Istria beaches & Nature

Palud

Walking along the mediterranean macchia, downy oak and holm-oak path you will discover nest various species of wild ducks, coots, great crested grebe and water rail, common whitethroat, oriole, woodpecker and many others. The northern part of Palud reserve hides a true rainforest with huge willowtrees which produce food for the stationed animals and several rare botanical species. Because of the specific microclimate the whole Palud area is thriving with vegetation. As the park is forbidden to hunters, it is a rich habitat of pheasants, grey partridges and quails. The large swamp is filled with planktons and the seagulls are nesting on the islets. Along the beautiful quiet path you will find an observation for undisturbed bird watching in their natural environment. The Palud reserve area also keeps the remains of the church of St. Damian, built in the 11th century. Settled at such close vicinity of the sea, we reccomend to follow the short path and discover the beautiful coast and the clear blue bay.

Visits to the special ornithological reserve Palud are possible all year round, and admission is free.

Cape Kamenjak – the absolute nature marvel

On the very tip of Istria, there’s a magical place of natural wonders called Cape Kamenjak, or Rt Kamenjak in Croatian. You have probably seen many photographs of it but let me tell you that no picture can describe the feeling when you find yourself there. I have visited it many times but every single time I get at Kamenjak I am overwhelmed by the beauty and the joy I feel. It is simply fabulous, stunning and ridiculously beautiful.

For those of you which by some miracle still haven’t heard of it, Cape Kamenjak is the nature park in Premantura. The peninsula is 9,5 km long, 1,5 km wide with 30 km of incredible beaches, from the rocky and pebble ones to the sandy coves. The sea is amazing, almost impossibly clear and with all shades of blue. The biodiversity is superb; on this peninsula, you will discover 530 plant species of which 20 types of orchids. Ever heard for the lovely Mediterranean monk? It also lives there, in the peaceful coves. We are all in love with it so please don’t try to touch it or disturb it in any way.

If you’re lucky, you will have the opportunity to see the charming play of the dolphins too. Oh, I almost forgot, here you can also see the real 120 million years old dinosaur tracks.

What you definitely need is the experience of possibly the most beautiful sunset in the world. Just sipping your drink, listening to the waves, watching how the sun merges into the sea and sheds the golden light on the old island lighthouse feeling that vast blue horizon. That is priceless. No wonder Cape Kamenjak is enlisted in the top ten most beautiful places to visit in the world. It is truely amazing and I highly reccomend it. So do yourself a favour and visit this marvel.

Istria Beaches

Medulin

Premantura

Cape Kamenjak is also the home of the irresistible Mediterranean monk seal. Its coast is a wonderful string of amazing beaches and hidden pristine coves kissing the crystal clear sea which enchants with its submarine life.
As a protected landscape, the beaches of Cape Kamenjak are considered wild beaches which are not lifeguarded and do not provide showers or changing cabins. However, it offers several beach bars, like the most famous Safari bar, with always fresh local cuisine and a variety of drinks. Several sports centers are providing everything to actively enjoy in this piece of paradise through cycling, kayaking, windsurfing, paddle boarding and diving.
The Cape Kamenjak protected landscape has an entrance fee for motor vehicles to preserve the area.

Ližnjan – Šišan

Mala Draga – The coast of Šišan is revealing many hidden and secluded beaches. The most famous one is certainly Mala Draga, a pebble beach with crystal clear water and the wonderful view on Kvarner bay and the islands. Mala Draga and the rest of the beaches may be reached by clearly marked and well-maintained 2,5 km gravel road that leads to the small port, after which just turn right. It can be easily reached by car but it is also a fabulous area for cycling or long walks.

Mala Draga is listed as a wild beach with natural setting which does not provide lifeguards or typical beach facilities.

Salbunić/Bura – The Salbunić/Bora beach is the main beach of Ližnjan, a family spot with a combination of fine gravel, pebbles, and rocks. Its clear waters are overseeing the picturesque fishermen˙s Ližnjan port and the Kvarner bay with the islands. In front of Ližnjan coast is a popular diving spot the shipwreck Cesare Rossarol and the well-preserved Roman ruins on its seabed. There are several beach bars providing food and drinks, a sporting and a diving center, a floating aqua park, while the sporting and recreational equipment, like bikes, SUP boards, kayaks, pedal boats, and the sun lounges may be rented at the beach itself. The restrooms and changing cabins are located by the beach. A very nice promenade with wooden benches is stretching all along the coast.

The Salbunić/Bora beach is planned to be lifeguarded and has a very large parking lot.

Rt Uljeva – The wild beach Rt Uljeva (Cape Uljeva) is a pristine pebble beach overlooking the wide blue waters of Kvarner and its islands. The wider coastal area is mainly rocky with several smaller pebble coves. The everlasting breeze is refreshing through the whole year and the natural setting of the nearby fields make the perfect atmosphere. You may reach Cape Uljeva following the gravel road after passing the Sablunić beach.
The Cape Uljeva beach is listed as a wild beach and does not provide lifeguards or any facility.

Barbariga

Barbariga – The main beach in Barbariga is a family pebble beach offering calms waters, beautiful sunsets and a lot of natural shade under the pine trees. Its clear sea is overseeing the wonderful Brijuni islands. There are several beach bars providing food and drinks, a beach volleyball on a sand court, while the recreational equipment as kayaks, pedal boats, and the sun lounges may be rented at the beach itself. Barbariga has a beautiful promenade stretching all along the coast, scented by the Mediterranean macchia and olive yards.
The Barbariga beach is not lifeguarded, but it provides outdoor showers, changing cabins and a large parking lot.

Dragonera – The Dragonera beach is famous for its gentle gravel, white pebbles, calm waters and the magnificent Roman ruins located just a few meters away. The view on the Brijuni islands and amazing sunsets make it one of the most beautiful beaches in Istria.

The Dragonera beach is listed as a wild beach and does not provide lifeguards or any facility.

Peroj

Martulina – The Martulina beach is a long gravel and pebble beach popular with all generations. Calm clear waters with the stunning view on the Brijuni islands and glorious sunsets make it the perfect summer spot. There are a number of beach bars providing food and drinks, a floating aqua park, while the sun lounges and parasols may be rented at the beach itself. The long new promenade follows the coastline to the Portić port ensuring the relaxing walk through this stunning nature. The fun on the beach continues even after the sunset with the beach bars and numerous live concerts.
The Martulina beach is not lifeguarded, but it provides outdoor showers and changing cabins.

Fažana

Pineta – The Pineta Camp beach is large gravel and pebble beach embraced by the lush pine trees. This beautiful beach is a popular choice for families, romantics, but also sports lovers. Pineta offers several beach bars, a restaurant, a children`s playground and a variety of recreational and sporting choices like pedal boats, trampoline, jet skis, beach volley, football and basketball courts, mini-golf, and table tennis. The pier is perfect for diving into the emerald waters and the large green lawn for relaxing under the warm sun. The camps provide necessities through shops and kiosks. Pineta beach has outdoor showers, public restrooms, and large parking.

The Pineta beach is lifeguarded and is perfect for both swimmers and non-swimmers.

San Lorenzo – The beautiful San Lorenzo beach with its emerald waters is the most chosen beach both by the locals and their visitors for its beauty and the stunning view on the Brijuni islands. San Lorenzo is the perfect combination of the gravel and pebble beach with a mild terrain for the children and non-swimmers and for the more adventuristic beach lovers which choose the pier. San Lorenzo is offering a beach bar, an aquapark, a fruit and vegetable stand, outdoor showers, public restrooms, the sunshades and deck-chairs, and parking.

San Lorenzo is lifeguarded and follows the lovely Fažana promenade.

Valbandon

Valbandon – The Valbandon beach is a pebble beach combined with concrete surfaces and it is ideal for the whole family. Valbandon offers a couple of restaurants and beach bars, children`s playground, an outdoor fitness, pedal boats, sunshades and lounges and the stunning view to the Brijuni islands. The public restrooms, outdoor showers, and changing cabins are at your disposal.
Valbandon beach is lifeguarded and its calm waters and soft terrain are perfect for all swimmers.

Odmaralište MUP – The MUP Valbandon is the longest and largest beach in Valbandon and probably the most preferred beach by the locals. MUP Valbandon has gravel, pebble and concrete areas and even few piers assuring the pure summer fun for every type and age. The beach has a couple of beach bars, changing cabins, public restrooms, entertainment activities for children and the possibility of boat rental.
The beach is not lifeguarded but the shallow and calm waters are suitable for all swimmers.

Bi Val – The large Bi Val is a long pebble beach with sandy parts and a lovely view on the Brijuni islands. Ideal for the whole family, Bi Val offers a couple of restaurants, various sporting and recreational choices like renting a boat, aquapark, windsurfing, parasailing, pedal boats, a diving center, bicycles, and kayaks, but also sunshades and deck chairs. The public restrooms, outdoor showers, and changing cabins are at your disposal.
Val Bi is lifeguarded and has access points for the disabled.

Poreč

Gradska plaža– The City beach of Poreč is the fun zone of the town where everyone chooses what they like best, whether it is a pebble, fine gravel or stone-paved part of the beach. The City beach offers bistros and beach bars and many recreational and sporting facilities, from the aquapark, beach volley, table tennis or outdoor gym under the pine trees to the careless chilling on the deck chairs under the parasols watching at the blue sea, the island of Sveti Nikola and the lovely Poreč. The outdoor showers, public restrooms, and changing cabins are included.
The City beach is lifeguarded and adjusted to the needs of the disabled persons.

Brulo – One of the most popular places is surely Brulo, a family beach with fine gravel, paved and rocky areas surrounded by the deep shade of pine trees. Brulo has several beach bars and bistroes, an aquapark for the children and the nearby sporting center is offering numerous recreational activities, from the relaxing ones to the adrenaline park. The outdoor showers, public restrooms, and changing cabins are included. Sunshades and lounges are offered on the beach itself.
The Brulo beach is lifeguarded and adjusted to the needs of the disabled persons.

Maro pješčana plaža – The beautiful Maro is a sandy beach located on the island of Sveti Nikola. You can reach it by a 5-minute taxi boat drive and enjoy relaxing and watching the spectacular view on Poreč. Besides its beauty, Maro beach is offering refreshments in the snack bar and restaurant, sun shades, lounges and canopies, and various amusing activities for the children. The outdoor showers, public restrooms, and changing cabins are located by the beach.
The Maro sandy beach is lifeguarded and definitely worth a visit.

Borik – The urban beach Borik is a pebble, paved and rocky beach located on the northern part of Poreč and offering the view on the charming old town. The nearby beach bars and bistros are providing all needed refreshments. If you`re up to some fun, besides the water sports, you may try beach volley, tennis, minigolf or table tennis and the youngest will find the playground and the entertainment center. The outdoor showers, public restrooms, and changing cabins are in the vicinity and the sunshades and lounges may be rented on the beach.
Borik beach is lifeguarded and settled on the lovely town`s promenade.

Rovinj

Cisterna – The preferred summer spot by the locals Cisterna is settled in the Bačvice bay, away from the busy summer town. The Cisterna beach is pebbly with the natural setting and surrounded by Mediterranean macchia. You may reach Cisterna and the nearby Palud ornithological reserve following the road toward Pula and after 5 km drive taking the road to Veštar campground. 100 m before the Veštar main entrance turn left on a dirt road which will bring you straight to Cisterna.
Cisterna is a wild beach which does not provide lifeguards or typical beach facilities.

Amarin – The wonderful Amarin is a pebble beach with a few rocky parts ideal for the whole family. Amarin beach offers several beach bars and restaurants, swimming pool, public restrooms, showers, deckchair hire, tennis courts, water skiing, beach volley, rental of bikes, boats and e-vehicles and other facilities.
The Amarin beach is lifeguarded, it has free parking but there is a daily entrance fee of 3 Euro per person.

Porton Biondi – The marvelous Porton Biondi is a large pebbly, rocky and paved beach on the north of the old town. Porton Biondi has numerous beach bars and restaurants and offers public restrooms, changing cabins, scuba diving, beach volleyball, kayaking, water sport centre, deckchair and parasol hire and a fitness centre.

Porton Biondi is not lifeguarded but is offers free parking and a magnificent view on the old town.

Zlatni Rt – The romantic Zlatni Rt (Golden Cape, also known as Punta Corrente) is the largest and most popular Rovinj beach. Its coast is rocky and pebbly and it is settled within the Zlatni Rt Forest Park. Beside the beautiful nature, Golden Cape is offering restaurants, beach bars, showers, public restrooms, changing cabins, bike rental, free climbing area, pedal boats and deckchair and parasol rent while on the well-maintained meadows you may have fun playing a game of soccer, volleyball, badminton or just enjoy in the deep shade. There’s a free parking on a 10-minute walk from the beach.

The Golden Cape beach is lifeguarded and listed as one of the most beautiful sites in Croatia.

Bale

San Polo – The wonderful San Polo is the hidden kingdom of the Bale coastline, a 4 km pebbly, sandy and rocky fairytale embraced by the Mediterranean macchia. San Polo beach and its crystal clear waters are the made for pure summer fun. The beach has a restaurant, coffee bar, shop, restrooms, shower, children playground, massage, parasol, canopy and chair rental, free tourist train and a beach cinema. If you are up to some sport or recreational activities, you may try beach volley court, free aquapark, spray park, diving centre, rent a bike, table tennis or just take a long relaxing stroll along the coast.
San Polo beach is not lifeguarded and the entrance fee is 30 kunas.

Colone – The marvelous Colone is a pebble and rocky beach emerged into the turquoise waters of Bale coastline. Scented by the Mediterranean macchia under the vast Istrian skies, Colone beach is the synonym for summer fun. The beach offers an amusing palette from a restaurant, coffee bar, shop, restrooms, showers, children playground, massage, parasols, canopy and chair rental, free tourist train and a beach cinema. The ones in the mood for sporting activities may choose beach volley, free aquapark, diving centre, renting a bike or table tennis.
Colone beach has access to the sea for people with disabilities and the entrance fee of 30 kunas.

Rakalj

Kalavojna – The hidden pristine Kalavojna is the pebble beach under the ancient Rakalj. Its wonderful clear waters and the surrounding lush greenery make the perfect Mediterranean setting. You may reach Kalavojna passing through old Rakalj and following the gravel road.
Kalavojna beach is not lifeguarded and has no beach facilities.

Luka Rakalj – The marvelous Luka Rakalj is a long white pebble beach emerged in the quiet waters of eastern Istria. Its pristine nature and the sourrounding peace make it one of the hidden Istrian treasures. You may reach Luka Rakalj following the road passing through Rakalj.
Luka Rakalj beach is not lifeguarded and has no beach facilities.

Barban – Blaz

Blaz – The magical Blaz is a hidden pebble beach settled under Rebići, in the evergreen Barban area. The beautiful untouched nature, the mild green hills guarding the stunning Blaz bay and its freshwater springs, ancient stone watermills and the breathtaking sights are the birthplace of many local legends and a definite must-see.
Blaz beach is not lifeguarded and has no beach facilities.

Rabac

Umag

Osmica – The beautiful Osmica is sand and paved beach with lots of natural shade of the pine trees. Clear and shallow waters are perfect for families with small children. The beach offers a beach bar, a restaurant, variety of water sports, massage, outdoor showers, public restrooms, changing cabins, lounge chair, and parasols rentals.
The Osmica beach is lifeguarded and adjusted to the needs of the disabled persons.

Glavna plaža – The most popular beach in Umag is surely the Main beach, a long sandy and paved beach surrounded by the pine trees. The Main beach offers beach bars, restaurants, a pastry shop, a children`s playground, outdoor showers, public restrooms, changing cabins, a beach volley court, sun lounge, parasol, jet ski, and bicycle rental.
The Main beach is not lifeguarded and the parking lot is fairly close to the beach.

Kanegra – Located outside of the city, Kanegra beach is a pebble beach surrounded by greenery. Kanegra offers several beach bars, bistros, sporting activities like beach volley, tennis, windsurfing, table tennis or minigolf. The public restrooms, outdoor showers and changing cabins are nearby while the sun lounges and parasols may be rented on the beach.
Kanegra beach is lifeguarded and offers truely spectacular sunsets.

Novigrad

Rivarela – The very symbol of Novigrad Rivarela beach is a paved urban beach for all generations. Rivarela is located on the Novigrad`s promenade and you may choose whether you will enjoy having fun under the warm sun or just lay in the deep shade of pine trees. Rivarela offers beach bars, restaurants, children`s playground, outdoor showers, public restrooms, changing cabins, sun lounges and parasols which may be rented on the beach.
Rivarela beach is lifeguarded and adjusted to the needs of the disabled persons.

Pula

Valkane – The famous Valkane is a large old urban beach with pebbly and paved parts with few piers and surrounded with pine trees. The Valkane beach is very popular with the locals and offers few beach bars, a restaurant, beach volley courts which are available even during the night, aquapark, tennis courts, bocce playground, paddle boats, kayaks, outdoor showers, changing cabins, public restrooms, a large shopping centre nearby.

Valkane beach is lifeguarded, adjusted to the needs of the disabled and it may be easily reached even the public transportation.

Galebove stijene – Surely one of the most surprising beaches and located on Stoja, Seagull Rocks is a must-see beach. They call it the world of beaches because in just one cove you will discover a beautiful pebble beach with completely transparent shallow emerald waters, high cliffs perfect for diving into the deep blue, a fantastic large underwater cave, a fabulous sunset, rich waterlife for snorkeling and all surrounded with ancient pine trees. It doesn`t have any of the usual beach facilities but there are are several beach bars and fast foods nearby. If you`re not used to walk on the rocks, make sure to have proper footwear and be careful while climbing on the high cliffs.

Galebove stijene is a wild beach and it has a free large parking.

Kanjon and Sveta stijena – Perfect for the brave and curious, the Canyon and Holy Rock on Verudela are stunning places for adrenaline lovers. Beautiful and amazing, but also close to each other, Canyon and Holy Rock are the beloved spots for high cliff diving. The Holy Rock is easily found with its remains of church-like wall on the top. The Canyon is a mesmerizing place emerging in the scented forest with a real canyon and an adorable tiny pebble beach at the bottom which may be reached by the stairs.

Kanjon and the Holy Rock are not lifeguarded but they are surely one of the most visited and photographed sites in the Pula area.

Puntižela – The well-known Puntižela is a large pebble beach surrounded by the gorgeous nature and located in the outskirts of Pula, in Štinjan. Puntižela offers several beach bars, restaurants, outdoor showers, changing cabins, boat renting, pedal boats, table tennis, basketball and football courts, beach volley, a massage, sun lounges and parasols.

Puntižela is lifeguarded and famous for its beautiful sunsets and view on the Brijuni islands.

Hidrobaza – The newest and the most popular beach in Pula, the Hidrobaza is a large pebbly beach located in Štinjan ideal for all generations for its calms waters and many activities. Hidrobaza is offering several beach bars, beach volley, pedal boats, kayaks, massage, outdoor showers, public restrooms, changing cabins, free Wi-Fi, sun lounges and parasols.

Hidrobaza is lifeguarded, has a large free parking and adjusted to the needs of the disabled persons.

Dog-friendly beaches

Istria is a dog-friendly region which cares about our furry best friends. According to the law, the dogs are allowed on almost every beach, except the during the high season, from June 1st to September 15th, on the Blue Flag beaches. During that period, the dogs may enjoy those places from 8 pm to 8 am regardless of the season.

How come our dogs do enjoy a good summer swim through the whole season, regardless of the hours, the Istrian region made several dog beaches.

The most popular are:

The eastern coast is almost all listed with wild beaches meaning the dogs are allowed through the whole year on almost every beach.