Haludovo Beach
Haludovo is a 500-metre pebble-and-concrete beach in Malinska, set against the strange and atmospheric backdrop of the abandoned Haludovo Palace Hotel. The combination of crystal water, pine-shaded promenade, and the brutalist ruin behind makes it one of the more visually distinctive and most-photographed beaches on the entire western coast of Krk Island.
Mixed (pebble + sand) · Malinska · Popular
About
Haludovo Beach runs along the seafront in front of what was once the Haludovo Palace, a 1971 luxury resort designed by architect Boris Magaš. The hotel was famously partly financed by Bob Guccione of Penthouse magazine and operated as a high-end resort through the 1970s and 80s, hosting figures like Saddam Hussein in its heyday. It closed in 2001 after the Yugoslav wars disrupted tourism and stands abandoned today, its modernist concrete shell slowly being reclaimed by vegetation. The beach in front carries on as if nothing happened — and it's actually one of the better-equipped beaches on the western side of Krk.
The shoreline is a mix of fine pebble and concrete bathing platforms. The eastern third is mostly natural pebble; moving west, the platforms take over. The seabed is uniform pebble, gradually deepening, with very clear water that's typically 24–26°C in July. Entry is gradual everywhere, with steps down from the platforms for less mobile visitors. The bay's western orientation gives it sun from mid-morning through sunset, with the platforms hot underfoot during midday.
Facilities include showers, toilets, changing rooms, several beach bars (open mid-June to mid-September), and a long stretch of rental sun loungers and umbrellas. Lounger pricing is competitive at €10–15 per day for two loungers and an umbrella. A paved promenade lined with mature pines runs along the back of the beach — pleasant for a slow walk, popular with cyclists, and stroller-friendly the whole way to central Malinska. The promenade was the original guest connection between the hotel rooms and the bathing area; today it's the most pleasant flat cycling surface in town.
The atmosphere is quirky: families with picnic baskets share the beach with photographers documenting the ruin. The Haludovo Palace has become a recurring subject in Croatian and international architectural photography, and the building's interior has appeared in music videos, fashion shoots, and a handful of small-budget films. Day visitors generally accept this and many find the setting more interesting than offensive. Visitors expecting a polished resort feel may be put off — for that, the beaches in front of the active hotels in Malinska centre are a better fit.
Free parking is plentiful in the gravel lots behind the abandoned hotel; closer paid parking exists nearer the active part of Malinska. The lots fill by 11:00 in peak summer but are usually accessible into the afternoon outside July–August. There's a small grocery shop a 5-minute walk inland from the beach for water and snacks; for proper meals, walk into central Malinska where a half-dozen restaurants face the harbour.
Quick facts
- Length: 500 m × 30 m
- Surface: pebble
- Beach type: Mixed (pebble + sand)
- Blue Flag: No
- Dogs: Not permitted
- Wheelchair access: No
- Parking: Yes
How to get there
- By bike
- On foot
- By car
From Malinska centre, walk or cycle north along the coastal promenade for about 1 km — the beach is unmissable thanks to the large concrete hotel ruin behind it. By car, follow signs to 'Haludovo' from the main road; free parking lots are just behind the hotel. From Rijeka airport, allow 30 minutes.
Beach policies
Dogs
Dogs are not permitted on this beach.
Naturism
This is not a naturist beach.
Tips for visiting
- Free parking behind the abandoned hotel; pricier paid lots closer to Malinska centre.
- The pine-shaded promenade is the coolest spot to lounge in midday heat.
- The platforms can get hot — bring a mat or towel.
- Stay until sunset for striking light on the abandoned hotel.
- The hotel is not open to visitors and entering is dangerous (and illegal); appreciate from the outside.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there an abandoned hotel behind the beach?
The Haludovo Palace, a 1971 luxury resort designed by Boris Magaš, closed in 2001 after years of changing ownership. Plans to redevelop have stalled repeatedly. The shell remains as one of the most photographed examples of Yugoslav-era modernist architecture in Croatia.
Can I enter the abandoned hotel?
No — entering is illegal trespass and the structure is genuinely unsafe (collapsed floors, falling debris). Photograph it from the beach or the public road only.
Is parking free at Haludovo?
Yes, the gravel lots immediately behind the abandoned hotel are free. Closer paid parking exists nearer Malinska centre. Both fill up by 11:00 in peak summer.
Are dogs allowed at Haludovo Beach?
The main bathing area is not designated as dog-friendly. Krk's dedicated dog beach on the western side is at Rupa, a short drive away.
Is Haludovo suitable for families?
Yes — gradual pebble entry, lifeguards in peak season, paved stroller-friendly promenade, and several beach bars with food. Less polished than Vela Plaža in Baška but quieter and easier to park at.
Location
- Coordinates: 45.129579, 14.526763 (open in maps)
- Size: 500 m × 30 m
- Area: Malinska
Plan your visit
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