Rab has something rare in Croatia: real, shallow sandy beaches. Around Lopar in the north of the island lie dozens of sandy coves where small children can wade far out. Add Rab town, one of the loveliest medieval towns on the Adriatic, whose four bell towers on a narrow peninsula look like the masts of a ship, and Kalifront, one of the largest holm-oak forests in the Mediterranean.
At a glance
Region
Kvarner
Ferry from mainland
Stinica – Mišnjak (approx. 15 min, frequent)
Ferry from Krk
Valbiska – Lopar (seasonal)
Best time to visit
June, September
Ideal for
families with toddlers, couples, naturists
Special feature
over 20 sandy beaches around Lopar
Lopar: sand instead of pebbles
Rajska plaža (Paradise Beach) in Lopar is about 1.5 km long, fine-sanded and extremely shallow – you can walk hundreds of metres out and still be only hip-deep. In summer it is busy accordingly. Quieter are the many smaller sandy coves of the peninsula, reached by footpaths; some, such as Sahara, are naturist beaches. Lopar is also home to a geopark with interesting rock formations.
Rab town
The old town sits on a narrow spit with three parallel streets: the harbour at the bottom, the main shopping street in the middle and the church street at the top with St Mary's Cathedral and the four bell towers. St Mary's bell tower can be climbed – the view over roofs and harbour is superb. At the end of July the Rapska fjera takes place, a medieval festival with a crossbow tournament and costumes. Try the Rabska torta, an almond cake made to an old recipe.
Nature: Kalifront and Kamenjak
The Kalifront peninsula in the west is covered in dense holm-oak forest (Dundo forest), crossed by hiking and cycling paths and fringed with quiet rocky coves. Opposite rises bare Kamenjak (408 m), which shields the island from the bora – that is why the west side is green and the east side rocky. From the summit you can see the Velebit and neighbouring islands.
Honest verdict
Rab is one of Croatia's most family-friendly islands. In high summer cars queue for the Stinica–Mišnjak ferry on Saturdays; waits of over an hour are possible. Come in June or September and you'll have the beaches almost to yourself. Nightlife is mainly in Rab town and Lopar, but moderate.
