Villa Babalonija

Island Rab - Suha Punta

Villa Babalonija

Welcome to Your Piece of Paradise

In the idyllic Suha Punta cove, gently embraced by a fragrant pine forest and just a stone's throw from the glittering sea, lies our house, which has been warmly welcoming guests from all over the world since 1980. Here, the perfect blend of modern comfort and untouched nature awaits you.

A spacious private parking lot directly at the house ensures a completely relaxed and convenient arrival. However, our house offers you not just premium accommodation, but a true piece of paradise: you can reach us easily by land or stylishly via taxi boat. Once you arrive, you are surrounded by numerous hidden, picturesque coves just waiting to be discovered by you.

Enjoy the tranquility, the sea, and unforgettable holiday moments with us!

The Surroundings

Discover the Island of Rab

The island of Rab, a green jewel in the Adriatic, is not only a paradise for sun worshipers and nature lovers, but also a place with a rich history. For over a century, Rab has attracted tourists attracted by the island's natural beauty and cultural diversity. The island's forests, considered its trademark, provide natural protection and contribute to the preservation of the diverse flora and fauna. The many hidden bays offer ideal retreats for those who are looking for peace and want to enjoy the beauty of nature in solitude. It is this unique combination of natural beauty, historical charm and spiritual tranquility that makes Rab an unforgettable travel destination.


Inspirationen

ISLAND OF RAB

Island Rab - Croatia

FPV Rab 2014

BAY of KVARNER

Virtual Tour by ART4


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The Beaches of Rab Island

A Variety of Sand, Pebbles, and Hidden Coves

The beauty of an island is often revealed in the fascinating variety of its coastal landscapes. On Rab, there is something for every taste: from hidden, untouched coves that offer complete peace and seclusion, to spacious sandy beaches that invite you to enjoy extensive sunbathing.

The fine pebble beaches sparkle in the sunlight, while the crystal-clear, turquoise water is ideal for diving and snorkeling to explore the colorful underwater world of the Adriatic. Each beach has its very own charm and tells its own story of the power and beauty of nature, shaped over thousands of years. These stretches of coastline are true paradises – equally for relaxation seekers, families, and adventurers alike.


Inspiration

Top 8 Beaches On Island Rab 2020


FKK Tradition on Rab

A Pioneer of Nudism

The island of Rab is considered an absolute pioneer of naturism (FKK) in Europe – skinny-dipping and nude bathing have been officially permitted here since 1936.

History tells us that King Edward VIII of England was the first to receive exclusive permission to bathe nude in the beautiful Kandarola Cove in 1936. This historic bay is located just a 10-minute walk from our apartments! To this day, it remains a protected, beautiful area for nudists. Another famous, official clothing-optional beach area can be found in Lopar, in the north of the island.

Excursions & Experiences

Discover Rab and the Region

The island of Rab and its historic capital of the same name offer a fascinating variety of landscapes, miles of beautiful hiking trails, and significant cultural monuments dating back to pre-Roman times. The island's rich, over 2,000-year-old cultural heritage is reflected in every corner of the stunning old town, which is uniquely characterized by its world-famous silhouette featuring four distinctive bell towers.

The location is also ideal for nature lovers and hikers: the most attractive of the numerous sandy beaches extend all the way to the foot of Kamenjak – the highest point of the island. From up there, you can enjoy a unique, breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding islands and the majestic mountains of the mainland.


Day Trips to Croatia's Natural Treasures

Thanks to the excellent location, unforgettable excursions to the three absolute pearls of the Lika and Velebit regions can be easily organized from Rab:

  • Plitvice Lakes National Park: World-famous UNESCO World Natural Heritage site with spectacular waterfalls.
  • Paklenica National Park: A paradise for hikers and climbers set in an impressive canyon.
  • Sjeverni Velebit (North Velebit) Nature Reserve: Untouched mountain landscapes perfect for extensive trekking tours.



Lace up your hiking boots and experience Croatian nature first hand! To end your day perfectly, you will find numerous local excursion agencies directly in the charming old town of Rab in the evening, offering a variety of tailor-made tours and activities.

Sports & Active Holidays

Movement and Relaxation on Rab

The diverse coastline and multifaceted nature of our island archipelago offer athletes and active vacationers the perfect combination of exercise, wellness, and relaxation. The island's infrastructure leaves nothing to be desired: well-maintained cycling and hiking trails, professional diving centers, tennis and sports fields, a modern sports hall, and sea kayak rentals are all at your disposal. Water sports, fishing, and hunting also add to the versatile activities available.

The leisure options are further enriched by a selection of charter fleets and motorboats. These allow you to reach the most beautiful hidden coves in no time, enabling you to enjoy your active holiday privately on the water.



A Highlight for Athletes: The Rab Triathlon

A special sporting highlight of the island is the annual triathlon race of the Croatian Championship – arguably one of the most beautiful in the country – which attracts over 200 enthusiastic participants to Rab every year. The immaculately maintained cycling routes, the dense network of shaded forest trails, the emerald-blue sea, and the warm hospitality of the local population are the perfect invitation for all sports enthusiasts to visit our island.

About Us

Tradition and Hospitality for Over 150 Years

We, the Matušan family, are among the original inhabitants of the idyllic Suha Punta cove and have been deeply rooted here for over 150 years. In the beginning, our family traditionally lived from agriculture and fishing – always in harmony with the beautiful nature of our island.


The Path into Tourism

At the beginning of the 1970s, we took the step into tourism and opened the popular restaurant "Babalonija". In order to offer our guests not just good food but a true home away from home, we converted the house into a cozy guesthouse with bed and breakfast in 1980.

With the changing wishes of our guests, the house continued to evolve in the early nineties: bed and breakfast turned into accommodations with kitchen facilities – laying the foundation for our apartment house today.


Generational Change and Modernity

In 2012, a generational change took place, and I proudly took over the family business. Since then, we have been continuously driving the modernization of Villa Babalonija forward:

  • 2012: Construction of the first apartment "APP Suha Punta"
  • 2017: Opening of "APP Batana" (freshly renovated with a facelift in 2024)
  • 2020: Completion of the modern studio apartment "MORE"
  • 2023: Opening of our barrier-free and wheelchair-accessible apartment "KONOBA"

In parallel with the apartments, we also extensively renovated the entire outdoor area, transforming it into an oasis of well-being.


Our Philosophy

Our ultimate goal is to provide you with an unforgettable, relaxing, and thoroughly enjoyable holiday. The feedback from our guests is particularly important to us: we gladly welcome your suggestions, reflect upon them, and implement everything possible to make your stay with us even more beautiful.

We look forward to welcoming you to Villa Babalonija!


The Matušan Family

HRVATSKA - Croatia

Geographical Location & Nature

Croatia occupies the largest part of the eastern Adriatic coast, encompassing one of the deepest parts of the Mediterranean Sea on European soil. The vast majority of the Adriatic coast, including almost all islands, belongs to Croatia.

Surface Area: 56,594 km² of land and 31,479 km² of coastal waters.

Coastline Length: 6,278 km, of which 4,398 km consists of the islands alone.

Islands & Reefs: 1,244 islands (the largest being Krk and Cres), 50 of which are inhabited.

Highest Peak: Dinara at 1,831 m.


Population & Politics

Population: approx. 3.87 million inhabitants.

Capital: Zagreb (approx. 770,000 inhabitants) – the economic, transport, cultural, and academic center of the country.

National Composition: The majority of the population are Croats. Minorities include Serbs, Slovenes, Hungarians, Czechs, Italians, and Albanians.

EU & Currency: Croatia has been a member of the European Union since 2013 and a proud member of the Schengen Area and Eurozone since January 1, 2023 (Currency: EURO).


Climate & Temperatures

Croatia has three climate zones: the interior features a temperate continental climate, regions above 1,200 m have a mountain climate, and the Adriatic coast enjoys a pleasant Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunny days (hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters).

Air Temperature: In January from -2 to 0 °C (interior) up to 5–10 °C (coast); in July on the coast averages 23–26 °C.

Water Temperature: Around 12 °C in winter, and a wonderful 26 °C in summer.

Croatian Inventions

Croatians are a highly innovative nation with many world-famous inventions. Here are some of the most notable:



  • The Tie (Kravata): An invention that made us famous around the world. Croatia is the homeland of the tie, just as Switzerland is the home of watches and cheese. As early as the 17th century, the French were fascinated by the traditional uniform of Croatian soldiers, who wore a red scarf tied around their necks in a distinctive way.
  • Penkala / Mechanical Pencil (Inventor: Slavoljub Penkala): A famous Croatian inventor who held over 80 patents. He ushered in a new era in the world of stationery by inventing the first mechanical pencil.
  • Dactyloscopy (Fingerprinting): Today's world of criminology would be unimaginable without this groundbreaking discovery by Ivan Vučetić (born 1858) from the island of Hvar. Through his research, he noticed that no two human fingerprints are alike and developed the method known as dactyloscopy.
  • The Speedometer: The device used to monitor a vehicle's speed. Today, this invention is a standard component of every single vehicle worldwide.
  • The Parachute: The Croatian inventor and polymath Faust Vrančić (1551–1617) built many bridges and made numerous discoveries, but became most famous for the parachute. He constructed a parachute using canvas stretched over a rectangular frame and successfully proved its functionality by jumping from a tower in Venice.
  • Vegeta: Developed by Zlata Bartl in the laboratories of Podravka, this unique seasoning blend has become an iconic Croatian brand, sold and loved worldwide.
  • The Torpedo: Ivan Lupis, born in Rijeka, invented the torpedo, which was later perfected by the British engineer Robert Whitehead. It is a weapon that permanently changed naval warfare.
  • The MP3 Player: Tomislav Uzelac, a Croatian developer and student at the Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering, created the AMP MP3 playback engine, which is considered the software foundation for the very first MP3 players.
  • M-Parking (SMS Parking): A unique parking payment system developed by Croatian experts. Fully launched in 2001 by Vipnet experts—just a few months after the global introduction of GPRS—this mobile payment model was later adopted by numerous operators worldwide.
  • Maglite: Ante Maglica was born in New York in 1930 but spent his childhood on the island of Zlarin. He returned to the US in 1950, earned his living as a mechanic, and worked on inventions in his garage. In the late 1970s, he launched the Maglite flashlight. Made of solid aluminum, its durability and brightness quickly made it a favorite among the US military, police, and fire departments.
  • Other notable Croatian contributions include: The commercial use of alternating current via hydroelectric power, the pure dynamic compass, the electric light bulb with a tungsten filament, and the lightning rod (Nikola Tesla and other Croatian pioneers).