Petrcane, Croatia: Things to Do & Best Beaches!

The pretty resort of Petrcane in Croatia is located only about 10 kilometers from Zadar city, and is one of the most popular vacation spots in the entire region. Really picturesque in this former fishing village is the beautiful waterfront with the fishing port and the small village center, where the typical Dalmatian stone houses exude a lot of charm. The highlight, however, are the beautiful beaches and bays of Petrcane, which make a beach vacation in Croatia absolutely perfect. In addition, you will find countless opportunities for excursions and day tours in the surrounding area of Zadar region.

In this travel guide we share all the important information about Petrcane in Croatia. We show you the most beautiful beaches, the best things to do, the most amazing day trips and where to find good apartments and hotels.

Good to know!

From Petrcane you can go on some wonderful day trips because the old town of Zadar is only 10 kilometers away. Also the romantic town of Nin and the beautiful Vir Island are just nearby.

Petrcane is one of the most popular vacation resorts in the Zadar Riviera. Around the center and on the many beautiful beaches, you will find a great offer on places to stay in Zadar region.

The very popular hotels of the Falkensteiner group have settled here, for instance. Couples appreciate the wonderful Hotel Iadera. Families, on the other hand, love the Hotel Diadora with its amazing pool area.

General Information about Petrcane

Petrcane is a small fishing village with about 600 inhabitants, but in summer, it becomes one of the most popular towns to spend a holiday in the Zadar region. The village is idyllically embedded between the two peninsulas, Punta Skala and Punta Radman, where many scenic beaches and pebble bays await you. The beautiful center and the harbor offer a wide range of restaurants and cafés, which provide for culinary well-being.

The jewel of Petrcane, however, is its small picturesque port and the promenade along the shore, which invite to walk, cycle or jogging along the coast. Here you will also find most of the pubs and restaurants, but also many good accommodations in direct proximity to the sea.

The history of the village goes back to the Middle Ages about 900 years ago. At that time, Petrcane was owned by the monasteries of St. Chrysogonus and St. Plato from Zadar. Today, the building of the former St. Bartholomew’s Church from the 12th century with the bell tower is still preserved.

 

The Beaches in Petrcane

The beautiful beaches of Petrcane are a guarantee for an unforgettable beach vacation. On a coastline of about 5 kilometers, countless beautiful bays make you want to swim and sunbathe. Most of these beaches are pebbled beaches, which are particularly wonderful because of their excellent sea quality and the extremely idyllic ambience.

Beach Petrcane – Main Beach

The beach Petrcane is located directly on the promenade in the center and is the main beach of the popular vacation resort. This elongated bay is a mix of pebble beach and concrete sections at the edges. Small bushes and green pine trees provide pleasant shade here on hot summer days. The sea is also wonderfully clear and shines in picturesque blue watercolors.

Food & drinks are provided by a cool beach bar on the pebble beach and a restaurant on the concrete beach. From both, you can enjoy stunning sea views. Right behind the beach there are plenty of parking spaces, perfect if you come from another region with your own car.

Tip: The popular Beachfront Apartment Roko is a fantastic choice for a stay in Petrcane. It is in a perfect location, just a short distance from Petrcane beach.

Beach Cape Radman

A real highlight among the most beautiful beaches of Petrcane is the Plaza Cape Radman. Situated at the tip of the picturesque Radman Peninsula, this beach captivates with a particularly scenic ambience. This dream beach with fantastic turquoise sea colors is a mixture of pebble beach and concrete beach in really idyllic surroundings. You will find natural shade here under the green, old pine forests of the cape.

Beach Pinija

The Beach Pinija is also uniquely beautiful, with amazing sea colors and easy access to the sea. There you can find rocky and concrete sections, and part of the bay is a lovely pebble beach. This part of the coast is also covered with pine trees, and you can rent sun beds and umbrellas for a fee. If you want to do something fun, just rent a kayak at the hotel and paddle along the beautiful coast of Petrcane.

Tip: A part of this beach belongs to the hotel of the same name, Pinija Hotel, a 4-star hotel right by the sea, which delights with good food and top location.

Beach Radman (Pineta)

A real insider tip for a quiet beach vacation is the beach Radman Pineta in Petrcane. This beach section is located in a small vacation settlement in the south of the resort. Compared to the overcrowded main beaches it is much quieter here and the flair is also much more relaxed. For a vacation in Petrcane you will also find many really great accommodations right near the sea.

Tip: The Luxury Sunset Residence Seaview and the modern apartments at Villa Nela are highly recommended for a vacation at Radman beach.

Beach Punta Skala

Very popular for a vacation in Petrcane is the beach Punta Skala. This part of the coast is a little north of the center and offers many small bays and enough places to sunbathe and relax. The sea here is also beautiful and invites having a swim. Along the extended bay, you can find numerous good accommodations and nice apartments, like the Apartments Jurjevic directly by the sea.

Beach Lucina – Hotel Beach Falkensteiner

The beach Lucina is the beautiful private beach of the Falkensteiner Hotel Diadora. This pebble bay is only accessible for hotel guests and therefore guarantees a certain seclusion. Here, everyone can find a quiet place and the pine woods provide pleasant shade. In addition, sun loungers are provided free of charge for guests. The Hotel Diadora is the perfect place for a family vacation. There is a children’s water world, the playground “Falky-Land”, a wide range of children’s activities and not to forget the fantastic pool landscape!

 

Things to do Around Petrcane

In the area around Petrcane you can discover some of the best attractions of the Zadar region. Here are the most beautiful day trips and excursions you can experience during your vacation:

A highlight and only 10 kilometers away from Petrcane is the famous old town of Zadar. It’s famous for its countless beautiful attractions, such as the sea organ and the Roman forum.

Only about 9 kilometers away is the old town of Nin, which is definitely a must-see. A trip to the island of Vir nearby, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge, is also recommended.

Highly recommended is a boat trip from Petrcane to the Kornati Islands and a day trip to the Telascica National Park, on the beautiful island of Dugi Otok.

 

Where to Stay in Petrcane

Petrcane offers its visitors a wide range of accommodations. From luxurious 5-star hotels, family hotels, guesthouses and apartments, even to campsites, everything can be found. Here are our recommendations for the most beautiful accommodations in Petrcane…It’s worth a look!

  • 5-Star Dream-Hotel: The Hotel Iadera is a fantastic hotel in Petrcane. Guests are delighted with the beautiful ambience, the pool landscapes and the excellent breakfast.
  • Popular Family Hotel: The Hotel Diadora is a really popular hotel for families with children. The beach area is also fantastic and invites you to enjoy it.
  • Nice Apartment: The Apartments Anita Punta Skala are located near the beach and convince guests with top cleanliness and the exquisite equipment of the apartments.
  • Apartments with Pool: The charming Villa Nela is a very popular accommodation in Petrcane. Guests also love the pool and the proximity to the beach.

Find the best accommodation in Petrcane:

 Booking.com


More about Zadar Region:

Keep Exploring

Read more about Croatia

Split | Dubrovnik | Pula | Zagreb | Krk | Rovinj | Istria | DalmatiaHvar | Makarska | Brac | Porec | Trogir | Sibenik | Korcula | Crikvenica | Rijeka | Opatija | Rab | Murter | Primosten | Umag | Medulin | Vodice | Biograd | Omis | Novigrad | Vrsar | Ugljan | Pasman | SenjRabac | Solta | Cavtat | Croatia


Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. Meaning that if you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.


 

Comments are closed.