There are many dog-friendly beaches in Croatia, but there are few dog beaches quite like Monty’s Dog Beach & Bar. Monty’s in Crikvenica offers all the luxuries of a nice beach club for dog-owners and their furry companions.
Getting to Monty’s Beach Bar
Though Monty’s is now a chain and there are locations in Rab and Portorož, Slovenia, the original Monty’s, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024, is located in Crikvenica, a small coastal town that is now a must-visit destination for people traveling with their dogs. Monty’s is located about 30 minutes from Rijeka and 2 hours from Zagreb. If you’re taking the scenic (read: longer) E65 drive down the coast to another coastal town like Zadar or Split, Monty’s could be a good stop for a couple of hours.
Getting to Monty’s Beach Bar is a bit confusing because Google Maps takes you into the marina and tells you you’ve arrived when you clearly haven’t. Monty’s is located to your left when you enter the marina. You’ll have to find and pay for parking nearby, which is paid street parking. If there is no machine, you can pay for parking using by texting a number from your phone, but this is only available for people with Croatian phone numbers. So we asked at Monty’s, and one of the guys was kind enough to pay for our parking and we just gave him cash on our way out.
The beach at Monty’s Beach Bar
Monty’s is located on a pier, so there’s a lot of room to lay out on the property though the pebbly beach itself is not that big. The beach has about a dozen loungers and umbrellas which are available for rent. The daily rate is €20 for two loungers and an umbrella. Some people consider this steep for Croatia, but this is one of the few places where you can rent loungers and umbrellas and have a dog with you. Those kinds of beach clubs are not usually dog-friendly.
The downside to the loungers on the beach is that the beach gets pretty crowded because that’s where everyone wants to be. If you have a friendly playful dog, they’ll likely have a blast. Otherwise, they might be nervous about all the dogs running around. If you want a little more privacy and some space between you and other people, you can also rent a cabana which will run you €40. Those these aren’t directly on the pebbly beach, you can still access the beach or go into the water using the stairs that descend into a little swimming hole.
If these prices are too high for you, you are also free to bring your own towels and lay them out anywhere you like, except on the beach. Monty’s Beach Bar is free to visit unless you’re renting the beach equipment.
Other activities at Monty’s
In addition to swimming, Monty’s has an agility park where your dog can learn to jump through hoops and maneuver around obstacles. They also have a few places to take cute pictures with your dog, which is undoubtedly related to its popularity.
The dog (and human) bar
If you’re paying through the nose for a lounger, you will probably want to stay at Monty’s for a while to make it worth the cost. Luckily, Monty’s has a bar with a good array of refreshments including cocktails, beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks. They also have some snacks to keep you nourished. Of course, you can’t call yourself a dog beach bar without offering some treats for dogs, too. At Monty’s, you can order your dog refreshments including ice cream and doggie beer. In fact, they sometimes hold beer drinking and ice cream eating competitions for prizes.
Other events at Monty’s
During the summer season, Monty’s hosts a variety of events like the Underdog Marathon, which is actually just 350 meters long so every size dog can participate. It includes a short swim, though, so water-hating dogs will probably not want to take part. Monty’s is open until the evening, so they also hold dog-friendly movie nights under the stars once a month.
Rules for visiting Monty’s
Though Monty’s allows off-leash dogs, the assumption is that you still take responsibility for ensuring that your dog is not bothering other people or dogs. You can get kicked out if your dog is being aggressive. And even if your dog is unleashed, you should stay close to them so you can keep on eye on what they get up to. At the end of your beach day, you can use the showers for you and your dog to wash the salt water off before going on your way.
Monty’s is geared to make sure dogs can enjoy the beach like the rest of us, so your Croatian holiday can be just as much for them as it is for you. And let’s be real, dog owners love corny shit that caters to their dog! So go take some pictures and give your dog ice cream.
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