When traveling somewhere for the first time, it is always important to prepare well and gather as much information as possible about the location you want to visit. The last thing you want is to arrive at your desired location and be completely unprepared for the destination’s conditions and opportunities.
Whether it’s a tourist trip, a vacation, or a business trip, any advice you can get can save you both time and money and make your stay pleasant and relaxing. That is why, in this article, we provide a brief guide on how to reach FKK beach “Kandarola”.
Whether you are a challenging person who likes to plan your trip or prefer others to handle the planning while you enjoy the final result (like me), there are still some things you need to know before your journey.
Croatia, European Union
Croatia is a country of stunning natural beauty and rich cultural history dating back to the 7th century, making it a true delight for adventure travel enthusiasts. It is a member of the European Union and, with its beautiful Adriatic Sea, is an essential destination for every travel lover. Due to its natural location, Croatia offers almost every type of recreational activity, from swimming, cycling, and trekking to hiking and rafting. One of the popular areas in Croatia for these activities is the mighty Velebit mountain, beneath which lies the island of Rab along with the FKK beach Kandarola.
Island of Rab: A view of the old town center and the Velebit mountain
Your journey to the island of Rab will largely depend on whether you are arriving by car or by plane. Therefore, you can follow these detailed instructions for both options.
If you are arriving by car…
If you are coming from Western or Northern European countries, the closest and most convenient route would be through Slovenia, which shares a border with Croatia.
Europe is well-connected with highways, so take advantage of them to save time. Your first destination would be Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia.
After that, cross the border into Croatia, towards the city of Rijeka (there are no stops or queues at the border anymore since the introduction of the Schengen Agreement).
Rijeka Port
Then from Rijeka, you will take the local road known as the “Jadranska magistrala” which runs along the foothills of the Velebit mountain range. It begins at the Croatian-Slovenian border crossing “Plovanija” on the Dragonja River and extends to the Croatian-Montenegrin border crossing “Debeli brijeg.”
Drive southward along the coast with views of the Kvarner Bay and the island of Krk, the largest island in the Kvarner region, which also offers some nudist beaches. Along this route, you will pass through coastal towns in the following order: Crikvenica, Novi Vinodolski, and Senj.
“Novi Vinodolski” city
If you are coming to Croatia from Eastern and Northeastern Europe, your best option is likely to pass through Hungary and enter Croatia somewhere along the northern border.
You would first need to reach Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia, from where you should then take the A1 motorway towards Split in the direction of Dalmatia.
Your destination will be “Žuta Lokva,” both a place and an exit on the motorway of the same name. The drive along this stretch should take about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Note that after about 40 minutes from the start, you will reach the Bosiljevo interchange. Here, you can switch to lanes leading to the cities of Rijeka and Pula (Istria) or continue towards Split.
„Bosiljevo“ junction
Stay and do not switch lanes towards Rijeka. Otherwise, you will extend your journey by an hour. However, if you want to see more sea than land, you won’t go wrong even if you sacrifice that hour.
At “Žuta Lokva,” you exit the highway and descend for another 30 minutes through the Velebit mountain to reach the sea and the town of Senj.
The town of Senj, through which you definitely must pass
In Senj, definitely stop for a short break, because the sun can be scorching in the summer months, and you don’t want to run out of water. If you feel hungry, you can find several restaurants and pizzerias in the town. It’s also worth visiting the fortress ‘Nehaj,’ built in 1558 for defense against sea invaders.
From Senj to the place ‘Stinica’ and the ferry to Rab, you have another 40 minutes of driving. We advise you to stop and rest occasionally because this stretch is mostly winding.
Your destination is ‘Stinica,’ about 110 km from Rijeka, where the ferry departs for the port ‘Mišnjak’ on Rab. Check the ferry schedule and ticket prices, which are sold exclusively at the port.
Luka Stinica, view from above
Luka Stinica, view from above
The ferry journey to Rab takes about 10 minutes. During that time, snap a few photos of the sea, the islands, and Velebit.
Arriving by plane
Airport Rijeka – island Krk
Rijeka Airport, island Krk
If you’re coming from distant places or traveling by car isn’t an option, you can certainly reach us by plane.
Island Rab doesn’t have an airport, but the city of Rijeka does, located on the island of Krk right next to Rab. Several car rental agencies at Rijeka Airport allow you to make reservations online. Here are some options you can consider.
Now that you have a car – you’re all set! Follow the road towards the old town of Krk to the port of Valbiska, where you can take a ferry to the island of Rab, specifically to the town of Lopar.
Be careful when stopping at the port because, from the same port, there is also a ferry to Lošinj on the island of Cres, so you don’t end up on the wrong island.
You can check ticket prices and the ferry schedule for the Valbiska – Lopar (Rab) route here.
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Zadar Airport
Zadar is one of the most popular and beautiful cities on the Croatian coast and a true monument to Croatian cultural heritage.
It is very well connected by international flights, so if Zadar Airport is an option for your arrival to Kandarola, you should know that the journey is not complicated.
Maslenica Bridge and the view of the Velebit mountain
Your best option is, again, to rent a car when you land in Zadar. The destination is the same – Stinica Ferry Port, only you drive to the port from the south to the north.
The entire route is along the sea (once you exit Zadar and cross the Maslenica Bridge). First, the road takes you to Starigrad, where you can rest, take a walk, or swim and refresh yourself.
Starigrad is known for its proximity to the Paklenica National Park, a haven for hikers and climbers with its stunning canyons and diverse flora and fauna. The next stop is the town of Karlobag, also situated right by the sea.
If you have an adventurous spirit and some extra time, we recommend visiting Paklenica National Park because the view from above is incredible. However, keep in mind that the terrain is quite challenging, sometimes even for experienced hikers.
You can also take a day trip to better prepare for the adventure. Don’t forget to bring all the necessary items for a nature trip, such as water and food, and make sure to fully charge your phone’s battery.
In Karlobag, you can also take a break with a coffee and enjoy the view of the neighboring island of Pag. From Karlobag to the Stinica Ferry Port, it’s about a 20-minute drive, and the entire journey from Zadar to the island of Rab takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.”
Photo/Map: Arne Müseler / arne-mueseler.com / CC-BY-SA-3.0
The ferry ride takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The ferry offers a lounge where you can have coffee and refresh with water, drinks, or ice cream. Be sure to have your camera ready!
If you prefer not to rent a car, you can also reach the island of Rab by catamaran from Rijeka. After landing on the island of Krk, you’ll need to take a taxi or bus to the city center port of Rijeka.
Catamaran lines typically travel once daily towards the island of Rab, usually in the afternoon. You can view the exact schedule and timetable for these lines here.
The catamaran to the island of Rab docks at the main port of Rab approximately 2 hours after departing from Rijeka. From the port, you’ll need to reach your accommodation either by taxi or water taxi.
“Franjo Tuđman “ Airport – Zagreb
Another airport you could use to reach the FKK beach Kandarola is Dr. Franjo Tuđman Airport in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. This option is a bit farther but may be the most convenient depending on your departure location.
Upon landing, feel free to look for “Ok Mobility” or “SIXT rent-a-car” agencies for car rental, which you can get starting from 30 EUR per day (or arrange beforehand before your trip).
We’ve already described how to drive from Zagreb to the island of Rab, so please refer to the detailed instructions above.
The airport you will land at depends on where you are coming from and the flight options available to you. For more detailed information about flights, please check the website of Dr. Franjo Tuđman Airport Zagreb, Zadar Airport or Rijeka Airport.
How to reach FKK beach “Kandarola” once you arrive on the island of Rab?
Great, you’re on the island! Now, it’s important to find your way to the FKK beach “Kandarola”. The first thing you’ll probably do is find the accommodation that you booked online.
It shouldn’t be difficult to navigate on the island of Rab; it’s spacious enough for a smaller island and quite hard to get lost.
Depending on which route you take to Rab, it takes about 30 minutes from the ferry port in Lopar to reach the naturist beach “Kandarola”, and about 20 minutes from the ferry port “Mišnjak”.
The FKK beach “Kandarola” is located in a wooded area of Kampor, on the peninsula “Frkanj”, towards the Valamar Suha Punta hotel complex. The road takes you past the “Soline” Ranch with horses. We recommend trying therapeutic horseback riding for adults during your stay on Rab.
You can drive directly to the beach with your car – parking is free 24/7. And voila! Congratulations, you’ve found the FKK beach “Kandarola”!
Arrival to the FKK beach Kandarola, whether by car or on foot, all entrances
Right next to the beach is our restaurant “Biser Kandarola,” which offers various delicacies of local cuisine, from carefully selected meats and fresh fish to homegrown vegetables and fruits produced on our family farm spanning 10,000 m² of land. You can read more about our production here.
The restaurant “Biser Kandarola,” with its production of vegetables
Every year at the Croatian Olive Growing Fair, our oil is honored with a prestigious quality award
Access to the beach “Kandarola” – Which direction should we approach from?
Once you settle into your accommodation and begin the relaxing part of your vacation, keep in mind that you can reach the beach “Kandarola” in three directions, depending on where your accommodation is located.
The first access to the beach is by car via the main road. The second is the western entrance from the direction of the Valamar Suha Punta hotel complex, where you have a 15-20 minute walk along the coast and through the forest to “Kandarola.” The third, eastern entrance, is for those already on the Frkanj peninsula, often accessed by water taxi from the town of “Palit” near Rab City.
For sea enthusiasts and adventurers, there’s also a fourth entrance to “Kandarola” beach – by water taxi directly from Rab harbor. The ride takes about 15 minutes and is worth every minute!
Entrance to “Kandarola” beach costs 5 EUR per person. The beach is equipped with showers and toilets, sports and recreational facilities for adults and children, a beach bar, and you can also rent sun loungers and umbrellas for the complete experience.
The cove “Komunčica,” where water taxis arrive from the harbor “Škver.”
Taxi boats depart from Rab Harbor and “Škver” Harbor, with schedules typically from 8:00 to 12:00 for departures and from 17:00 to 20:00 for returns.
Taxis departing from Rab Harbor generally go directly to “Kandarola” beach, while those from “Škver” Harbor go to “Komunčica” cove. From there, you can walk to the nudist beach Kandarola in about 10 minutes.
The harbor “Škver,” from where water taxis depart for the Frkanj peninsula.
Summary
Visiting the FKK beach “Kandarola” on the island of Rab is certainly worth the effort.
Whether you arrive by car, ferry, or plane, at the end of your journey await a paradise for naturists surrounded by beautiful nature, clean sea, and lush landscapes.
We hope that through this article, we have provided you with all the necessary information to ensure your trip goes smoothly and stress-free.
Kandarola is not just an ordinary beach; it is officially the oldest naturist beach in Croatia, where the naturist tradition was started by the English heir to the throne, Edward VIII. The beach itself is, in its way, a naturist museum, which is another reason why you must visit.
While the journey may require a bit more planning and preparation, we are confident that every moment spent at Kandarola will be rewarded with an unforgettable experience.
Don’t forget to explore our other articles on the website, where you can find additional information about Kandarola beach, the island of Rab, and naturism in general.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I reach FKK Beach "Kandarola" if I am traveling by car?
Once you arrive on the island of Rab, you can reach FKK Beach “Kandarola” by car in about 20 minutes from the ferry port “Mišnjak” or around 30 minutes from the ferry port in Lopar. The beach is located in the wooded area of Kampor, on the peninsula “Frkanj”, near the Valamar Suha Punta hotel complex.
How can I reach FKK Beach "Kandarola" if I am traveling by plane?
Island Rab does not have an airport, but you can fly to Rijeka Airport on the nearby island of Krk or to Franjo Tuđman Airport in Zagreb. From Rijeka Airport, you can rent a car and drive to the ferry port of Valbiska on Krk, then take a ferry to Lopar on Rab. From Zagreb Airport, you can rent a car and drive to the island of Rab following detailed directions provided in the guide. Alternatively, you can take a catamaran from Rijeka to Rab if you prefer not to rent a car.
How do I access FKK Beach "Kandarola" once I am on the island of Rab?
There are three main access routes to FKK Beach “Kandarola”:
- By car via the main road, with free parking available at the beach.
- By walking from the western entrance near the Valamar Suha Punta hotel complex, a 15-20 minute walk through the forest.
- By water taxi from the town of “Palit” near Rab City, which also stops at “Komunčica” cove, a 10-minute walk to the beach.
Are there any facilities available at FKK Beach "Kandarola"?
Yes, FKK Beach “Kandarola” is equipped with various facilities, including showers, toilets, sports and recreational facilities, a beach bar, and the option to rent sun loungers and umbrellas. Additionally, there is a restaurant called “Biser Kandarola” offering local delicacies made from homegrown vegetables and fresh meats and fish. Entrance to the beach costs 5 EUR per person.
Where can you stay overnight in the island of Rab?
Hi Natalie, island Rab offers many private accommodations in the form of apartments or hotels. You can check them out on Booking.com