Croatia, a country in southern Europe, is famous for its national parks. The country extends from the eastern edge of the Alps in the northwest to the Pannonian lowlands and banks of the Danube in the east. The Dinara mountain range covers the central region, and its southern region extends to the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Croatia’s terrain is a diverse mixture and consists of the following:

Plains, lakes, and hills in the continental north and northeast
Thickly wooded mountains in Lika and Groski Kotar (part of the Dinaric Alps)
Rocky coastlines on the Adriatic Sea
Numerous islands (over 1,000)

Croatia has three climatic zones: (1) a temperate continental climate in the north and east; (2) a pleasant Mediterranean climate along the Adriatic coast with numerous sunny days, dry and hot summers, and mild and humid winters; and (3) a semi-highland and highland climate in the south and south-central region.

Croatia’s beauty and diverse geography are unparalleled. In fact, National Geographic Magazine named Croatia as the most beautiful country in the world in the year 2005.

Besides its world-renowned beauty, Croatia is also regarded as one of the friendliest destinations for naturists. Naturists are people who practice naturism (also known as nudism). Naturism is the custom of wearing no clothing (nudity) in a public or private setting. Naturists believe that nudity is a healing, healthy, and spiritual experience. From their point of view, naturism enables the body to come in total contact with the natural world (e.g. sun, wind, air, and water) for which it is a part of. This uninhibited connection with nature nourishes and cleanses the body, mind, and spirit. With over 30 official naturist resorts and beaches and numerous unofficial naturist and clothing-optional beaches in Croatia, experiencing Croatia naturally can be positive and enlightening.

People began to experience Croatia naturally in the 1930s. As early as 1934 the first naturist beach opened on the island of Rab, which is known as the pioneer of naturism in the Adriatic. However, August 1936 is frequently thought of as the official beginning of naturism in Rab. The English King Edward VIII who was staying in Rab got permission from Rab’s authorities for him and his wife to experience Croatia naturally by skinny dipping in the Bay of Kandaroia.

Croatia was the first European country to adopt the concept of commercial naturist resorts that would allow people to go natural without belonging to naturist clubs (which was the case in other European countries). Naturism expansion began in earnest in the 1960s when the first naturist camps open in Istra and Dalmatia. During this time, more than 100,000 naturists spent their vacations in Croatia annually. In 2006, Koversada – the oldest resort natural in Croatia – celebrated its 45th anniversary. Today, Croatia offers a wide range of naturist facilities including beaches, campgrounds, hotels, apartments, and bungalow villages.

Croatia’s tolerant and accepting attitude toward naturism makes it an ideal place for the novice or seasoned naturist to experience Croatia naturally.