Have you heard of Nin, Croatia? What if I told you that this charming little town just ~30 min drive away from Zadar is the place where the Croatian state was born? In fact, Nin is known as the “first political, religious, and cultural center of medieval Croatia.” I have to admit, if this had been a pop quiz question, I would have failed. I only discovered this gem because of Nin’s famous salt fields. But that’s the beauty of travel, right? To explore, discover, and learn something new.
So, let’s hop in the car and explore Nin, Croatia!
Location: Nin, Croatia
Cost: Viewing everything from the outside is free, but if you wish to do the guided tour in salt fields, that has an entrance fee
Length: We spent a bit more than a hour on sightseeing. But if you wish to visit a beach or tour the salt fields calculate in more time.
How to get there: By a car. We parked in paid parking next to entrance to Nin’s Old town.
Check out our full Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina itinerary
Experience the Unique Charm of Nin’s Salt Fields
Location of viewing platform ; Location of Nin Salt Fields tour & museum
Another pop quiz: How is salt made? There are three main methods of salt production—rock salt mining, brine extraction, and sea water evaporation. In Nin, you can witness the latter.
As I understand it, the process involves large saltwater pools where seawater is collected. The water then moves through a series of pools, gradually evaporating until only salt remains.
But, of course, I’m no expert. If you want to learn more, you can take a guided tour at Nin Saltworks, where they’ll explain everything in detail. Just be sure to plan ahead; when we visited, there was no visible salt in the fields. As it’s a natural salt production that happens too.
For budget travellers, there’s also a free alternative: you can view Nin’s salt fields from a small observation platform by the roadside. That’s what we did, and I must say, even though the seawater is quite murky and the setup is purely functional, the salt fields are quite scenic. Don’t you think so?
Walk Across the Iconic Nin Bridge
I spy with my little eye… a beautiful old bridge. Made of stone, with a stunning backdrop of city rooftops and misty mountains, the bridge is guarded by a statue of Branimir of Croatia, a former ruler. I’m not well-versed in its history, but it’s so picturesque that it belongs on a postcard.
What to See in Nin’s Picture Perfect Old Town?
By now, you know the story – we enter the old town through a grand stone gate and are greeted by streets full of souvenir shops, ice cream cafes and historic buildings.
So what gems does Nin, Croatia have in store for us?
Meet Gregory of Nin (Again)
Location of Gregory of Nin in Nin, Croatia
If you’ve visited Split, you might recognize a familiar face. In Nin, you’ll find a slightly smaller version of the statue of Gregory of Nin. Yes, the same one whose toe everyone rubs in Split for good luck.
But that’s no surprise—he’s called Gregory of Nin, after all. If you’re wondering who he was, Gregory was a bishop who introduced the Croatian language into Croatian religious services, which had previously been conducted only in Latin.
Discover the Silent Power of Nin’s Miniature Holy Cross Church
Location of Church of Holly Cross Nin, Croatia
In the midst of some ancient ruins stands a tiny church. From just looking at it you can tell it has stood here for a very, very long time.
This is the Church of the Holy Cross, often referred to as the smallest cathedral in the world—though that’s not an official title.
Inside, it’s completely empty, with barely enough room to turn around. Yet, despite its size, there’s an undeniable sense of silent power when you step inside.
And here’s a fun fact: the Church of the Holy Cross in Nin, Croatia also functions as a bit of a calendar. It’s positioned so that you can determine the time of the solstice based on the way the sun’s rays enter the church. Quite fascinating, isn’t it?
End Your Adventure with a Stroll Along Nin’s Charming Promenade
As charming as Nin’s old town is, it’s rather small, so before long, you’ll find yourself exiting through the stone gate on the other side.
But right before the gate, on the left hand side is a little side path. If you take the turn, a beautiful promenade awaits you. The still water reflects the landscape like a mirror, with mountains in the background that look like they were painted And if you look carefully – somewhere in between the both you’ll see strips of land that I believe are the lagoon beaches.
By the way, Nin is one of the few places in Croatia with sandy beaches, along with some healing mud. So if you are into those kinds of stuff – do check them out. But if, like us, you’re eager to return to Zadar in time for sunset, this scenic route along the water will lead you back to the bridge where you started.
Thoughts?
Nin’s proximity to Zadar makes it an ideal choice for a day trip. It’s charming, picturesque, and full of history. However, do keep in mind that dining can be a bit pricey. All in all, if you’re into sightseeing, I highly recommend a visit.
What to see in Zadar?
Full Croatia – Bosnia itinerary