Top 10 Amazing Beaches in Istria
The many beautiful beaches in Istria make the northernmost peninsula of Croatia one of the most popular holiday destinations in the country. On a coastline of almost 540 kilometers, countless beautiful bays attract visitors from all over the world. On many beaches, the Blue Flag, a certificate for top sea quality and best facilities, is waving – another reason why so many people love to visit the beaches of Istria. There is also a wide choice of different bathing possibilities! Well-kept concrete beaches, picturesque pebble beaches, nudist beaches, lonely bays, even sandy beaches await you during a beach vacation. But where are the most beautiful beaches in Istria, what are the insider tips, and in which coastal towns can you best spend your summer holidays?
In this travel guide, we introduce the 10 best beaches of Istria, including pictures and insider tips. Additionally, you will get numerous recommendations and information that will help you choose the right place to spend your holidays.
Njive Beach (Premantura)
Njive Beach is a real dream beach near the town of Premantura in Istria, and it is probably one of the most gorgeous bays in all of Croatia. This beautiful cove is located directly in the famous Cape Kamenjak Nature Park, a protected area where you can definitely find some of the best beaches in Istria. This beach is a truly breathtaking pebble cove located in a unique setting. Surrounded by dense pine trees, this jewel of a beach also delights with magnificent turquoise sea colors and stunning wild rock formations, where you can find many other and even quieter swimming spots.
Tip: The holiday resort next to Cape Kamenjak is Premantura. Especially recommendable here is the Aparthotel Punta Blu, a beautifully equipped hotel with a pool.
Hawaii Beach (Pula)
One of the most beautiful beaches in Istria is Hawaii Beach in Pula. This picturesque bay is located in the popular resort of the Verdula peninsula, where several hotels as well as sports facilities and restaurants offer all the best conditions for a magnificent beach vacation in Istria. The most beautiful thing is the breathtaking ambience of Hawaii Beach, where the turquoise sea colors, the white pebbles and the picturesque rocky backdrop, conjure up a picture like from a travel catalog. The sea is crystal clear and is also great for snorkeling. In addition, along the coast of the Verdula peninsula are other beautiful beaches in Pula, which invite you to spend wonderful summer days.
Tip: Travelers love the wonderful 3-star Hotel Park Plaza Arena Pula, which is located in a prime location directly behind the dreamlike Hawaii Beach!
Beach Lone Bay (Rovinj)
A real highlight for a beach holiday in Istria is the beautiful Lone Bay in Rovinj. This fine pebble beach is located directly inside the idyllic forest park near the picturesque coastal town, where are actually many more of the most beautiful beaches in Rovinj. Fragrant pine trees provide wonderful natural shade here and at the same time conjure up a romantic Mediterranean backdrop. When swimming in the sea, you can also enjoy top water quality and pleasant tranquility. The small, cozy beach bar with the bamboo loungers and parasols is also fantastic here.
Tip: Just nearby is the very popular Hotel Eden, a fantastic 4-star-hotel, which delights with its excellent location near the beach and a beautiful pool.
Sandy Beach Zambratija (Umag)
The small sandy beach Zambratija in Umag is a real insider tip among the most beautiful beaches of Istria. This stunning bathing bay is located a little north of Umag. It scores with a wonderfully quiet flair, the fine and very gently sloping sandy beach and the cool beach bar, from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the sea. Zambratija Beach is popular, especially with families with small children, but also with all those who prefer a natural sandy beach in Istria. Nearby are some private run apartments, which are actually just fabulous for a beach vacation.
Tip: Really popular in the village of Zambratija are the apartments from the Sunny House, which are located not far from the sandy beach!
Girandella Beaches (Rabac)
The Girandella beaches are located in the charming resort of Rabac in the south-east of Istria and are among the absolute dream beaches of the region. Breathtaking are the many white pebble bays that line up along the picturesque coast and promise vacation feeling at its best. Starting from the family beach, nudist beach to the dog beach, really everything is offered here. Above all, however, the paradisiacal turquoise colors of the sea, which almost remind one of the Caribbean, are a delight on the Girandella beaches. Moreover, there is a terrific gastronomic offer with restaurants, beach bars and beach hotels nearby.
Tip: There are several beach hotels along the coast. Really great is the Girandella Resort, which with its pool and the perfect location, is an excellent choice for a beach vacation.
Beaches Lanterna Camping (Porec)
The beaches at the Lanterna Campsite in Porec are also really amazing, especially the Val Adria Sandy Family Beach, one of the most impressive sandy beaches in all Istria. In the middle of the beautiful vacation village, a snow-white, velvety-soft family beach with spectacular sea colors and terrific vacation flair awaits you. Especially families with smaller children appreciate this flat sloping dream beach! But also along the coast there are numerous other beautiful idyllic bays and bathing places, which also promise quiet bathing pleasure.
Tip: The Lanterna Premium Camping Resort is one of the most popular campsites in Istria. Especially sought after are the mobile homes there, which are perfect for a beach vacation!
Valbandon Beach (Fazana)
The Valbandon Beach is a truely recommendable beach on the west coast of Istria. This pebble beach is located in Fazana, a popular seaside resort, and is ideal for families with children. A long pebble beach with a beautiful snow-white sandbank awaits you here, where there is always enough space to sunbathe. In close proximity to the beach, you will find fantastic touristic offers including many restaurants and cafés, which can be reached via the beautiful coastal promenade. Moreover, in Fazana are plenty of great accommodations, which is just perfect for a vacation by the sea!
Tip: Not far from the beach are the Apartments Josip, which score especially with cleanliness and the fantastic location near the sea!
Cyclon’s Beach (Pula)
A real insider tip among the most beautiful beaches of Istria is definitely Cyclon’s Beach in the west of Pula. Surrounded by a magnificent nature and beautiful rock formations, this idyllic bay delights with a picturesque beach scenery. This beach is a mix of pebble and stone beach surrounded by green pine trees, where turquoise sea colors invite you to jump into the cool water. Right next to it is the Pula Sea Cave, another highlight of the region! A secret hidden beach that you should not miss during your holiday in Pula!
Tip: Pula Cave and Cyclon’s Beach are popular destinations for kayak tours from Pula. You can find unforgettable trips by paddle boat online on GetYourGuide!
Beaches Sveti Andrea (Rabac)
The Sveti Andrae Beach is located in Rabac and by many it is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Istria. On the beach section you will find a mixture of small pebble bays and stone beaches, which delight with fabulous facilities and cleanliness. Holidaymakers love the extraordinary beautiful scenery with the most incredible sea colors and picturesque rock formations. Behind the beach runs a promenade that leads to the center of Rabac, where numerous cafés and restaurants invite you to linger.
Tip: Right next to Sveti Andrea is the beautiful Valamar Sanfior Hotel & Casa, a very popular hotel for a special beach vacation in Rabac!
Polynesia Beach (Umag)
Polynesia Beach is a true jewel of the Umag region in northern Istria. This natural dream beach enchants bathers with its unique Mediterranean picture-book setting. The crystal clear sea shines in the most amazing shades of turquoise blue, and while sunbathing you can enjoy a great view of the Roman archaeological site, which can also be reached on foot from the bay. In addition, the sea along this stretch of coast is crystal clear, so you can go snorkeling and discover an interesting underwater world with a large variety of fish.
Mulini Beach (Rovinj)
The stunning Mulini Beach is definitely one of the most beautiful beaches for a vacation in Istria! It is located not far from the old town of Rovinj, perfect if you want to combine swimming on a dream beach with sightseeing. This very popular bathing bay is a mix of concrete and pebble beach, which incidentally also impresses with incredibly fascinating water colors. The beach also is adjacent to a forest park, which gives it a wonderful Mediterranean atmosphere. Thanks to the sheltered location of the bay, the sea here is particularly calm and ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
Tip: Behind the beach Mulini is the grandiose 5-star Hotel Monte Mulini, the perfect accommodation for a very special vacation in Rovinj!
Bay Pinizule (Premantura)
The magnificent natural beach Pinizule is a real dream cove in the Kamenjak Nature Park near Premantura and a true gem among the best beaches in Istria. Especially nature lovers and individualists appreciate this natural coastal strip, where a stone beach with a picturesque small pebble cove invites you to swim. Here you will find an unspoiled nature with fragrant pine forests and the crystal clear turquoise sea is ideal for snorkeling. In the cool forest behind the beach there is also a really cozy beach bar that serves delicious snacks and cool drinks.
Tip: For a beach holiday, we recommend the town of Premantura. Here you can find good accommodations like Villa Adriana, a great bed and breakfast with a nice pool!
More Beaches in Istria:
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The 10 Best Beaches in Pula
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Top 10 Amazing Beaches in Rovinj
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The 10 best Beaches in Poreč
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The 10 Best Beaches in Umag
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The Most Beautiful Beaches in Fazana
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Top 7 Amazing Beaches in Rabac
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