Stays near sandy beaches around Zadar
The coast north of Zadar has some of the longest stretches of sand in Croatia, with water that stays knee-deep far from the shore. Here is where the sand really is.
Search stays near sand near ZadarNin is the centre of it. The town's natural sandy beaches add up to around eight kilometres, and the best known, the Queen's Beach, is often described as the longest sandy beach in Croatia, at roughly three kilometres. Ždrijac and Bilotinjak are smaller sandy coves nearby, and the steady breeze across the lagoon makes Ždrijac popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers. Next door, the large Zaton resort has its own sandy beach with lifeguards and playgrounds. Wherever you swim around Nin, the sea is shallow for a long way, which is perfect for toddlers and less so for keen swimmers.
Privlaka, on the road to Vir, is almost all sand at the waterline: Mostina, Sabunike, Vrilo, Pliša and Bilotinjak are its best-known bays. Mostina has showers and cafés, while Sabunike draws surfers when the wind picks up. North of Nin, Ljubač is a quiet bay where the water barely reaches the knee even a hundred metres out. South of Zadar, Sukošan's Dječji raj beach has a sandy bottom and shallow sea, and in the city Borik mixes sand with fine pebbles and paved areas.
Not everything described as near sand really is. Diklo, just outside the city, has pebble, stone and concrete coves, and Zadar's own Kolovare is mainly pebble. When a listing mentions a sandy beach, check which one and how far. The sandy bays also have little natural shade, so a parasol is part of the kit, and in July and August the beaches around Nin and Privlaka are at their busiest. Wind is part of the picture too: it keeps the heat bearable but can whip up sand on the open bays.
Stays on the Zadar riviera near sandy beaches
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Tips before you book
- Base yourself in Nin, Zaton, Privlaka or Ljubač if sand is the priority; Zadar city is not the place for it.
- Pack a parasol or a beach tent: the sandy bays have little natural shade.
- Water shoes still help in places where sand gives way to stones or seagrass.
- Wind is part of life here: great for kitesurfers, but choose a sheltered bay on breezy days with toddlers.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the best sandy beaches near Zadar?
Around Nin and Privlaka, about half an hour north of the city. Nin's Queen's Beach, Ždrijac and Bilotinjak, and Privlaka's Mostina and Sabunike are all sandy and very shallow. Ljubač is a quieter option, and south of Zadar, Sukošan has the sandy Dječji raj beach.
Is the Queen's Beach in Nin good for children?
Very. The water stays shallow for a long way out, so small children can paddle safely, and the beach is around three kilometres long, so there is room even in summer. There is little natural shade, so bring your own, and expect wind at times.
Does Zadar city have sandy beaches?
Not really. Kolovare is mainly pebble with some sandy patches, and Borik mixes sand, fine pebbles and paved areas. Diklo's coves are pebble, stone and concrete. For genuine sand, head north to Nin or Privlaka. Nin is about half an hour away.