Zadar Beaches and Water Sports

(Zadar, Northern Dalmatia, Croatia)

Although Zadar is on the coast, you will need to travel out of the city to get to the nicest beaches, as there is only one real, mediocre option within walking distance - Kolovare Beach.

Just off the Kralja Dmitra Zvonimira is a scenic coastal promenade, which is particularly popular with Zadar holiday makers. Here you will find a swimming area complete with fun diving boards, as well as some small parks and the Hotel Kolovare. It is here where Kolovare Beach resides, just a short distance to the east of the centre. Although not especially attractive, Kolovare is convenient and is close to a selection of shops and cafés.

General Information

Near the sailing club in Zadar, Vitrenjak features a small family friendly beach with an adjacent terrace cafe offering waterfront dining with a view. This is a good place to hang out on a summer's evening, when a stroll along the seafront promenade is hard to resist.

Further afield is Borik Beach, which is always good for kids and rarely crowded, although this area is slowly gaining popularity as more and more hotels appear - such as the huge Funimation resort. Borik is connected to downtown Zadar by regular 'Puntamika' buses, travelling here approximately every 40 minutes. If you are looking for fun water sports, such as parasailing, banana boating and water skiing, then Borik's Funimation resort is the place to come.

Nearby Diklo Beach is known for its restaurants and nightlife, while Kozino is a bit more upmarket. Also worth considering are the Petrcane, Zaton, Nin and Privlaka beaches. Zaton Beach is the best known and is good for families, as there is lots to do for kids. Located roughly 16 km / 10 miles to the north-west of Zadar, in the suburb of Nin, Zaton boasts a huge camping site, which fronts a sandy beach and has plenty of modern amenities.