Beach Hopping Has Never Been Better
Croatia is a country bursting at the seams with picture-perfect towns, rich history, music festivals and delicious food. When it comes to what to do in Croatia, the most compelling aspect of the country is without a doubt the spectacular natural beauty that can be found everywhere from the coast to the capital.
With fairy tale waterfalls, stretches of glittering Adriatic coastline and more islands than you can count, Croatia is a nature lover’s paradise.
The perfect summer destination, Croatia is famed for its beautiful beaches and stunning swimming spots. While conventionally sandy beaches may be scarce, Croatia’s lengthy coast is packed with secluded coves, pebbly beaches and sunbaked rocks from which you can leap straight into the crystal clear water.
Croatia is a big kid’s playground, where cliff jumping, sunbathing, island hopping and leisurely swimming are just some of the ways to fill long sunny days. All you need is a bathing suit, sunscreen and a camera to make the most of your summer escape.
A list of unmissable places to swim helps too.
Here are 10 incredible swimming destinations in Croatia, ready and waiting for you to discover them.
1. Sakarun, Dugi Otok
Perhaps Croatia’s best kept secret, the glorious beach of Sakarun (also known as Saharun) on the island of Dugi Otok is the perfect spot to escape the crowds, towns and all the other trappings of the mainland. The closest thing Croatia has to a sandy beach, Sakarun is a secluded cove boasting more than half a mile of dazzling white beach.
The cove provides a wide, shallow swimming area distinct for its crystal clear, sky blue water. Apart from the yachts that drift into the mouth of the cove, few people make the ferry plus bus trip to this little slice of paradise, so you will be sharing the beach with only a handful of others.
2. Mljet National Park
Mljet, Croatia’s southernmost and greenest island, is home to a spectacular national park. Mljet National Park is notable for the two salt water lakes it encompasses. The water in the lakes is much warmer than that of the Adriatic, so it is the perfect place for swimming a little earlier in the season.
Then there is the added bonus of unspoiled Mediterranean forest, good local wine and goat’s cheese and the adventure of getting to the island by ferry from Dubrovnik.
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3. Zadar at Sunset
Alfred Hitchcock himself declared that sunsets in Zadar are the most beautiful in the world. He may well be right — sunset in this charming seaside town is an event in itself.
Locals and tourists alike gather to watch the sun dip into the sea each evening. For a more unique experience, ditch the throngs of people and watch the sunset from the sea itself. With the many colors reflecting off the calm water, taking a dip at this time of day is almost irresistible.
4. Hvar
Hvar, a town on an island of the same name, is the place where beach and party meet. The combination of pristine water and thriving nightlife make Hvar town the perfect place to delight in island life at its best.
During the sunshine hours, grab a beach lounge chair and a cocktail and enjoy the sun and sea in style.
5. Pakleni Islands
Shoulder to shoulder with Hvar, the Pakleni Islands offer plenty of dreamy nooks and crannies to discover along their rocky shores. The best way to explore is to rent a boat on Hvar, get a group of friends together, throw in a few beverages of your choice and cruise around the edges of the islands, jumping in anywhere that looks good.
Needless to say, given the achingly blue waters, this can take all day.
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6. Krka
If, in the unlikely event that you tire of the coast and hunger for something a little different, head to Krka. Krka National Park is unlike anywhere else in Croatia, except for the larger and more famous Plitvice Lakes National Park further north.
Krka stands alone thanks to one crucial difference though: At Krka, visitors are able to swim in the lakes, an activity which is strictly forbidden at Plitvice. With calm pools of turquoise water and breathtaking falls, Krka is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular places to swim in Croatia — possibly all of Europe.
7. Zlatni Rat, Brac Island
Backed by pine-covered hills, with a view of Hvar across the sea, Zlatni Rat (also known as Golden Horn beach) combines a stunning location with a one-of-a-kind beach. Zlatni Rat has a unique horn-shaped formation; an elegant, 400-meter curve of smooth white pebbles.
While the mini-peninsula is constantly changing shape and size due to water currents, one thing that remains constant is the fact that this beach is one of the most scenic places to swim in Croatia.
8. Vis Island
One of the more mysterious islands in Croatia, Vis was once a military zone. Shielded from the outside world for decades, the natural beauty of Vis has remained gloriously intact, making it the ideal tourist destination today. Along with the stunning beaches scattered around the island’s coast, Vis offers an unusual swimming experience.
Contrasting sharply with the beautiful surroundings, a concrete submarine pen serves as a stark reminder of the military operations conducted on the island. Now abandoned, it’s an excellent spot for all kinds of activities; such as swimming, jumping and pretending to be in a Bond film.
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9. Dubrovnik
As well as boasting a charming Old Town and plenty of fodder for Game of Thrones fans, Dubrovnik delights visitors with its proximity to several great beaches. After a hot day of exploring the cobble-stoned Old Town streets, a retreat to the beach is mandatory.
Stand out swimming spots include Banje, Buza and Sveti Jakov beaches, but a little curiosity is all it takes to discover more secluded spots.
10. Pula
Friendly little Pula, perched on the tip of Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula, is famous for the striking Roman Amphitheatre that takes pride of place in the center of town. Most visitors go there for the history, but end up staying for the beaches.
Pula is at the center of an area that encompasses Brijuni National Park, Verudela Peninsula and Premantura Peninsula. Any one of these spots will seduce you with their beauty, and all make for great swimming, snorkeling and sea kayaking.