March 1, 2025, 9:13 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Anyone who has ever been on vacation in the Croatian region of Istria will certainly have visited the beautiful town of Rovinj. It is particularly famous for the spectacular location of its historic center on a peninsula and therefore attracts many holidaymakers. If you prefer something smaller and quieter, you will find a similar gem further south in the country.
If you look at the old town of Primosten from one of the viewpoints, you will immediately notice the similarity. Just like Rovinj in Istria, the old town of Primosten in Dalmatia is built on a peninsula that juts out into the sea. Both towns also have a small hill with a church tower on it.
Overview
A Town Without Mass Tourism
However, mass tourism has not yet arrived in Primosten, or rather, it has left again. This is reflected in the accommodation. Two hotel complexes have fallen into disrepair, and today, there are only a handful of hotels in the town. However, there are numerous vacation apartments, from simple to upscale. Primosten is known for its dry climate and idyllic pebble beaches. The vacation resort on the Dalmatian Adriatic coast is located 30 kilometers south of Sibenik and 60 kilometers west of Split.
Beaches in Primosten
Primosten’s “home beach” is called Velika Raduca and is fully equipped with umbrella and sun lounger hire, changing cabins, showers, and places to eat and drink. As with almost all the beaches in Dalmatia, there are shady trees directly behind the pebble beach.
Velika Raduca each stretches around the narrow peninsula north of the old town. The smaller Mala Raduca beach is directly to the south. Mala Raduca has no trees, but a denser infrastructure. If you want to go there, you should take a beach tent or beach shell with you.
The two beaches mentioned are popular with families due to the shallow coastal area. Primosten also has an almost uninterrupted coastline that stretches all the way to the harbor and continues south of Porat.
Hidden Gem South of Porat
In between lies a long stretch of harbor and a rocky coastline. To get to the beach south of Porat, it is best to drive along the coastal road towards Split. After two kilometers, there is a sandy parking and rest area on the right-hand side, from which a path leads down to the beach. You will then find yourself directly beneath one of the tourist ruins that fell victim to the end of socialism and the subsequent war: the dilapidated Marina Lucica hotel complex.
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Primosten, with its Typical Old Town
The old town of Primosten is connected to the mainland by a bridge. There is a church from the 15th century, a town gate, and several museums.
Singles and couples are probably best off in the old town. Families should head north of it. Those who prefer solitude can look for a spot on the secluded beach south of Porat.
Text contribution: Ulrich Lenhard