Sv. Mara

You will find Sv. Mara on most lists of Croatia’s best beaches, and the photos are not misleading.

Good to know

Sv. Mara stands in Kvarner, one of the six regions that make up the Croatia most visitors fall for. From the Adriatic shore to the karst mountains and the quiet inland valleys, this part of the country gives you something worth the detour.

Get there early or late in the day to dodge the crowds and catch the best light. Bring reef shoes, many of Croatia’s finest coves are smooth pebble rather than sand.

Practical info

• Entry: check the official site for today’s price and hours. These move with the seasons, and some locations close fully outside the main window.
• How to get there: Tap the map for the route. Croatian town parking is mostly paid and marked with blue P signs; if your trip involves an island, build buffer time in for the ferry.

Best time to visit

Sv. Mara rewards a visit between May and October. The sweet spot is June or September, when the water is warm and the crowds thinner than in July and August. Come in winter and you find a quieter, cheaper country, at its most likeable inland.

This is part of an open Croatia library by Photograph by John, real places, real maps, no paywall. Share it if it was useful.