A local's guide · Nin, Croatia

The best beaches in Nin

Nin sits on a shallow, sun-warmed lagoon ringed by some of the only true sandy beaches on the Croatian coast. Staying at Villa Florina in Ninski Stanovi puts all of them within a few minutes' drive — here are the ones our guests (and our host Antonia) love most.

Queen's Beach in Nin — sandy beach with shallow turquoise water

01 · The famous one

Queen's Beach (Kraljičina plaža)

Around three kilometres of fine golden sand facing the Velebit mountains across the lagoon — Queen's Beach is regularly voted among the most beautiful beaches in Croatia. Legend says the queen of King Zvonimir chose this spot as her favourite, and it's easy to see why.

The water stays knee-deep for a long way out and warms quickly in summer, which makes it perfect for small children. Behind the beach lie natural deposits of peloid — a mineral-rich healing mud that people have used for centuries to soothe joints and skin. Cover yourself, let it dry in the sun, rinse off in the shallows.

Antonia's tip

Arrive before 10 am in July and August for easy parking, and bring water shoes for the mud flats.

02 · The active one

Ždrijac Beach

A long sandy spit stretching between the sea and the lagoon, just outside Nin's medieval old town. Ždrijac is only about 7 minutes from the villa and is our go-to for a quick morning swim.

Thanks to the steady afternoon maestral wind and shallow, flat water, Ždrijac is one of Croatia's best-known kitesurfing spots — schools on the beach rent gear and run beginner lessons all summer. Swimmers keep to the calm lagoon side while the kites fly on the open side.

Antonia's tip

Stay for sunset — the view of kites against the Velebit ridge is one of the best photo spots around Nin.

Worth adding to your list

Nin Lagoon

Warm, shallow and calm — ideal for paddleboarding and for spotting herons in the salt marsh. The historic Nin salt pans on its edge run guided tours.

Zaton Beach

A ten-minute drive south: sandy entry, pine shade, and plenty of facilities — pedalos, cafés and water slides. The easiest choice for a full family day.

Nin Old Town

Not a beach, but between swims wander the tiny island old town — the 9th-century Church of the Holy Cross is called the smallest cathedral in the world.

Stay nearby

All of this, minutes from your pool.

Villa Florina sits among the olive groves of Ninski Stanovi — 7 minutes from Ždrijac, with a private seasonal pool waiting after a day of sand and salt. Sleeps 8 in 4 bedrooms.

Explore the villa