NORTH DALMATIA stretches from the island of Pag in the north all the way to the city of Primosten in the south. Its coastline has a backdrop of the mountain mass of Velebit and carries on to the flatlands of Bukovice and Ravni Kotar. North Dalmatia has been populated for a very long time and this is proven by many antique villages, historical Roman monuments as well as preserved medieval towns. North Dalmatia offers a wide variety of accomodations which include hotels, apartments, rooms, campsites and pansions. The larger capacity of accomodations is apartments in private accommodation.

Most of Croatia's more developed islands are located in North Dalmatia and are divided into two groups: the group of islands which belong to the Zadar region and the other group to the Sibenik region. These regions have around 500 islands and islets all together. The better known islands of North Dalmatia are Pag, Ugljan, Silba,  Vir, Murter, Pasman, Krapanj, Iz, Zlarin, and Molat, the group of islands which make up the National Park of Kornati and the Park of Nature Telascica on Dugi Otok (Long Island). On many of these islands guests will have the chance to see the stone ruins of many historical cities as well as beautiful vineyards and olive trees.

Along with its many beautiful islands and islets, North Dalmatia also has three national parks which are the National Park Kornati, National Park Krka and National Park Paklenica.

The National Park Kornati is made up of 140 islands, islets, and reefs. It spreads out over 320m2 and in the year 1980 it was declared a national park because of its unique shape and beauty. Its many coves and clear sea make it a perfect place to enjoy nautical adventures.       

 Late afternoon photo of cliffs and clouds at Kornati

The National park Krka is spread over 142m2 containing the river Krka which is a real phenomenon for on its way to the open sea; its path is host to many lakes, falls and rapids. On the island Visovac which lies on the lake of Krka, in between two beautiful waterfalls – Rosk and Skradin falls – sits a Franciscan monastery.

The National Park Paklenica , with its backdrop of Stari Grad (the Old City), comprises of two canyons, Large and Little Paklenica. The canyons stretch up to 400m high.

North Dalmatia also encompasses two nature parks which are very special because of their beauty and uniqueness. One is the Nature park Telascica. What makes this park unique is its 8km deep cove which is heaven to explore. Telascica also holds a real natural phenomenon which is the salty lake of Mir. There is a path which leads you to this lake and it is usually warmer than the sea. The second park is with the lake Vransko. This lake is one of the largest natural lakes in Croatia. One of its main characteristics is that it has a large bird preserve made up of 224 different species of birds and is on the list of European ornithological preserves.

North Dalmatia is filled with fantastic tourist destinations which offer relaxation, recreation and fun. Some of the larger destinations in Northern Dalmatia are Zadar, Sibenik, Biograd na moru, Vodice, Primosten, Rogoznica, Sv. Filip i Jakov, Skradin, Starigrad – Paklenica, Pirovac, Raslina. Due to its rich history, each place offers you a little taste of the past while enjoying its natural beauty and modern day amenities.

Krka River Waterfalls

Zadar - is the main city in Northern Dalmatia with over 76,000 inhabitants. Another city to have grown from a Roman settlement, it was also under Venetian and Austrian rule as well as being assigned to Italy in 1920. Zadar Old Town is located on the tip of a narrow peninsula. Most of the town is surrounded by city walls, with towers and the two city gates being of interest. The Kopnena vrata (Mainland Gate), to the east of the Old Town, was built in 1543 and has the city coat of arms engraved on it. Close to this is the Five-Sided Tower, dating from the 13th century and the five wells which used to be the water supply for the city. The other gate is the Lucka vrata (Port Gate) to the north, built in 1573. In the centre of the Old Town is the Sveti Donat Church which was built at the beginning of the 9th century and stands at 27m high. It is the most important church in a city which has 30 altogether. Nearby is the Church of St. Mary as well as the Cathedral of St. Anastasia.

Island Pag - one of Croatia's more unusual islands, Pag Island is dry and relatively barren but hosts a vibrant island culture. Long (about 60 km) and narrow (between 2 and 10 km), the island of Pag is best known for its pungent Pag cheese (Paski Sir) prized throughout Croatia and delicious Pag lamb naturally flavoured with the salty grass that feeds the sheep. Pag Island manages a curious blend of modern and traditional culture. Pag Town is the island's administrative centre. It was established in the 15th century and the narrow, stone streets retain a distinctly medieval flavor. Here, gray-haired ladies sit on stools working the delicate Pag lace that is the island's trademark. The town of Novalja in the north is known for its wild, beach-driven nightlife while other parts of Pag enthusiastically celebrate the local festivals that have endured for century. Pag beaches are also numerous and relatively untouristed. There are plenty of wide, shallow coves tucked along the coast and a lovely calm beach just outside Pag town. Dive centres organise excursions to nearby Premuda Island for its famous "cathedral". Pag Island is easily accessible. From Zadar, it's an easy 30 min. drive across the causeway to Pag Town at the southern end. There's also a daily 5pm boat from Rijeka to Novalja. Pag is also accessible through the Pag Bridge from the mainland to the island.

Island Vir - a popular weekend resort, offers nice opportunities for a quiet holiday within the family circle. It attacts with its sandy and pebble beaches, crystal clear sea, domestic specialties and food as well as with its water sports, especially surfing. Those who prefer long walks can climb the island’s highest peak, Bandire (112 m) and enjoy an impressive view of the whole island of Vir, the neighboring islands and Velebit Mountain. Frequest winds offer refreshment during the summer heat. Ruins of a small pre-Romanesque church of St, Nicholas were excavated in the port and the small Romanesque church of St. John (12^th – 13^th c.) is on the graveyard. Remains of a wall with towers and a gate of the former Venetian 17^th century citadel (kasteli) were found along the coast.

Island Ugljan - is the closest island of the Zadar archipelago, opposite the town of Zadar, from which is divided by only couple of miles wide channel of Zadar and it is connected with many ferryboat lines. It is also called the green island, covered with dense bush, pine trees, olive-groves, fig-groves, vineyards and other Mediterranean vegetation. It has a surface of 51,85 km2, while the shore line is 74 km long. Generations are involved with sea, seamanship and fishery, and 2000 years of tradition in olive growing left thousands of olive trees that produce oil of extraordinary quality and aroma. In the NE side of the island there are many fisherman and tourist villages in natural coves, and the most famous are Kukljica, Kali, Preko and Ugljan. The other side of the island is uninhabited and has many coves, islands and rich undersea world that challenges scuba- divers and recreational fishermen. Rocky but docile inside of the island has many paths suitable for long walks and cycling tours.

Island Iz - is situated in northern Dalmatia, between Dugi otok and Ugljan. Island Iz has two tourist villages; Veli Iz and Mali Iz. Veli Iz and Mali Iz are beatiful little villages, surrounded by figtrees, olivegardens and vegetable plantations. Mali Iz consists of 5 dwelings, Porovac, Makovac, Muce and on the seaside Knez and Komoseva. It is well known for it's long fishing tradition. It is important to mention the 1000th anniversary of fishing which we have recently celebrated in these parts of Croatia. Mali Iz offers private accomodation in apartments, rooms and pensions. Today'sVeli Iz is a small tourist village with a hotel, a marina, a few restaurants and cafes and 300 beds in private accomodation. A special summer attraction is the Festival of Iz - "Iska Festa", a manifestation of folklore where the antic ceremony of choosing a village king can be seen along with traditional costumes and crafts, sports and other events. Iz, an island of fisherman, seafarer, potters olivegrowers is the most picturesque island of the Zadar archipelago. It is covered with tipical Mediterranean bush and cultivated with approximately 70.000 olive trees. A unique phenomena is the pottery of Veli Iz, which supplied a large part of the Adriatic coast with clay pots for cooking and household use. Some 70 families specialised in this craft in the past. They could sell (exchange) their pots only in the territory assigned to them by casting lots.The potters would throw the unsold pots into the sea before returning home, because it was a disgrace not to sell all the goods.

Island Pasman - the island of Ugljan is connected to the island of Pasman by the channel of Zdrelac. Pasman as well as Ugljan goes along the shore of mainland, divided from mainland by the picturesque channel of Pasman with many pearl like small islands. Sea current changes every six hours so this sea is one of the cleanest in Adriatic's. From the island of Ugljan it is divided by the channel of Mali Zdrelac, until recently very shallow, that was built in 1883, and in 1979 it was deepened to 4 m. The island of Pasman has around 60 km2 and it is inhabited continuously since prehistoric times. Most of the 3100 inhabitants of the island are traditionally involved in fishery and agriculture, and until recently in tourism and they live mostly in the villages in the north east side of the island: Zdrelac, Banj, Dobro Poljana, Neviđane, Mrljane, Barotul, Pašman, Kraj, Ugrinic and Tkon.

Dugi Otok (Long island) - is the biggest island in the group of northdalmatian archipelago in Zadar’s surroundings(124m2). The island is 45 km long, betweeen 1 and 4 km wide, and is connected with the dry land by a ferryboat maintaining regular ferrylines between Zadar and Dugi Otok (ca 90 minutes drive). Today there are around 1800 inhabitants in 11 villages on the island, which are mostly located in wind protective bays and natural ports. Along with traditional professions – fishing and agriculture – recently more and more people turned to tourism. All villages are connected with asphalt roads which offer magnificent view to the sea and numerous islands. The soutwest coast of the island is steep with the beautiful cliffs, and the rest of the island coast gently descends towards the sea, with numerous smaller and larger bays. The cultivable part of Dugi otok is covered with olive trees, vineyards and vegetable gardens, and on the rest of the island there are woods and macchia groves. Sleep cliffs and gentle slopes of the island coast, numerous tiny islands which surround Dugi otok – this is a true paradise for every visitors or anybody sailing around it. Rich olive groves, unspoiled nature, numerous deserted, smaller or larger bays, Telascica reserve best known amnog them, the Kornati archipelago(a national park) which leans
against Dugi otok with the crystal clear sea.

Biograd na Moru - is the centre of the riviera consisting of Petar na Moru (Peter on the Sea), Turanj, Sv. Filip i Jakov (Sts. Philip and James), Biograd na Moru, Pakostane and Drage, as well as of several places on the island of Pasman: Tkon, Kraj, Pasman, Barotul, Mrljane, Nevidane, Dobropoljana, Banj and Zdrelac, and Vrgada on the island of the same name. Thanks to its position in the most indented part of the Croatian Adriatic coast, the area provides excellent opportunities for nautical tourism and boating as one of few parts of the Mediterranean. In the close vicinity are three national parks: Paklenica, Kornati Archipelago and Krka, as well as Telascica Nature Park.

Biograd na Moru's riva

Island Murter - the island of Murter belongs to the North Dalmatian group of islands, which contains almost 40% of all the Croatian islands and is the most dense archipelago in both the Adriatic and the Mediterranean. Murter is located in the northwest of both the Sibenik archipelago, as well as the Sibenik county. Only 6 meters away from land and connected with it by a bascule bridge, the island is very easy to reach, which makes it even more attractive. There are four towns located on the  island - the older ones, Murter and  Jezera, and the newer ones, Tisno and Betina. Most of the island is covered with age- old olive trees and fig-trees, which are the main traditiona lcrops grown by the natives. Since they have settled there, the present -day residents of Murter have  come a long way from being farmers and stock breeders, fishermen and wine growers to caterers, chefs and travel agents... Mean land, which used to be the cause of hard life and poverty, has turned into an attraction - desolate sandy bays have become the most visited beaches, and the Kornati islands have been recognized as one of the most beautiful and best preserved landscapes in the world. The island of Murter is famous for its sandy and gravel- beaches, such as Slanica, Kosirina, Cigradja, Podvrsak, Lovisca... There is also a large number of small bays hidden from view and far away from the heat of larger beaches.

Pirovac - is a small town 23 km north of Sibenik and lies in the Pirovac inlet. Pirovac is popular for its developed nautical tourism because of its many inlets where visitors can set anchor and enjoy the town's untouched nature. Stinica, Vrulje, Vrilo and Makirima are just some of the inlets which surround Pirovac with their beautiful beaches and clear blue sea. The mud found in the inlet of Makirina is a healing agent which tourists can make use of. Just 5km north of Pirovac lays the Park of nature Lake Vransko which is an ideal place for sports fishing. This small town was first mentioned in the year 1298 and was known as Zloselo. In the centre of the town lies a partially preserved wall from the 16th century as well as the church of St. Jurja built in the year 1506. On the nearby island of St. Stjepan (Sustipanac) lay findings which date back to Roman times, as well as remains of an old Franciscan monastery. Pirovac is a small Mediterranean town filled with beauty and history. This town and its surrounding nature are just waiting to be explored.

Vodice - is a small, yet well-known tourist destination located on the Sibenik Riviera. In earlier times, Vodice's inhabitants occupied themselves with fishing as well as agriculture. Nowadays, they have combined these two occupations with tourism. This town is located 13km north of the city of Sibenik in a shallow cove in between Cape Borovnik and the Vrulja Cove. Beautiful beaches, small intimate coves and aromatic untouched vegetation have helped make Vodice an attractive tourist destination. Vodice is also known for its cultural and historical monuments. Some of these monuments are the Caric tower built in the 16th century and two churches – the church of the Holy Cross which is located at the old cemetery and was built in the year 1421, and the church of the Holy Cross which is in the centre of town and was built in 1746. Vodice offers a wide range ofa ccomodation;hotels, apartments and campsites. Along with its hotels and campsites, visitors can rent out rooms and apartments in private homes as well as bungalows. Vodice also has a very well-equipped marina with approximately 400 parking spaces for boats and yachts. Guests can make use of Vodice's sports facilities such as tennis courts, football fields, as well as play beach volleyball. They can also enjoy water sports such as scuba diving, surfing and sailing.

Tribunj - is a small fishing town just 3 km west of Vodice and it lies on a small peninsula. It was once an island and then, later on, was connected to the mainland by way of a stone bridge. Tribunj is full of historical and cultural heritage. Visit the church of St. Nicolas which was built in the year 1452, as well as the preserved ruins of the town's defensive walls and, up on the hill, the fortress of Jurjevgrad which was built in the year 1650. The Old part of the town was built on the island and it is made up of old stone houses and narrow streets which are the characteristics of most Dalmatian cities. The new part of Tribunj stretches along the inlet of Rupa. Here guests can find accomodation such as apartments and rooms in private homes. Being so rich in fauna and flora, underwater safaris and photography are quite popular in Tribunj. Other than diving, guests can enjoy activities such as learning to sail or playing a game of tennis. A tradition exists upon the fishermen’s return from the sea. The town square becomes an outdoor market where people gather and visitors enjoy the atmosphere. After a long day of activities, it is time to enjoy some wonderful seafood. Guests can choose from a variety of seashells, crab and fish dishes, as well as fish stew with polenta which is a fine delicacy.

The lovely town of Tribunj

Sibenik - the population of Sibenik is just over 41,000 people. Sibenik is one of the few places along the Croatian Adriatic coast not to emerge from either a Roman or Greek settlement. It is therefore the oldest Slavic town on the Croatian coast, possibly dating from the 11th century. As well as being under Venetian and Austro-Hungarian rule, it was also briefly under French occupation in the early part of the 19th century. One of the most important sights in Sibenik is the cathedral of St. James, built between 1431 and 1536 from limestone and marble. The early stages of the cathedral were designed and built by Italian masters, but between 1444 and 1447 the work was under the direction of sculptor Juraj Dalmatinac. In the same square as the cathedral is a memorial to Dalmatinac, created by the greatest Croatian sculptor of the 20th century, Ivan Mestrovic. Just to the north of the Cathedral is the Loggia, built in typical Italian style. Several other churches are worth visiting, such as the Church of St. Barbara and the Church of St. Nicholas.

Island of Krapanj - is a small island on the south-eastern side of the Sibenik canal. The island's peak is only 7m above sea level and is only 300m away from the mainland where you will find the town of Brodarica. The island's inhabitants, other than tourism, occupy themselves with digging for coral and sea-spoges out of the sea. The island also has its own sea-sponge refinery. The Adriatic sea-sponge is highly appreciated for its beauty and quality. The island of Krapanj also has amuseum of Adriatic flora and fauna as well as a collection of amphora. The people of the island of Krapanj are concentrating more and more on tourism therefore offer guests accommodation in their private homes. In medieval times, the island of Krapanj was under the rule of the Sibenik capitulary and then, in the year 1446, the Franciscans built a monastery and church. The island of Krapanj also offers a variety of restaurants where guests can enjoy wonderful seafood freshly caught daily by the townspeople themselves in the beautiful clear-blue Adriatic Sea.

Brodarica - the town of Brodarica is a small town 5km south of Sibenik. The towns people mainly occupy themselves with tourism, fishing and digging for sea-sponges. Brodarica sits on the seaside and faces towards 9 islands and islets which make up a lagoon, as well as towards the Morin inlet which is a main spawning ground for different types of fish. The northern part of the inlet in Brodarica is rich in a special kind of mud which contains certain healing agents which help in treating certain ailments and because of this mud, health tourism is developing and expanding. Brodarica and its surrounding islands have stone and sandy beaches. The town of Brodarica and the island of Krapanj both have a typical Mediterranean climate; therefore there is the presence of Mediterranean vegetation such as pine forests and bush land. Tourism in Brodarica is expanding and accommodation includes many apartments, pansions in villas and rooms in private homes. There are also a variety of restaurants, café bars, taverns and nightclubs. Guests can also enjoy sports and recreational activities such as tennis, football, water sports, scuba diving classes and much more.

Rogoznica - the town of Rogoznica, which lies on a peninsula in the Rogoznica inlet, is 35 km south of Sibenik. This peninsula was once the small island of Kopara and then, in the 19th century, it was connected to the mainland by a bridge of gravel. Rogoznica is known for its marina and harbour which are said to be the most beautiful and equipped on the whole Adriatic and this is why it is visited all year round. Within this inlet a man-made island was made to enhance its marina which fits 300 boats off-shore and 100 boats connected to shore. Rogoznica is a typical Mediterranean town who's main sources of income are fishing, agriculture and tourism. Accomodations include a large number of rooms and apartments in villas and private homes. This town was first mentioned in the year 1518. Still visible are the remains of a fort and windmill which sit at the top of the island which the French started to build in the year 1809. The town church was built in the year 1615 and the Medieval Church of St. Nicolas was also preserved and is situated in the Old Town of Rogoznica. Just south of Rogoznica, on Cape Ploce, is the church of St. Ivan Trogirska. This church is a beautiful example of Dalmatian architecture and was built in the 13^th century. Rogoznica is a town full of history and beauty.