Rab: The Island with Europe's First Legal Nudist Beach
Locals reveal the most beautiful beaches and hidden coves that adorn the island of Rab, from sandy paradises to historic bathing spots with royal pedigree.
Locals reveal the most beautiful beaches and hidden coves that adorn the island of Rab, from sandy paradises to historic bathing spots with royal pedigree.
When the most beautiful beaches on the Adriatic are mentioned, the island of Rab often comes to mind. Crystal-clear sea, miles of sand, and a sense of peace are the main draws that attract numerous visitors, but what truly makes this island special are the stories each cove holds.
The hallmark of Lopar is certainly its spacious sandy beaches. Local resident Ante Paparić reveals his favorite to HRT Magazine: "My favorite and dearest beach is - Sahara, or as we used to call it, Saramić. It's the beach with the most sand and the most marl - there were huge amounts of marl that were exported from here." He also recalls school days when, for May Day, the whole school would come to that beach for the first swim of the season, playing football and a game called 'graničar'.
His brother Mirko Paparić emphasizes that he spent his childhood on those beaches. "We fed on tellins, shellfish, snails; we ate them raw, and we also used them to catch fish. We swam there and bathed in the sand because we knew it was very healthy, as it's rich in quartz that came from the Alps. That sand draws out illnesses, so we were never sick!" Mirko Paparić recalls for HRT Magazine. He adds that they intuitively bathed in the sand, only later learning of its healing properties, which now attract many guests.
Lopar boasts as many as three nudist beaches, and one of them, Stolac, has its loyal devotees. Ante Paparić tells the story of a German general who has been coming to that FKK beach for 45 years. "They used to walk there; now they take a water taxi because they've aged. But it's a fantastic beach with three small coves where guests can swim individually," he explains.
However, the title of the oldest goes to Kandarola beach on the Frkanj peninsula, about twenty kilometers to the south. Rab native Željko Peran reveals its fascinating history: "It's the first legal nudist beach in Europe, established in 1936. King Edward VIII of England and Mrs. Simpson were here, and the city authorities gave them permission to swim naked." According to him, the royal couple spent a pleasant day in the cove, and since then Kandarola has existed as a legal nudist bathing area.
Rab's longest-serving boatman, Boris Pičuljan, knows the island's hidden corners best. For him, the most beautiful beach is Valsika, which Germans call Kristallbucht. "The sea is very clean, it's a large sandy cove; people enjoy it, they come by boat, anchor, and sometimes even stay overnight," Pičuljan tells HRT Magazine.
The small islets also have a special charm. One of them is Dolin, for which Pičuljan reveals a romantic story: "This small one is called Suza (Tear) Island because girls come here, fall in love with our boys, and then have to go home, so they shed a tear. That's normal; those are emotions."
In the very heart of the town of Rab lies the city beach Banova Vila, accessible via a landscaped park. Željko Peran fondly recalls the old days and the special atmosphere. "The promenade is well used, and in the evening young people gather here, swim, enjoy, socialize - it's a unique ambiance that's hard to describe simply," says Peran, also remembering his youth when they would sneak in a swim as early as late March, secretly and without swimsuits, so their parents wouldn't see them.
Whether you're looking for spacious sandy beaches, hidden pebble coves, royal history, or romantic sunsets on one of the islets, Rab's coastline offers stories and memories that keep visitors coming back.
