Five Beautiful Beaches in Istria, Croatia

The Istrian Peninsula of Northern Croatia is sometimes overlooked in favour of the coast further south. But Istria has a lot to offer to those who are looking for wonderful beaches on which to relax or have fun. If you are visiting this corner of the country here are some of the best beaches to go to:

1. Medulin

This sandy beach is perfect for families, especially those with young children. This is a good spot for the bucket and spades and it is also safe for swimming or just a little bit of paddling. This is situated around 8km from the historic, busy port of Pula. The Medulin archipelago found just off the coast here is a collection of small, uninhabited islands that sometimes play host to tourists with yachts during the summer months, though those who are not fortunate enough to have their own vessels can travel to these islands by water taxi.

2. Rabac

Rabac is a small tourist town on the south eastern coast of the Istrian Peninsula. Its white pebble beaches which shine pure and perfect in the sun, and the clean, silt free waters have given this town the name, ‘the pearl of Kvarner Bay’. This is a popular destination with families looking for a beach holiday. The town comes alive in the summer months with a range of fun regattas, carnivals and a summer festival.

3. Porec

With pristine bays and beaches, and accommodation congregating around the two lagoons, the blue and the green, Porec is the perfect place to find a beach for your favourite seaside sporting activity. There is plenty to see and do in this ancient town, as well as lovely, bustling beaches Porec also sports the Euphrasius Basilica and many more historic buildings. So if you tire of jet skiing, swimming, wind surfing, beach volleyball and all the other sporting activities there will still be plenty more to entertain you.

4. Umag

Umag is a strange mix of old and new, manicured and natural. Here you will find a fascinating old town built around its horse-shoe shaped bay in Roman times, but also several modern beach resorts, such as Sol Polynesia Umag and Kanegra Umag. These resorts, not far from the historic town, are surrounded by lush Mediterranean vegetation and sport lovely coastlines perfect for recreation or relaxation.

5. Vrsar

There are numerous bays and beaches along this stretch of coastline between Rovinj and Porec. Vrsar used to be a fishing village but is now very much a tourist area. There are a number of resorts and plenty of other accommodation and facilities for visitors. There are many beaches to choose from around here, but perhaps the best are Vrsar, Valkanela, and Koversada. The unspoiled islands off shore are perfect for a quiet getaway.

So, while the beaches further south do also have a lot to offer, do not neglect the beaches of Croatia that are closest to western and central Europe. Some may be very busy in summer, but heading offshore or to more secluded bays around the coast will allow you to escape the crowds.