HR
DE
FR
ITApartments and holiday homes in Zaton near Nin
A small village on a sheltered bay between Zadar and Nin, with pine woods, a string of pebble and sand beaches, and the long sandy shores of Nin only a few minutes up the road.
Search stays in ZatonThis is the Zaton in the Zadar region, part of the town of Nin, not the Zaton near Šibenik or the one near Dubrovnik. It is a village of around 600 people, about 15 kilometres north of Zadar and a couple of kilometres from Nin's old town. In Roman times its bay served as the harbour for Aenona, the ancient Nin, and finds from the seabed are now shown in the Museum of Nin Antiquities. A Venetian defence tower, Kaštelina, built in 1593, still stands west of the village centre.
Zaton is best known for Zaton Holiday Resort, a large camping and holiday complex on the shore with pools, slides and its own beach. Our stays are not in the resort but in the village itself: private apartments and holiday homes in quiet streets, where evenings are calm and the main entertainment is a walk along the waterfront. Between Zaton and Nin, in the open Prahulje field, stands the tiny Romanesque Church of St Nicholas on an ancient burial mound, a short drive or bike ride away.
Think of Zaton as a quieter base for the Nin coast. The beaches in the village are a mix of fine pebbles and sand, while the long sandy beaches of Nin, including the Queen's Beach, are only a few minutes' drive away. Families who want shallow water and a little more space than in Nin itself tend to like it here. The list below shows stays in Zaton, Nin and Vrsi together, so you can compare all three. A few of our Zaton stays are close to the water, and some have a pool.
Beaches
Jaz
The village beach along the waterfront promenade, next to the holiday resort. It is mostly fine pebbles with a gentle slope, turning to a sandy bottom a little further out, so it suits children and less confident swimmers. Some stretches are entered from the sea wall.
Pliša
A small bay with a mix of sand and fine pebbles and a very gradual entry into the water, which makes it popular with parents of toddlers. Sunbeds and a beach bar are usually available in season. Boats also moor in the bay.
Punta
A pebble beach at the southern end of Zaton, with pine trees for shade. It is the quietest of the village beaches, a good choice for a calm swim or a book in the afternoon when the resort side is busy.
Nin's sandy beaches
For real sand, drive the few kilometres to Nin. The Queen's Beach and the smaller coves such as Bilotinjak and Ždrijac are sandy and very shallow, with little shade, so take an umbrella. Ždrijac is also where the kitesurfers gather.
Getting there and around
Zaton lies on the road between Zadar and Nin, about 15 kilometres from Zadar, and Zadar Airport is usually around half an hour away by car. From the A1 motorway, leave at one of the Zadar exits and head north towards Nin; arriving from the north, the Posedarje exit is a common alternative. A car makes life easier here, especially for day trips to Zadar, Privlaka or the island of Vir, and most of our stays in Zaton have their own parking.
Stays in Zaton, Nin and Vrsi right now
Loading current offers…
Tips before you book
- Water shoes are useful on the pebbly village beaches; on Nin's sand you can usually go barefoot.
- The holiday resort is a separate complex, so check a listing's map if you want to be away from its summer bustle.
- Visit St Nicholas in the Prahulje field in the late afternoon, when the light over the fields is soft.
- Shops and cafés in the village cover the basics; Nin has more restaurants, and Zadar is close for a bigger shop.
Frequently asked questions
Which Zaton is this?
This page is about Zaton near Nin, in Zadar county, about 15 kilometres north of Zadar. It is a different place from Zaton near Šibenik, at the mouth of the Krka, and from Zaton near Dubrovnik. If a listing mentions Nin, Zadar or the Nin Riviera, it is the right Zaton.
Are the beaches in Zaton sandy?
Partly. The village beaches such as Jaz and Pliša are a mix of fine pebbles and sand with a gentle slope, and Punta is pebble. If you want long stretches of pure sand, the beaches of Nin, including the Queen's Beach, are only a few minutes away by car.
Do I have to stay in Zaton Holiday Resort?
No. The resort is a large camping and holiday complex on the shore, but Zaton is also an ordinary village with private apartments and holiday homes. Our stays are in the village, which is usually quieter in the evenings, and you can still reach the sea and Nin's beaches easily.
How far is Zaton from Nin and Zadar?
Nin's old town is a couple of kilometres away, a few minutes by car or an easy bike ride. Zadar is about 15 kilometres south, typically a 20-minute drive, so its old town, Sea Organ and restaurants work well for an evening out. The airport is usually around half an hour away.