Island of Rab – camping next to sandy beaches

The island of Rab is known for its campsites along sandy beaches, which are popular among families with small children. Campsite San Marino in Lopar and campsite Padova in Banjol, next to the town of Rab, are the largest on the island, and this year they also present some new features.

The island of Rab is very diverse, with the western part of the island, known as the Kalifront peninsula, boasting with forests and lush greenery. Same goes for the northern part with sandy beaches and pine trees. The eastern part of Rab, which faces the mainland and Velebit, is very different, almost completely barren because of the winds.

The easiest way to reach Rab is by ferry from the island of Krk, from the port of Valbiska to Lopar on Rab. A larger ferry has been in use in the past years for this 1h 20min ride to transport more vehicles at once. The other option is to drive further along the Kvarner coast to Stinica and take the shorter ferry ride to Rab from there.

Sandy beaches on the island of Rab

The most famous sandy beach on the island of Rab is definitely the Paradise Beach in Lopar, next to which you will find the campsite San Marino. It’s a 2 km long sandy beach which slowly descends into the sea. That makes it perfect for children, while you have to tread about 100m from the shore to swim. There’s plenty of activities available: From beach volleyball, pedal boats and slides at the edge of the beach, to small boats and kayaks for hire if you wish to visit the more secluded beaches.

Naturists can choose among several sandy nudist beaches near Lopar, e.g. Ciganka, Sahara, Stolac, and the very famous beach Kandarola, which is 5 km away from the town of Rab. There is also a well-known sandy beach in Kampor, and 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 special beach for dogs – Monty’s Dog Beach & Bar. It’s located in Banjol, about 1.5 km south of the campsite Padova.

Active holidays, Rab Fjera and local specialities

The island of Rab is also popular with active holidaymakers. Especially in spring and autumn, the island is a great place for cyclists, as there are many well-maintained cycling paths on Rab, which are also suitable for family cycling.

Hikers can climb to the highest peak on the island – Kamenjak, which at 408m above sea level offers a beautiful view of the town of Rab and many neighboring islands. You can also enjoy a nice walk along the beaches north of Lopar, the paths through the oak forest on the Kalifront peninsula or the coastal path from Barbat to the town of Rab.

The town has a beautiful old part with a wall and four bell towers. The most famous event in the town is the Rab Fjera festival, which takes place every year from 25 to 27 July. For three days the town is transformed into a medieval fairy tale, with numerous demonstrations of how people used to live on the island, and the Rab’s crossbowmen proving their skills.

Rab’s cuisine is of course linked to the sea, but the local way of preparing lamb is also a specialty. The island also has its own dessert – Rab cake (Rapska torta) with almonds. It is made according to a recipe that is over 800 years old.

Camping on Rab

Campsite San Marino – a sandy beach paradise for families

We invite all sandy beach lovers to campsite San Marino, as it is located right next to the famous Paradise Beach. It’s a sandy beach that gently descends into the sea, which is why the shallow water is about a degree warmer than elsewhere. Children will love the beach, where they can play in the sand, build sand sculptures or enjoy the shallow water. We recommend that you pack the appropriate “tools” for your aspiring young architects.

Although the beach for dogs is not yet marked at the campsite, puppies can swim at the far right side of the beach near the slides, where a new dog beach is planned to be introduced later this year.

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

The campsite also has a wellness center with saunas, jacuzzi, massages and a beauty center. The campsite includes a shop, a restaurant, beachside bars, children’s playgrounds, live entertainment in the summer, sun loungers and parasols for hire on the beach, and it also offers boat hire.

NEW in 2024 – Complete renovation of the sanitary facility, WiFi is now available throughout the campsite, and the old mobile homes have been replaced with the new San Marino Superior Homes for 4+2 persons (34 m2). The mobile homes are located on the right side of the campsite and additionally at the back. There are two- and three-bedroom mobile homes for 4-8 people, all of them air-conditioned and fully equipped. Dogs are allowed for an extra charge.

Glamping tents for up to 5 people are also available – these are popular with guests who want a slightly different kind of camping holiday.

Campsite Padova Premium Resort – a quiet campsite near the town of Rab

Padova Premium Resort is located near the town of Rab. There is a taxi boat that takes you directly to the old part of the town, or you can walk along the sea, which will take you about half an hour. This makes campsite Padova the perfect combination for relaxation, sightseeing and visiting the numerous summer events.

It is a medium-sized campsite with about 250 well-equipped pitches and mobile homes. The camping pitches have been improved, the sanitary facilities have been renovated, there are heated swimming pools, water games and slides for children, an indoor games room and a renovated playground and sports field.

NEW in 2024 – Mobile homes village called Hilltop Green Village to the right of the campsite, with a beautiful view of the sea and the town of Rab. These mobile homes are among the first eco-built units, which are 90% made of natural or recycled materials. There are two types of new mobile homes: Hilltop Green for 4+2 persons (35 m2) and the Hilltop Chalet for 2+1 persons (18m2). All mobile homes also have a terrace, comfortable bedrooms, a kitchen and up to 2 bathrooms.

The central part of the beach at Camping Padova is sandy. Dogs can use the part of the beach which is 100m from the campsite towards the town of Rab, and the famous Monty’s Dog Beach & Bar is a 15-minute walk from the campsite.