Nin
Guide to Nin, near Zadar
Nin is a small island town fifteen kilometres north west of Zadar, known for the shallow sandy lagoon at Queen's Beach, working salt pans and the church of the Holy Cross.
Nin sits on a low islet in a shallow lagoon, joined to the mainland by two stone bridges, and it is the closest thing to a sandy beach holiday near Zadar. Queen…Nin sits on a low islet in a shallow lagoon, joined to the mainland by two stone bridges, and it is the closest thing to a sandy beach holiday near Zadar. Queen's Beach runs for around three kilometres of fine sand behind the lagoon, with water shallow enough to wade a long way out, which is why it draws families in numbers the city beaches do not. The medicinal mud at the far end has been used locally for generations and is signposted as such.
The town itself was a seat of the early Croatian kings and carries the ninth-century Church of the Holy Cross, often described as the smallest cathedral in the world, along with a small archaeological museum and the remains of a Roman temple. The Nin salt pans on the edge of town still produce by hand and run tours in season. It is a half-day trip from Zadar by car in about twenty five minutes, or by bus in rather longer.
Nearby places in Zadar
Other places around the bay, sorted by distance.
Petrcane
Petrcane is a village on a wooded headland twelve kilometres north west of Zadar, with pine-backed coves, a small harbour and the Punta Skala resort complex.
Diklo
Diklo is a quiet coastal suburb north west of Borik, mostly apartments and family houses along a low rocky shore with small coves and long sunset views.
Borik
Borik is Zadar's resort strip four kilometres north west of the Old Town, with most of the larger hotels, a marina, a campsite and the city's main swimming beach.
Old Town
The Old Town fills a walled peninsula where the Roman forum, St Donatus, Kalelarga and Five Wells Square all sit within a ten minute walk of each other.
Kolovare
Kolovare is the beach nearest the Old Town, a fifteen minute walk south east along the shore, backed by a promenade of cafes and a handful of hotels.
Gazenica
Gazenica is Zadar's ferry and cruise port, four kilometres south east of the Old Town, handling the island lines and the large ships that once used the city quay.