Hidden Beaches: Coves Away from the Crowds
A RabInsider selection of coves for the days when summer crowds arrive. How to get there on foot, where to leave the car, and why a steep forest path is actually a good thing.
While most visitors head straight for the famous Paradise Beach in Lopar, summer is the right time to look for coves that require at least ten minutes of walking through the pine forest. Rab has over thirty sandy beaches, but the best ones don't tolerate cars.
wild coves on the north of lopar
Ciganka in the north of Lopar stands out. Red sand, unusual sand structures, and total peace make it ideal when silence by the sea matters. Leave the car at the edge of the forest and walk the last two hundred meters. There are no cafes or beach beds there — just silence and clear water.
Mel cove in Kampor is a bit easier to reach but still keeps its wild character, especially before sunset when the cliffs turn red. Sturić offers two tiny coves hidden behind the pine forest, reachable by a narrow path or by boat.
If you plan to visit these coves, follow one simple rule: bring plenty of water and good trainers, because walking on sharp rocks in flip-flops never ends well. The best time to go is early morning before the heat hits, or late afternoon when the sea calms down. Rab's true value often lies in these hidden spots where you can have a whole cove to yourself.