11 of Croatia’s best beaches

Mike Dunphy, CNN
8 minute read
Updated 4:40 AM EDT, Wed June 27, 2018
<strong>Stiniva Beach, Vis:</strong> Situated a two hour and 30 minute ferry ride from Split, Stiniva Beach is based in a natural limestone arena, with sheer tufted walls of rock that all but encircle the smooth, sunken, white pebble floor.
Stiniva Beach, Vis: Situated a two hour and 30 minute ferry ride from Split, Stiniva Beach is based in a natural limestone arena, with sheer tufted walls of rock that all but encircle the smooth, sunken, white pebble floor.
Aleksandar Gospic
<strong>Kamenjak National Park, Istria: </strong>This exciting beach can be found at the southernmost tip of Istria, on the Kamenjak Peninsula, a national park, which trickles into the sea for nearly four miles before concluding in 70-foot high cliffs.
Kamenjak National Park, Istria: This exciting beach can be found at the southernmost tip of Istria, on the Kamenjak Peninsula, a national park, which trickles into the sea for nearly four miles before concluding in 70-foot high cliffs.
Ivo Biocina
<strong>Oprna Beach, Krk: </strong>This isolated beach's calm, clear waters and long shallow shoreline make it a favorite with snorkelers and divers, while its remote location means it remains quiet and relaxing throughout the summer.
Oprna Beach, Krk: This isolated beach's calm, clear waters and long shallow shoreline make it a favorite with snorkelers and divers, while its remote location means it remains quiet and relaxing throughout the summer.
Boris Kacan
<strong>Beach Mali Bok, Cres:</strong> Long walls of jagged limestone bookend this small pebble beach on Cres, an island between Istria and Dalmatia.
Beach Mali Bok, Cres: Long walls of jagged limestone bookend this small pebble beach on Cres, an island between Istria and Dalmatia.
Shutterstock
<strong>Bršeč Beach, Bršeč: </strong>Largely ignored by tourists, this stretch of shore lies beneath a clifftop medieval village.
Bršeč Beach, Bršeč: Largely ignored by tourists, this stretch of shore lies beneath a clifftop medieval village.
Shutterstock
<strong>Punta Rata, Brela:</strong> Punta Rata's crown jewel is the "Brela Stone," a giant offshore boulder miraculously sprouting pine trees.
Punta Rata, Brela: Punta Rata's crown jewel is the "Brela Stone," a giant offshore boulder miraculously sprouting pine trees.
Shutterstock
<strong>Zlatni Rat, Brač: </strong>Croatia's most photographed beach elongates like a "golden horn," as its name translates, boasting a Mediterranean pine grove and pebbles so fine, they actually feel like sand.
Zlatni Rat, Brač: Croatia's most photographed beach elongates like a "golden horn," as its name translates, boasting a Mediterranean pine grove and pebbles so fine, they actually feel like sand.
Boris Kacan
<strong>Nugal Beach: </strong>Makarska's most scenic beach comes with its own 30-foot waterfall, which is bolstered by a stream coming down from Mount Biokovo and flowing down the rock face into the sea.
Nugal Beach: Makarska's most scenic beach comes with its own 30-foot waterfall, which is bolstered by a stream coming down from Mount Biokovo and flowing down the rock face into the sea.
Vjeko Begovic
<strong>Sunj Beach, Lopud: </strong>A scarce example of a sandy beach in Croatia, Sunj rolls out half a mile along the bay of the same name at the south end of Lopud, west of Dubrovnik.
Sunj Beach, Lopud: A scarce example of a sandy beach in Croatia, Sunj rolls out half a mile along the bay of the same name at the south end of Lopud, west of Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik Tourist Board
<strong>Sveti Jakov beach, Dubrovnik: </strong>Positioned a 20-minute walk away from the Old Town, Sveti Jakov boasts fantastic views of the city and is favored by locals, although largely overlooked by tourists.
Sveti Jakov beach, Dubrovnik: Positioned a 20-minute walk away from the Old Town, Sveti Jakov boasts fantastic views of the city and is favored by locals, although largely overlooked by tourists.
Shutterstock
<strong>Betina Cave, Dubrovnik:</strong> This cave beach, situated about a mile south of Dubrovnik, was favored by 16th century scientist Marin Getaldić, who conducted experiments in optics here, including creating the first parabolic mirror.
Betina Cave, Dubrovnik: This cave beach, situated about a mile south of Dubrovnik, was favored by 16th century scientist Marin Getaldić, who conducted experiments in optics here, including creating the first parabolic mirror.
Dubrovnik Tourist Board
Croatia's top beaches
CNN  — 

When the summer wind comes blowing in the Dalmatian Coast, the beaches of Croatia polish their pebbles and fluff their plumage for the peak season from July through to August.

The secret of Croatia’s stunning Adriatic Coast and its award-winning beach destinations is well and truly out, thanks in part to the popularity of shows such as “Game of Thrones,” which used the Eastern European country as a backdrop.

More than 100 Croatian beaches have earned blue flag status for their remarkable purity on land and in the sea.

Much of this is thanks to the white pebbles that cover most beaches in the country, keeping the water a clear, jewelry-grade tone of turquoise.

Inside nearly every curve of the Croatia’s coastline, from Istria in the north to Dubrovnik in the south, lies a fabulous Adriatic beach where you can play. Here are 11 of the best when you travel here:

Stiniva Beach, Vis

Stiniva beach is based on the island of Vis, which is in southern Croatia.
Stiniva beach is based on the island of Vis, which is in southern Croatia.