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Sea resorts in Croatia. Resort towns of Croatia by the sea - Which beach resort should you go to for relaxation? The best sea resorts

When asked by a traveler what seas are in Croatia, the geographical map gives the only answer: there is only one and it is called the Adriatic. This sea got its name from the ancient city of Adria, which was once a port at the mouth of the Po River, and today is located 25 kilometers from the coast due to the river depositing rock and silt into the shallow sea.

Blue like the Adriatic wave

This is exactly the comparison that can come to the mind of anyone who has seen the sea of ​​Croatia at least once in their life. The boundless blue of the sea, merging on the horizon with the sky and immersing the observer in calm and leisurely contemplation - this is about the Adriatic. Against its background, the terracotta tiles of the roofs and the greenery of the trees look especially picturesque, and therefore photo shoots on the local riviera give rise to the greatest number of successful shots in the presence of any model.

Which sea washes Croatia?

And the answer to this question is certainly the word “pure”. Croatian beaches are often awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Certificate for compliance with all environmental standards adopted in the European Union. There is unique nature here, admiring which is a special pleasure. Rocks and cozy bays on the coast are interspersed with sandy beaches, and pine groves create a unique aroma and make even the air healing in the literal sense of the word.
There are three main resort destinations on the Adriatic Riviera in Croatia:

  • Southern Dalmatia led by Dubrovnik.
  • Central Dalmatia, among the resorts of which Split and the island of Brac are especially famous.
  • Istria is a peninsula where Pula and Porec dominate as the main recreation areas, and the island of Krk in the local waters is an excellent destination even for a day trip from the mainland.

Croatian beaches are classified as municipal beaches, entry to them is free, and you will have to pay a small amount in euros to rent umbrellas and sun loungers. However, having chosen a holiday in central Dalmatia, you can successfully hide from the sun in the shade of magnificent pine trees, which grow here very close to the surf line.

  • The Adriatic Sea in the Croatian region warms up to +26 degrees in summer, and its salinity is almost twice as high as the Black Sea.
  • When asked what seas are in Croatia, you can hear the answer “Mediterranean”, which is quite true, because the Adriatic is part of it.
  • The largest island in the Adriatic Sea is the Croatian Krk, whose area is more than 400 sq. km.

Going to Croatia, we didn't really know much about the country. Facts from Wikipedia, numerous texts in the spirit of “charming streets”, “clean sea”, “delicious seafood”, delights, descriptions of excursions. I wanted a clear and reliable comparison of cities with each other. Why go to Istria and not Dalmatia? Why is Makarska so much better than Krk that more tours are offered to the first city? How many days to spend in Dubrovnik and how many in Rijeka?

Therefore, we decided to go on an exciting road trip and see all the largest cities on the coast, the island of Krk (connected to the mainland by a bridge and located some 50 kilometers from Opatija), Zagreb and “Krka”.

  • We personally visited every city we write about,
  • tried to visit different beaches everywhere,
  • They were brutally stupid, trusting the guidebook, and ended up in two or three towns that were “not ours at all,” and left the very next day.

Let's share all this.

Prelude: about us

To begin with, a lyrical digression. Have you ever arrived at a place that someone praised and thought: “God, what did they find here?”

So a little about us.

  • we traveled by car together: me and my beautiful beloved,
  • we are about 30 years old,
  • we are online freelance entrepreneurs, one of those who are always not at work, but always with a laptop,
  • Before Croatia, our best sea holiday was in Greece. If you had a good time on the islands of Kos and Corfu, we are on the same wavelength. Croatia is also suitable for those who like Italy.

A couple of years ago we were disappointed in hotel holidays. Staying in good “fives”, we practically did not take advantage of any of their advantages.

Lazy all-inclusive is not for us: we spend a maximum of 3-5 hours on the beach, and the thirst for activity begins.

Hotel meals have always been a waste of money: we missed breakfast, skipped lunch on excursions, dined at different local establishments, each time in a new one.

We tried out the luxurious infinity pool in the “five” in Corfu once – for a selfie. In other hotels, sometimes they didn’t even find a pool for 10 days of vacation. How, well, how can you exchange this gorgeous, clear, clean water for something chlorinated and over-chlorinated?!

Food: we eat healthy, so shrimp, fish steaks, squid, octopus, greens, vegetables are our everything! For breakfast – definitely buckwheat!

The beach of the town of Vrbnik on the island of Krk is loved and recommended by locals.

Delicious seafood – everywhere, but the oysters and fish were especially good at the Lim Fjord restaurant on the coast of the Lim Fjord, between Rovinj and Porec, and at the Frankopan restaurant in the city of Krk.

Lima Fjord: it’s worth going on an excursion here for the beautiful nature and delicious seafood.

Beautiful Old Town (in order of priority): Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, Sibenik, Rovinj. There are no ugly or uninteresting towns on the Adriatic coast, but if you want to see the very best, go here.

The most beautiful cities in Croatia are in Dalmatia. The photo shows the Split embankment.

And the Old Town, and good beaches, and clean sea, and delicious seafood: Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

To have the beach and the Old Town nearby: all except Pula and Rijeka. There is a beach near the Old Town, but it is not very large and convenient: Rovinj, Trogir, Dubrovnik. There is a city beach, but it is crowded: Split. The water is like this (it stagnates a little and with greenery): Sibenik.

The most amazing beach in the city center is in Zadar. There is a beach, a promenade, an old town, a lot of water activities, and two unique miracles of technology: a sea organ and a “salutation of the sun” installation.

The sea and the active rhythm of life in a big city: Dubrovnik, Split, Rijeka (but we do not recommend the latter for a sea holiday).

Calm sea holiday, silence: Umag (Istria), Volosko (near Opatija, Kvarner Bay), nearby – Crikvenica, Vodice (near Sibenik), Vrbnik (Krk). It is quiet here and at the same time a stone's throw from larger cities.

A special place in the suburbs of Pula – Premantura, park and beach Kamenjak

Hotel lazy holiday: Porec, Dubrovnik. , but not every city has five-star hotels. There are strong fours in Porec. There are many good luxury hotels and chain brands in Dubrovnik. But in general, to be honest, Croatia is not a country for a lazy holiday in the all-inclusive style and there are very few hotels operating according to this system

To see more interesting things: cities with good opportunities for a beach holiday close to the most interesting places in the region: in Istria - Rovinj, in the Kvarner Bay area - Opatija, in Dalmatia - Split.

Opatija is one of the strategic points on the map of the Croatian coast. From here it is convenient to get to the largest cities in the region and the country.

A strategically correct route to continue to be surprised in every new city: from Umag to Dubrovnik. This way you will get maximum pleasure and impressions “increasingly”, with the maximum in Dubrovnik.

A strategically correct route for active sightseeing and, in the end, lying down like a seal on the beach: from Dubrovnik to Umag.

. If you like it to be hotter and the sea to be warmer, go to Dalmatia. The southernmost cities are Dubrovnik and Split. If you need to improve your health, but get as little sun as possible, go to Istria: here the temperature of both air and water is 5 degrees lower than in Dubrovnik and Split. At the same time, in the area of ​​Pula, Porec, Rovinj, the most unique beach areas are concentrated, located in coniferous parks. The thick shade from the pine trees that reach the water allows you to relax and not get sunburned, even while on the beach in the hottest sun. Therefore, there are many families with small children and women “in an interesting situation.” Locals sometimes complain that the weather in Istria is unstable, there are cold currents, but we vacationed here in June, when the sea temperature was 25 degrees and the air temperature was 30. And it was very comfortable!

The clearest Adriatic Sea, the widest selection of amazing beaches, the intoxicating aroma of pine needles, as well as reasonable prices and a visa-free regime have turned Croatia into one of the most popular summer tourism destinations. The number of resorts in such a compact country is amazing. It has a relatively long coastline, the main part of which is formed by numerous islands.

It is not possible to mention all Croatian resorts in one article. Therefore, we bring to your attention a list of the best, according to reviews from tourists from around the world, places for a summer holiday.

Dubrovnik

Exquisite, nestled on the territory of a rocky island - one of the most attractive seaside cities of the Adriatic, famous for its impeccable ecology, unique nature, abundance of cultural attractions and superbly developed infrastructure.


Solar-water procedures are carried out on concrete, pebble and sand-gravel beaches. The latter includes the largest, well-equipped Lapad beach in Dubrovnik.


"Lapad" - one of the largest beaches in Croatia

You can also soak up the sand on the neighboring island where Marco Polo was born,


Or on the island of Koločep, overgrown with lush subtropical vegetation.


For pebbles, you should go to Banya, from where you can see “postcard” views of the historical center of the city.


Cavtat

Couples with children are buying up tickets. Luxurious Mediterranean nature, sandy beaches strung on a thread of surf, gentle entry into the water, hotels surrounded by flowering gardens - here you will quickly learn to enjoy life.


Sports-minded people will appreciate the range of active sports and the possibilities of the Prevlaka amusement park, and gourmets will appreciate the huge range of dishes in the restaurants.

Split

Split is a city of rare architecture and centuries-old history, occupying a central position on the Croatian coast. This is the second largest city in the country, an important seaport and, in combination, one of the most expensive resorts.


It rightfully boasts seven excellent small-pebble beaches, equipped in accordance with all international standards.


They captivate with incredibly clear water and pine forests approaching almost to its very edge.

From Split there are excursions to national parks, as well as to a number of neighboring islands. Those wishing to see other countries have the chance to visit Italy and Greece.

Makarska

Another resort that appeals to discerning travelers and lovers of a relaxing family holiday.


This peaceful corner of paradise is located in a secluded bay, at the very foot of Mount Biokovo.

Its guests can not only lie on clean pebble beaches,


But also plunge into the atmosphere of romance, walking along the ancient narrow streets and enjoying the taste of coffee in a cafe next to the Franciscan Monastery.

Pula


If it were not for the traces of 40 years of Yugoslav rule, Pula could well pass for a miniature copy of the eternal city: it has its own Colosseum, which occasionally organizes concerts, its own Arc de Triomphe and several Roman temples. Despite the huge number of antiquities, the hotels here are very modern, and even the most modest hotels try to “keep up their brand.”

As for direct swimming, the beaches in Pula are platform and pebble-stone.


Some of them have discreetly designated areas for nudists.

Opatija

Opatija is a prestigious fashionable Istrian resort, favored by heads of state, stars, successful businessmen and simply wealthy tourists. It is believed that this is the warmest, sunny and windless part of the island, which allows the beach season to close here with a slight delay compared to other resort centers.


There are pebble beaches,


And there are areas with concrete floorings equipped with special descents into the sea. But this does not upset anyone at all, since this shortcoming is more than compensated for by the healing climate, picturesque landscapes, as well as a myriad of beautiful monuments of art and architecture.

Kvarner

Kvarner is a popular resort area in the northern part of Croatia, located on the shores of the Gulf of Rijeka between Istria and Dalmatia.


Holidays here are intense and always full of surprises. Do you want to quench your thirst for historical knowledge, want to become part of nature, replenish your vital energy reserves or indulge in gastronomic discoveries by tasting dishes from freshly caught seafood delicacies? Kvarner makes your wildest travel fantasies come true.

Lovran is one of the most charming cities


And Crikvenica.


The islands of Cres, Krk, Lošinj, Rab and Pag, concentrated in the bay, deserve special attention. Their cozy beaches shelter you from the noise of huge cities, surrounded by the care of the sun and sea.

If you are willing to sacrifice powdery white sand for the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic and stunningly beautiful landscapes, then Croatia is the place for you!

    Croatia is a country in south-central Europe, partly on the Balkan Peninsula (southwest). The country's territory is 56,594 km², making Croatia the 127th largest country in the world. It borders Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia (to the east), Slovenia (to the west), Hungary (to the north) and Montenegro (to the southeast); in the south it is washed by the waters of the Adriatic Sea

    In Croatia the Adriatic Sea. It is this sea that washes the country in the south.

    The sea in Croatia is of extraordinary beauty, clean and transparent. This is a very good place to relax with small children!

    The holiday season here lasts from May to October.

    Croatia is a very beautiful country and it is also washed by one of the coolest seas in the world - the Adriatic Sea, since ancient times we have heard about this sea from myths, since this sea also washes Italy, Greece, Albania

    The shores of Croatia are washed by the clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. The water temperature in August is 2426 C, in February 713 C. The water is very salty, salinity ranges from 35 to 38. Due to the high density of sea water, swimming here is easy. Croatia is not called the Land of a Thousand Islands for nothing. A chain of more than 1,000 stunningly beautiful islands stretches along the coast, only 66 of them are inhabited. The transparency of sea water off the coast reaches 56 meters!

    Adriatic.

    The sea off the coast of Croatia is named after the ancient Italian city of Adria. The length of the coastline of the Croatian part of the Adriatic is 1,777 kilometers. The water is very clean, 125 beaches have the international Blue Flag certificate. The largest cities on the Croatian coast are Dubrovnik, Rijeka and Split.

    Croatia is washed by the clearest Adriatic Sea.

    The tourist season in Croatia lasts from May to September. There is a wonderful climate, nature and ecology here. There are sandy, pebble and concrete beaches. Russians require a visa to enter Croatia.

    Croatia enjoys deserved popularity among our tourists. The beauty of the landscape and nature of this country is striking, with numerous crystal clear lakes and sea islands, among which Krk stands out. And the sea is there Adriatic.

    The Republic of Croatia is washed by only one sea - the Adriatic.

    More than half of the island's inhabitants are Catholics, although other religions are not oppressed.

    Many Russian tourists received international yachtsmen's documents there, since yachtsmen are trained there professionally at the state level and the documents are valid for all countries.

    Croatia is a small European country that was part of Yugoslavia until 1991.

    Croatia is washed from the west by the waters of the Adriatic Sea.

    The beaches of the Adriatic are famous for their cleanliness, and Croatia is famous for its picturesque nature, historical monuments, and museums.

    The climate is very comfortable for summer holidays.

    In Croatia the sea is warm, especially in summer. In winter, the Adriatic Sea cools down to 10-13 degrees and it is rather cold to swim in it, especially since the weather at this time of year is not good - frequent rains and wind, and the sea can be very stormy. However, in summer the Adriatic Sea is simply a paradise for tourists. The water in the Adriatic is clear, a warm breeze prevents you from overheating in the sun, and the abundance of islands of various sizes off the Croatian coast is a paradise for tourists and lovers of yachting and diving. The average water temperature in the Adriatic Sea in summer is 25 degrees. Mountains overgrown with lush vegetation surrounding the sea complete the idyllic picture.

    The clean, transparent Adriatic Sea washes Croatia. In summer, the water temperature reaches +30 degrees, in winter up to +10 degrees.

    The sea is not very salty, salinity is only 38%, so it is easy to swim and swim in it.

    At a depth of up to 50 meters you can see the bottom of the sea and all its inhabitants, it is so transparent.

    There are more than 1000 islands in the Adriatic Sea, the islands are inhabited.

    There are about 350 species of fish in the sea, and diving is very popular here.

    Many shipwrecks have been found at the bottom of the sea.

brief information

Every year more and more tourists come to Croatia. Most tourists who have visited Croatia once come to vacation in this country again and again. After all, one cannot remain indifferent to the medieval Croatian cities, which have remained virtually unchanged over the past few hundred years; one cannot forget the beautiful Croatian nature and amazing local beaches, surrounded by pine forests.

Geography of Croatia

Croatia is located in southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Croatia borders Hungary in the northeast, Serbia in the east, Bosnia and Herzegovina in the southeast, and Slovenia in the northwest. In the southwest, Croatia is washed by the waters of the Adriatic Sea. The total area of ​​this Balkan country is 56,594 square meters. km, and the total length of the state border is 3,320 km.

Croatia consists of about 1,000 islands in the Adriatic Sea. True, most of them are uninhabited.

The southeast of Croatia is dominated by low mountains, while the east is dominated by plains. The highest peak in Croatia is Mount Dinara (1,831 m).

Several large rivers flow through Croatia - the Danube, Sava, Drava, Kupa, and Bosut.

Capital

The capital of Croatia is Zagreb, which is now home to more than 800 thousand people. Historians believe that Zagreb was founded around the beginning of the 11th century.

Official language

The official language in Croatia is Croatian, which belongs to the Slavic group of Indo-European languages. Currently, the Croatian language has three dialects – Shtokavian, Chakavian and Kajkavian.

Religion

More than 90% of the population of Croatia are Catholics belonging to the Roman Catholic Church. Another 4% of Croats consider themselves Orthodox Christians, and 1.5% consider themselves Muslims.

Government structure of Croatia

According to the 1990 Constitution, Croatia is a parliamentary republic in which the head of state is the President. It is the President and the Government who have executive power.

Legislative power belongs to the unicameral Parliament (Sabor), the number of deputies in which ranges from 100 to 160 people.

The main political parties in Croatia are the Social Democratic Party of Croatia, the Croatian Democratic Union, and the Croatian People's Party.

Climate and weather

There are two types of climate in Croatia – continental and Mediterranean. The Croatian coast and islands have a Mediterranean climate. In summer, the average daytime air temperature is +24-26C. However, in Istria the average air temperature in summer is slightly lower - +22C.

The climate in inland Croatia, including Zagreb and Slavonia, is continental, because... this part of Croatia is separated from the Adriatic coast by the Dinaric Mountains. In July in inland Croatia the average air temperature is +22 C, and in winter it ranges from -2 to -4 C.

In winter, the Croatian mountains have a lot of snow, which guarantees a long ski season.

Sea in Croatia

In the southwest, Croatia is washed by the waters of the Adriatic Sea. The length of the Adriatic coast in Croatia is almost 1.8 thousand kilometers. Croatia includes more than 1 thousand islands (although almost all of them are uninhabited). The largest Croatian islands are Krk and Cres.

Average sea temperature in Croatia:

January - +11C
- February - +12C
- March - +15C
- April - +15C
- May - +19C
- June - +23C
- July - +26C
- August - +26C
- September - +24C
- October - +20C
- November - +17C
- December - +12

Rivers and lakes

Several large rivers flow through Croatia - the Sava (562 km), Drava (305 km), Kupa (296 km), Bosut (143 km), and the Danube (18 km across Croatia).

Croatia is famous for its lakes, the beauty of which surprises many tourists. Thus, Plitvice Lakes became a National Park in 1949, and in 1979 they were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Plitvice Lakes includes 16 large lakes, many of which have beautiful waterfalls.

History of Croatia

In ancient times, Illyrians lived on the territory of modern Croatia, and in the 4th century BC. Croatian lands were inhabited by Celtic tribes. Around 200 BC. The territory of modern Croatia was captured by Ancient Rome, which divided it into two provinces - Pannonia and Dalmatia.

After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Slavs settled in Croatia and mixed with the local population (this happened in the 7th century AD).

In 925 AD. Tomislav united the Duchy of Pannonia and the Principality of Dalmatia, thus forming the Kingdom of Croatia. Tomislav himself became the first Croatian king.

In 1102, the Croats recognized the rulers of Hungary as their kings. Thus, Croatia became part of Hungary.

By 1526, much of Croatia's territory had been conquered by the Ottoman Empire. At the beginning of the 17th century, the Turks were expelled from Croatia, which came under Austrian rule. By 1815, Austria was able to recapture Dalmatia and Istria from France.

In 1918, the Croatian Parliament broke off relations with the Austro-Hungarian Empire (Croatia had autonomy in this empire), and the country joined Serbia and Montenegro. Thus the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was formed.

In 1939, Croatia gained autonomy within Yugoslavia, and after the outbreak of World War II, the country's independence was declared. However, after the end of World War II, Croatia again lost its independence and became part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Croatia's independence was restored in 1991, when the people of this country decided to secede from Yugoslavia. As a result of the war in the mid-1990s, Croatia was able to annex all of its ethnic lands.

Now Croatia is a candidate for membership in the European Union and the NATO military bloc.

Culture

Croats have always treated their culture with care. That is why in this country numerous historical monuments, as well as distinct Croatian folk traditions, have been preserved to this day. The international folklore music festival in Zagreb is very popular in Croatia.

Croatian cuisine

On the coast of Croatia, the cuisine is very similar to Italian cuisine, and the cuisine of central and northern Croatia takes a lot from central European and Austro-Hungarian cuisine.

Sights of Croatia

Croatia may not be among the top five countries with the most attractions, but tourists in this country will not be bored. The top ten best attractions in Croatia, in our opinion, include the following:

  1. Euphrasian Basilica in Porec
  2. Diocletian's Palace in Split
  3. Ancient Roman amphitheater in Pula
  4. Mirogojsko cemetery in Zagreb
  5. Cathedral in Zagreb
  6. Veliki Tabor Castle in Zagreb
  7. Cathedral of St. Vitus in Rijeka
  8. Sculpture "Well of Life" in Zagreb
  9. Pazin Castle in Istria
  10. Trakoscan Castle

Cities and resorts of Croatia

The largest cities in Croatia are Zagreb, Split, Osijek, and Rijeka.

Croatia is famous for its beach resorts, where millions of tourists come to relax every year. In Southern Dalmatia, the most famous beach resorts are Dubrovnik, Cavtat, Orebic, Mlini, Mljet Island, Korcula Island, Lokrum Island; in Central Dalmatia - Split, Trogir, Brac Island, Hvar Island; on the Makarska Riviera - Makarska, Brela, Baska Voda, Podgora, and Tučepi.

Souvenirs/shopping

Office hours

Banks are open:
Mon-Fri: 07:00-19.00
Sat: 07:00-13:00
In big cities, some banks are open on Sundays.

Store opening hours:
Mon-Fri: from 08:00 to 18:00
Sat: from 08:00 to 13:00 (or until 14:00).
Many shops are also open on Sundays.