Croatian beach named the most underrated in Europe

Zavala Beach, Hvar (Photo: Topalaska/CC BY-SA 4.0)

A Croatian beach has been named the most underrated in Europe by Time Out.

Zavala, a small fishing village on the southern side of Hvar island, has topped the publication’s list of “Europe’s Most Underrated Beaches”.

Although Hvar is one of Croatia’s most popular destinations, Time Out notes that the island still has peaceful corners away from its main towns.

Thanks to the Pitve–Zavala tunnel, visitors now have easier access to the southern stretch of the island, where Zavala offers some of Hvar’s finest sands.

“What Zavala lacks in amenities, it makes up for in natural beauty (which might be the understatement of the year). It is also the launching spot for excursions on neighbouring Šćedro, a practically uninhabited island that offers some of Croatia’s best swimming,” Time Out Travel writer John Bills notes.

Zavala claimed the number one spot on Time Out’s list of underrated beaches in Europe, ahead of Skrinkle Haven in Wales and Spain’s Gulpiyuri beach.

Europe’s most underrated beaches, according to Time Out

1. Zavala, Hvar, Croatia
2. Skrinkle Haven, Wales
3. Gulpiyuri, Spain
4. Amrum Island, Germany
5. Filikuri, Albania
6. Djúpalónssandur, Iceland
7. Katafygi, Greece
8. Notre Dame, Porquerolles, France