An overview of the Adriatic counties
Published May 29, 2026 · ~5 min read
The Croatian coast stretches from Istria in the north to the far south near Dubrovnik, and is administratively divided into seven coastal counties. Each has its own character of sea, beaches and landscape. Here is a short overview to help you plan.
The seven coastal counties
- Istria — the largest peninsula in the Adriatic, with clear sea and an indented coast dotted with towns such as Rovinj, Poreč and Pula.
- Primorje-Gorski Kotar — the Kvarner Gulf and the islands of Krk, Cres, Lošinj and Rab; Rijeka and Opatija as its hubs.
- Lika-Senj — the shortest stretch of coast, around Senj and below the Velebit range, with access to the islands of Pag and Rab.
- Zadar — an indented archipelago, the nearby Kornati, and a long coastline around Zadar and Biograd.
- Šibenik-Knin — the mouth of the Krka, the Šibenik channel, and proximity to the Krka and Kornati national parks.
- Split-Dalmatia — the largest coastal county, the islands of Brač, Hvar, Vis and Šolta, and the Makarska Riviera.
- Dubrovnik-Neretva — the far south, Dubrovnik, the Pelješac peninsula, and the islands of Korčula and Mljet.
The northern Adriatic: Istria and Kvarner
The northern part of the coast covers Istria and Kvarner with its large islands. Here the sea warms a little more slowly in spring than in the south, but the coast is exceptionally indented, with countless coves, pebble beaches and pine woods by the water. A dense road network and proximity to Central Europe make it easy to reach.
The central Adriatic: Zadar, Šibenik and Split
Central Dalmatia is the heart of the Croatian coast: thousands of islands and islets, from the Kornati to Vis, and lively cities such as Zadar, Šibenik, Split and Trogir. In summer the sea is warm and the choice of beaches is vast — from town bathing spots to hidden coves reachable only by boat.
The southern Adriatic: Dubrovnik and around
The far south, around Dubrovnik, has the warmest sea and the longest bathing season. The Pelješac peninsula and the islands of Korčula, Lastovo and Mljet offer clear sea and quiet beaches, while the mouth of the Neretva adds variety to the landscape. Because of its position the journey here is a little longer, but the reward is sea warmth even in early autumn.
On Tirkiz you can open each county separately and see a list of its beaches with current sea-quality grades. That makes it easy to compare bathing spots within the region you plan to visit.