Holiday in Nin
City in Croatia — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇭🇷
Country
Croatia
Type
City
Best time to travel
June to September, kite surfing year-round with Bura wind, healing mud best in midsummer
Budget/day
70-110 € (guesthouse, restaurants)
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Zadar about 1.5 hours, then only 15 km to Nin, or drive about 9-10 hours
About Nin
Nin is one of the oldest cities in Croatia and a hidden gem just 15 kilometers north of Zadar, combining history, healing mud, and dreamy sandy beaches in a compact area. The tiny old town is located on a small island connected to the mainland by two stone bridges and houses the Church of the Holy Cross – often referred to as the smallest cathedral in the world. This pre-Romanesque building from the 9th century served as the coronation church for Croatian kings and is an architectural masterpiece of the Carolingian era. What makes Nin particularly attractive for beachgoers is the unique combination of fine sandy beaches and natural healing mud. Kraljičina plaža (Queen's Beach) is one of the rare genuine sandy beaches in Croatia – a country otherwise known for its pebble beaches. In the lagoon of Nin, there is also a natural peloid mud deposit, whose healing mud has been used for centuries for joint and skin problems. Visitors smear the warm mud on their skin and let it dry in the sun – a free wellness experience outdoors. The shallow lagoon in front of Nin is also a prime area for kite surfers and stand-up paddlers, as the water is shallow and warm, and the north wind Bura provides ideal conditions. For families with small children, the gently sloping sandy beaches are a dream. Nin is strategically located for day trips to Zadar, the Plitvice Lakes, or the islands of Pag and Vir. Zadar Airport is only 20 minutes away. The town itself can be explored on foot in an hour but offers enough charm for a multi-day stay.
Top 6 highlights in Nin
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Church of the Holy Cross
Pre-Romanesque coronation church of the Croatian kings from the 9th century, smallest cathedral in the world
Kraljičina plaža (Queen's Beach)
One of the rare genuine sandy beaches in Croatia with shallow, warm water – ideal for families
Healing Mud Lagoon
Natural peloid mud deposit with therapeutic effects, freely accessible in the lagoon
Grgur Ninski Statue
Monumental bronze statue by Ivan Meštrović – touching the big toe is said to bring luck
Salt Pans of Nin
Oldest salt production in Croatia, still active today, with tastings and fleur de sel products
Kite Surfing in the Lagoon
Shallow, warm water and reliable wind make Nin a popular kite surfing spot in Dalmatia
Hotels in Nin
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to travel for Nin
Recommended travel time
June to September, kite surfing year-round with Bura wind, healing mud best in midsummer
Summer
Hot and sunny, 28-34°C, Bura wind occasionally brings fresh gusts
Winter
Mild, 6-12°C, rainy, calm but the old town is visitable year-round
How much does a holiday in Nin cost?
Average costs per person per day
Budget
40-60 € (apartment, konoba)
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
70-110 € (guesthouse, restaurants)
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
120-200 € (boutique hotel, fine dining in Zadar)
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
Book a package holiday to Nin
Compare thousands of package holidays to Nin and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays now5 travel tips for Nin
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Try the healing mud in the lagoon – free and a unique experience, then rinse off in the sea
Use Nin as a base for trips to Zadar – significantly cheaper than Zadar itself and only 15 minutes away
Buy Niner salt (Solana Nin) as a souvenir – the fleur de sel is a high-quality gourmet product
Rub the big toe of the Grgur Ninski statue – the local custom for luck, the toe shines golden
Pay tolls on the Croatian highway by credit card or ENC box – saves cash and time
Food & drink in Nin
These specialties you must try!
