Apartments and holiday homes in Privlaka
A flat, sandy peninsula between Nin and the island of Vir, where one shallow bay follows another and children can wade out a long way before the water reaches their waist.
Search stays in PrivlakaPrivlaka sits on a small peninsula about 23 kilometres north of Zadar, with the royal town of Nin on one side and the bridge to Vir on the other. Life here revolves around the beach. Almost every stretch of shore is sand, and the sea stays shallow for a long way out, which is why it is so popular with parents of small children and with anyone who is not a confident swimmer.
The mood is quiet and practical. There is a small harbour and an old centre near Selo beach, a few cafés and konobas, and the usual village shops, but evenings are calm and early. For more restaurants or a bit of history, Nin is a short drive away and Zadar makes an easy half-day trip, while the bridge to Vir starts at the edge of the village. Walk out to Cape Artić, the westernmost point of land in Dalmatia, for the sunset.
Where you stay depends on what you want from the beach. The south-eastern side, around Škrapavac, Bilotinjak and Mostina, has the long, sheltered sandy coves best suited to toddlers. Sabunike catches the bora and suits windsurfers and kiters, while Punta on the western tip is stony and quieter. Most of our stays here have sandy beaches within reach, many have sea views, and a fair number come with a pool for days when the wind picks up.
Beaches
Mostina
A sandy beach made for families, with showers, changing rooms, eco toilets and step-free access to the sea for people with reduced mobility. The dark mud found here has a local reputation for easing rheumatism and joint pain. Shade is scarce, so bring an umbrella.
Škrapavac and Bilotinjak
A run of long sandy coves in the south-east of Privlaka. High ground to the north shelters them from the bora, while the milder maestral cools the afternoons. The water is clear and very shallow, there are showers, and a small aqua park keeps children busy.
Sabunike
Privlaka's windsurfing and kitesurfing beach. When the bora blows down from Velebit, boards and kites fill the bay, and the local tourist board rates it as Croatia's best-known surf spot after Bol on Brač. On calm days it is simply a wide, shallow sandy beach.
Dog beach at Kažin
The official dog beach, at Kažin near the Vir bridge. It is over a hundred metres long and fenced, with an access road and its own car park, so dogs can swim without you worrying about the family beaches next door.
Getting there and around
Zadar Airport is the nearest, typically around 30 to 40 minutes away by car. Coming down the A1 motorway from the north, many drivers leave at Posedarje and follow the road towards Vir, turning off for Privlaka before the Vir bridge; from Zadar you drive north via Nin. There is a local bus service to Zadar, but it is infrequent, so a car makes life much easier here, and nearly all our stays in Privlaka include private parking.
Stays in Privlaka right now
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Tips before you book
- Bring your own shade: the sandy beaches have few trees, and umbrellas matter for small children.
- Water shoes are rarely needed here, a nice change from most of the Croatian coast.
- The bora can make Sabunike very windy; the sheltered coves around Mostina and Bilotinjak stay calmer.
- Walk or cycle out to Cape Artić and the Sabunike viewpoint in the evening, when the light over the sea is best.
Frequently asked questions
Is Privlaka good for families with small children?
Very. Privlaka's beaches are almost all sand, and the water stays shallow for a long way out, so toddlers can paddle and play safely near the shore. Mostina has showers, changing rooms and accessible entry to the sea, while the Bilotinjak area adds a small aqua park. The village is quiet in the evenings, which suits early bedtimes.
Are the beaches in Privlaka sandy?
Yes, this is one of the sandiest stretches of coast in Croatia. Mostina, Selo, Vrilo, Pliša, Bilotinjak and Sabunike are all sandy beaches. The exception is Punta, a natural stony stretch on the western side that is good for sunsets and quieter swimming.
Is there a dog beach in Privlaka?
Yes. The official dog beach is at Kažin, near the bridge to Vir. It is over a hundred metres long, fenced, and has an access road and parking. Some of our stays in Privlaka accept pets, so check each listing's conditions before you book.
How far is Privlaka from Zadar and Nin?
Privlaka is about 23 kilometres north of Zadar, which is usually around half an hour by car. Nin is right next door, a few minutes' drive away, and the bridge to the island of Vir starts at the edge of the village, so all three make easy day trips.