August the 26th, 2022 - The British publications The Times and The Telegraph are rarely shy when it comes to expressing their love and admiration for Croatia, especially the beaches and the coastline. Croatia has made it onto their ''must visit'' destination list once again.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the widely read British publications The Times and The Telegraph have both published reports on Croatian beaches and islands as unmissable global tourist destinations, as was announced the Croatian Tourist Board (HTZ/CNTB), adding that this was the result of the cooperation of the HTZ Representative Office in London with the editors and journalists of the aforementioned publications.

As such, the British The Times, in an article entitled ''The 25 best secret beaches in Europe'', included two Croatian beaches - The absolutely stunning Pasjaca near Konavle in the extreme south of Dalmatia, and Ropa bay on the island of Mljet. The two Croatian beaches were placed next to the attractive beaches of Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey and Italy, as reported by Rijeka portal Novi list.

Describing these Croatian beaches, the British stated that these two hidden oases, both located within Dubrovnik-Neretva County, stand out for their authentic landscapes and clean waters, positioning themselves away from big tourist crowds. Pasjaca beach is described as an undiscovered oasis right next to the turquoise sea, while Ropa on the island of Mljet is highlighted as a heavily wooded habitat for the Mediterranean monk seal. The publication is the result of collaboration with Annabelle Thorpe, a journalist who has contributed to the perception of Croatia as a top tourist destination in the most prestigious British media The Times, The Guardian, Daily Mail and others.

The editorial staff of The Telegraph, on the other hand, ranked the islands of Brac and Vis among the 20 islands in the Mediterranean that must be visited at least once in a lifetime. In the aforementioned publication, the island of Brac was included among the best island destinations for family holidays, with a special reference to the beauty of the very well known Zlatni Rat (Golden horn) beach in Bol. The island of Vis has been declared the best Mediterranean island for relaxation, which, thanks to its authenticity, turquoise bays and original eno-gastro delicacies, has been declared a tourist asset for all nature lovers.

Pula and Brijuni

In addition to The Times and The Telegraph, the British Financial Times (FT) and the Scottish The Sun also wrote about Croatia reently, shining the spotlight on the Dubrovnik coastline and Brijuni and its hidden beauty, cultural attractions and food and wine offer.

The Sun's award-winning and recognised travel journalist Heather Lowrie visited Dubrovnik, Ston and the Peljesac peninsula, while the article in the Financial Times (FT), which is followed by an audience with higher spending power, focused on the Istrian city of Pula and the colourful past and untouched beauty of the Brijuni National Park.

Darija Reic, the director of the HTZ Representative Office in London, pointed out that such announcements in the prestigious British media are extremely valuable for Croatia, as well as that Brits love Croatia.

"This is confirmed by the data of the eVisitor system, according to which the British have achieved 120,000 arrivals and almost 700,000 overnight stays so far in August, which represents a growth of 77 percent in arrivals and 100 percent in overnight stays compared to the same period last year. The British seem to prefer the Dubrovnik-Neretva and Split-Dalmatia counties, and there are some great announcements for the upcoming post-season," said Reic.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

August the 23rd, 2022 - What exactly does the new proposal for the Law on Maritime Property bring with it? There are some concerning items to be aware of, and Otoci.eu/Islands.eu has a message for the powers that be.

As Andrea Beader/Otoci.eu writes, does the new proposal of the Law on Maritime Property and Sea Ports bring us any restrictions or the fencing off of sea beaches to the public?

Reviewing the new proposal of the Law on Maritime Property and Sea Ports, we were taken aback by the proposed items that explicitly enable the limitation of the general use of maritime property, its fencing off and even the potential charging for access to sea beaches along the coast of the mainland and on the islands, which would prevent all citizens of the Republic of Croatia, as well as the rest of the public, from enjoying unhindered public use of maritime property and sea beaches.

We consider parts of the proposed law inadmissible and completely contradictory to everything we have advocated for and communicated all these years, emphasising the importance of protecting Croatia's greatest social, touristic and economic potential - its maritime assets, which historically and culturally represents an extremely important resource for everyone.

Maritime resource management with an emphasis placed on sea beaches

Five years ago, together with numerous stakeholders in the working group for the drafting of the proposal of the Law on Maritime Property, we worked out the best models for the use of maritime property with a special emphasis placed on beaches, with shared knowledge and experience.

We all had the goal of protecting Croatia's maritime assets from devastation, the restriction of access and privatisation, and maintaining the concept of public good in order to enable all residents and visitors to swim and relax on the Croatian coast and on the islands. With the departure of Maja Markovcic Kostelac to another job, unfortunately the whole process was suddenly interrupted and the then proposal of the Law ended up stuffed down into a drawer after many hours of work.

Recently, this topic and the decision on the adoption of the new Law on Maritime Property and Sea Ports has been brought up to date again. A new working group was formed, to which we weren't invited as representatives of both citizens and civil society organisations, despite our continuous work and advocacy for the preservation of maritime property and its public use, especially regarding sea beaches. A few months ago, we were contacted by phone and our opinion was sought.

However, since we weren't presented with a new proposal for the Law on Maritime Property, we could only give our comments by generally repeating our well-known position - sea beaches in Croatia must remain for public use, and we will not support any restrictions on their use.

Of course, we understand the need for the economic use of maritime property, the improvement of the coastline and raising the quality of services offered on beaches, in ports and at sea. However, we believe that a way must be found so that the maritime asset remains a public asset and that everyone is satisfied with the management method.

As an example of good practice, we sent Mr. Bilaver the Rulebook on the Economic Use of Maritime Property, which we drafted back in 2017 with Split-Dalmatia County and which could serve as an example for everyone to find a way to reconcile private and public interest when concessioning sea beaches.

A dispute of Article 11 of the proposal for the Law on Maritime Property and Sea Ports

Finally, at the end of July of this year, we received the proposal of the new law from the state secretary, Mr. Bilaver, and a request to send our comments, which we did within a few days.

We consider the most controversial part of the proposal of the Law on Maritime Property and Sea Ports to be Article 11, which we'll transcribe in its entirety:

(1) On part of the maritime property, in accordance with this Law, the general use of the maritime property can be limited, and exceptionally excluded for a certain period of time on the basis of a concession, approval for special use, granting the right to the temporary use of the maritime property, and granting the management of a port.port administration which is open to public traffic.

(2) A restriction on the general use of maritime property is considered to be fencing off or otherwise preventing access to a part of the maritime property with or without charging [a free] for the use of the maritime property, when such a restriction is permitted by a valid concession agreement, a contract on special use or an agreement on the temporary use of the maritime property and by granting a port open for public transport to be placed under the management of the port authority.

(3) The exclusion of maritime property from general use is considered to be the use of a maritime asset in a way that completely or partially excludes the general use of a part of the maritime property, when such exclusion is permitted by a valid concession agreement, a special use agreement or an agreement on the temporary use of the maritime property.

(4) The degree of restriction and exclusion of maritime property from general use and the purpose achieved thereby is determined by the decision on awarding concessions, the decision on granting approval for special use and the decision on granting maritime property for temporary use.

Dear Prime Minister, Minister, Secretary of State and all other members of the working group who are responsible for the preparation of the proposal for this Law, we ask you - do you really intend to limit the use of maritime property, i.e. sea beaches for the public, with this proposal of the Law, and/or enable the installation of fences and the charging for entry to the beaches?

Are you aware of the negative practices of neighbouring countries, such as Italy, where the beaches are mostly under the concessions of catering/hospitality and hotel facilities, and the numerous sunbeds, umbrellas and other facilities don't allow unhindered access to the sea, even though, according to the law, the public use of maritime property in Italy cannot actually be restricted?

This is an Invitation to the responsible representatives of the institutions of the Republic of Croatia;
Prime Minister, Mr. Plenkovic
Honourable Minister of Maritime Affairs, Mr. Butkovic
State Secretary, Mr. Bilaver

We invite you to review and consider the comments and suggestions that we have sent on the draft law, and be sure to foresee the possibility that the beaches and the sea can be accessed unhindered, regardless of whether they are public or not.

We believe that additional facilities such as sunbeds, umbrellas and other props should incur charges when on the beaches, but they must not endanger and/or prevent unhindered public access to the sea and part of the sea coast. As an example of Split-Dalmatia County's rules for concessioned beaches, it is defined that it is necessary to leave 30% of the surface for public use and provide pedestrian corridors through which everyone who wants to can enter the sea unhindered.

Practice has shown that both private and public interests are satisfied in this way, and that companies and citizens, in places where the laws are respected, can live a quality co-existence. Any restriction of access to the sea and maritime property is a threat to human rights and will certainly cause a series of citizen complaints, public resistance and protests, which will damage community relations and investment potential on the coast and islands in the long term.

For more, make sure to check out our politics section.

August the 4th, 2022 - The Guardian has once again showcased its love for Croatia with a new list of the best beaches of 2022, a list on which three gorgeous Croatian beaches have found themselves.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, The British publication The Guardian has compiled yet another list of 40 of the best beaches of 2022, which included three Croatian beaches. Croatian beaches are by no means strangers to such lists compiled by various publications and portals from around the world, and this time, travel writers have singled out locations in Losinj, Peljesac and the Pakleni islands near Hvar.

When it comes to Losinj they highlighted the stunning Krivica bay, for which The Guardian writes:

“Maybe the special thing about the pebbled Krivica beach lies in the fact that you have to walk along a stone path for 30 minutes - and back again. The reward for this is clear, deep, turquoise water in the bay surrounded by pine trees, and the only company here is sailboats in a narrow channel. Losinj, a long, unusual island in Kvarner bay, is one of the most heavily scented places in Croatia, with an incredible abundance of wild plants.''

For the beautiful beach on the Peljesac peninsula, it is stated that its name is very much justified because it really is beautiful - Divna beach.

“This beautiful beach is located on the northern coast of the Peljesac peninsula. A small pebble bay surrounded by hills overgrown with pine trees. There are several shady places, and the area between the beach and the islet is great for diving,'' The Guardian writes.

The top three Croatian beaches also included the bay of Mlini, which is part of the Pakleni islands which lie just away from the shores of the Central Dalmatian island of Hvar.

“Those who visit Hvar and want a change in the environment should take a water taxi to Mlini bay on the islet of Marinkovac. The pebble beach with the smell of pines provides a wonderful relaxed atmosphere, along with [the possibility of] rental deck chairs and a beach restaurant. As is the case with all Croatian pebble beaches, scuba shoes will make things more comfortable on your feet, and the incredibly clean blue-green water sees people diving for hours,'' The Guardian's travel writers said.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

June the 17th, 2022 - The French Vogue edition has shone the spotlight on Croatian beaches, noting some of the most jaw-droppingly impressive, from those down in Dubrovnik to the likes of Dubovica and Stiniva.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, incredible breathtaking beaches, crystal clear seawater, fairytale bays and architecture make the Adriatic coast a desirable destination, and the French Vogue magazine has presented several Croatian beaches to its many readers which captivate people with their beauty at first sight, as reported by tportal.

Let's take a look at what the extremely widely read French Vogue magazine had to say with its ranking of Croatian beaches:

Zlatni rat (Golden horn) beach

This amazing beach, also known as Golden horn, is located west of Bol and is one of the favourite summer destinations not only on Brac, but in the whole of Croatia. Due to the turquoise colour of the sea, but also due to the many sports you can enjoy, such as windsurfing or kayaking, it isn't surprising that it is among the most popular beaches on the Adriatic.

Punta rata beach in Brela

Located along the Makarska Riviera, Punta rata beach truly embodies the vision of a perfect Mediterranean bay. Surrounded by rocky cliffs and pine trees, it really looks like an ideal summer holiday destination.

Betina beach below a cave in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik's Betina beach is hidden under a rocky cave. Ultra-preserved, this paradise is only accessible by sea, water taxi or kayak.

Stiniva beach on Vis

Stiniva on the island of Vis is renowned as one of the most beautiful beaches on a gorgeous island that captivates people with its charm. Limited access to the beach ensures much needed peace.

The private beach at the Little Green Bay Hotel

On the island of Hvar, the Little Green Bay hotel has one of the most beautiful bays in the area, and in addition to deck chairs on the beach, hotel guests are offered diving equipment and rowing boards.

Nugal beach

Another dreamy beach is located along the Makarska Riviera, and is sheltered from the rocks and is facing the crystal clear Adriatic Sea. It is located near Biokovo, also one of the favourite destinations for tourists who appreciate beautiful nature.

Dubovica beach

On the island of Hvar, Dubovica beach conquers visitors immediately with its incredible beauty. The sea is calm and so clean that you can enjoy the view of the fascinating seabed.

Banje beach

With a beautiful view of the Old Town, the pebbled Banje beach is the most famous in all of southern Dalmatia, and you can book deck chairs in advance to avoid the usual summer crowds.

For more on Croatian beaches and which international publications are making them even more famous, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

June the 16th, 2022 - Rijeka beaches are set to be better adapted to those with various physical disabilities following the end of this year's main swimming season.

As Morski writes, as part of the preparations for local Rijeka beaches for the main summer swimming season, which began on June the 1st, special attention was paid to people with disabilities this year as well.

In the City of Rijeka, locals are especially proud of Kostanj beach, which, they say, is one of the best equipped beaches in the entire Mediterranean for this purpose, and from where people with disabilities of all ages can easily move around and functionally use the entire space for swimming, rehabilitation and rest.

All of the surfaces on this particular beach have been fully treated in order to prevent people from slipping or falling, and the beach itself is equipped with special equipment: a device for lowering immobile people down into the sea below, a ramp for entering the sea, toilets, showers, handrails and a safety net placed in the part of the sea for swimming. In the immediate vicinity of the beach, there is also an easily accessible and separate carpark.

In order to ensure safe conditions for the use of local Rijeka beaches for people with all forms of disabilities, from June the 1st to September the 31st, the City of Rijeka is financing the work of specially trained lifeguards.

In order to reduce the pressure on Kostanj beach, the plan is to turn the western part of Ploce beach, located just below the famous Kantrida pools, into a beach for people with disabilities. However, the works on adapting the western plateau of Ploce beach to people with disabilities, whose value is estimated at 457,000.00 kuna, have not even started yet because no valid bids have been received for the two public tenders, so the works will have to start after this year's summer swimming season comes to an end later on.

Regarding the quality of the sea water at local Rijeka beaches, a look into which is conducted ten times a year, Kostanj beach continuously records excellent quality sea water, while Ploce beach, where the sea quality is tested at two points, the water is mostly of excellent quality, read a statement from the City of Rijeka.

For more, make sure to check out our lifestyle section.

June the 7th, 2022 - Three Croatian beaches have been ranked among the most beautiful in all of Europe once again, which shouldn't really come as much of a surprise to anyone who has spent any time at all on the stunning coast.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the very height of the summer tourist season and the time of planning holidays are rapidly approaching. If you're the type whose holiday simply can't occur without the sun and the sea, you're probably in some sort of constant search for a beautiful beach where you'll spend long, hot and lazy days.

The Guardian has recommended the forty most beautiful beaches in all of Europe to its readers, writes Index. Three Croatian beaches are also unsurprisingly on the list: Krivica on Losinj, Divna on Peljesac and Mlini on the Paklinski islands.

“Maybe the fact that you have to walk for thirty minutes along a rocky path and return the same way makes the pebble beach of Krivica so special. The reward for this trip is clear, deep, turquoise water in a protected bay surrounded by pine trees where only sailboats keep you company,'' The Guardian wrote about gorgeous Krivica.

When it comes to Divna beach, they point out that it truly justifies its name, (which alludes to something being pretty, beautiful and stunning in Croatian). As it is stated, it is a beach on the northern coast of the Peljesac peninsula, with hills overgrown with pine trees, which surround a small pebble bay. The Guardian adds that there are several shady places and that the bay is great for diving. They recommend that you refresh yourself with a drink and a meal in a cafe on the beach and that you stay in a camp nearby.

"Those who visit Hvar and want to change the landscape should take a taxi boat to the bay of Mlini on the islet of Marinkovac within the Paklinski islands. This pebble beach with the scent of pine trees offers you the enjoyment of a relaxed atmosphere, with deck chairs and a restaurant on the beach. As on all Croatian pebble beaches, you will be more comfortable with swimming sandals, and the incredibly clear blue-green water will encourage you to dive for hours,'' they stated in their description of Mlini's beach.

For more on Croatian beaches, why not check out our dedicated travel section.

May 29, 2022 - While it may sound silly not to take advantage of the summer to enjoy the Adriatic Sea to the fullest, this time of year is ideal for visiting other destinations beyond the coast. In case you are far from the sea and need to take a dip, here are some freshwater destinations in Croatia to cool off!

Summer in Croatia is synonymous with turquoise waters, paradise islands, and sailboats. For many, if your vacation does not include any of these, then you are not enjoying the country as you should. I do not agree. Although visiting the Adriatic is essential, summer brings with it a wide variety of opportunities throughout the entire geography of Croatia. The parks and fields are filled with green and shade, perfect for hiding from the sun. Also, the number of events and festivities multiply considerably in central and eastern Croatia. Why would you miss any of this?

If you can, including central and eastern Croatia in your travel itinerary is a great idea. Zagreb and Osijek airports will also increase their routes and flights throughout, and after getting to know both cities and their surroundings, you can head to see what makes Croatia so famous: its coast and islands. But don't worry, we know that these regions of the country are no strangers to high temperatures, and you will surely want to take a dip before waiting to travel to the coast. If freshwater is also your thing, here are some non-beach destinations in Croatia where you can cool off.

Jarun lake, Zagreb

When temperatures rise to an unbearable point at this time of year, Lake Jarun becomes a haven of shade and fresh water for the inhabitants of the Croatian capital. Jarun Lake is a 2 km artificial body of water, surrounded by cycling paths, promenades, forests, and parks. It was built and opened in 1987 for the Universiade - World University Games. The lake is ideal not only for bathers, but for all those who practice activities such as rowing, kayaking, or paddling.

Jarun lake. (Image: Croatian National Tourist Board)

Drava river, Osijek

The Drava, the main river in Osijek, gives the city not only a beautiful appeal but also offers its inhabitants an ideal alternative when summer arrives and the Adriatic is so far away. One would think that it is the custom of only a few, but the banks of the Drava are filled with hundreds of people looking for a good dip even on weekdays. In addition to lying down to sunbathe, family and friends gather to play on the shores and have a picnic.

Drava river, Osijek. (Photo: Mario Romulić)

Foginovo kupalište, Karlovac

Foginovo kupalište is a river bathing area in the city of Karlovac, where its inhabitants cool off in the waters of the Korana river. From its source in Plitvice, the Korana river reaches Karlovac, offering for centuries an oasis of peace, nature, and freshwater to locals and visitors. Bathers enjoy not only fairly clean waters but can also do so in peace thanks to the lifeguards always nearby. It is definitely an ideal destination for everyone, as adults can sunbathe on the shores, while the younger ones enjoy the inflatables and the diving tower.

Foginovo kupalište, Karlovac. (Image: Zelenilo.hr)

Cetina river

The Cetina river is one of the largest and most important rivers in southern Croatia, rising from the Cetina spring to the east in Šibenik-Knin County, running through almost all of Dalmatia, and reaching the Adriatic Sea at Omiš. There are those who find the Cetina spring itself an ideal spot for a summer dip, but the entire river has numerous points to cool off. If you are in Omiš, encourage yourself to participate in activities such as kayaking, canoeing, or rafting, as many of the organizers include moments during the tours to take a good bath in freshwater after a good exercise.

Cetina river. (Image: Mish and Kirk/YouTube Screenshot)

Modro jezero, Imotski

In Imotski, just an hour from Split by car, you will find not only a historic and quite picturesque town but also a group of lakes that are well-known in the country. One, in particular, Modro jezero, is an ideal bathing spot where high temperatures can easily be reached in these months of the year. Of all the alternatives mentioned above, Modro Jezero must be one of the most spectacular in terms of its location and scenery.

Modro jezero, Imotski. (Photo: Peter Malovrh/Flickr)

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

May 8, 2022 - Three Croatian beaches have been named among the 40 best in Europe, though they aren't the beaches you might think. 

From pink to wild shores and everything in between, travel writers from The Guardian chose the 40 most beautiful European beaches, and among them are three from Croatia! However, the selected beaches were not so predictable this time, with Saharun on Dugi Otok, Lubenice on Cres, or Pasjača in Konavle nowhere to be seen, reports T.portal. 

Namely among the 40 most beautiful beaches in Europe are Krivica on Lošinj, Divna on Pelješac, and Mlini on the Pakleni Islands near Hvar.

"Maybe it’s the fact that you have to hike down a rocky path for 30 minutes – and back up again – that makes Krivica’s pebbly beach so special. The reward is clear, deep turquoise water in a sheltered pine-fringed bay, with only sailing boats in the narrow channel for company. Lošinj, a long, misshapen island in the Kvarner gulf, is one of Croatia’s most fragrant places, with an incredible profusion of wild herbs," writes The Guardian begins about Krivica on Lošinj.

 

 

 

 

 

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Divna, on the other hand, lives up to its name. 

"Living up to its name – beautiful beach – Plaža Divna is on the north coast of the Pelješac peninsula, with pine-covered hills flanking the little pebbly bay. There are a few shady spots, and the marine life between the beach and the tiny island facing the bay makes for brilliant snorkelling. A cafe sells drinks and basic food, and behind the beach is the small Camp Divna campsite set in an olive grove," The Guardian adds. 

 

 

 

 

 

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And those visiting Hvar should not miss Mlini on the Pakleni island of Marinkovac.

"There’s a wonderfully laid-back air to this pine-scented pebbly beach, along with sunloungers for rent and a beachfront restaurant. As with all Croatia’s pebbly beaches, protective swimming shoes will make things more enjoyable, and the amazingly clear blue-green water has people snorkelling for hours."

 

 

 

 

 

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You can find the full list of The Guardian's 40 most beautiful beaches in Europe HERE. 

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated lifestyle section.

October 10, 2021 - Up to 100 nudist beaches and bathing spots around the world were evaluated in a survey conducted by the My Dating Adviser portal, in which the island of Lokrum ranked first for its quality and accessibility, and is thus considered the best nudist beach of the world.

As many as 100 nudist beaches and bathing places around the world were evaluated in a survey conducted by the My Dating Adviser portal, in which the island of Lokrum came first as the best nudist beach, reports Turističke Priče. The quality of the beach, safety, weather, and the price of the hotel were evaluated, and Lokrum received the best evaluations for the safety and quality of the beach.

Lokrum is the closest to the historic city center of Dubrovnik, and centuries of rich history, legends, and stories, the magic of the sea and nature renew old loves or bring new ones. But apart from that, Lokrum became famous after the Game of Thrones series. Lush vegetation, intoxicating scents, and the song of crickets "played" the gardens in the Game of Thrones where "those of pure blood" ruled. Numerous tourists walked the trails walked by Khaleesi and her powerful host Xaro Xhoan Daxos. And while on the island, you can also sit on the  Iron Throne, which is located in a Benedictine monastery. 

On the list of the 100 best nudist beaches, Lokrum is located above the beach Spiaggia della Lecciona from the Italian province of Lucca, and the Australian beach Maslin Beach .

In the description of the beach, My Dating Adviser states that if you spend time in Dubrovnik, the island of Lokrum is a great place to visit, only 10 minutes away by ferry and that it is a small, uninhabited island, which provides a haven for nudists.

''Here you can enjoy the impeccable landscape, national parks, and clear sea. The island consists mainly of rocks, so be careful with pieces of stone. This island also has a natural salt lake where you can relax like a jacuzzi'', the text explains about the now considered best nudist beach in the world.

In addition to Lokrum, this list includes three other destinations from Croatia: Punta Križa on Cres in 13th place, then Valalta near Rovinj in 16th place, and Sovinje Beach in Tkon in 21st place, which was rated the best in the beach quality category.

Nudist beaches in Croatia have been popular for a long time now. The country with such an abundance of hidden bays and beaches is nothing short of perfect for all those looking to get in touch with nature on their holiday. For more about the history of nudist beaches in Croatia and detailed information, be sure to check Total Croatia's guide here.

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

August the 12th, 2021 - These eighteen Croatian beaches are under concession, which means that entrance fees can be charged and limits on who can enter them can be put into place. The costs for concessionaires in such cases are astronomical, and that is why so few Croatian beaches are under these sort of rules.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, due to the continuing great interest of the public, the Morski.hr portal published a list of Croatian beaches that are allowed to be fenced off and which have entrance fees in the Republic of Croatia. There are only 18 such beaches in all of Croatia.

This is an issue that many often don't really fully understand, and this is an attempt to break down the difference between a concession and a restriction on the general use of what's known as maritime domain. It is important to note that the level of general use restrictions depends on what type of concession is at play.

At the moment, more than 1000 concession agreements are active on maritime domain, but in Croatia, there are only 18 beaches where fencing and entrance fees are allowed. Here is a list of those Croatian beaches:

Koversada - A beach and naturist camp, the concession holder is Maistra d.d. and the concession lasts until April the 18th, 2033.

Valalta - A beach and naturist camp, the concessionaire is Valalta d.o.o. and the concession lasts until April the 18th, 2033.

Ulika - A beach and naturist camp, the concessionaire in Plava Laguna d.d. and the concession lasts until the 31st of December, 2033.

The Novi Vinodolski beach in front of Hotel Lisanj in the part of zone A where there is a swimming pool to control the number of users and security reasons for payment, which also includes the right to use deck chairs, the concession holder is Hotel Lisanj d.d. and the concession lasts until March the 17th, 2040.

Kandalora Beach, Rab - A nudist beach with the right to charge entrance fees, the concession holder is Boja d.o.o. and the concession lasts until the 31st of July, 2025.

Baska A/C Skrila - A nudist camp which is allowed to put up fencing and charge an entrance fee. In cooperation with JLS, a beach which can also have an entrance fee has been built around the camp (Njivice A/C) but this isn't applied in agreement with the concessionaire. The concession holder is Valamar Riviera d.d. The concession lasts until July the 1st, 2024.

The Cikat bay beach below the five-star Bellevue hotel, an entrance fee is allowed to be charged in one part, the concession holder is Jadranka turizam d.o.o. The concession on the maritime domain for the economic use of the beach with the possibility of fencing and charging an entrance fee to access the beach in front of the Lovisca campsite. The concession holder is Skoljic d.o.o. and it will last until the 9th of June, 2026.

The concession on the maritime domain for economic use of Gracina beach with the possibility of putting up fencing and charging an entrance fee to access the beach. The concession holder holder is Hostin d.o.o. and the concession will last until the 15th of March, 2025.

Kostabela (Costabella) beach, Rijeka - there is the possibility of putting up fencing but no possibility of charging an entrance fee. The concession holder is JTH Costabella d.o.o. and the concession will last until the 5th of November, 2045.

TN Crvena luka, Biograd Na Moru - The concession holder is Crvena Luka d.d. and the concession will last until the 10th of August, 2027.

Simuni, Pag - The concession holder is Camp Simuni d.o.o. and the concession will last until April the 15th, 2028.

TN Zaton beach, Nin - The concession holder is Turisthotel d.d. and the concession will last until February the 14th, 2026.

Borik beach, Zadar.

Beach TN Punta Skala, Petrcane - The concession holder is Punta Skala d.o.o. and the concession will last until the 2nd of June, 2028.

TN Pine Beach, Pakostane -The concession holder is Proficio d.d. and the concession will last until the 17th of September, 2027.

Starigrad beach in front of hotel ALAN  - The concessionaire is Sunce hoteli d.d. and the concession will last until the 12th of December, 2029.

Strasko Beach, Pag - The concession holder is Hadria d.o.o. and the concession will last until the 12th of April, 2037.

For more on Croatian beaches, check our our dedicated section and find the right one for you.