Beachfront apartments on the Zadar riviera
On the Zadar riviera, many of our stays are only a short walk from the sea. The question is which shore you want: sandy shallows, pine-backed pebble or a quiet cove by a village harbour.
Search beachfront stays near ZadarBeachfront stays around Zadar are mostly in the villages rather than the city. Inside the old town you are close to the waterfront promenade but not to a beach, so if a swim before breakfast matters, look along the coast instead. South of the city, Sukošan and Bibinje have a good choice of stays near the water. Sukošan's Dječji raj beach has a sandy bottom and shallow sea, which explains its name, which means children's heaven, while Makarska beach nearby is gravel and pebble with shade from tamarisk trees. Bibinje adds a palm-lined promenade and a string of small beaches.
North-west of the centre, Diklo is a quiet residential shore of small pebble, stone and concrete coves around a harbour, and Borik has a long pine-shaded beach with sand, fine pebbles and paved areas. Further on, Kožino and Petrčane are mostly holiday houses and a small fishing village, with pebble and concrete swimming spots and a pine headland at Punta Skala. Towards Nin, Privlaka is the place for beachfront stays on sand: its bays, including Sabunike and Mostina, stay shallow a long way out.
Being within 200 metres does not always mean a private path to the water. In some villages you will cross a local road or a promenade, and in Petrčane or Diklo the nearest spot may be a small concrete platform rather than a beach. Check the photos and map for the exact route, and look at whether the nearest shore is sandy, pebbly or rocky, which matters a great deal with small children. Beachfront stays in the villages are popular with families on long summer stays, so book early for July and August.
How close to the beach?
- Under 250 m A couple of minutes on foot. Easiest with small children, beach bags and a midday break back at the apartment.
- 250–500 m Roughly a five-minute walk. Still an easy daily routine, often in quieter streets a little back from the shore.
- 500 m – 1 km A ten-to-fifteen-minute walk, or a short drive. The widest choice of places to stay.
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Tips before you book
- Choose Privlaka or Sukošan if you want sand or a sandy seabed right by your stay.
- Choose Diklo, Kožino or Petrčane for a quieter shore with the city a short drive or bus ride away.
- Check what lies between the house and the water: a road, a promenade or steps.
- Shade is limited on the sandy bays, so a stay with a covered terrace or a parasol to borrow helps.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stay right by the beach in Zadar city?
Only in a few places. The old town has a waterfront promenade rather than a beach, and the nearest city beaches are Kolovare and Borik. For a stay with the sea on the doorstep, the riviera villages such as Diklo, Bibinje, Sukošan and Privlaka have far more choice.
Which beachfront area near Zadar is best for small children?
Privlaka and Sukošan. Privlaka's sandy bays, such as Sabunike and Mostina, stay shallow for a long way, and Sukošan's Dječji raj beach has a sandy bottom and very gentle entry. Both are calm, family-oriented villages, so evenings are quiet. Pack a parasol, as shade is scarce.
Are the beaches near Zadar pebble or sand?
Both. Around the city and the villages to the north-west, expect mostly pebble, stone and concrete with some sandy patches, as at Borik. Towards Nin and Privlaka, the shore turns to long sandy bays, and Sukošan to the south also has a sandy family beach.