Naturist holidays in Croatia: FKK campsites and beaches

Croatia has one of the longest naturist traditions in Europe. Its Adriatic coast is lined with FKK campsites and nudist beaches, the water is famously clear and flights from the UK take a little over two hours. This guide to naturist Croatia covers the main campsites, the best-known nudist beaches and how to plan your trip.

If this will be your first naturist holiday, our first-time naturist guide is a good place to start.

What does FKK mean?

FKK stands for Freikörperkultur, German for “free body culture”. Croatia adopted the term from Germany, and naturist campsites and beaches are often signed “FKK”. You can read more about the movement in our article on FKK and German naturism.

Naturist holidays boomed in Croatia from the 1960s, when many camps opened in Istria and Dalmatia. Rab island links its naturist history to 1936, when, according to local accounts, King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson swam nude in Kandarola Bay, though naturism on Rab is recorded earlier than that.

Naturist Croatia: the main FKK campsites

There are around 17 official naturist camps in Croatia, most of them on the Istrian peninsula in the north-west. They typically offer pitches for tents and caravans plus mobile homes, bungalows or apartments to rent.

Koversada, Vrsar (Istria)

Koversada sits at the entrance to the Lim Bay near Vrsar and was established as a naturist campsite in 1961. Its operator, Maistra, calls it Europe’s longest-running naturist centre. After a recent renovation the resort is split in two: Koversada Uncovered Naturist Campsite for naturists and Koversada Covered for clothed camping. The naturist side has pitches in pine forest and by the sea, mobile homes, flat rocky beaches and hidden coves. Maistra also runs naturist apartments and villas in the park.

Valalta, Rovinj (Istria)

Valalta, near Rovinj, has been running since 1968 and is one of the largest naturist campsites in Europe. It has over 4 km of beach, a marina, outdoor and indoor pools, several restaurants and a children’s club. Accommodation includes bungalows, apartments, mobile homes and pitches, which cannot be reserved in advance. The published season for 2027 is 1 May to 30 September.

Other Istrian sites

Istria has several other naturist sites, including Ulika near Poreč, Solaris near Poreč and Kanegra near Umag. Some Croatian sites have closed or switched to mixed camping in recent years, so check the current status directly before booking.

The islands

Beyond Istria, Krk has the strictly naturist campsites Politin (near Krk town) and Konobe (Punat). Cres has Baldarin, and Hvar has FKK Camp Vrboska.

Croatia nudist beaches

Croatia has many official nudist beaches and many more “free beaches” where naturism is accepted. Well-known areas include:

Rab: Kandarola Bay, also called English Beach, plus several other beaches around the island.
Krk: signposted naturist beaches at Baška, Stara Baška, Njivice, Omišalj and Malinska.
Hvar: Jerolim, a small island just off Hvar Town, and beaches on the Pakleni islands such as Palmižana and Stipanska.
Dubrovnik: the island of Lokrum, a short boat ride from the old town.
Istria: naturist areas around Rovinj and Poreč, in addition to the campsites.
Makarska Riviera: naturist coves between the resorts, including near Baška Voda and Brela.

Most Croatian beaches are pebble or rock rather than sand, so pack water shoes. Valalta is unusual in having partly sandy beaches.

Rules and etiquette

Use designated naturist beaches and campsites, and dress when you leave them.
Always sit on a towel.
Do not photograph other people.
Follow campsite house rules, which can include dress codes in restaurants or textile areas, as at Koversada.

Getting to naturist Croatia from the UK

For Istria, fly to Pula. Direct flights from London take around 2 hours 10 to 2 hours 20 minutes. Jet2, easyJet, TUI and Ryanair all run seasonal services from UK airports including Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and Glasgow. Valalta and Koversada are both on the west coast of Istria, an easy drive north of Pula. For the islands and Dalmatia, Rijeka, Split and Dubrovnik airports are the usual gateways.

A hire car is the simplest way to reach the campsites.

When to go and how to book

The main naturist season runs from late April or May to late September or early October. Koversada’s naturist campsite is scheduled to open from 23 April to 10 October in 2027, and Valalta from 1 May to 30 September. June and September are quieter and cheaper than July and August.

Book early for summer. Naturist accommodation is limited.
Book direct with the campsite. You can confirm the rules, the pitch policy and whether the site is still fully naturist.
Join British Naturism before you go. British Naturism is the UK’s national naturist organisation and we recommend membership.

For other destinations, see our guide to naturist holidays from the UK, and our article on naturism around the world.

FAQs

Is Croatia good for a naturist holiday?

Yes. Croatia has around 17 official naturist camps, many nudist beaches and a long naturist tradition, with Istria the most popular region for naturist camping.

What is the oldest naturist campsite in Croatia?

Koversada near Vrsar was established as a naturist campsite in 1961 and its operator describes it as Europe’s longest-running naturist centre.

Are Croatian nudist beaches sandy?

Most are pebble or rock, with flat stone areas for sunbathing. Water shoes are a good idea.

What does FKK mean in Croatia?

FKK is short for the German Freikörperkultur, or free body culture. It marks naturist beaches and campsites.

Sources

More from Go Bare: all posts, naturism guides and UK naturist beaches.