Vir (island north of Zadar)
Vir is a low island joined to the mainland by a short bridge, about 30 km north of Zadar, and has more of our villas than anywhere else in the region. Its beaches, such as Jadro and Velika Slatina, are mostly pebble and rock, with shallow water in places. Nin's sandy beaches are around 20 minutes away. Zadar airport is roughly 45 minutes by car, longer when the bridge queues on summer Saturdays.
Best for: Families who want a beach base close to Nin and Zadar
Not for you if: You want a traditional village: Vir is densely built with holiday homes and gets crowded in August.
Nin, Privlaka and Vrsi
Nin has some of the few long sandy beaches in Croatia, including Queen's Beach (Kraljičina plaža), where you can wade out a long way. Its tiny old town sits on a small island in the lagoon, with salt pans and healing mud on the edge of town. Privlaka, next door, is quieter, with smaller beaches on both sides of its peninsula, and Vrsi is just north of Nin. Zadar airport is around 30 to 40 minutes away.
Best for: Families with young children who want sand and shallow water
Not for you if: You want deep water for snorkelling: these shallows are better for paddling.
Zadar and its riviera (Bibinje, Sukošan, Petrčane, Crno)
Zadar's old town fills a walled peninsula, with Roman ruins, the round church of St Donatus and the Sea Organ, which plays as waves push air through pipes under the steps. Bibinje and Sukošan are seaside villages just south of the city, with a big marina at Sukošan. Crno and Debeljak are a short way inland, and Petrčane, to the north, has pine-shaded coves. The airport is 10 to 20 minutes from most of this area.
Best for: Couples who want a historic city and restaurants within easy reach
Not for you if: You want sandy beaches: around Zadar the shore is mostly pebble, rock and concrete bathing platforms.
Biograd na Moru and the south (Sv. Filip i Jakov, Pakoštane, Drage)
Biograd has a palm-lined waterfront, a large marina and pebble beaches, and day boats leave for Kornati National Park. Ferries cross to Tkon on Pašman in about 20 minutes. Pakoštane and Drage sit between the sea and Vransko Lake, a nature park with a cycle path round it, while Donje Rastane is a few kilometres inland. Krka's waterfalls are about an hour by car. Zadar airport is around 30 minutes away.
Best for: Families and sailors who want boat trips and a busy small town
Not for you if: You want quiet in August: Biograd's seafront and beaches are full all summer.
Paklenica and the Velebit coast (Starigrad-Paklenica, Rovanjska, Maslenica, Novigrad)
The Velebit range rises almost straight from the sea here. Starigrad-Paklenica is the base for Paklenica National Park, with two gorges, marked trails and well-known climbing routes. Rovanjska and Maslenica are small villages near the Maslenica bridges, and Novigrad sits on a sheltered inland sea with a ruined fortress above its harbour. Beaches are mostly pebble. Zadar airport is 40 minutes to an hour away.
Best for: Walkers and climbers who want mountains straight behind the sea
Not for you if: You dislike wind: the bura blows down off the Velebit hard and cold, mostly outside summer but sometimes in it.
Pag, Ugljan and Pašman (islands)
Pag is joined to the mainland by a bridge at its southern end, near Povljana and Dinjiška, and is known for sheep's cheese and lace. Kolan is further up the island, with the Zrće party beach near Novalja beyond it. Ugljan and Pašman are greener, linked to each other by a short bridge, and reached by ferry from Zadar to Preko (around 25 minutes) or from Biograd to Tkon. Their villages have small pebble coves.
Best for: Couples and families who want island life with an easy crossing
Not for you if: You want shade and greenery on Pag: much of the island is bare white limestone.
