Location
Croatia
Status
Officially Designated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Sand
Best season
June to September
About Sahara beach
Sahara is a sandy bay on the wooded San Marino peninsula at Lopar, the low, sandy north-eastern tip of the island of Rab. The Rab tourist board calls it the best-known naturist beach in Lopar, and the Lopar board lists it with Ciganka and Stolac as the area's three naturist beaches. Unlike Stolac, a short way south-east along the same coast, Sahara is not nude-only: nudity is allowed but not required, so a few clothed bathers mix in. The whole cove is used for nude bathing; there is no separate textile zone. The beach is fine sand with patches of low scrub behind it and some natural shade from vegetation, and the water is clear. It is completely undeveloped, with no bar, toilets or sunbed rental, which keeps numbers down compared with the busy Rajska plaža (Paradise Beach) in the village. Between Sahara and Stolac lies a small bay called Pod pećine that is set aside for dogs; dogs are not meant to swim at Sahara itself. Expect more people in July and August, many arriving by taxi boat from the San Marino harbour.
Getting there
From Lopar, follow the marked footpaths that run north-east through pine forest and Mediterranean scrub on the San Marino peninsula. The Rab tourist board puts the walk at about 30 minutes from Rajska plaža; the Lopar board says about 45 minutes from the village centre, and one visitor reported around 20 minutes (about 1.5 km) from the nearest parking area. Paths are unpaved and uneven, so it is not wheelchair accessible. Taxi boats also run daily from the San Marino harbour, which is the easiest option with children or heavy bags. Bring water, food and shade.
What visitors say
Visitors describe Sahara as quiet and unspoilt, with the walk through the pines being part of the appeal; one account mentions hardly meeting anyone on a weekday. Everyone stresses that there is nothing on the beach, so you must carry your own water, food and sunshade. Estimates of the walking time vary widely (20 to 45 minutes) depending on where you start, and several guides point to the taxi boats from San Marino as a convenient alternative. It is busier in high summer but rarely described as crowded.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Croatia allows nude bathing on designated naturist beaches, and both the Rab and Lopar tourist boards present Sahara as a naturist beach (2026). Nudity is permitted but optional here, unlike neighbouring Stolac, which is nude-only. No enforcement problems were reported in the sources we found.
Naturism at Sahara beach sits under Croatia's rules for officially designated nude beaches — explicit protection inside the marked area.
Full country law: Croatia public nudity guide.
Naturist status confirmed against an official source on 24 October 2026.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 44.8404, 14.7501
Visitor tips
- 1 Official designation: nudity is protected inside the marked area.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Croatia
Frequently asked questions
Is nudity required at Sahara?
No. Nudity is allowed and common, but swimsuits are also accepted. If you want a strictly nude-only beach, Stolac is a short way along the coast.
Are there any facilities?
None: no bar, toilets, showers or sunbed rental. Bring drinking water, food and shade.
How do I get there?
Walk the marked trails from Lopar or from Rajska plaža (roughly 30 to 45 minutes), or take a taxi boat from the San Marino harbour.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs should not swim at Sahara; the small bay Pod pećine between Sahara and Stolac is designated for dogs.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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