The crystal clear water that’s somehow always the perfect temperature. The smell of pine forests meeting the sea. The way the locals will actually talk to you instead of seeing you as a walking wallet. And those sunsets that make you question why you live wherever it is you normally live.
This is what Medulin is all about.
I’ve done nearly all the Medulin activities possible. Some were worth it. Some weren’t. Here’s the real deal on what to do, where to go, and how to have a vacation that’ll make your friends jealous without breaking the bank.
What’s Actually Worth Doing in Medulin
Look, travel blogs love making everything sound amazing. But your time and money are limited. Here are the Medulin activities that are genuinely worth it:
- The beaches (obviously) – but not all of them. Bijeca gets the fame for being sandy, but it’s a zoo in peak season. So you can head to the rocky coves at Cape Kamenjak instead. Yes, you need water shoes. Yes, getting there is a pain if you don’t have a car. But having a section of coastline to yourself? Priceless.
- Eating seafood at the little places, not the harbourfront restaurants with the multicultural and english menus.
- Renting a bike and getting lost. The peninsula has these little dirt paths that aren’t on Google Maps.
The Best Beaches in Medulin
Medulin’s beaches are the main reason we visit, so it’s only right we give them a proper spotlight.
Bijeca Beach is the famous one because – gasp – it has actual sand, which is rare in Croatia. The water stays shallow forever, which is great for kids or terrible swimmers. But in July and August? It’s like a human parking lot. Bodies everywhere.
My personal heaven is Cape Kamenjak at the southern tip of the peninsula. It’s a nature reserve with dozens of little coves. The terrain is rocky (bring those water shoes I mentioned), but the water clarity will blow your mind. I’ve had days where I could see straight to the bottom in 30 feet of water.
I’ve made you a comparison that the tourist brochures won’t:
| Beach | The Instagram Expectation | The Sweaty Reality | My Take |
| Bijeca | Pristine sandy paradise | Towel-to-towel humanity in high season | Go in June or September, or before 10am |
| Cape Kamenjak | Wild natural beauty | Rough access, no facilities, sharp rocks | Worth every scraped toe. My favorite place on earth. |
| Pomer | Cute village vibes | Often windy | Great for windsurfing, terrible for keeping your hat on |
| Lighthouse Beach | Secluded gem | Long walk, limited parking | The local secret. Bring everything you need for the day. |
One thing I’ve learned is that boat excursions from Medulin are actually worth the money. You will spend less money and more activities to than if you spend a day on the beach.
Water Activities That are Kinda Fun
Let’s have a look at some water activities that you can do in Medulin.
Paddleboarding
My gateway drug to water activities. The bay is often calm as glass in the mornings, making it perfect for beginners.
Morning paddleboard tip: Go out around 7am and head toward the fish farms in the bay. You can spot dolphins there, and the sunrise over the water will make you religious.
Kayaking
Kayaking here is like having your own mini boat adventure without needing a license. The coastline has these little caves and passages that only kayaks can access.
Fair warning though: check the wind forecast before going kayaking.
The Dolphin Thing
Yes, the dolphin watching tours from Medulin are as good as everyone says. The captains communicate with each other to find the pods, so your chances of seeing dolphins are pretty high.
Two tips from experience: 1) Take motion sickness pills BEFORE you get on the boat. The small boats move a bit more. 2) Don’t bring your expensive camera unless you have a waterproof case. The sea spray is real on windy days.
Diving in Medulin
There’s an underwater archaeology site where you can see ancient Roman ruins, and a small shipwreck that’s home to these huge grouper fish now.
Side note: diving is not cheap, but it’s cheaper here than in many places in Western Europe.
What is Food like in Medulin?
Italian influence is strong here, so yes, you’ll find plenty of pizza and pasta. But Istrian food has its own thing going on, and it’s worth exploring.
The truffle obsession is real. These fungi grow in the forests of interior Istria, and they put them on EVERYTHING.
Seafood is the other star. The scampi na buzaru (scampi in tomato and wine sauce) requires a bib and no dignity – you’ll be sucking juices out of shellfish heads and loving every second.
Food tip: The word “konoba” usually indicates a more authentic family-run place. “Restaurant” often means more touristy (and overpriced).
Cultural Stuff for When You’re Sunburned
Eventually, you’ll need a break from the sun. When that happens:
The Roman ruins at Vižula peninsula are actually cool. I’m not usually a history person, but walking on mosaics that people created 2,000 years ago hits different. They’ve recently added these AR tablets where you can see what the Roman villa looked like when it was intact.
Take a look at the folklore shows, or catch the fishermen’s festival if you’re there in August. It’s mainly locals, ridiculous amounts of fried sardines, and free-flowing wine.
Pula is just 15 minutes away and has a legit Roman amphitheater that hosts concerts. Beats watching Netflix in your apartment when you need a break from the beach.
When to Go (and When to Run Away)
Timing matters. A lot.
Late May/early June: My favorite time. Warm enough to swim (though locals will tell you it’s freezing), wildflowers everywhere, prices lower, and you’ll get sunset tables at restaurants without reservations.
July/August: Peak insanity. Hot, crowded, expensive. But the water is bathtub-warm and everything is open late. If this is your only option, book accommodation WAY in advance and make peace with sharing the beaches.
September: The smart person’s choice. Water is still warm from summer heating, crowds are gone after the first week, prices drop, and there’s a golden quality to the light that photographers love.
October: Rolling the dice. I’ve had October days that were perfect beach weather, and others where it rained constantly. Prices are rock bottom, though, and you’ll have places to yourself.
Winter: Most things close, but it’s eerily beautiful in a melancholy way. The rare winter visitor gets to see the real town without its tourist makeup on.
Medulin activities offer something for pretty much everyone. It’s casual, it’s beautiful, and it hasn’t completely sold its soul to tourism yet.
The beaches and water are the stars of the show. The food is fantastic if you know where to look. The locals are genuinely welcoming rather than tourism-weary.