Many say that Croatia is a Mediterranean naturist paradise and judging by the number of nude beaches along the Croatian Adriatic coast this may well be the truth. Naked sunbathers are welcomed since the beginning of the last century when naturists were allowed only on a few especially designated areas. Today, except on official nudist beaches marked as “FKK”, nudity is often tolerated on many other so called “wild beaches”.
It is estimated that about 15% of all tourists that come to Croatia swim and sunbathe without a swimming suite and 1/5 of tourists mostly come and return to Croatia because of Croatian tolerance toward naturism. Many don’t consider themselves as naturists but still enjoy skinny dipping in one of many hidden coves.
True naturists, except swimming in the nude, appreciate also a balance between a man and nature, they prefer staying outside, enjoy in sport and healthy food and all that in the nude, of course. That’s why many of them prefer to stay in naturist camp grounds or resorts.
At the moment, in Croatia there are 15 naturist camping grounds and resorts. Some of them are only partly reserved for nudists and some are exclusively designated for nudists. Among them there is
Koversada near Vrsar in Istria, which is with its 120 hectars among the biggest European naturist resorts. The peak of the season is an annual Miss Nudist event organized on Koversada’s sandy beach each August. Beside Koversada, other well known naturist resorts in Istria are
Kanegra in Umag,
Valalta in Rovinj,
Solaris and
Ulika in Porec and
Kazela in Funtana. There are also many other free nude beaches in surroundings of Rovinj, Porec, Rabac and Medulin.
Islands of Kvarner Gulf also have a rich offer for naturists. The most famous nudist beaches are Baldarin (also a naturist camping) and Kovacine (also a partly naturist camping) on the island of Cres, Kandarola on the island of Rab which was opened back in 1936 when British king Edward VIII took a naked swim accompanied by his companion Ms Wallis Simpson. They even got a special permission for swimming in the nude from Rab authorities.
Little bit further to the south nudists found their place in partly naturist camping
Strasko and on a free beach near
Simuni camping on the island of Pag.
In Zadar area popular nudist beaches are Punta Skala in Petrcane, Crvena Luka beach near Biograd, Sabunike sandy nude beach near Nin, Kozarica beach in Pakostane and Sabusa beach near Kukljica on Ugljen Island. On the island of Pasman one can stay in nudist camping ground Sovinje near Tkon.
Sibenik area is known for its nudist beaches in camping ground Kosirina on Murter Island, Vala beach situated also on Murter and a beach on the small islet of Smokvica.
Among central Dalmatian islands favourite destination for naturists is the island of Hvar. There is for naturists exclusive camping ground
Nudist in Vrboska and partly naturist camping
Mlaska near Sucuraj. Popular nude beaches also include
Zecevo islet reachable by taxi boats from Jelsa and numerous nude beaches on
Pakleni islets which are situated right in front of Hvar Town and can be reached by a 15-minutes taxi boat ride from Hvar’s harbour. The most popular nude beaches on Pakleni islets are
Jerolim, Stipanska, Mlin and
Palmizana.
In Makarska Riviera well known beaches are Vrulja (between Pisak and Brela), Dracevac (between Tucepi and Podgora), Sveti Petar (St. Peter) beach situated on peninsula a short walk from the centre of popular tourist town Makarska. The most beautiful nude beach in this area is Nugal situated in immediate vicinity of Makarska toward Tucepi.
Korcula Island in southern Dalmatia is famous by its naturist beach on Badija islet (reachable by taxi boats from Korcula town) and nude beaches on beautiful Proizd islet situated on the western side of Korcula Island, just off Vela Luka.
In Dubrovnik one can cast away his/her clothes on well known beaches in Babin Kuk hotel complex and on one of the most famous Croatian nudist beaches situated on a small island of Lokrum which can be reached by a 15 minutes boat ride from Dubrovnik’s old harbour within the old’s city walls. In Dubrovnik’s surroundings popular beaches include those located on Elafiti islands, like sandy beach Sunj which is partly nudist and it is situated on Lopud island or nudist beach near Donje Celo village on the island of Kolocep. Elafiti islands are car free islands ideal for those who want to escape from hustle and bustle of everyday life. They are also popular day-trip spots for tourists staying in Dubrovnik. Ferries for Elafiti islands leave from Dubrovnik’s port Gruz several times a day. Further south, in Zupa Dubrovacka, there are several beautiful sandy naturist beaches, for examples beaches near Plat and Mlini villages.
All across Croatian Adriatic coast there are many other nudist or clothing optional beaches that are not officially designated for naturists but are tolerated by local communities. Still, in spite of this great tolerance, it is advised to be considerate and careful and not to be the first one who will take off clothes on an unfamiliar beach, especially near towns and villages. Sometimes it is even hard to tell is it a nudist or textile beach because naked and “clothed” sunbathers are happily mixed together.If you come to an unfamiliar town or village, the best thing is to ask around about locations of naturist beaches right at the reception of your hotel or in the nearest tourist information office.
Visit
Cronatur for more information about naturism in Croatia.
Valalta is located on the Istrian peninsula, 8km (5 miles) from the city of Rovinj, Valalta has 3km (2 miles) of Blue Flag beaches and secluded coves. There is a naturist settlement nearby with a sea-water swimming pool and olive-tree and vine lined green spaces.
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