Island of Rab
Rab is the island of contrasts: The west side is barren, wind-swept, and almost treeless — the Bora has erased everything here. The east side, on the other hand, is lush green, with oak forests, pine groves, and one of the highest forest densities of all Adriatic islands. And then there are the beaches — Rab has the rarest of all Adriatic treasures: a real sandy beach.
The island (93 km²) is located in the southeastern part of the Kvarner Bay, protected by the Velebit mountains. With over 2,500 hours of sunshine and pleasant summer temperatures (around 26°C), Rab is a paradise for bathing par excellence. But culture is not neglected either: The old town of Rab with its famous silhouette of four bell towers is one of the most beautiful cityscapes on the entire Croatian coast.
Rab is the perfect combination of culture and beach — and remains pleasantly unpretentious.
Sights
★★★ Rajska plaža (Paradise Beach)
The most famous beach of the Kvarner Bay — and one of the few real sandy beaches on the entire Croatian coast. Located in a sheltered bay on the Lopar peninsula, the “Paradise Beach” stretches over 1.5 km of fine, golden sand. The water is shallow (50m only waist-deep) and warm — perfect for families with small children.
The infrastructure is good: showers, changing rooms, lifeguards, loungers and umbrellas, beach bars, boat rentals. Nevertheless, it gets very crowded in July and August — come before 10 am or after 4 pm.
Around the Lopar peninsula, there are over 20 other beaches and coves, many of them deserted and naturist-friendly. The bay Sahara (15 min. walk from Lopar) is particularly beautiful.
Beach freely accessible. Lounger + umbrella: 15€/day. Parking: 5€/day. Lopar is 13 km north of Rab Town (20 min. drive or in summer boat shuttle from Rab harbor, 10 min., 8€ round trip). Water sports: Pedal boat 10€/hour, SUP 12€/hour, Banana-Boat 8€/person.
★★ Old Town of Rab (Rab Town)
The old town of Rab stretches on a narrow peninsula and offers one of the most iconic silhouettes of the Adriatic: four Romanesque bell towers rise from the medieval sea of houses — like the fingers of a hand reaching for the sky. The view is most impressive from the water when arriving by ferry.
Upper Street (Gornja ulica): The oldest street in Rab, lined with churches and palaces. Here stand all four bell towers: the largest belongs to the Cathedral of the Assumption (12th century, ascent possible — best view!), the smallest to the abandoned church of Sv. Andrija.
Middle Street (Srednja ulica): Shops, restaurants, galleries. The heart of daily life.
Lower Street (Donja ulica): Right by the water, with the Riva promenade, cafés, the harbor, and ferry docks.
Komrčar Park: At the western end of the old town — a fragrant park with pines, cypresses, and agaves, reaching down to the sea. Laid out in the 19th century, perfect for a shaded walk.
Bell tower Cathedral: 3€, daily 10–13 and 19–22 hrs (summer). City walls partially walkable (free). Komrčar Park: freely accessible.
★ Rab Cake (Rapska torta)
Not a sight in the classical sense, but a culinary institution: The Rapska torta is an almond-Maraschino cake that has been baked since the 15th century according to the secret recipe of the Benedictine nuns. Legend has it that it was served to Pope Alexander III during his visit to Rab in 1177. Today, it is available in every bakery in the city — but it tastes best at Pasticceria Rab (Gornja ulica).
Piece approx. 3€. Whole cake from 20€.
Rab Medieval Festival (Rabska Fjera)
At the end of July, the old town transforms back into the Middle Ages for three days: knight fights, crossbow shooting, medieval music, craftsmen, historical markets, and everyone is in costume. The largest and most authentic medieval festival in Croatia — dates vary (usually the last weekend in July).
💡 Tipp
Take the boat from Rab harbor to Lopar instead of the car — it's faster, more beautiful, and saves you the hassle of finding parking at Paradise Beach. The shuttle runs hourly in summer.
The best beaches on Rab
Rab is one of the most beach-rich islands in Croatia. Here are the main ones:
Rajska plaža (Paradise Beach): THE sandy beach. 1.5 km, shallow, warm, family-friendly. Details see above.
Sahara Beach: 15 min. walk from Lopar. Even wilder and lonelier than Paradise Beach, also sand. No infrastructure — just nature. Naturist-friendly.
Pudarica: Long sandy beach on the northeast coast, with campsite and beach bar. Less known than Lopar, therefore quieter. Good wind for kitesurfers.
Suha Punta: Pebble beach in a pine forest bay west of Rab Town. Shady, quiet, naturist area. Accessible by boat or forest path.
Kandalora: Remote rocky bay on the Frkanj peninsula, only accessible by boat. Crystal-clear, deep blue water. A paradise for snorkelers.
Ciganka: Natural beach below the old town, accessible via Komrčar Park. Rocky, with small pebble coves. Perfect for a quick dip in the sea between sightseeing.
Food & Drink on Rab
€€€ Astoria
The top restaurant on Rab, in a renovated palace on the Upper Street. Creative Mediterranean cuisine: scallops, Pag lamb fillet, truffle risotto, artistic desserts. The terrace overlooking the bell tower is unforgettable. Reservation required.
30–50€ per person · Trg Municipium Arba 7, Rab Town · Daily 18–23 hrs (season) · Tel: +385 51 774 844
€€ Konoba Rab
Family-run konoba on the Middle Street: Grilled fish, Peka (lamb or octopus under the bell — order 3 hours in advance!), homemade pasta. The Peka is the best thing you can eat on Rab. Honest, hearty, authentic.
15–25€ · Kneza Branimira 3, Rab Town · Daily 12–23 hrs
€€ Marco Polo
Right by the harbor with a view of the boats. Wood-fired pizza (excellent!), seafood platter, fresh fish. Larger portions than elsewhere, touristy but solid quality. Good for families.
10–22€ · Obala Kralja Petra Krešimira IV, Rab Town · Daily 11–24 hrs
€ Santa Maria
Café-bakery with the best Rapska torta in town and excellent breakfast combos: croissants, yogurt with local honey, freshly squeezed juice. Sit on the small terrace in the morning and plan the day.
4–10€ · Gornja ulica 2, Rab Town · Daily 7–22 hrs
💡 Tipp
The Rapska torta comes in two versions: the original recipe of the nuns (sweeter, intense Maraschino flavor) and the modern version (lighter, less liqueur). Try both and decide for yourself — ask for “originalni recept” for the traditional one.
Practical information for Rab
Arrival: Ferry Jablanac (mainland) → Mišnjak (Rab): 15 min., Jadrolinija, hourly, car + 2 people approx. 20€. In summer also Baška (Krk) → Lopar (Rab): 1 hr. (seasonal). Catamaran Rijeka → Rab (3 hrs., from 12€).
Accommodation: Hotel Arbiana (4 stars, old town, chic, from 120€), Hotel Padova (resort with pool, from 100€), San Marino Camping Resort in Lopar (excellent, right next to Paradise Beach). Private apartments from 40€/night.
Itinerary: At least 2 nights. 3–4 nights ideal if you want to combine swimming and culture. Rab Town in one day, Lopar/beaches on the other.
Transportation: Car recommended. The island is small (22 × 11 km): Rab Town → Lopar 13 km (20 min.). In summer also boat shuttle. Bike rental in Rab Town (15€/day), but hilly!
Nudist Tradition: Rab has a long nudist history — British King Edward VIII bathed here naked in 1936 (the first king to do so publicly). The nudist beach Kandalora on the Frkanj peninsula is one of the most famous in Europe.