The 12 Best Beaches in Zadar
The many beautiful beaches turn Zadar into one of the most popular vacation regions in Croatia. Whether directly in the city, near the old town or in the vacation places of the closer environment, the selection of fantastic bathing possibilities is unique here. Starting with lovely city beaches, up to picturesque bays, clean pebble beaches and even velvet-soft sand beaches, in Zadar everyone finds their perfect place under the sun! Many of these dream beaches are awarded with the Blue Flag, a certificate for top sea quality and the best beach facilities. But where are the best beaches in Zadar, what are the insider tips, and which bathing spots are particularly suitable for a vacation on the Adriatic?
In this travel guide, we will show you the best beaches in Zadar and also present the most beautiful bays in the area around. We will also share our experiences with you and give numerous tips that will definitely help you plan your trip.
Beach Borik
Borik Beach is undoubtedly one of the most popular beaches in Zadar. On this 1.5 kilometer long stretch of coast, you can find many different great swimming opportunities, most of which are pebble beaches. Unique here are especially the beautiful blue sea colors, but also the good water quality, which invites you to swim and splash in the sea. Natural shade is provided by the tall pine trees, which give the coast a unique charm. The Borik beach stretches west from the Falkensteiner Club Borik, further to the Hotel Adriana, to the Diklo resort and to the east to the Borik campsite.
Tip: The Falkensteiner Club Borik is a popular family hotel. It is located directly on the Borik coast and impresses with its magnificent location on the small, picturesque sandy beach.
Beach Camp Borik
A really recommendable beach for a vacation in Zadar is Camp Borik Beach. This picturesque pebble bay with sandy seabed is located directly in front of the 5-star vacation park Falkensteiner Premium Mobile Homes and Camping Zadar, but is also open to the public. Especially families with children love this rather shallow sloping beach, which is wonderful for playing, splashing and also for snorkeling. The almost kitschy turquoise blue sea colors are also stunning here, giving this bay a truly paradisiacal ambience.
Tip: Directly behind the beach Camp Borik is the 5-star Falkensteiner campsite with Acquapura SPA, outdoor pool and really nice Mobile Homes close to the bathing bay!
Beach Kolovare
A little south of the old town is beach Kolovare, one of the best bays in Zadar. Travelers and locals alike love to come here to swim. During a visit you can expect a mix of very fine, almost sandy pebble beach and well-kept concrete bathing places. Cool shade can be found under the pine trees on the northern part of the beach or under the parasols for rent. The touristic offer here is also great! Near the beach Kolovare there are some budget friendly restaurants and café-bars as well as small kiosks and ice cream parlors.
Tip: Only 100 meters from Kolovare beach is the Karuzz Apartment, a lovingly furnished vacation apartment with a huge terrace.
Puntamika Beach
Plaza Puntamika is a small, quiet beach in Zadar, which impresses mainly with coziness and beautiful sea colors. This is a very clean, coarse pebble beach with a small promenade running along the coast. At the lower end is a small marina, at the upper end you will find a charming café, right next to the lighthouse. Especially locals appreciate this romantic city beach, but also more and more tourists visit this bay. Just behind the beach are privately owned apartment buildings, which are ideal for a vacation by the sea.
Tip: Really great for a beach vacation at the beach Puntamika is the Apartment Nino, which inspires with the location directly on the beach and a phenomenal view!
Beach Riva (Zadar Old Town)
Another very popular spot for sunbathers is the promenade, the so-called Riva, in the old town of Zadar. Especially on a city trip or if you stay in the city directly, at this beach section you will find a refreshment on hot summer days. Along the approximately 1-kilometer long promenade, there are numerous access points and ladders leading into the crystal-clear water. Especially popular to go swimming and sunbathing are the steps at the sea organ, a popular sight in the old town, and the long concrete pier in the middle of the promenade.
Tip: For a vacation in the charming old town, we recommend the Almayer Art & Heritage Hotel, a gorgeous boutique hotel with an artistic and modern ambience.
Punta Bajlo Beach
Punta Bajlo Beach is one of the most idyllic beaches in Zadar. It is located on a small wooded peninsula about 3 kilometers from the old town and is popular with locals but also tourists. Here everything is still really laid down, which gives this stretch of coast a very special ambience! The wonderful mix of pebble beach, rocky sections and concreted sunbathing areas, where magnificent sea colors invite you to swim, is wonderful. Just behind the beach is a fragrant pine forest that provides cool shade and a relaxing atmosphere.
Tip: We also recommend the charming beach restaurant, which serves grilled dishes and delicious pizza with a fabulous view of the sea.
The Best Beaches near Zadar
Beautiful are also the beaches in the vicinity of the city of Zadar. Popular resorts such as Zaton, Nin, Bibinje, Petrcane, Vrsi, Sukosan and Vir Island belong to the Zadar County and delight visitors with a whole variety of dream beaches. The region also includes the offshore islands of the Zadar archipelago, which attract visitors with other picture-book beaches, such as the famous Sakarun Beach.
Beach Cape Radman (Petrcane)
One of the most beautiful beaches in the area around Zadar is Beach Cape Radman. It is located in the charming vacation resort of Petrcane, on the picturesque Radman Peninsula and has a particularly idyllic ambience. The fantastic turquoise sea colors and the ancient pines, which provide natural shade, are also uniquely beautiful. Cape Radman beach is a mixture of pebble and concrete beach, which is also very suitable for families with children.
Tip: Nearby is the Hotel Pinija, a 4-star hotel directly by the sea, which delights with good food and top location.
Queens Beach (Nin)
Queens Beach near Nin is one of the most famous sandy beaches in the Zadar region and is located only 15 kilometers from Zadar’s city center. This beach jewel owes its royal name to the wife of the first Croatian king Tomislav, who once fell in love with this impressive Croatian sandy beach. Especially families, but also older people like this very gently sloping dream beach, where even small children can splash in the calm sea at will.
Tip: Nin is a very popular vacation resort in the Zadar region. Only about 600 meters from the beach, we can recommend the Kartini Apartment, which convinces with perfect equipment.
Beach Bilotinjak
A real insider tip in the surroundings of Zadar is the beach Bilotinjak. This natural bay is located about 15 kilometers east of the city center, right near the vacation resorts of Zaton and Nin. Here you can expect a beautiful sandy beach, which will delight you with its fantastic sea colors and extraordinarily beautiful scenery. Unique here are also the reddish rock formations, which give this beach that very special something.
Tip: For a vacation at this dream beach, we recommend the Apartments Lily, which is located right behind the beach.
Sakarun Beach (Dugi Otok Island)
The Sakarun Beach is one of the most famous beaches of the Zadar archipelago and has become a popular destination for excursions from Zadar. Thanks to its sensational beauty, this dream beach is often advertised in magazines and commercials for Croatia. It is located on the island of Dugi Otok, which is known for its originality and intact nature. When swimming in the 800-meter-wide bay, you can enjoy a velvety soft, very light-colored sandy beach with the most beautiful turquoise sea colors. A real beach highlight of the Zadar region!
Tip: Sakarun beach can also be visited via a boat trip from Zadar. On GetYourGuide you can find unforgettable trips to this dream beach!
Beach Zaton Holiday Resort (Zaton)
The Zaton beach is located in the Zaton Holiday Resort and is only 13 kilometers from the city center, one of the most popular beaches for a beach vacation in Zadar. Here you will find a 1.5-kilometer-long stretch of coastline where you can enjoy a beautiful sandy beach with partly concrete sunbathing areas. The crystal-clear sea at Zaton beach is also beautiful, shining in the most amazing sea colors. Guests of the resort also enjoy a spacious pool area, a small aqua park and leisure facilities, such as miniature golf and a tennis court.
Tip: Very popular here are also the Mobile Homes & Glamping Tents, which are a perfect choice for a vacation in Zadar!
Duboka Draga Sandy Beach (Vir Island)
The countless sandy beaches on the island of Vir, which is located about 25 kilometers from Zadar city and is connected to the mainland by a bridge, make it a real paradise. One of the most beautiful beaches here is Plaza Duboka Draga, a beautiful natural bay in the north of the island. Here, visitors enjoy spectacular scenery of red rocks, velvety soft sand beach and beautiful blue sea colors. A dream beach that you should not miss when you are in the neighborhood.
Tip: There are still no huge hotel complexes on Vir, which gives this island a lot of charm. Instead, you can find great apartments, like the Sunset Apartments or the Apartments Svetec.
Find the best accommodation in Zadar:
More about Zadar Region:
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Where to Stay in Zadar? Top Places for Holidays
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Top 15 Things To Do in Zadar, Old Town
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Zadar Tours: 10 Best Day Trips & Excurcions
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