Mala Raduca Beach

Why it is worth your time

Mala Raduca proves that famous beaches too have a calmer sister: a smaller cove right beside Velika Raduca, turned toward the old town, with shingle just as white and sea just as transparent, but with half as many towels. The cove's lee keeps the sea calm even when the maestral blows on the big side, so this is the favourite address of families with the smallest children and of all who love swimming without waves. The main card is nonetheless the frame: from the towel one looks straight at the old town's islet, rising from the sea with its bell tower like a stage set, and that view turns an ordinary swim into a postcard.

There are just enough facilities, loungers on part of the beach, a shower, a cabin and a bar nearby, and everything else, restaurants, ice cream, shops, waits five minutes' walk away in town. In the morning the beach lies in the hill's shade, which saves early risers from the first sun; in the afternoon the light turns and gilds the old town. For a divided day the pair works perfectly: swimming on Velika before noon, the view from Mala after.