Rab island guide: sandy beaches & a medieval town

Rab packs a lot into a small island: a medieval town famous for its skyline of bell towers, and — rare for Croatia — proper sandy beaches.

Rab Town & the four towers

The old town rises on a narrow peninsula, its silhouette defined by four Romanesque bell towers standing in a row. Climb one for the view, then wander the three long parallel streets that run the length of the walled town.

Sandy beaches

Most of Croatia is pebble, but the Lopar peninsula in the north has shallow, genuinely sandy beaches — Rajska plaža (Paradise Beach) chief among them — ideal for families. The green Frkanj peninsula near the town has quieter coves.

Getting there

Rab is reached by car ferry from the mainland at Stinica or via the island of Krk and a short hop, making it an easy stop on a Kvarner itinerary.