Naturism in Croatia (FKK)
If you’ve ever considered leaving the swimsuit behind and going au naturel, Croatia is one of the best places in the world to do it — and the country has the history to back that up.
A pioneering tradition
Croatia was the first country in the world to open a commercial naturist village — Koversada near Vrsar in Istria — in 1961, a landmark moment that established Croatia as a global leader in naturist tourism. But the roots go back even further. The beginnings of naturism in Croatia date to the 1930s, when King Edward VIII visited the island of Rab and local authorities permitted him and Wallis Simpson to swim nude in the bay of Kandarola — still known today as the “English Beach.” That said, naturism on Rab is documented well before that royal visit.
The decades that followed cemented Croatia’s reputation. Valalta near Rovinj opened in 1968, the Croatian naturist association was established in 1971, and in 1972 Croatia hosted the World Naturist Congress — the first socialist country to do so. Today, Croatia operates over 30 official naturist camps and ranks third in Europe for naturist campsite capacity, with approximately 30,000 available places. Industry estimates suggest that 15% of all holidaymakers in Croatia participate in naturist activities.
Naturism in Croatia today
The offer is extensive. Valalta near Rovinj is widely considered one of the best FKK resorts in Europe, regularly winning the ADAC Superplatz award. It has its own marina, a brewery, a large pool complex, and a beach stretching for kilometres. With a supermarket, doctor, and restaurants on site, guests can spend an entire holiday without ever needing to leave — or get dressed.
Koversada, near Vrsar, is Europe’s oldest commercial naturist resort and can accommodate up to 5,000 guests across nearly one million square metres. A small island, connected to the mainland by a bridge, is considered the birthplace of European commercial naturism. Koversada attracts around 120,000 visitors annually.
Photos: Koversada naturist resort, Vrsar
Beyond the big resorts, FKK beaches are found throughout Croatia — from the Istrian peninsula down the entire Dalmatian coast and across the islands. Many regular beaches also have a naturist section, typically at a quieter end of the beach. These spots are marked with FKK signs — an abbreviation from the German Freikörperkultur, meaning Free Body Culture.
Top naturist spots
Some of the most popular destinations include:
- Valalta (Rovinj, Istria) — one of Europe’s largest and most awarded naturist resorts, with a 4km beach and full resort facilities
- Koversada (Vrsar, Istria) — Europe’s oldest commercial naturist resort, still one of the most visited
- Ulika (near Poreč, Istria) — a four-star naturist campsite set among ancient holly oak trees
- Bunculuka (Krk Island, Kvarner) — a multi-award-winning four-star naturist camp in a pine-shaded bay
- Kandarola Beach (Rab Island) — the original “English Beach”, one of the oldest naturist beaches in the world
- Lokrum Island (near Dubrovnik) — a popular naturist swimming area with a stunning natural setting just off the old city walls
- Nugal Beach (near Makarska) — a secluded wild beach reached on foot, popular with free-spirited visitors
Rules to follow
Naturist beaches are welcoming and relaxed — but a few basic courtesies apply everywhere:
Photography — always ask for consent before taking photos. Photographing other guests, especially children, without permission is unacceptable and can get you removed from the site.
Respect personal space — naturists are generally sociable, but pay attention to body language. Staring is rude. Give people the same privacy you’d want yourself.
No sexual behaviour — nudity is not an invitation. Overt sexual activity is not permitted anywhere on naturist beaches or in resorts.
Bring a towel — always sit on a towel when using shared seating, sunbeds, or pool furniture.
Keep it quiet — use earphones if you want to listen to music. These are places of relaxation for everyone.
Leave no trace — keep the beach clean. Take everything you bring, and leave nothing behind.
Fire safety — open fires and camping stoves outside designated areas are strictly prohibited. The Croatian coast is a high fire-risk zone, particularly in summer.
Follow these and you’ll find naturist Croatia an exceptionally warm, open, and freeing experience — with some of the clearest water in Europe as your backdrop.
