Nin suits families with young children who want sandy beaches near Zadar, including Queen's Beach, billed as Croatia's longest. The town is small, with 2,705 residents, so choice of evening venues is limited. Some homes are further out.
Nin is a small lagoon town in Zadar County, with 2,705 residents in the town at the 2021 census. Its historic centre sits on an islet about 500 m across, joined to the mainland by two 16th-century stone bridges, and the Church of Holy Cross, from the 9th century, is nicknamed the smallest cathedral in the world. Natural sandy beaches surround the town. Kraljičina, or Queen's Beach, is 8 km long and known for healing mud, and the Ždrijac sandbar beach is called a good fit for families with children. Our homes spread over about 3.6 km around Nin, and most have a garden, with a good share having a pool. Most sleep around five, and nearly all are air conditioned.
The county city, about 23 minutes by road, with an hourly bus from the central bus station to Nin.
About 30 minutes from Nin by road; by bus you change at Zadar bus station, and the trip takes about an hour.
The 8 km sandy beach billed as the longest in Croatia, and known for its healing mud.
A sandbar-shaped sandy beach described by the tourist board as good for families with children.
Zadar airport is about 30 minutes by road from Nin, and Zadar city around 23 minutes. Buses run hourly from Zadar bus station to Nin, but the airport leg needs a change in Zadar, taking about an hour in total. A car helps when homes are on the outskirts.
Zadar, nearby, has very warm, humid summers with July and August the hottest months, and mild, wet winters. Swimming is generally possible from May to October, sometimes into November, and Queen's Beach is known for its shallow sea. Nin has been developing as a tourist destination since 1969, so summer is very much its season and the quieter months are for walks and the old town.
Yes, particularly for young children. The tourist board calls Queen's Beach shallow and sandy, and Ždrijac a sandy beach that suits families with children. Natural sandy beaches surround the town.
8 km. Croatia.hr bills it as the longest sandy beach in Croatia and mentions its healing mud, so it is a long stretch rather than one small cove.
Small and historic. The old centre is on an islet about 500 m across, joined to the mainland by two 16th-century stone bridges, with a 9th-century Church of Holy Cross known as the smallest cathedral in the world.
Nin suits a beach holiday, with 2,705 residents and sandy shores around the town, while Zadar is the larger city about 23 minutes away. Choose Nin for sand and quiet, Zadar for a city base.
Generally from May to October, and sometimes into November. Nin sits in a lagoon, and Queen's Beach is known for its shallow sea and sand.
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.
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