in Istria and Kvarner?
June to September is the swimming season. The northern Adriatic warms up later than the south, so July to early September is the most reliable.
Which beaches in Istria and Kvarner are easiest to reach?
The easiest access is at Rajska Plaza, Kamenjak Beach, Premantura, Lone Bay, Stara Baska Beach. Check each beach page for parking and facilities.
Do I need a car for the beaches in Istria and Kvarner?
Roads are good and distances are short, so a car or a bike works well. Many beaches have platforms and ladders instead of sand, so bring water shoes.
Best-of lists for Istria and Kvarner
Best Pebble Beaches in Istria and Kvarner · Best Rocky Coves in Istria and Kvarner · Easiest Beaches to Reach in Istria and Kvarner