Apartments and holiday homes in Nin
Croatia's oldest royal town, built on a small islet in a shallow lagoon and surrounded by some of the longest sandy beaches on the Adriatic.
Search stays in NinNin's historic centre fills an islet only about 500 metres across, joined to the mainland by two stone bridges from the 16th century. Inside you find the tiny 9th-century Church of the Holy Cross, often called the smallest cathedral in the world, a statue of the medieval bishop Grgur Ninski and a small museum of antiquities. Around the lagoon lie the salt pans, where salt is still harvested by sun and wind, and a salt museum.
What draws most visitors, though, is the sand. Nin's beaches add up to around eight kilometres, part of what the regional tourist board calls the largest area of sandy beaches in Croatia, and the water is warm and shallow, so families with small children have an easy time. Steady winds over the lagoon also make it a favourite for windsurfing and kitesurfing, with schools and equipment hire on site, and around 110 kilometres of cycle routes link the beaches, salt pans and nearby villages.
Stays in and right around the old town suit couples who like an evening stroll over the bridges and a choice of restaurants and cafés. For beach days, look at the edges of town near Queen's Beach and Ždrijac, where you can walk to the sand with a cool box and umbrella. Every one of our stays in Nin is close to a sandy beach, and a good number accept pets, which is useful if the dog is coming too.
Beaches
Queen's Beach (Kraljičina plaža)
About three kilometres of sand at the edge of the lagoon, with Velebit on the horizon. You wade across a short, shallow channel to reach part of it. The water stays knee-deep for ages, ideal for toddlers. Nearby is Croatia's largest known deposit of medicinal mud, used in supervised treatments on summer mornings.
Ždrijac
A sandy beach just outside the old town and the local kite zone, thanks to mild but steady winds. Beginners can take lessons here, and on calmer days it is simply a shallow, family-friendly beach within walking distance of the centre.
Bilotinjak and Prodorica
Two more of the beaches the Nin tourist board recommends, handy alternatives when Queen's Beach is at its busiest in August. Like the rest of the Nin coast they are sandy, so they are worth trying when you want a little more room.
Getting there and around
Nin is roughly 15 kilometres north of Zadar, and Zadar Airport is usually around half an hour away by car. From the A1 motorway, use one of the Zadar exits and follow the road north through the city's outskirts, or come off at Posedarje if you are arriving from the north. The old town is pedestrian, so park outside it; most of our stays include their own parking. Buses run to Zadar, and there are around 110 kilometres of marked cycle routes in the area.
Stays in Nin right now
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Tips before you book
- There is very little shade on the sand, so bring an umbrella and plenty of water.
- The medicinal mud treatments run in the mornings in July and August, under medical supervision.
- Nin salt, including the prized salt flower (fleur de sel), makes a good souvenir from the salt works.
- Water shoes are rarely needed on the sand, though parts of the lagoon have a soft, muddy bottom.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nin good for families with small children?
It is one of the best places in Croatia for them. The beaches are sandy and the water stays shallow for a long way, so children can paddle and dig without you worrying about sudden depth. The old town is small, flat and pedestrian, so it is easy to explore with a pushchair.
What is the Queen's Beach in Nin?
Kraljičina plaža is Nin's best-known beach: around three kilometres of sand on the lagoon, facing the Velebit mountains. Legend says it was a favourite of the wife of King Tomislav, Croatia's first king. Its shallow water suits children, and the mud nearby has been used for treating aches and skin conditions since Roman times.
Can you kitesurf in Nin?
Yes. The Nin lagoon and Ždrijac beach get mild, steady winds that suit both windsurfing and kitesurfing, and local schools offer courses for beginners along with equipment hire. Stay near Ždrijac if you plan to spend most days on the water.
How far is Nin from Zadar?
About 15 kilometres, which is typically a 20 to 25 minute drive. That puts Zadar's old town, Sea Organ and restaurants within easy reach for an evening out, while you sleep next to the sand. Privlaka and the bridge to Vir are only a few minutes further north.