Island Rab - happy island with camping by sandy beaches

Publication date

30 May 2024

Category

Camping

Statistics

The island of Rab is known to campers especially for its well-kept campsites along the sandy beaches where families with young children enjoy the most. Campsites San Marino in Lopar and Padova in Banjol near the edge of Rab are the largest on the island, but you can also choose to spend some holidays in one of the smaller campsites. Check also the special camping offers valid on the Avtokampi camping card.

​​

The island of Rab is very diverse as the western part of the island, called the Kalifront Peninsula, is covered with forests and very green, similarly to the northern part where you will find sandy beaches shaded by pine trees. The eastern part of Rab, which faces the mainland and Velebit mountains, is completely different, almost completely without plants because of the strong bura wind.

The easiest way to reach Rab is by ferry from the island of Krk, where in recent years a larger ferry has been running from
Valbiska - Lopar, so there are no problems with crowds, as you can buy a ferry ticket in advance and reserve a space. From central Slovenia, it's just a good two-hour drive to the ferry, then an hour and twenty minutes on a comfortable ferry and you're on Rab.

Sandy beaches on the island of Rab

The most famous sandy beach on island Rab is surely the Paradise Beach in Lopar, next to the San Marino Campsite. It is a 2 km long sandy beach where the sea is very shallow and decent slowly.  This is great for children, while swimmers need to walk at least 100m from the shore to swim normally. There is always something going on on the beach, from beach volleyball to pedal boats, water slides are at the edge of the beach, and the rental of small boats and kayaks is popular, with which you then visit more solitary beaches.

There are quite a few sandy nudist beaches near Lopar, for example Ciganka, Sahara, Stolac, very famous FKK beach Kandarola, which is 5 km away from the town of Rab. The famous sandy beach is also located in town Kampor, but if you drive to the southern part of the island, you will find some more sandy beaches, the most famous of which is Pudarica Beach.

NEW - Rab also has a specialised beach for dogs - Monty’s Dog Beach & Bar. It is located in Banjol, about 1.5 km south of the Padova campsite.The beach has a café, playgrounds for dogs, ice-cream for dogs ...

Active Holidays, Rab Fair and Island specialities

The island of Rab is also interesting for all lovers of an active holidays. Especially in the spring and autumn, there are many cyclists on Rab, since there are many beautiful cycling routes around the island among which are many also suitable for family cycling.

For hikers, we recommend climbing to the highest point on the island - the Kamenjak hill, which, from 408 meters above the sea, offers a beautiful view of the town of Rab and many of the neighboring islands. There is also a nice excursion to the beaches north of Lopar, the paths through the oak forest to the Kalifront peninsula or the coastal route from Barbat to the town of Rab.

The largest town on the island is the town of Rab, which has a beautifully landscaped old part of the town with walls and four bell towers. The most famous event on the island is Rab Fair (Rabska fjera in local language), which takes place every year from 25 to 27 July. The city changes to a medieval center for three days, showing on many stands how they once lived on the island and the crossbowmen of Rab present their skills.

The cuisine of the island of Rab is, of course,closely linked to the sea and seafood, while among most known specialty is lamb. They also have their dessert - Rab cake, which includes almonds. It has been made according to the same recipe for over 800 years.

You can find more information about possible excursions and sightseeing on the Island of Rab at www.rab-visit.com

Camping holidays on island Rab

Campsite San Marino (Valamar) - a sandy paradise for children

Camping at campsite San Marino is the bets location for all sandy beach lovers, as it is located on the edge of the famous Paradise Beach. It's a sandy beach where the sea slowly descends, so the sea temperature is about a degree higher than elsewhere. 

Children enjoy the beach, where they can dig in the sand, make sand sculptures or enjoy the low water. We recommend that you prepare the appropriate "tools" for sand sculpting before you arrive, especially shovels, rakes, buckets, etc.

There are several other sandy beaches near village Lopar, where there are also several nudist beaches. Although the beach for dogs is not yet marked at the campsite, puppies can swim at the rightmost part of the beach, near the slides, where a new dog beach is planned for later this year.

Camping San Marino has around 400 pitches along Paradise Beach, and more than half of them have water as well as electricity. The sanitary facilities at the campsite are adapted to the sandy conditions, with showers and foot-washing taps already on the outside.

The campsite also offers rooms for 2 and 2+2 persons for rent at the reception, and a wellness with saunas, jacuzzi, massages and a beauty centre.

NEW IN 2024 in Camping San Marino - complete renovation of the sanitary building, wifi signal throughout the camp, replacement of the old mobile homes with new San Marino Superior Home for 4+2 (34 m2) made by slovenian company Adria Home.

Mobile homes are located on the right side of the campsite and additionally at the back of the campsite. There are two- and three-bedroom mobile homes for 4-8 people, all air-conditioned, and dogs are allowed for an extra charge.

Glamping tents for up to 5 people are available from the agency and are interesting for guests who want a slightly different kind of holiday under canvas.

The campsite has a shop, restaurant, beachside bars, children's playgrounds, some entertainment in summer, sun loungers and parasols for hire on the beach, and boat hire.

Special offer on Avtokampi camping card - 23 € for 2 persons and a dog on the non-pitched part of the campsite with electricity between 26.4. - 17.5. & 15.9. - 1.10. or 7.5% discount on camping (persons + pitch) on all types of pitches (not valid on the non-pitched part of the campsite) between 26.4. - 28.6. & 1.9. - 1.10. and 5% discount between 29.6. - 31.8.

Camping Padova Premium Resort (Valamar) - a quiet campsite near the city Rab

Camping Padova is set near Rab. It is connected to the town by a taxi boat that takes you directly to the old part of the town, or you can take a walk along the seafront, which will take you about half an hour. This makes Camping Padua a perfect combination of a holiday, sightseeing and a visit to the many summer events.

Camping Padova has been renovated in recent years. It is a medium-sized campsite with around 250 well-equipped pitches and mobile homes for rent. Among the new features, the camping pitches have been renovated, the sanitary facilities have been renovated, there is an additional offer of heated swimming pools and children's water games and small slides, an indoor games room and a renovated children's playground and sports field.

NEW in 2024 - Hilltop Green Village mobile home on a hill to the right of the campsite, with a beautiful view of the sea and the town of Rab. It is one of the first eco-built mobile homes, 90% made of natural or recycled materials. There are two types of mobile homes for 4+2 persons (38 m2) and for 2+1 persons (18m2). All mobile homes also have a terrace, comfortable bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom.

The central part of the beach at Camping Padova is sandy, while puppies can swim on the part of the beach 100 metres from the campsite towards Rab, and the famous Monty's Dog Beach & Bar RAB is a 15-minute walk from the campsite.

Special offer on Avtokampi camping card - discount valid all season long, but during low season they also offer a special package price for camping on the unplotted part - € 23 for 2 persons and a dog between 19.4. - 17.5. & 15.9. - 1.10. or 7,5 % discount for camping (persons + pitch) on other types of pitches between 19.4. - 28.6. & 1.9. - 1.10. and 5 % discount between 29.6. - 31.8.

Lando Resort - great small campsite

In Kampor Bay, right by the sandy beach, there is a smaller campsite Lando Resort, which is listed among one of the best small Croatian campsites.

There are 8 modern well arranged camping pitches equipped with water and drainage and 15 mobile homes with an area of 40 - 50 m2 and large terraces.

There are two heated pools at guests' disposal, and right next to the campsite there is a large sandy bay with shallow water. The toilets are perfectly arranged, and guests have access to a shared kitchen with barbecue, where they can prepare their own delicious meals.

Camping Wodenca - mini camp in Barbat

The only campsite on the south side of the island of Rab is the Wodenca campsite. It is a small private campsite arranged along smaller sandy coves.

It offers 20 camping pitches as part of an olive grove, well-kept sanitary facilities. There is also a possibility of nudist swimming near the campsite. The location is suitable for a quiet holiday, offering many opportunities for walks and biking by the sea.

Campsite Zidine - ecological camping

Camping Zidine is one of the most ecological campsites in Croatia.

Camping Zidine does not offer traditional camping, as tents and bungalows are already set up in the campsite for you to sleep in. It is a peaceful location where guests enjoy the beautiful nature and socialising together. There is a kitchenette, bread, fresh vegetables and fruit.

The campsite is located in a secluded area, next to a small sandy beach, 2 km north-west of Lopar.

Unfortunately, the campsite manager, Mr Olip, passed away at the beginning of 2024, but the campsite will remain open this year. For any information regarding reservations, please send an email to irc.rab@gmail.com.