Apartments and holiday homes in Novi Vinodolski
A small historic town on the mainland coast, with a sporty town beach, a Frankopan castle and a quiet 25 km riviera of fishing villages running south towards Senj.
Search stays in Novi VinodolskiNovi Vinodolski is where the Vinodol Code was written in 1288, one of the oldest legal texts in the Croatian language, set down in Glagolitic script. The old town grew around a Frankopan castle built in the 13th century to guard the entrance to the Vinodol valley, and it now houses a museum. Below it, the modern town spreads along the shore with promenades, a marina and the main beach, Lišanj.
The riviera continues south-east through Povile, Smokvica, Klenovica and Sibinj, about 25 km of coast in all. These are small, calm places: Povile is popular with people avoiding crowds, and Klenovica is a fishing village known for its fish restaurants. Smokvica has a children's playground by its beach, and Sibinj has camping by the sea. The coast road links them all, so you can easily try a different beach each day while staying in one place.
Novi Vinodolski suits families and anyone after good value on the mainland, with an easy drive and no ferry. Stay in town for beaches and cafés on foot, or in Povile or Klenovica for quiet. Many of our stays here have sea views. It is also a sensible base for day trips to Krk, Crikvenica and Rijeka, all within an hour's drive, and there is no ferry to plan around.
Beaches
Lišanj
The main town beach, a mix of concrete, pebble and sand, right in the centre. It has sports facilities, a children's playground and a diving centre, which keeps children of all ages busy. Walkable from most of town.
Povile
A mixed beach about 2 km south of town, with freshwater springs flowing into the sea that keep the water cool. It is popular with locals and visitors who want to avoid the busier town beaches.
Klenovica
The beach in this fishing village is mixed and uncrowded, and after a swim you can walk to one of the local fish restaurants. A good spot for a quiet afternoon away from town.
Getting there and around
Novi Vinodolski lies on the coast road south-east of Crikvenica, about 45 km from Rijeka, so you arrive by car or bus with no ferry. Rijeka airport on Krk is the nearest, around 40 minutes away, and Zagreb is about two and a half hours by motorway. Parking is usually easier than in Opatija or Crikvenica, and most stays include a space.
Stays in Novi Vinodolski right now
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Tips before you book
- There is a dog beach at Mala Draga near Povile.
- Beaches are mostly pebble, rock and concrete, with some sand at Lišanj; water shoes are handy.
- The coast is exposed to the bura wind, which can be strong, especially outside summer.
- Visit the Frankopan castle museum to learn about the Vinodol Code.
Frequently asked questions
Is Novi Vinodolski good for families?
Yes. Lišanj, the main beach, has a playground, sports facilities and water activities, and it is within walking distance of most of town. There is no ferry to deal with, the smaller beaches along the riviera are calm.
Does Novi Vinodolski have sandy beaches?
Only in part. Lišanj mixes sand, pebble and concrete, and the other beaches are mostly pebble and rock. For a sandier beach nearby, Crikvenica's main town beach, about 15 minutes' drive north-west, has sand in the shallows.
What is there to do in Novi Vinodolski?
Visit the Frankopan castle and its museum, walk the seafront, try fish restaurants in Klenovica, and use the town as a base for trips along the coast. Krk, Crikvenica and Rijeka are within easy reach by car for a day out.