Nin, Croatia: Travel Guide & Things to Do!
Nin is a small, dreamy town in Croatia and a sought-after destination in the Zadar region, especially in the summer months. Unique are the many long flat sandy beaches, which especially families with small children and the elderly appreciate. Moreover, the historical old town of Nin is absolutely charming, where you can see some interesting attractions while strolling through the center. Pretty restaurants and small cafés in a romantic setting invite guests to enjoy and linger. But there are even more things to do in Nin! The entire surrounding area is also ideal for going on excursions, and thus a vacation in Nin is guaranteed not to get bored.
In this travel guide, we give you all the important information and tips about Nin in Croatia. We show you the most beautiful attractions and things to do in Nin, fantastic beaches, the best day trips and where to find recommended accommodations.
Good to know!
If you are still looking for a fantastic accommodation in Nin, we can recommend APARTMANI SUNSIDE NIN, in the best location near the beach and the old town.
The village of Nin is surrounded by countless beautiful bays, which are ideal for a vacation. Here are the best beaches of Nin summarized at a glance.
Nin is, thanks to its location near Zadar, a fantastic starting point for exciting day trips and activities. Here is an overview of the best excursions in Zadar and its surroundings.
General Information about Nin
The small town of Nin with 2,800 inhabitants is located in Dalmatia, about 15 kilometers north of Zadar Old Town and only 10 kilometers from Vir Island. The resort is popular for its endlessly long beaches, which slope very gently into the sea and therefore offer optimal bathing pleasure, especially for families with children. A few of these dream bays are even among the most beautiful sandy beaches in Croatia! On the other hand, those who like to be active can enjoy many cool activities such as jogging, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, SUP and cycling during a visit in Nin.
Especially famous is the romantic old town of Nin, which is beautifully nestled in a picturesque lagoon landscape. Quaint taverns, restaurants and pretty cafés invite to linger and stroll around. Thanks to its rich history, the old town center is considered to be “the cradle of Croatia” and a visit should not be missed on any trip. But also the surrounding area is worth seeing and so you can go on unforgettable trips from Nin.
Although the Zadar region has developed into a sought-after vacation destination, the resort of Nin has managed to retain its original charm. The people mainly live from fishing, salt production and soft tourism, which is essential here. Fortunately, huge hotel buildings, massive campsites and mass tourism cannot be found here.
Best Things to Do in Nin, Croatia
During your vacation you can not only expect sun, beach and sea but also a wide range of activities. Among the most important attractions of Nin is the small old town with its pretty alleys, the picturesque waterfront promenade and, of course, the many beautiful sandy beaches. Here are the most amazing things to do in Nin summarized at a glance:
Nin Old Town
The historic old town of Nin is a small pearl in Croatia. It has been located on a tiny island since the 14th century, a promontory formed by sedimentation, and is connected to the mainland by two bridges. From the parking lot, a small pedestrian bridge directly leads to the historic town center. Right in front of it there is the monument of Knez Branimir of Nin, greeting visitors with his raised sword. Walking through the ancient alleys of the city, one discovers many things worth seeing and countless beautiful details to photograph.
Attractions like historic churches, small museums and even the ruins of what had once been the largest Roman temple in Croatia can be marveled at in Nin, thanks to its rich history. The heart of the old town is the stunning main square, where small cafés offer delicious refreshments in a unique setting. In the main square there is also the interesting Archaeological Museum, where ancient objects, jewelry and historical boats are exhibited.
Parish Church of St. Anselmus & Gregory of Nin Statue
An important attraction and one of the best things to do in Nin is the imposing statue of Gregory of Nin, which is about 4 meters high. This bishop was among the most important Croatian personalities, and rubbing the toe of the bronze statue is said to bring good luck, according to a legend. Right next to it is the church of St. Anselmus with its interesting treasury and the freestanding church tower from the 12th century, towering high above the town of Nin.
Sveti Kriz – The Smallest Cathedral in the World
Probably one of the most significant attractions of Nin is Sveti Kriz Cathedral, better known as the smallest cathedral in the world. The somewhat inconspicuous church from the 9th century is said to have served as the official seat of the former bishop of Nin. It is also interesting to note that due to the unique construction of the walls and the resulting incidence of light, the church also serves as a sundial.
Roman Temple
Located in the very center of Nin is the Roman temple “Rimski Hram”, another important historical attraction of the old town. It is situated near the main square and the temple area can be visited free of charge. Once it was the largest temple on the Adriatic and today a standing column still gives an idea of its former size. The statues of Roman emperors found there can be seen today in the Museum of Zadar.
Church of St. Nicholas
Beautiful and a famous sight of Nin is the church of St. Nicholas. It is located in the idyllic countryside just outside the town, in the field ‘Prahulje’ and has become a landmark of Nin thanks to its unique construction. According to a legend, seven kings were crowned in Nin and each ruler and his entourage visited the church of St. Nicholas after the coronation.
The Most Amazing Beaches in Nin
The beautiful beaches in Nin make this resort a popular destination for sun-seeking vacationers from all over the world. Around the town there are countless beautiful sandy bays, which are ideal for a vacation by the sea. Most of the beaches are fine, long sandy beaches that delight with beautiful natural scenery, clear water and perfect cleanliness.
Beach Ninska Laguna
Beach Ninska Laguna is the main beach of Nin and is located in the east of the lagoon. This beautiful sandy beach is really popular with vacationers. Also locals appreciate this long beach, though. In addition, you will find cool beach bars, different water sports activities and umbrellas with sunbeds can be rented on site.
Queens Beach
Probably the most famous beach of Nin is the queen beach, the so-called Queens Beach. This beautiful sandy beach is located west of the city and enchants with breathtaking scenery and unique vacation flair. There is enough space here and with a length of about 3 kilometers it is the longest sandy beach in Croatia.
Bilotinjak Beach
Beach Bilotinjak is a real insider tip in Nin. Only 4 kilometers away from the old town of Nin, this beautiful sandy beach will delight with its extraordinarily picturesque ambience of red rocks, blue crystal-clear sea and fine sand. A unique beach that is rarely found in Croatia!
Sabunike Beach
If you appreciate tranquility, you should visit Sabunike beach. This bathing place is located about 5 kilometers outside the city and can be reached only by a gravel road. Once you arrive, a picturesque sandy beach in a beautiful natural setting awaits you. There are no restaurants or bars on Sabunike beach, but plenty of peace and relaxation.
Day Trips & Excursions from Nin
Not only Nin is worth seeing, also its surroundings offer lots of excursion destinations you can discover. Here we have summarized the most beautiful day trips from Nin at a glance:
Only about 15 kilometers from Nin is the famous old town of Zadar. During a city tour, you can explore countless interesting attractions, such as the famous Sea Organ and the Roman forum.
Very popular are also excursions from Nin to Vir Island. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, you can reach the island in no time and explore it easily by car.
A boat trip to the beautiful Kornati Islands and a visit to the picturesque Telascica Nature Park on the island of Dugi Otok are also highly recommended.
Where to Stay in Nin
For a vacation in Nin you can find a great offer of accommodations. These are mainly privately run apartments and small guesthouses; huge hotels and large campsites are not to be found here. If you are looking for a lovey place to stay in Nin, then we can give you these accommodation tips on the way…It’s worth a look!
- Vacation Home: The Holiday Home Višnja is the perfect house for a family vacation. Great is also the garden and the quiet surroundings, from where you can still quickly reach the sea.
- Villa with Pool: The Villa Romantika Dalmacija is a real insider tip for a vacation in Nin. Guests love the pool, the design and also the terrace is to fall in love with.
- Vacation flat: The Villa Gabriel inspires with new apartments and beautiful terrace! The location to the beach is also great, and the old town can be reached in no time.
- Apartments: The Apartments Juracak offer large apartments in a great location. Perfect is also the hospitality of the landlords, the cleanliness as well as the equipment!
Find the best accommodation in Nin:
More about Zadar Region:
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The 12 Best Beaches in Zadar
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Sukošan, Croatia: Travel Guide & Best Beaches
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Bibinje in Croatia: Travel Guide & Best Beaches
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Zaton Beach: Best Beaches & Travel Tips
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