Hotels in Zaton
Zaton lies at the north-western end of the Šibenik channel, the long inlet through which the Krka reaches the sea, about 10 km from Šibenik. Its small marina faces the entrance to Prokljan, the lake-like widening of the Krka below Skradin. That position is the point of staying here: Šibenik's old town and St James's Cathedral one way, Skradin and the Krka waterfalls the other, each a short drive. The one hotel on this site, Adriana Zaton, is a guesthouse with sea-view family rooms, a terrace, a bar and a continental breakfast with Italian options. Guests rate it 9.8/10 from 313 reviews. Zvizda beach is a 15-minute walk away, so this is a stay for people who do not mind walking to the water. Who should skip Zaton? Anyone without a car, or anyone who wants to step out of the hotel onto a beach. Sailors, on the other hand, will like the bay: the Krka between Šibenik and Skradin has a speed limit of 5 knots, which keeps the water calm.
Zaton is a small village on a bay at the north-western end of the Šibenik channel, about 10 km from Šibenik, where the Krka river opens towards the sea. It suits couples and families with a car who want a calm base between Šibenik's old town and Krka National Park rather than a beach resort. On this site it has one place to stay, Adriana Zaton, a guesthouse with sea-view family rooms, a terrace and a bar, rated 9.8/10 from more than 300 reviews, with Zvizda beach a 15-minute walk away. Do not expect nightlife or a long sandy beach: Zaton is a base.
Zaton at a glance
What to expect
- A bay at the north-western end of the Šibenik channel, about 10 km from Šibenik.
- A small marina facing the entrance to Prokljan, the wide stretch of the Krka below Skradin.
- Adriana Zaton: sea-view family rooms, 9.8/10 from 313 guest reviews.
- Zvizda beach a 15-minute walk from Adriana Zaton.
Local tips
- ✓Plan Krka from here by car: Skradin, where the park boat leaves for Skradinski buk from April to October, and the Lozovac entrance are both a short drive from Zaton.
- ✓Walk to Zvizda beach in the morning: it is about 15 minutes on foot from Adriana Zaton so take water and beach shoes for the walk and the swim.
- ✓Arriving by boat? The Krka between Šibenik and Skradin has a 5-knot speed limit, so allow extra time for the run up the channel to Zaton.
- ✓Visit Šibenik's St James's Cathedral, a UNESCO site, from Zaton, about 10 km away, and park outside the old town, whose lanes are for walking.
- ✓Ask for a sea-view room at Adriana Zaton when booking: the family rooms come with sea views, the guesthouse's main asset.
Where to stay
FAQ
Where is Zaton in Croatia?
This Zaton is the village on a bay at the north-western end of the Šibenik channel, about 10 km from Šibenik, where the Krka river flows out towards the sea. It should not be confused with Zaton near Dubrovnik or Zaton near Nin, north of Zadar, which are different villages with the same name.
Is Zaton a good base for Krka National Park?
Yes, with a car. Zaton sits between Šibenik and Skradin, so both the Skradin boat to Skradinski buk, which runs from April to October, and the Lozovac road entrance are a short drive away. Without a car, Zaton is awkward, and Skradin itself is the better base.
Does Zaton have a beach?
The nearest beach for guests of Adriana Zaton is Zvizda, about a 15-minute walk away. Do not expect sand: most of this coast is pebble and rock. If you want to step straight from the hotel onto a beach, Zaton is not the right choice.
Is Zaton good for sailors?
Yes. Zaton has a small marina facing the entrance to Prokljan, on the way up the Krka to Skradin. The river between Šibenik and Skradin has a speed limit of 5 knots, which keeps the water calm but means the passage up the channel takes time.
What is Adriana Zaton like?
It is a guesthouse rather than a resort: family rooms with sea views, a terrace, a bar and a continental breakfast that includes Italian options. Guests rate it 9.8/10 from 313 reviews, and the beach, Zvizda, is a 15-minute walk away.