Hotels in Vir

Connected to mainland Croatia via a bridge, Vir is a beautiful island in the Adriatic Sea just north of Zadar. It’s ringed by pebbly beaches and watched over by a historic lighthouse and the ruins of a medieval fortress that was built to defend the island against pirate and Ottoman attack.

Things to do in Vir

On the south coast of Vir is the main village (also known as Vir), which is home to atmospheric churches and restaurants serving authentic Croatian fare. Rising atop the west coast of the island is the Lighthouse Lanterna while the rolling interior is blanketed in olive and fig trees that provide a picturesque backdrop for nature walks.

If you’re visiting in the warmer months, spend your time beach hopping around the coast of Vir, with plenty of pebbly shores leading into the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea. Relax under a beach umbrella on Plaza Jadro or snorkel beneath the red cliffs of Duboka Draga before watching the sunset from the secluded cove of Plaza Crvenka.

One of the most famous sights on Vir is the Kaštelina, a 16th-century fort that was built by the Venetians to defend the island against attack from local pirates and the Ottoman Empire. Its reconstructed remains rise atop a small cape on the south coast of Vir and offer stunning views across the rocky coastline. Nearby is Sapavac Cove, a pine tree-lined beach that’s renowned for its therapeutic mud.

Getting around Vir

Vir is around 30 minutes’ drive from Zadar or 40 minutes from Zadar Airport, which has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe. Having your own vehicle is the best way to reach and explore Vir while each of its three villages can easily be navigated on foot.