March the 25th, 2022 - The gorgeous Istrian Cape Kamenjak beach (Rt Kamenjak) has been listed among the world's best secret beaches by the BeachAtlas portal, which is based in the British capital.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the BeachAtlas portal based in London has included the beautiful Istrian Cape Kamenjak on its list of the best beaches in the Republic of Croatia, as well as on its list of the best secret or hidden beaches in Croatia, local portal Glas Istre (The Voice of Istria) reports. It's worth noting that this particular nature park in the very south of the Istrian peninsula is a favourite place for not only bathers and swimmers during the warm summer months, but it is also used as a picturesque promenade in winter.

''Only ten kilometres south of the city of Pula in Croatia, Rt Kamenjak is located on the Kamenjak peninsula, about twenty minutes drive from Premantura. Rt Kamenjak is known for its rich vegetative life, more than 550 different plants bloom on this peninsula, most of which are orchids, so this area is known for its natural beauty. The perfect confirmation is the fact that Lonely Planet has included Rt Kamenjak on the list of the best locations for a hidden vacation in the Mediterranean. The beach on Rt Kamenjak is mostly rocky, composed of flat rocks suitable for sunbathing and jumping. However, Rt Kamenjak is also known for its wild nature, safari bar and safari swing, which are ideal places for instagram photos. It is also useful to know that access to Rt Kamenjak by motor vehicles is charged, while the entrance for pedestrians and cyclists is free,'' BeachAtlas writes in its alluring description of this popular and truly stunning location.

It's worth adding that the two aforementioned lists also include the very well-known Croatian beaches such as Zlatni rat (Golden horn) Sakarun, Zrce, Sahara, and a few more.

For more, check out our dedicated travel section.

March 5th, 2022 - Beaches, dinosaurs, gigantic swings and breathtaking views: the nature reserve at the southern tip of Istria truly has it all, and then some

There’s no better time to visit a popular summer destination than on a crisp windy day in early March: Cape Kamenjak, the southernmost point of Istria, was ours to explore today. Located at the foot of Premantura peninsula not far from Pula, the area is a protected nature reserve, open for visitors all year round.

South of Premantura village, you’ll find no accommodation facilities or camping grounds. Save for a few bars scattered along the coast, the landscape is almost unspoiled by human hand. Thirty kilometres of rugged coastline full of dreamy coves and pristine beaches, accessed by a handful of gravel roads.

A nature lover’s dream, the reserve is home to 600 plant species including 30 orchids, two of which are endemic to this area. Wildlife is diverse and thriving, and it has apparently always been that way: fossilised dinosaur footprints were found at the south of the peninsula, dating back 98 million years.

Fans of active vacations will find plenty to do here, from walking and cycling to kayaking, surfing and cliff diving - there are even sunken ships to discover off the coast of Kamenjak. You’ll also find several educational trails, with one located at Upper Kamenjak accessible to the blind and visually impaired.

It’s a phenomenal destination, one that unsurprisingly draws a crowd in summer. On a day like this, however - 5 degrees Celsius, bura wind lashing at full speed - what you really want to do is use this precious opportunity to soak in the view from the southern tip of Istria with no one else around.

On our way to Cape Kamenjak, we passed through the maze that is the Safari bar, a charming ensemble of seating areas and quirky playscapes hidden away in a wooded area near the coastline. Closed for the winter, the place looks as if we stumbled upon a hideout on a desert island:

No complaints here: we were happy to sniff around, as it’s virtually impossible to score a table in peak season, let alone try out any of the other fun-looking features of the place. Such as this enormous swing set:

Or this slide:

Or any of the other structures that make Safari a playground for children and adults alike. What a treat to have all to yourself! And once you make your way through the last patch of tall grass and stumble out slightly disoriented, you’ll be greeted with this:

Sublime.

Cape Kamenjak is actually a bit further to the east, and you can bet we made our way there as well - no sense in exploring Premantura without actually stepping foot on its southernmost point.

It’s a rewarding trek: only the vast open waters, as far as the eye can see.

It's truly something else, and we wholeheartedly recommend visiting the reserve if you’re staying in Istria. Kamenjak is accessible by car and bike from the nearby Premantura, and can also be reached by boat.

Entrance is free for cyclists and hikers, but you'll have to pay for a day pass if you wish to enter with a motor vehicle in the tourist season. In winter, there’s no charge and you’re free to drive around and park in the area.

The infrastructure of Cape Kamenjak cannot handle enormous crowds of people and vehicles - almost 3000 vehicles and more than 5000 people visit Cape Kapenjak every day, during the peak of the season.