Murter

Murter is a small island in North Dalmatia on the Adriatic coast of Croatia with an area of 18.7 km2, and it is located in the northwestern part of the Sibenik Archipelago. It is also the entrance to the Kornati National Park and is connected in the town of Tisno with the mainland by a drawbridge. On the territory of the island there are four main towns, Murter, Tisno, Betina, and Jezera, each of which has a developed infrastructure and interesting sights. The main highlights of the island are the many hidden bays and stunning beaches that line every coast where visitors will find exceptional sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and more.

History

Murter, like many other islands of the Adriatic, has been inhabited since ancient times, almost 2,000 years ago. Where modern Betina is now located, an ancient Illyrian-Roman settlement was found, which is called Colentum. This settlement is now available for inspection, as well as the ruins of the Church of Our Lady from the 17th century, which are located nearby. Also here are preserved historical sights like the Church of the Holy Spirit, St. Michael's Church, and the Church of St. Martin of the 13th century. In 1318, the island was first mentioned under the name of Murter and the Middle Ages gave the island cities such as Jezera and Murter, formed in the 13th century and Tisno with Betina in the 15th century. The invasion of the Ottoman Empire contributed to the increase in the population of the island thanks to refugees from the mainland.

What is Murter Famous For?

Murter is considered one of the most beautiful places in the Adriatic and is known for its magnificent beaches like Kosirina, Cigrada, Podvrske, Lovisca, and Slanica. In addition to swimming, travelers can enjoy sailing, diving, and snorkeling. Murter is also famous for its proximity to Kornati National Park and Vrana Lake Nature Park, which will delight nature lovers. The island is also famous for hiking and cycling with many trails and camping and picnic areas with interesting natural attractions. For example, there is Mount Raduc, which is the highest point of the island, where the panoramic view is unforgettable.

Places to Visit in Murter

Murter is a resort island on the Dalmatian coast, loved by yachtsmen from all over the world. There are 4 main towns on the island: Tisno, Jezera, Betina, and Murter. During the summer, the island is visited for its picturesque locales like Kosirina Bay, Cigrada Beach, Podvrske, and the highly popular Slanica Beach. They are perfect for family holidays, as well as for diving and snorkeling. To the west of the island is the Kornati Archipelago, a national park in the form of 89 islands where travelers can explore by boat. Not far from Betina is the ancient Illyrian-Roman settlement of Colentum, founded around the 2nd century BC, which was flooded by the sea and has now become a popular site for divers.

Murter Island is home to many stunning beaches, but it also features historic churches. In the northeast of the island is Betina, which has the 16th century Church of St. Francis of Assisi and a Museum of Wooden Shipbuilding. Nearby is the main town of Murter where, on Gradina Hill, is the 17th century Church of Our Lady of Gradina. There is also the Church of St. Michael, which was reconstructed in the 18th century. The town of Jezera has attractions such as the 17th century Church St. Ivan of Trogir, the Church of St. Constantius, and the Church of Our Lady of Good Health built in 1722. The town of Tisno is located on the southern end of the island and features the Church of the Holy Spirit built in 1548, the  18th century Church of Our Lady of Karavaj, and the 13th century St. Martin's Church.

Best Time to Visit Murter

Murter is an island in Northern Dalmatia in the Sibenik Archipelago, which is most popular to visit in the summertime. The northern Mediterranean climate is warm, with short dry summers. The best time to visit is from the beginning of June to the end of September, when the air and water temperatures reach their peak and swimming and outdoor activities are most enjoyable. Usually the most crowded months are July and August, and in September things quiet down, ideal for travelers who love solitude. Murter Island also hosts many interesting events like the Murter-Kornati Regatta in April, as well as music festivals like Dimensions Festival and Suncebeat in July, which feature the world's best DJs.

Murter is an island known for its excellent beaches and bays offering excellent opportunities for water sports and boating, so it is most crowded in the summer. The best time to visit is from June to the end of September. From the beginning of April to May, lovers of yachting and outdoor activities such as camping and hiking begin to flock to the island. The swimming season begins in early June, reaches its peak by August, and ends in late September to early October, when the last travelers can capture the warm sea and enjoy excursions without the heat and crowds of people. Summer is also the best time to visit to enjoy local festivals and cultural events. 

Weather in Murter

Murter has a mild northern Mediterranean climate with a short, warm summer season suitable for swimming, which starts at the beginning of June and ends at the end of September. July is the hottest month of the year when the average air temperature is 77.3° (25.2°C) and the sea temperature warms up to 77.18°F (25.10°C). Summers are dry with almost no precipitation, with the lowest relative humidity in July (3.6 days). The coldest time in Murter is in January, the temperature drops to 40.9°F (5.0°C), the water temperature drops to 55.04°F (12.80°C) by February. The month with the most rainfall is November (13.83 days). Springtime is quite comfortable, and starting in May the air temperature warms up to 71.8°F (22.1°C), but the water is still cold, averaging 65°F (18°C). September is perfect for a last rest when the crowds in Murter are less and the weather is summery warm, around 75.6° (24.2°C) and the water is still swimmable at 73°F (23°C).

Before Visiting Murter

Before visiting Murter in the summer, it is better for travelers to prepare sun protection, hats, sunglasses, and swimwear. Since shops are not everywhere and some beaches are quite wild, and secluded, it is also worth stocking up on provisions if tourists go to the beach for the whole day. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for getting acquainted with the old streets of the villages on the island. For swimming, it is best to take sea shoes, because the beaches are pebbly with a stone bottom and a lot of sea urchins.

Festivals & Special Days in Murter

The annual festivals and concerts held during the summer season in Murter will provide travelers with an enriching experience of the area. Various sports competitions are organized here, such as the April Murter-Kornati Regatta to open the start of the yachting season. In addition, various outdoor music festivals are held such as Suncebeat in July, Dimensions Festival in July and Outlook Origins in late July to early August. The best DJs from all over the world perform here, and music in the style of Drum & Bass, Disco, Techno, House, and Soul can be heard. There are also other holidays, festivities, and national festivals, the schedule of which visitors can find ahead of time. 

Nightlife in Murter

Murter has become one of the key summer party destinations, attracting electronic music festival goers from all over the world. Natural landscapes and open areas next to the sea have become the hallmark of the area in the summer. For lovers of a more relaxed pastime, there are cafes and bars concentrated on the embankments in the towns of Murter and Tisno.

- Beer Bar Kantun

Beer Bar Kantun is located in the town of Murter near the embankment on the main road. This is a small pub with a pleasant atmosphere where visitors can have a good time at the late hour, listen to music, chat, and try craft beer. It is the only bar on Murter Island with more than 70 international beers and craft beers from all parts of Croatia on the menu. In addition, they offer a variety of alcoholic cocktails and light snacks.

- Loca Villa

Loca Villa is a beach bar on an open wooden terrace, which is located on the coast of the town of Tisno. Here, during the day, visitors can drink refreshing cocktails and try fish dishes and seafood delicacies with a view of the sea. The bar offers a large selection of alcoholic cocktails, beer, and coffee-based drinks. During the day, music plays in the bar and in the evening, Loca Villa becomes the center of an incendiary party with the participation of a local DJ.

- Cocktail & Wine Bar Sirena

Cocktail & Wine Bar Sirena is a stylish locale with live music, located near the waterfront of the town of Murter. During the daytime, visitors can enjoy their food menu accompanied by slow music, and in the evening there are concerts and DJs from all over Croatia. According to visitors, the best cocktails on the island are mixed here, offering unique and interesting tastes. The extensive wine list includes varieties from all over the world as well as local brands and national herbal tinctures.

- Cafe Bar Reful

The themed Caffe Bar Reful is located in the town of Murter next to the City Beach Luke coastline. This cafe has a relaxing atmosphere and sea views, where there is a large terrace and an indoor area equipped with a concert venue. Here visitors can drink a cocktail while watching the sunset or try seafood pasta or burgers. Visitors should note that there are also coffee and desserts. The standard bar menu includes a large selection of beer, wine and other spirits. A distinctive feature of this place is live rock and reggae music, and concerts are held both with the participation of local musicians.

- The Garden Tisno

The Garden Tisno is an iconic beachfront destination on the Tisno mainland that has become synonymous with summer festivals on Murter. This place has almost the same meaning for European youth as the famous Ibiza. It is a specially equipped area for 5,000 people on the site of a former military barracks and a natural amphitheater with an equipped stage. Non-stop parties and major music festivals such as Suncebeat and Defected Croatia are held here every year in the summer. The territory has a camping area, a hostel, a hotel, as well as cafes and fast food outlets.

• Barbarellas Discotheque

Barbarellas Discotheque is a legendary open-air club with a nostalgic 90s vibe. It is located on the mainland at the junction of the town of Tisno with the town of Pirovac and is open all season. Young people flock here for after-parties, as well as a place to dance until the morning at a time when there are no festival events. It is located right on the beach surrounded by dense pine trees. Guests can expect the beauty of the outdoors as well as a Funktion-One sound system, famous DJs from all over the world, and professional cocktails.

Luxury & Fine Dining Restaurants in Murter

Murter Island offers its visitors a gastronomic journey to the best restaurants, which are located near the embankments of the towns of Murter and Tisno. The cuisine in this part of Croatia is rich in fish dishes and a variety of seafood, thanks to the Adriatic location. The tastes of Dalmatian cuisine are largely similar to the Mediterranean, but it has pronounced climatic and historical features of Italian influence, which makes it completely unique.

- Tic Tac Restaurant

Tic Tac Restaurant is a first-class establishment located on the waterfront of the town of Murter near the Nautika shipyard. The stylish restaurant is decorated in the nautical style of a fisherman's tavern. The dining terrace juts out directly to the harbor and offers the most breathtaking views of the sea. The kitchen specializes in Mediterranean and Croatian cuisine, as well as fish and seafood delicacies. Guest favorites include grilled squid, monkfish brodetto and the exotic black porridge with cuttlefish ink, prawns, and squid. There are also great desserts like cheesecakes, brownies, meringues, panna cotta, and creme brulee. The wine list includes fine brands of both domestic and foreign wines.

- Konoba Boba

Konoba Boba is a Michelin-starred restaurant located next to the waterfront in the town of Murter. Elegant furnishings with white tablecloths, minimalist design, and a friendly atmosphere are present in this establishment. The menu includes seafood, as well as traditional Mediterranean, European, and Croatian dishes. Visitors can try gourmet dishes such as sea bass carpaccio with black truffles, stuffed mussels, or monkfish ravioli to name a few. They have their own patisserie, so there is a large selection of desserts such as meringues, orange carob cake, panna cotta, cheesecakes, and Crepes Suzette. The wine list offers a large selection of Croatian brands, as well as French and Italian wines, including sparkling varieties like Prosecco.

- Reflektor - Murter

Reflektor is an outdoor terrace restaurant located close to Slanica Beach. It offers travelers beautiful sea views in a relaxed holiday atmosphere. They offer dishes of Croatian, Mediterranean, and European cuisine, as well as fish and seafood. For example, fried squid, grilled sea bream or octopus, Viennese steak, shrimp and mussel soup, and tuna burgers are guest favorites. For dessert, there are cheesecakes and special pancakes with ice cream. There is a wide selection of wine, different beers, coffee, fruit smoothies, and cocktails.

- Restaurant Butina

Restaurant Butina is a romantic fusion establishment in a beautiful waterfront location at Marina Hramina in Murter. It has an open terrace overlooking the sea, where white tablecloths sway in a light breeze and the radiance of azure waters is reflected in guests' glasses. They offer gourmet dishes of Croatian, Mediterranean, and continental cuisine, with an abundance of seafood and fresh fish.  Visitors can try lobsters in asparagus sauce, tuna tartare, steak, and seafood risotto, as well as cheesecakes and signature desserts. The wine list includes brands from all over the world but with a focus on Dalmatian varieties.

- Konoba Skalinada

Konoba Skalinada is an atmospheric Croatian tavern located near Slanica Beach.  It is a cozy establishment with an open terrace, surrounded by greenery, serving Croatian and Mediterranean cuisine.  Visitors can try fried octopus, skewered meat, grilled swordfish, Venetian-style squid, seafood risotto, and pasta. There are also desserts such as cheesecake and panna cotta. Konoba Skalinada also offers a large selection of Croatian wines and local craft beers.

- Fabro Restaurant

Restaurant Fabro is located right on the pier of the town of Murter. It is an elegant place with an open terrace overlooking the sea, furnished with refined minimalism. The white tablecloths contrast with the blue of the sea, and the sound of the water creates a relaxing atmosphere. It has its own small pier for guests with the possibility of free mooring. The menu includes Croatian and Mediterranean dishes. Visitors can try skewered meat, grilled shrimp and squid, tuna tartare, sea scallops in creamy sauce, and a variety of desserts from Fabro Restaurant's own pastry shop. In addition, the best varieties of Dalmatian wines and coffee-based drinks are offered.

- Restaurant Cigrada Murter

Restaurant Cigrada Murter is located in Cigrada Bay near the beach of the same name in the town of Murter. This establishment offers visitors 8 mooring buoys and is popular with yachtsmen. The atmosphere is laid-back and casual, and there are lovely sea views to enjoy.  The menu features seafood and fresh fish, as well as Mediterranean and Croatian cuisine.  Visitors can sample delicacies such as swordfish tartare, king lobsters, and spit-roasted octopus. An extensive wine list contains the best brands of both Croatian and foreign wine producers.

- Restoran Marin

Restoran Marin is a hotspot in Tisno where guests can experience Croatian culture and Dalmatian traditions. The interior is homey and inviting, and outside, there is a large terrace overlooking the sea. In addition to Croatian cuisine, the menu also includes Mediterranean and European dishes as well as an abundance of seafood. The method of cooking is in traditional open ovens. Guests can try baked shrimp in a creamy garlic sauce, meat on a spit, seafood risotto, baked swordfish or sea bream, and many other treats. There is also a large selection of wine and craft beer.

- Fine Food Murter

Fine Food Murter near the seafront in the town of Murter has an interesting interior with bright accents that convey the atmosphere of Croatian culture and maritime themes at the same time. The kitchen offers beautifully presented fusion dishes from Croatian, Mediterranean, and European cuisines.  Popular dishes include grilled burgers, steaks, grilled lobsters, fried squid, risotto, and pasta with seafood and stewed mussels.  There is also a large selection of desserts like panna cotta, parfaits, cakes, and cheesecakes. The bar offers cocktails, spirits, fine wines, and several types of coffee.