Soline Beach (Plaža Soline)

Soline is a residential and tourist district of Biograd na Moru, a lively resort town on the coast of northern Dalmatia, roughly halfway between Zadar and Šibenik. The beach there is one of the most pleasant of the town's coastal strips, a gently shelving shore backed by pine trees, with fine sand and small pebbles and calm, shallow water. Because the slope into the sea is gradual, it is very popular with families and with those who are not strong swimmers, and the shade of the pines makes it comfortable even at midday in July and August.

The beach is part of Biograd's long seafront, which runs along the channel between the mainland and the island of Pašman. Biograd is among the busiest holiday towns in Dalmatia, and so the beach has a relaxed holiday feel, with places to rent sunbeds and umbrellas, kiosks for ice cream and drinks, and restaurants and shops a short walk away. Along the shore you may find water sports, from pedalos to paddleboards, and the calm water suits beginners.

The town has a past worth knowing. In the Middle Ages, Biograd was an important Croatian royal seat, and the name itself means white city. It was a place of royal power in the eleventh century, and in 1102 Coloman of Hungary was crowned king of Croatia in the town. Biograd was later destroyed in the Venetian wars in the twelfth century and rebuilt, and today its old centre is small and quiet, with the Church of St. Anastasia and the Church of St. Roch among the sights listed in this guide. The Biograd City Park and the waterfront promenade, the Riva, are good for an evening stroll, and Marina Kornati is the main harbour for yachts and excursion boats.

From Biograd you can easily reach the islands. Excursion boats leave for the Kornati Islands National Park, a maze of bare, stony islets that is one of the best-known sailing destinations in the Adriatic, and for Pašman, Ugljan and the Telašćica nature park. Vrana Lake, the largest natural lake in Croatia, lies a short distance inland. Beaches, history and boat trips make Biograd a flexible base for a family holiday.

Practical tips: arrive early in peak season to secure a good space, bring water shoes if you dislike pebbles, and use sun protection even in the pine shade. Showers and toilets are available at the busier sections. The beach suits families with children, swimmers who want calm water, and anyone who combines a day on the beach with a boat trip or a walk along the waterfront.