Lumbarda beaches

Lumbarda beaches are sandy and are amongst the few sandy beaches in Croatia. If you are looking for sandy beaches, Korcula island and Lumbarda is the place to go. 

As a result, Lumbarda’s beaches are popular with locals as well as tourists. However, although we visited in the peak summer months, we did not find the sandy beaches in Lumbarda were overrun with visitors, unlike Split and Dubrovnik which we found overwhelmingly busy.

Croatia’s sandy beaches are clean, picturesque and unspoilt. But it is important to note that the beaches are not like the sandy beaches you will find in Australia, the Caribbean or even in the U.K. Don’t expect miles and miles of white sand.

In Lumbarda, the sandy beaches are lovely and worth visiting but they are short, narrow and not very big. 

Sandy Lumbarda beaches

Vela Przina beach

This is the largest sandy beach in Lumbarda – in Croatian, Vela Przina means ‘big sandy beach’ – and it is the best of Korcula beaches.

Vela Przina is on the south side of the headland, 1.5 kilometres from Lumbarda plaza, the centre of the village. It is a clean strip of yellow sand beach with fantastic views across the sea to Lastovo island.

There are a couple of cafes for food, drinks and toilet as well as huts offering massages and umbrella hire. There is no natural shade on the beach so you will need to hire an umbrella or bring your own. 

Vela Przina beach is in a sheltered, secluded bay. It is ideal for families visiting Croatia with children as the water is warm, clear and shallow with a gentle slope into the sea. However, there are rocks in the sand at low tide which are submerged at high tide.

This beach gets busy in peak season so arrive early to secure your spot.

Take a break from sunbathing and walk from Vela Przina through the pine woods to the furthest tip of the headland. It will be easy to find a secluded swimming spot here but the sea is rough with some strong currents so avoid swimming here with children. If you have rented a bike to reach Vela Przina, bikes are not allowed on unpaved roads on the headland.

How to get to Vela Przina beach

You can walk the 1.5 kilometres to the beach from Lumbarda village along a narrow, paved road.

The road winds through pretty Grk vineyards but it does not have a pavement or sidewalk. If you choose to walk, walk single file and as close to the edge of the road as you can. 

You can also walk to Vela Prizina from Bilin Zal beach on the other side of the headland (and vice versa). Bilin Zal is easy to reach by the pedestrian only, paved coastal path.

Alternatively, you can hire bikes from a rental shop in Lumbarda plaza and cycle to the beach. 

It takes minutes to drive to the beach from Lumbarda where is a small, fee paying car park. The car park fills up quickly during the summer months. Taxis regularly make the journey to and from the beach and are reasonably priced.

Bilin Zal beach

This is the most popular beach with local Lumbarda families. 

The small, sheltered sandy beach catches the sun all day and is a great place to visit after working hours. There is a very gentle incline into the warm sea which makes Bilin Zal an ideal spot for young children.

We loved the atmosphere here; it was loud with laughter and families having fun.

Konoba Bilin Zal is a beachfront rustic bar selling ice cold drinks to enjoy on their terrace which has stunning views of the Peljesac Peninusla and the Skoji archpelago. Even if you do not want to spend time on the beach, I’d recommend visiting this friendly, local spot for the vibes and the view, especially at sunset.

How to get to Bilin Zal

You can walk to Bilin Zal on the paved, car free coastal path from Lumbarda village. The 1 kilometre walk is a scenic stroll at any time of day but at sunset, the changing colours of the sky and sea are beautiful. 

Bilin Zal is also an easy walk from Vela Przina as the two beaches are close to each other on opposite sides of the headland. The short walk passes vineyards, dense forest and tiny hamlets. Look carefully for turning off the paved road onto a sandy path that leads to Bilin Zal beach.

Tatinja Beach

This is nearest sandy beach to Lumbarda village centre, a five minutes walk away.

Tatinja Beach is a very narrow strip of sand which fills up very quickly. There is a very gentle incline into the warm sea so it is a good option for very young children. 

There is a beach bar here and parking is available on the road side. Note that the coast road runs directly alongside the beach so sunbathing here doesn’t feel very private! 

It is a good option if you are walking but if you can walk further, or have a car, Vela Przina and Bilin Zal are better beaches to visit.

Prvi Zal

Prvi Zal is not sandy, it is a large pebble beach just a few metres from Lumbarda marina.

The beach has a busy bar and there is kayak hire available here.

There is also has an off shore inflatable obstacle course here which our kids wanted to go on every day. Buy a ticket from the bar or kiosk. Tickets are per child and are reasonably priced but unfortunately have a limited time in order to control numbers. 

Swimming in Lumbarda

Bilin Zal is the best beach for paddling and swimming with young children. Vela Przina is also good for swimming.

You can also swim from any spot on the rocky shoreline around Lumbarda but the sea will feel cooler than at the beach and it is instantly deep so I wouldn’t recommend this with young children. 

Try to find safe access spots like steps, ramps or ropes as getting out of the sea will be much harder than getting in. Wear water shoes to protect your feet. If swimming away from land, make yourself visible with a fluorescent float.

However, the sea is warm, clean and clear and coming from the U.K was a joy to swim in.

Snorkelling in Lumbarda

There are several places with rocky slopes or steps for easier access into the sea for snorkelling; don’t forget your beach shoes.

To ensure clear snorkelling, you will need to snorkel at less visited beaches or from the rocky shore as churned up sand at the beaches creates poor visibility.

Watch out for currents, sharp submerged rocks and, if snorkelling or swimming far from land, use fluorescent floats to make yourself visible with to passing boats.

We enjoyed some spectacular snorkelling and saw a surprising variety of fish. More impressive was the depth and distance we could see. 

Discover other things to do in Lumbarda, Korcula here including places to stay with access to Lumbarda beaches.