Beaches in Medulin and Pomer: Sand, Pebbles and Quiet Coves
The best beaches in Medulin, Pomer, Banjole and Premantura: Bijeca sandy beach, pebble coves, dog beaches and tips on parking and time of day.
The Medulin Riviera on the southern tip of Istria has something that is rare in Croatia: a real sandy beach. On top of that there are pebble coves beneath pine trees, rock slabs for sunbathing and the wild coves of Cape Kamenjak. Whether you are travelling with toddlers, want to snorkel or are simply looking for peace and quiet – you will find your favourite spot here. This overview introduces the most beautiful beaches in Medulin, Pomer and the neighbouring villages.
Medulin: sandy beach and promenade
Bijeca – the famous sandy beach
Bijeca is Medulin’s unofficial town beach and lies right below the village centre. The roughly 1 km long beach has fine sand and slopes extremely gently – even small children can walk a long way out. There are shady trees, sunlounger hire and water sports on site, with car parks behind the beach.
Tip: in July and August the public car parks fill up quickly. Come in the morning or from late afternoon, when the day visitors leave. In the low season Bijeca is pleasantly quiet.
Belvedere and Alba Chiara
Pebbles and concrete platforms, sunloungers, beach bars – everything you need for a full beach day is here. Alba Chiara is smaller and offers water sports hire.
Škrape on the Kašteja peninsula
A mix of rocks and pebbles with natural shade. Getting into the water is easier here than at some other spots, and there is parking nearby.
Bura Bora
A quiet cove with concrete sunbathing areas, pebbles and grass – a little away from the hustle and bustle.
Pomer: pebble coves in a sheltered bay
Pomer lies at the western end of Medulin bay. The water here is usually calm and the atmosphere relaxed.
Pomer beach
The beach starts below the ACI Marina and runs around the small peninsula along the campsite. Rocks, pebble coves and concrete sunbathing areas alternate, and pine trees provide shade. In season you can hire sunloungers, parasols, pedalos and kayaks.
Scuza
Scuza bay has round pebbles and slopes gently – a good spot for families. There are sunloungers, shady places and water sports. Close by is the start of the Šetnica na moru footbridge across to the Premantura side.
You can read more about the village in our guide to holidays in Pomer.
Banjole and Pješčana Uvala
Centinera and Del Mar
In Banjole you will find pebble beaches surrounded by pine forest. Del Mar is around 430 m long and family-friendly, and both beaches have a water park for children in season.
Bumbište
This beach can be reached via a footpath from the harbour and is described as dog-friendly.
Pješčana Uvala
As the name (“sandy cove”) suggests, sand mixes with pebbles here. The promenade with cafés and restaurants makes the cove a nice place to head in the evening.
Premantura and Cape Kamenjak
Munte
Premantura’s Munte beach is a swimming spot with concrete platforms that is also easily accessible for people with reduced mobility.
The wild coves of the cape
South of Premantura begins the Cape Kamenjak nature reserve, with coves such as Njive, Portić, Plovanija and the Kolumbarica cliffs. To drive in, you pay a daily fee in season; on foot and by bike it is free. All the details are in our guide to Cape Kamenjak.
Which beach suits you?
| You are looking for … | Our tip |
|---|---|
| Sand and shallow water for toddlers | Bijeca (Medulin) |
| A quiet pebble cove with easy access | Scuza (Pomer) |
| Full facilities with bars | Belvedere (Medulin) |
| A water park for children | Del Mar or Centinera (Banjole) |
| Wild nature, snorkelling, cliffs | Cape Kamenjak |
| A beach for your dog | Designated sections, e.g. in Banjole or at the cape |
Beaches with dogs
The general rule in Croatia: dogs are not allowed on Blue Flag beaches; otherwise each municipality sets its own rules. In the Medulin area there are designated sections for dogs, and at Cape Kamenjak dogs are allowed on a lead. You will find a detailed overview in our guide to Istria with a dog.
Practical tips for your beach day
- Water shoes: except at Bijeca sandy beach, the ground is stony almost everywhere.
- Snorkelling gear: the water along the rocky shores is very clear – perfect for snorkelling.
- Shade: there are plenty of pine trees in Pomer and Banjole, but hardly any at the cape. A parasol helps.
- Time of day: in high summer the main beaches are busiest between about 11 am and 4 pm. Early in the morning you get the best spots and the calmest water.
- Swimming season: from around mid-June the sea is pleasantly warm, and in September water temperatures are often still above 23 °C. More in our guide to the best time to visit Istria.
Beaches with children on the Medulin Riviera
With small children, Bijeca sandy beach is the first choice: the water stays shallow for a long way, and there is sand for digging too. In Pomer, the Scuza pebble cove offers easy, shallow access and shady spots. In Banjole, the water parks at Centinera and Del Mar beaches provide variety. Older children enjoy pedalos, kayaks or SUP boards, which are available to hire at many beaches in season. A tip for older children: a boat trip to the islands of the Medulin archipelago with a swimming stop, for example at Levan island.
When is swimming season?
The main season runs from June to September. According to climate data, the sea on Istria’s west coast averages around 22 °C in June, around 25 to 26 °C in July and August, and still about 23 °C in September. In October the temperature drops to just under 20 °C – still fine for swimming for many. In May and October the beaches are almost empty, but beach bars and rental outlets are then often not yet open or already closed.
From Little Dream
If you stay at Little Dream in Pomer, the village’s swimming spots such as Pomer beach and Scuza bay are right on your doorstep. It is about 5 km to Medulin and Bijeca sandy beach, and about 7 km to Premantura – by car or bike you are there in a few minutes. Banjole and Pješčana Uvala are also right next door.
Fancy beach days between sand, pebbles and wild coves? Send an enquiry for Little Dream and plan your beach holiday in Pomer.
Frequently asked questions
Which beach in Medulin is the most beautiful?
The best known is the roughly 1 km long sandy Bijeca beach in Medulin town, with shallow, easy access. If you prefer unspoilt nature, you will find the most beautiful coves at Cape Kamenjak on the southern tip.
Are there sandy beaches in Medulin, Croatia?
Yes. Bijeca is one of the few genuine sandy beaches in Istria and slopes very gently into the sea. Pješčana Uvala also has a mix of sand and pebbles.
What is worth doing in Medulin?
Besides Bijeca sandy beach, it is worth taking a walk on the Vižula peninsula, going on a boat trip to the islands of the Medulin archipelago and spending a day at the Cape Kamenjak nature reserve.
Which beach in Croatia is a hidden gem?
Around Medulin, the small coves of Cape Kamenjak or the Scuza pebble cove in Pomer are good alternatives to the busy main beaches – especially in the shoulder seasons.
