Top (picturesque) villages to visit in northern Dalmatia

It’s early morning and the fishermen are just coming back from their fishing trip. They will sell what they have only just caught right there on the pier. (And a healthier and more delicious lunch cannot be found in Dalmatia than the one made of fresh seafood and prepared traditional way.) This image reflects what typical Dalmatian villages used to look like in the morning.

Some may have turned more to tourism in recent years, but there are still those that have kept the essence of simple life, no matter how many tourists come to stay there. When staying in Zaton near Nin, some of these villages give you an excellent opportunity to discover them by going on a bike tour, while others are a great places to stop for some refreshment while travelling by car.

Privlaka

To get the idea of a typical picturesque village, where people depended on fishing and agriculture, visit Privlaka. Situated on the peninsula near Zaton and Nin, it was first mentioned in the 13th century and there are several religious monuments as well as wells that tell an interesting story about this village and its people.

Vrsi

On the other side of Nin there is another peninsula with a village named Vrsi. Famous for its sailors, it’s another village that has existed for more than 500 years, even though traces of human presence date back several millennia. It was, in fact, formed as such when four different hamlets, two of which are islands, joined to become a single village. So it’s not really a surprise that such small place has four (!) churches. Another remarkable fact is that Zvečevo island regularly becomes peninsula depending on the tide.

Novigrad

Another ancient village, a bit further away from Zaton than the previous two, is characterized by a one-of-a-kind scenery thanks to its location by the so-called Novigrad Sea. The sea has found its (narrow) way into the mainland like a fjord to reach Novigrad. It’s a lovely village with an interesting history and many legends to tell, and many traditions that are still kept. With its castle, fortifications, and typical Dalmatian streets to explore, Novigrad is a also a great place to stop when heading to Zrmanja river canyon.

Bibinje

Just south of Zadar, Bibinje is nowadays focused more on tourism than other ways of making a living. However, the picturesque coastal village still keeps alive its traditions of times past, when life revolved around fishing and hard work. It’s also a place where one of the largest marinas on Croatian coast is partially situated.

The old way of life

In order to show the visitors the way of life people in small villages used to have, many of them have turned another page in their history books and have become more tourism-oriented. Still, it doesn’t mean they have lost its Dalmatian charm which is still reflected in its monuments, narrow streets, good food and excellent wine, traditions and customs that are kept no matter what.