Murter
About this place
Murter is the largest settlement on its namesake island and the mainland gateway to the Kornati archipelago, with Hramina harbour on the northeast and beaches facing the open Murter Sea to the southwest. Its identity combines fishing and farming traditions, wooden boats, olive groves and the islanders’ long-standing ties to landholdings in Kornati. At the foot of Gradina hill, Roman Colentum preserves remains of villas, cisterns and a harbour within an archaeological park of paths, viewpoints and an archaeological beach. Staro Selo retains a dense web of stone lanes, while Raduč—the island’s highest point—contains remnants of 20th-century military installations. Two kilometres from the centre, Slanica combines a sandy seabed and pebbled shore with shallows extending roughly 30 metres; Čigrađa and Kosirina offer rockier or pebble-and-sand settings. Hramina Marina, Colentum and Slanica can be joined into a full-day walk, while bicycles or cars are more useful for remote coves and viewpoints. The bridge at Tisno keeps Murter permanently connected to the mainland, eliminating the need for a ferry.
Murter is an island town oriented towards Hramina harbour and the Kornati, yet permanently joined to the mainland by the bridge at Tisno. Its historic Srimac quarter, now known simply as Selo, is distinguished by its setting, street pattern and traditional building forms. Numerous wooden boats and surviving navigation skills embody Murter’s maritime culture, particularly its centuries-old relationship with Kornati landholdings. On the opposite side of town, Slanica and Čigrađa anchor a visitor district of beaches, hotels and campsites. Hramina’s 400 sea berths and 250 dry berths further reinforce the town’s unusually strong nautical character.
Stays nearby
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Things to see
Colentum is Murter’s principal heritage site. The Roman town below Gradina contained multi-storey houses, cisterns, baths and stone-paved lanes, while coins of Nero and Vespasian point to its period of prosperity. Today’s park includes viewpoints, walking paths, remains of a villa and harbour, and an archaeological beach with interpretation panels. Staro Selo preserves the traditional fabric of old Srimac, whereas Raduč, the island’s highest summit, carries 20th-century military and artillery structures. West of Murter, the lighthouse on the tiny island of Prišnjak is a distinctive maritime landmark reached by boat rather than a land trail.
Beaches
Slanica lies two kilometres from central Murter, combining a pebbled shoreline with a sandy seabed and water that remains shallow for about 30 metres. Restaurants, bars, beach volleyball, tennis and water attractions sit nearby; published visitor information says its car park charges until 17:00. Čigrađa mixes pebbles, rocks and pine shade with views towards Kornati, while Kosirina is a pebble-and-sand cove with a sandy bottom and shelter valued by visiting sailors. Smaller coves towards Jersani provide quieter swimming, but their narrow approaches must be kept clear, particularly where access also serves as a fire route.
Things to do
A Murter day can begin with a walk from Hramina to the foot of Gradina and the Colentum Archaeological Park. Interpretation panels and a multimedia guide connect the remains of a Roman villa, cistern and harbour with a reconstruction of the ancient settlement. After climbing Gradina, swim at the archaeological beach or continue to Slanica, two kilometres from the centre. Reserve the afternoon for the stone lanes of Staro Selo and Murter’s churches, then head towards Raduč for a late view over the Kornati. Čigrađa makes a fitting finish, combining a cove, sunset and a restaurant carrying the bay’s name.
Food and drink
Murter’s dining scene joins fish and shellfish with island olive oil, but the best choice depends on the part of town being explored. Konoba Jadran traces its family tradition to 1919, while Tic Tac has operated for more than forty years. Around Slanica, options include Morski pas, Buffet Reflektor, Lostura and Skalinada; Restaurant Čigrađa occupies its namesake cove with a view towards Kornati. Fabro sits by the water in town, and Plitka Vala occupies a sheltered bay towards Betina. As several venues follow a seasonal pattern, current opening days should be confirmed directly before making a special trip.
Practical information
Practical information
Visitor information for Murter is provided by the Murter-Kornati Tourist Board, whose Visit Murter portal covers Colentum, beaches and local heritage. Hramina Marina operates throughout the year and supplements its berths with repair workshops, lifting equipment, a shop, laundry and scooter rental. Slanica has the broadest range of facilities but is also among Murter’s busiest beaches, making an early arrival worthwhile in July and August. For boat trips into Kornati, use an authorised operator and check the National Park boundary and entry arrangements, since tickets and navigation rules vary by vessel and type of visit.
Parking
Murtela manages 170 public parking spaces divided among red, yellow and green zones. The red zone covers part of Obala murterskih škoja; the yellow zone includes its unpaved section, Put Gradine, Luke, Sabuni, Put Jersan and several nearby streets, while the green zone serves the central market area. Under rules updated in 2026, summer charging applies from 1 May to 30 September, daily between 7:00 and 23:00. Zone one limits stays to two hours, while zone three permits parking only until 17:00; payment is available at machines, by SMS or through the Bmove application.
Getting there and around
Murter is linked to the mainland by the bridge at Tisno, allowing road access from Šibenik or Zadar without a ferry. In September 2026, the direct Murter–Zadar bus was discontinued; Murter-Kornati municipality announced connections using route 51/51A to Tisno Magistrala and route 82 between Šibenik and Zadar. Walking and cycling work well between Hramina, Colentum and Slanica, while a car is more convenient for Kosirina and outlying coves. Prišnjak and the Kornati archipelago are accessible only by boat, whether on an organised excursion or a rented vessel.
Frequently asked questions
Is a ferry required to reach Murter?
No. Murter Island has a permanent road connection to the mainland across the bridge at Tisno.
How far is Slanica from the centre?
Slanica Beach is approximately two kilometres from central Murter.
What can visitors see at Colentum?
The park contains remains of a Roman villa, cistern and harbour, together with paths, viewpoints, interpretation panels and an archaeological beach.
How do buses connect Murter with Zadar in 2026?
After the direct service ended in September 2026, the municipality announced route 51/51A to Tisno Magistrala with a transfer to route 82 for Zadar.
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Photo credits
- Murter — Luboš Holič · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Tisno — Cholo Aleman · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Pakoštane — Roman Klementschitz, Wien · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Pirovac — MS.4Berlin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
