Beaches in Croatia
 

My Cousin and I will be doing another Eurrail trip this year, but after going to a lot of Northern Europe last year, we want to just focus on a few places where we can just relax and go to the beach and enjoy some good food along with a little sight seeing. We for sure will be going to Italy, since that is where my cousin lives, and then Greece, and probably Croatia, Any recommendations for where to go in Croatia to be on the nicest beaches? Also where will more young people be for nightlife?

Not sure what your standards are for a "nice beach"-but most Croatian beaches, at least the ones we were ar, are rocky and pebbly. Supposedly Bol is the nicest sandy beach, though we didn't go there.
That said, there are some great, scenic beaches, if you don't mind lying on rocks, on the islands off Hvar and Dubrovnik. Korcula seemed to have young people out and about at night, as did Hvar.

The beach in Bol - the famous 'Zlatni Rat' is indeed beautiful but it isn't sandy, it is pebbly. Bol is a lovely little town and has a particular vibe. While I was there in late Sept 2004 there was a fair mix of old and young and I imagine that the earlier summer would find that ratio leaning to the younger end. It isn't a party island by far, but I enjoyed 2 open air bars that played cool music with lots of people 20 - 40 yrs old.

Didn't go to Korcula, but I also heard that it attracts a young crowd.

Beach Zrce near Novalja on the island of Pag is probably the most popular "party" beach in Croatia. There is a shuttle bus from Novalja to Zrce operating all day and night. It is a nice beach and attracts a lot of young people. There are 3 beach clubs open 24/7.
You didn't write when you are going, so you need to know that Zrce is busy only in July - August period.
I agree with previous posters, Hvar and Bol are also cool places.

Hvar is a great island for the party crowd. If you rent a car you can drive over to a great little beach called Zavala. It is very near a great winery as well.

Speaking of Zavala, Hvar - while I've not stayed at this hotel I have spent the day there, two years in a row - the beach while pebbely is perfect

http://www.skalinada-apartmani-hvar.hr/

I will be going in Early July, And I am used to rocky beaches like in the Cinque Terre Italy. I was jsut hoping for suggestions on good towns with beaches .... I'm not expecting Fiji, just want a cool place to hangout in the sun with restaurants and bars and hotels around.

Another GREAT beach to hang out on is right outside the Ploce gate in Dubrovnik! The restaurant/bar is the East/West Beach Club! I have photos posted at http://community.webshots.com/user/koedoot.

The beach is similar to those in the Cinque Terra area in Italy; large pebbles mixed in with large grains of sand.

Apparently this place really gets hopping during high season but they had just opened up for the season when we were there in late May/early June. The service was very good and the bar is awesome!

Cheers!

Tamara