Vir, Croatia: The Small Idyllic Dream Island!
The island of Vir in Croatia is certainly one of the most beautiful and idyllic vacation destinations in the country. It is located in the Dalmatian region and is a part of the Zadar archipelago. It is especially the uniquely beautiful beaches of Vir Island that make this island a true holiday paradise. There is hardly any other place in Croatia where you can find a higher density of beautiful sandy beaches, which is appreciated by many vacationers. Thanks to its optimal location, this island is not only perfect for a beach vacation, but it also offers plenty of interesting attractions and excursion destinations nearby that are just waiting to be discovered.
In this guide, we provide important information about Vir Island in Croatia. In addition, we show you what to do, the most beautiful beaches, great possibilities for day trips and where you can find recommendable accommodations.
Good to know!
There are no huge hotel on Vir and most of the accommodations are holiday flats. Many are directly by the sea, such as the Sunset Deluxe Apartments or the Apartments Svetec.
In the surroundings of Vir you can take some great trips. The island is just 25 km from the Old Town of Zadar and only 15 km from the picturesque town of Nin.
The best travel time for a beach vacation is from the end of May to the end of September. At this time, you can expect good weather, plenty of sunshine and relatively little rain.
There are 3 tourist centers on the island. In the villages of Vir, Lozice and Torovi, you will find a good selection of accommodation, restaurants, bakeries and supermarkets.
General Information about Vir Island
The island of Vir is located in northern Dalmatia, and, with a size of 22 km², it is one of the smaller vacation islands of Croatia. The island is connected to the mainland of the Zadar region via an approximately 300 meters long bridge. Thus, as a traveler, you will enjoy the unique island feeling and still be mobile enough to explore the beautiful Zadar region by car or bus without having to step on a ferry. Vir is rather flat and therefore also suitable for cycling. The highest elevation is the 112-meter-high “mountain” Barbinjak, which can be reached by beautiful hiking and mountain bike tours.
Among the most important sights of the island Vir are the charming chapel Sv. Juraj, the Venetian fortress Kastelina, a fortification from the 17th century and the lighthouse Lanterna, which, at present, is run as a particularly luxurious vacation accommodation. Furthermore, along the approximately 32-kilometre-long coastline of Vir, you will also find a mix of different landscapes from a rugged coastline, stunning pebble bays and sections with green pine forests.
Probably the most impressive part of the island is the coastal section in the north. Here you can expect spectacular red rock formations with impressive turquoise sea colors and countless fantastic sandy beaches. Along the coast there are mountain bike and hiking routes, along which you will enjoy all these picturesque natural landscapes.
The Best Beaches & Resorts of Vir
On Vir, almost 30 beaches and bays invite to sunbathe and swim. On the island there are countless bathing possibilities, like fine pebble beaches, beautiful sandy beaches, many lonely bays and also nudist beaches. Here you can find the most beautiful vacation resorts and beaches of Vir summarized at a glance.
Beach Jadro (Main Beach of Vir)
Beach Jadro is one of the most popular beaches of Vir and, at the same time, the biggest tourist center of the island. Located in the village of the same name Vir, a very clean pebble beach with a fine sandy seabed awaits you. The sea here is wonderfully shallow, which is especially appreciated by families with children. In addition, a wide range of sports and leisure activities and the many restaurants, beach bars and cafés make the tourist offer perfect. Sunbeds and parasols can be rented directly on the beach.
Tip: Behind the beach there are some fantastic accommodations, like the beautiful vacation apartments of L&L Apartments and the exclusive Luxury Resort on the beach.
Zitna Beach
Another very lovely beach on Vir is Plaza Zitna. This beautiful, elongated bay is located in the north of the town of Vir and is one of the larger touristic centers of the island. Here a fine pebble beach awaits you, which drops very shallowly into the sea. The ground is partly sandy, which is especially appreciated by families with children, but also by elderly people. The tourist offer is excellent. Numerous restaurants, cafés and bistros wait to be entered and there is also a huge offer of water sports and leisure activities.
Tip: Many great accommodations are located directly by the sea! We recommend the Apartment Ivica and the modern apartments Vista Royal.
Beach Duboka Draga
For many visitors, the picturesque Plaza Duboka Draga is the most stunning beach on Vir. This beautiful natural bay is located in the north of the island and especially impresses with its red cliffs and the quite fine and natural sand, a unique scenery, which one would almost not expect in Croatia. Also the sea colors are fantastic here and provide a spectacular contrast to the red rock.
Beach Crvenka & Beach Vrulja
For many visitors, the picturesque Plaza Duboka Draga is the most beautiful beach on Vir. This magnificent natural bay is located in the north of the island and impresses above all with its red cliffs and the wonderfully fine natural sandy beach in a unique setting that you would hardly expect to find in Croatia. The sea colors here are also fantastic and provide a spectacular contrast to the red rock.
Tip: It is recommended to take a walk along this coast to discover all the scenic sections.
Beach Lozice
The small and quiet vacation resort Lozice is situated in the northwest of the island, about 1 km from the main town Vir. Especially beautiful is the beach of the same name Lozice, a stunning pebble beach with crystal clear water and immense blue sea colors. A little further north of the resort, there are also many other beautiful bays that invite to swim in the crystal-clear sea. A really nice beach for a quiet vacation on Vir!
Tip: In the village are restaurants, small stores and charming apartments close to the beach. Recommended is the Di DaTo Apartment Island, which is only 20 meters away from the sea.
Beach Sapavac
The Beach Sapavac is an idyllic sandy beach in the south of the island, just near the vacation resort Vir. This quiet bay is a very shallow beach, whose mud is said to have a healing effect on rheumatic patients. Right next to the beach is the fortress called Kastelina, one of the most important attractions on the island.
Tip: Behind the beach in a beautiful location, there are a handful of lovely apartments, which are perfect for a quiet and relaxing beach vacation on Vir.
Beach Straza
Beautiful and a fantastic beach for a quiet vacation on Vir is beach Straza. This pebble beach delights with a really idyllic atmosphere, with beautiful crystal-clear water and a breathtaking view of the mountains of the island of Pag. Visitors here are really enthusiastic about the extremely relaxed flair and beautiful scenery.
Tip: Along this part of the coast, there are some lovely accommodations close to the beach. Truly recommended are the Apartment Aria.
Best Excursions from Vir
Thanks to the good location and the bridge that connects Vir island with the mainland, some great attractions of the Zadar region are in the vicinity. Here are the most amazing excursions you can go on during your vacation on the island:
Only about 15 kilometers from Vir is the picturesque town of Nin. The pretty old town with its ancient stone houses and the many attractions are particularly impressive.
Another remarkable place to explore in the surroundings is the famous old town of Zadar. Many attractions await you during a visit, such as the famous Sea Organ and the Roman Forum.
A boat trip to Zadar islands is also highly recommended. Unforgettable is a tour to the Kornati Islands or a trip to Dugi Otok with the Telascica National Park.
Where to Stay on Vir Island
On the island of Vir you can find an excellent offer of privately run apartments and pensions. Many of these accommodations are in top locations directly by the sea, which is especially appreciated by sun-hungry beach vacationers. We have compiled our accommodation recommendations here…It’s worth a look!
- Vacation Home with Pool: The Sunset Deluxe Villa is a huge vacation villa with a pool and 1-A location next to the sea. The perfect accommodation for larger groups or families!
- Charming 4-Star Apartment: The Villa Lantana delights its guests with beautifully furnished apartments, a really cozy garden and the proximity to the sea!
- Apartment with Pool: The modern Resort Mirakul offers different sized apartments. The pool and the perfect proximity to the beach are also fantastic!
- 3-Star Apartment: The Apartments Pavić – Sapavac are just fantastic for a quiet vacation on Vir. Especially the top location in the bay of Sapavac and the clean apartments are great.
Find the best accommodation on Vir Island:
More about Zadar Region:
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Top 15 Amazing Things to Do in Zadar
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Where to Stay in Zadar: 10 Best Areas & Hotels
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The 12 Best Beaches in Zadar
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Petrcane, Croatia: Things to Do & Best Beaches
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Bibinje, Croatia: Travel Guide & Best Beaches
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Sukošan, Croatia: Travel Guide & Best Beaches
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