Beaches near Poreč: a practical guide for families and couples

The coast around Poreč is low, green and indented with small bays. Pine and holm oak woods come right down to the water, so shade is easy to find, and the sea is clear enough to see the bottom several metres down. What you will not find is long stretches of sand. Here is what to expect, and where we send our guests.

What Poreč beaches are like

• Surface: pebbles, flat rocks and concrete platforms for sunbathing, with metal ladders into deeper water. Some coves have fine gravel.
• Water: clean and clear; many beaches carry the Blue Flag. It gets deep quickly off the rocks.
• Shade: natural shade from pine trees on most beaches; sunbeds and umbrellas can be hired at the larger ones.
• Facilities: resort beaches have showers, toilets, bars and water sports; small coves have nothing, which is part of their charm.

Tip: pack water shoes for everyone. They make rocky entries comfortable and protect against sea urchins.

North of Poreč: Materada, Laguna and Pical

Materada and Laguna, just north of Poreč by Špadići, are the beaches closest to Villa Duga, about 1.6 km away. They mix rocks, pebbles and concrete areas under the pines, and a coastal path runs along the shore, good for walks and bike rides.

Heading towards town, Pical and the beaches around Borik are popular with families, with cafés and shallow gravel bays.

In town: the seafront and St Nicholas island

Poreč has small town beaches along the seafront, handy for a quick swim during a walk in the old town.

For a change of scene, take a taxi boat from the harbour to St Nicholas island (Sveti Nikola), about five minutes across. It has several beaches, including a small sandy one, and paths through the pine woods. See our St Nicholas island guide.

South of Poreč: Brulo and the Lagunas

South of the centre, Brulo is a long, popular pebble beach close to town. Further on, the large resort areas of Plava Laguna and Zelena Laguna have many coves, beach bars, water sports and the most facilities. They are busy in August, so go early.

Near Labinci: Santa Marina and the Tar coast

From Villa Bina and Villa Cvita Domenica in Labinci, the nearest sea is around Santa Marina near Tar, about 9 km away. The coast between Tar, Lanterna and Červar has rocky shores and small bays, often quieter than the town beaches.

Beach etiquette and tips

• Arrive early in July and August for shade and parking. Most beach car parks are paid in summer.
• Take your rubbish home. Small coves have no bins.
• Respect nudist signs. Croatia has a long tradition of naturist beaches; they are clearly marked.
• Check the wind. When the bura blows from the north-east, the sea on the west coast is calm; when the jugo blows from the south, choose sheltered bays.

Before you go, read our swimming safety guide and check typical sea temperatures.

Beach or pool?

On the hottest afternoons, many of our guests head home to the villa pool and go back to the sea at sunset, when the beaches empty and the light turns golden. With a private pool, you can do both.