North Dalmatia – islands, national parks and two old towns
North Dalmatia stretches from the Velebit massif to beyond Primošten and has more national parks than any other Croatian region: Krka with its waterfalls, the island sea of the Kornati and the gorges of Paklenica. Add the cities of Zadar and Šibenik with their World Heritage sites, and hundreds of islands – from party island Pag to car-free havens like Silba. The region is generally a little cheaper and more family-friendly than Central and South Dalmatia.
Zadar city life, the Sea Organ, sunsets – a good base for island trips
Šibenik stone old town with a UNESCO cathedral and fortresses, close to Krka
Nin shallow sandy beaches and healing mud – ideal for small children
Biograd & Pakoštane family holidays, marinas, Vransko Lake on the doorstep
Vodice lively resort with nightlife
Primošten picturesque peninsula old town and vineyards
Pag Zrće party beach, but also a lunar landscape, cheese and lace
Silba, Olib, Zlarin car-free islands for total peace
Starigrad-Paklenica hiking and climbing right by the sea
Nature: three national parks and two nature parks
Krka (Skradinski buk and Roški slap waterfalls), Kornati (around 89 islands and reefs, by boat only) and Paklenica (canyons on the Velebit) are all less than an hour's drive from Zadar or Šibenik. Then there's Telašćica Nature Park with Mir salt lake, and Vransko Lake, Croatia's largest natural lake. If you're after nature, nowhere offers more choice in such a small area.
Coast and beaches
The mainland coast is mostly pebbly and rocky, with exceptions such as the sandy beaches near Nin and Ždrijac. The best beaches are on the islands: Sakarun on Dugi otok, the coves of Pag and the shallow sandy bays of Silba and Olib. The water between the islands is sheltered and usually calm.
Getting there
The A1 motorway Zagreb–Split has exits at Posedarje, Zadar, Benkovac, Pirovac and Šibenik; Zagreb to Zadar takes about 3 hours. Zadar Airport is served by many low-cost airlines, and Šibenik is also easy to reach from Split Airport (approx. 45 min). Ferries and catamarans to the islands leave mainly from Zadar (Gaženica) and Šibenik.
Best time to visit
June and September are ideal: warm sea, restaurants open, fewer crowds. July and August get busy, especially in Vodice, Biograd and Novalja on Pag. For Krka, Paklenica and cycling, April, May and October are best. In winter Zadar is the main attraction as a city break.
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Apartment JarebinjačkaHoliday apartment · Primošten · up to 3 guestsfrom €95 / night