Lučišća (Vela Lučišće) – the quest for the world’s most beautiful beach

We have already written about some of the most beautiful beaches. It’s not that we actively hunt for them, but when we grow tired of the usual gorgeous, we decide to treat ourselves to the unique!

Lučišće (Lučišća) is the kind of beach that, when you stand before it, you can’t believe it exists!

If you approach it from the land, the moment you spot it down in the depths, you get an indescribable urge to rush down to it as soon as possible, even by a shortcut off the path.

There is no need for shortcuts, though, because a perfectly pleasant path leads to it, one that won’t be a challenge even for families with younger children.

On old maps you will find the name “Vele Lučišće”, while in local slang it’s “Lučišća” or “Vala Lučišća”. Whichever of these you mention, those in the know will know what you mean — a paradise beach on the southern side of Hvar.

On that side of Hvar there are several such beaches, and each is special in its own way. Since Lučišća already has the status of a “cult” beach, we decided to single it out in particular.

Foreigners often ask us whether Zlatni rat is the most beautiful beach in Croatia. We tell them it probably is, even though it’s not among the top 50 on our list. They have already formed their opinion, so why spoil it for them? You can’t go wrong with Zlatni rat. We think highly of it. It’s always lovely to swim there, especially out of season. It’s a unique beach, recently proclaimed the most beautiful in the world by an international jury. However, we consider such lists pointless, because there are as many “most beautiful beaches” as there are people. Everyone prefers something different, and so do we. There are a great many beaches we would rather go to than Zlatni rat. Quite a few of them are not known to the wider public and are harder to reach. We don’t even write about such locations, because we believe they should stay hidden, as much as possible.

As for Lučišća, we are afraid it will be very hard to preserve it in the form it has had until now. Even as we write this, asphalt is being brought right up to it. That is the end of its isolation. That end began to loom long ago, with the cutting of the gravel road from Dubovica toward Sveta Nedjelja.

We sincerely hope the road is the only thing that will change around this jewel of world-class proportions. Although even that is not insignificant. Until now it was an isolated oasis of peace, and now it will be surrounded by the noise of traffic. Sad that some people see progress in that. The tunnel above Pitve was a widely known attraction and gave a special charm to that part of Hvar. The road has permanently destroyed it.

What is so special about this beach?

Apart from its relative isolation and serenity, the spectacular cliffs that hold it in a firm stony embrace, the beautiful sea of exceptional clarity, the pines that offer shade when it’s most needed, the fine shingle pleasant for walking and lying in a perfectly anatomical position that no sunbed can replicate — well, absolutely nothing.