A Traveler’s Dream Guide to Nugal Beach, Croatia

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Nugal Beach, Croatia, is an idyllic beach town along the central coast of the Adriatic Sea. This absolute stunner is one of the most picturesque places in the entire country, with crystal clear cerulean waters and a backdrop of lush green vegetation and impressive cliffs. 

Located just 3 km (1.86 miles) south of Makarska, Nugal Beach is a great place to stop if you are taking a road trip along the Croatian coast. 

What else makes this beach special? It is actually a nudist paradise. You can comfortably sunbathe sans swimsuit, wade in the waters in your birthday suit, and generally enjoy the stunning scenery in private, with all your privates out. 

Things to do at Nugal Beach

Nugal Beach, Makarska, Croatia, isn’t packed with things to do. However, that is precisely what makes it the perfect place to stop and enjoy the beautiful scenery and the refreshing sea for a day or two. 

Visit Nugal Beach

Best for swimmers looking for an au naturel experience. 

Of course, the best thing to do once you arrive is hit the beach! This nudist sanctuary is a slice of paradise along the Makarska Riviera. This dreamy stretch of coastline is 60 km (~37 miles) long and reaches from Brela all the way to Gradac, just south of Split. The beach is beneath the steep cliffs of the Biokovo Mountain range, providing the perfect private background for an afternoon of swimming au naturel. 

There are no facilities at Nugal Beach, so you must be prepared with everything you need for an afternoon of pure bliss. 

The only way to reach Nugal Beach is a short 15-20 minute hike through the Osejava Natural Park. On the way, it is an excellent downhill trek, and once you arrive, you’ll be treated to some absolutely breathtaking views of the cliffs and postcard-perfect water. 

Pro tip: Nugal is a pebble beach, so bring waterproof shoes to protect your feet!

There are plenty of other beaches in the area, so if Nugal isn’t your speed, here are a few more.

Visit other nearby beaches

Tučepi Beach

Best for people looking for activities in addition to relaxation.

Tučepi Beach is a 4 km (2.5 miles) stretch of pebble beach with stunning turquoise waters and plenty of water sports. You can jetski, scuba dive, snorkel, or take out a boat for the day. The beach also has a lovely waterfront, complete with shops, restaurants, and places to grab souvenirs to take home. 

Dracevac Beach

Best for off-the-beaten-path beach lovers

Dracevac Beach is about a kilometer (~half a mile) from Tučepi. It is a 400-meter-long bay with lots of space for sunbathing. There is also a section for nudists, like Nugal Beach. The best part about Dracevac is the beach is backed by a pine forest, which provides plenty of shade on hot summer days. 

Jadran Beach

Best for luxury seekers.

Jadran Beach is located just north of Tučepi and offers absolutely stunning beaches. This dreamy beach is small, but it’s the perfect place to marvel at Croatia’s natural beauty and dip in the Adriatic. 

The beach is named after the super luxury hotel Jadran, which happened to be the first hotel in the area. If you aren’t staying in the hotel, you can still visit the bay and take a dip for a fee. 

Explore Makarska and Tučepi

While in the area, you should definitely check out the nearby towns, Makarska and Tučepi.

Makarska is known for its picturesque promenade lined with palms and dotted with charming cafes, restaurants, and bars. It’s the perfect place to have lunch or a sundowner after a day of swimming in the crystal-clear waters. 

Tučepi is another fantastic destination, as it also has a lovely harbor, plenty of restaurants, and some great bars to visit. Since there are several excellent beaches to visit between Nugal Beach and Tučepi, it’s a great place to base yourself along the Makarska Riviera for a few days. 

Visit Osejava Nature Park

The forest park of Osejava is about 1.5 km (just under a mile) to the south of Nugal Beach, so you should definitely get out and explore the forest while you are here!

It’s the perfect area to hike amongst the pine forests of the Dalmatian coast. This area is in southern Croatia, stretching from the island of Rab to the Bay of Kotor in the south, right along the Adriatic Sea. It’s known for gorgeous views, historical charm, and great Croatian beaches.

You’ll be mesmerized by magical viewpoints and stunning panoramas as you hike. And you can also take a dip in one of several bays.

Weather at Nugal Beach

Because you’ll be celebrating all things natural when visiting Nugal Beach, you’ll want to time your trip for the best weather possible. Croatia’s Dalmatian coast is best experienced in the summer when the weather and water are warm and there aren’t heavy rains. The summer time temps can hit 30°C (89℉), and there is always plenty of sunshine. 

That being said, you can visit the central Croatian coast pretty much any time of the year and still have a great holiday. The weather is typically delightful, and the winters are mild. 

Shoulder season, October and May, are great times to consider if you want to avoid the crowds and find better deals on accommodation. 

Packing list essentials for Nugal Beach, Croatia 

Nugal Beach is the best place to stop and relax. But you can’t always go naked. To prepare for your trip, you’ll want to pack the following: 

• Bathing suits
• Water shoes
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Camera/GoPro
• Waterproof bag
• Hiking shoes

How to get to Nugal Beach, Croatia

It is easy to get to Nugal Beach if you are coming from Split. The trip will take an hour and a half from Split to Makarska. And from Makarska, it is a quick 3.5 km (~2 miles) taxi to the beach. 

It is also possible to take the bus into Tučepi, a one-hour and 15-minute journey. Once you reach the town of Tučepi, you can quickly grab a cab for the remaining 4.6 km (~3 miles).

If you come from the south, you can get from Dubrovnik to Makarska. The ride will take about three and a half hours, plus the additional ten-minute taxi. 

Coming from the capital? Not to worry–there are routes from Zagreb to Makarska as well! This trip will take about five and a half hours, but you’ll be glad you made the trek once you arrive at the beach. 

But don’t end your journey in Nugal Beach. There is so much to see here. Check out all the Bookaway routes in Croatia.

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