Biograd – The Heart of Croatian Kingdom

19. August 2022

Biograd na Moru is only a 15-minute walk from the Mediterranean village of San Antonio and is an inevitable destination for exploring the historical and cultural heritage. Traditionally known as a holiday spot thanks to its proximity to the natural attractions such as Kornati National Park and Lake Vrana Nature Park, this picturesque medieval gem has it’s own share of historical intrigues worth exploring.

Royal Town

The story of Biograd goes back to the 12th century when it was the official seat of Croatian kings and bishops.  It’s most notable piece in history happened on the occasion the Croatian-Hungarian king Koloman was coronated in 1102. About hundred years later, the city provided shelter to the refugees fleeing Zadar from the Crusaders, while in the later periods (15th to the end of the 18th century) it had to cope with destruction, given that it was a territorial part of the Republic of Venice which was involved in continual wars with the Ottomans Empire.

Biograd, Photo by Tourist Board of Biograd – Discover Biograd

Biograd, Photo by Tourist Board of Biograd – Discover Biograd

Biograd – St. Anastasia Church – Photo by Tourist Board of Biograd – Discover Biograd

Prominent Monuments

The most prominent building in the old city center is the Church of St. Anastasia, patroness of the city. It was built in the middle of the 18th century, and is dedicated to the martyr Anastasia (Stošija) from Srijem. The church has numerous peculiarities, and it is highlighted by the statue of the patron saint on top of the gable.

Church of St. Anthony was built in the 19th century on the sea coast, at the bottom of a deeply indented cove – Jaza, and due to the filling of the terrain and the construction of residential buildings in the 20th century, the church has since remained at a lower level than the surrounding terrain. This one-nave church is covered with a wooden roof, while the semicircular apse is vaulted with a semi-dome and covered with stone slabs.

The remains of the St. John the Baptist Basilica is the story of the Benedictine monastery from the 11th century, which was built by the Croatian king Petar Krešimir IV. Unfortunately, it was razed to the ground a hundred years later during a campaign launched by the Republic of Venice. The Benedictines fled to the city of Šibenik, before moving permanently to the island of Pašman, establishing churches of St. Kuzma and Damjan.

Biograd – St. Anastasia Church 2 – Photo by Discover Biograd-800×533

Plan Overview of St. John the Baptist Basilica – Photo by Roberta F. as licensed under Creative Commons Solution

Remains of St. John The Baptist Basilica – Photo by Roberta F. as licensed under Creative Commons Solution

Did You Know?

  • Walking tours will give you an insight into historical intrigues of this medieval Croatian town. You will hear details about legends and historical figures, such as Pope Alexander III who sailed through the Pašman Canal in 1177, as well as the story on what it was like to see the world-famous singer Beyonce Knowles celebrating her birthday on her yacht in the same canal.
  • Sunken Venetian ship from the 16th century as part of the same tour tells historical details about the famous merchant ship that sank in 1583 and whose exact location was not known for more than 400 years.
  • The treasure from the Venetian ship was accidentally discovered by fishermen from Murter in 1967. Today, more than 10,000 valuable objects are part of the “Cargo of a Sunken Vessel from the 16th century” collection in the Homeland Museum of Biograd na Moru.
  • The local Homeland Museum was built on the ruins of the medieval walls at the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century, and as part of it, the District Court established for the Emperor and King Franjo Josip I – in 1876 operated for a number of years. The museum preserves valuable monumental heritage as part of collections that include archeological, ethnographic, historical, artistic and special collection “Cargo of sunken broad from the 16th century”.

Homeland Museum -Photo by Homeland Museum of Biograd

Homeland Museum -Photo by Homeland Museum of Biograd

Homeland Museum -Photo by Homeland Museum of Biograd

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Plan your summer holiday, and book the desired accommodation unit in the Mediterranean Village of San Antonio,
by contacting us directly for a personalized booking service at info@sanantonio.hr or +385 91 2849152.

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Fly into San Antonio from 63 European Destinations

14. July 2022

Get a first hand overview of your flying options for the summer of 2022 and take a look at the updated list of airlines connecting the Mediterranean Village of San Antonio through a nearby Zadar Airport from 63 different European destinations.  The airport is only 25 km and a 25-minute drive away from San Antonio.

The Best Airline Connectivity on the Record

This year, a total of 13 airlines are operating at the Zadar Airport in Zemunik.  Ryanair, the largest European airline, offers the most impressive list which includes 45 European destinations with a total of 118 weekly departures and 118 arrivals to Zadar.

Transavia

Zadar Airport is directly connected to 63 destinations in countries of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Ireland, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Sweden, United Kingdom and to the two domestic destinations: the city of Pula and the capital of Zagreb.

Direct flights connect Zadar to:

  • 63 destinations in Europe
  • 20 foreign countries
  • 372 weekly operations (186 departures and 186 arrivals)
  • 13 airlines

2022 summer flight schedule of Zadar Airport

In order to easily plan your journey, we bring you a comprehensive overview of the flight schedule of all airlines that plan more than 370 weekly operations in Zadar. The list of airlines includes Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, easyJet, Eurowings, Flyr, Luxair, Ryanair, Transavia, Tuifly, LOT, Lufthansa and Air Serbia.

Legend: 1-Monday, 2-Tuesday, 3-Wednesday, 4-Thursday, 5-Friday, 6-Saturday, 7-Sunday

CountryDestinationAirlineFlight DaysNumber of flights per weekAvailibility Period
AustriaViennaAustrian Airlines1,2,3,4,5,6,77until September 25th
1,3,4,5,6,76September 26th -October 2nd
1, 3, 5, 6, 75October 2nd – 9th
Ryanair1, 3, 5 &744 x weekly till the end of September; 3 x weekly until the end of October
BelgiumBrusseles CharleroiRyanair1, 2, 4, 64until the end of 10/2022
Brusseles InternationalTui Fly3, 62until the end of 09/2022
Brusseles Airlines61until October 8th
BulgariaSofiaRyanair3, 72until the end of 10/2022
Czech RepublicPragueRyanair2, 4, 5, 64
DenmarkAarhusRyanair1, 52until the end of 09/2022
FinlandHelsinkiRyanair1, 52
FranceParis OrlyTransavia21   until the end of 10/2022
Paris BeauvaisRyanair3, 62
BordeauxRyanair1, 52
MarseilleRyanair2, 4, 72
Croatia (Hrvatska)ZagrebCroatia Airlines1,3,4,5,6,7
Italy
PisaRyanair3, 62until the end of 08/2022
Milan BergamoRyanair1, 4, 6, 74
BariRyanair4, 72 until the end of 09/2022
BologneRyanair4, 72
TurinRyanair1, 52
NaplesRyanair1, 52
Rome CampinoRyanair1, 2, 4, 74until the end of 10/2022
IrelandDublinRyanair3, 72until November 5th
LuxemburgLuxembourgLuxair61until the August 27th
HungaryBudapestRyanair4, 72 until the end of 10/2022
NetherlandsMaastrichtRyanair1, 52
EindhovenRyanair4, 72
AmsterdameasyJet2, 72until September the 4th
RotterdamTransavia1, 3, 633 x weekly until the end of 08/2022; 2 x weekly until the end of 10/2022
NorwayOsloFlyr3, 62until the end of 09/2022
BergenFlyr61until August 13th
Germany
Dusseldorf InternationalEurowings1, 3, 5, 644 x weekly until the end of 08/2022, only on Saturdays until the end of 10/2022
Dusseldorf WeezeRyanair2, 4, 6, 74until the end of 10/2022
CologneEurowings2, 622 x a week until the end of 08/2022; 1 x a week until October 15th
Ryanair1, 3, 53until the end of 10/2022
BerlinRyanair1, 52
easyJet2, 62Until the end of September 3rd
Eurowings61
BremenRyanair3, 62   until the end of 10/2022
Frankfurt InternationalLufthansa1, 3, 6, 74
Frankfurt HahnRyanair1, 52
HamburgRyanair1, 52
Karlsruhe / Baden – BadenRyanair1, 2, 63
MemmingenRyanair2, 4, 633 x a week until the end of 09/2022; 2 x a week until the end of 10/2022
NurembergRyanair2, 4, 6, 74until the end of 10/2022
StuttgartEurowings1, 3, 5, 744 x a week until September 11th; 1 to 2 x per week until October 15th
MunichLufthansa3, 6, 73until the end of 10/2022
Poland
GdanskRyanair2, 62until the end of 09/2022
KrakowRyanair1, 3, 5, 744 x a week until the end of 09/2022; 3 x a week until the end of 10/2022
Warsaw  InternationalLOT61until August 27th
PoznanRyanair2, 4, 6, 74  until the end of 10/2022
Warsaw ModlinRyanair2, 72
WroclawRyanair1, 3, 52
RzeszowLOT61
RomaniaBucharestRyanair3, 62
SerbiaBeogradAir Serbia2, 4, 63until September 10th
Sweden
Växjö Smaland AirportRyanair3, 72until the end of 09/2022
Stockholm ArlandaRyanair3, 72 until the end of 10/2022
Göteborg LandvetterRyanair2, 62
SwitzerlandBaseleasyJet1, 3, 4, 64until September 1st
U.K.
BirminghamRyanair3, 62  until the end of 10/2022
BournemouthRyanair2, 62
EdinburghRyanair4, 72
Leeds BradfordRyanair2, 62
LiverpoolRyanair4, 72until the end of 09/2022
London GatwickeasyJet2, 62
London StanstedRyanair2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 755 x a week until the end of 09/2022; 4 x a week until the end of 10/2022
ManchesterRyanair2, 62until the end of 09/2022
NewcastleRyanair3, 72until the end of 10/2022

Book Accommodation

Plan your summer holiday, and book the desired accommodation unit in the Mediterranean Village of San Antonio,
by contacting us directly for a personalized booking service at info@sanantonio.hr or +385 91 2849152.

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A Day Trip to the Golden Island – Vrgada

13. June 2022

From our wide range of day trips, one that stands out is the often-forgotten gem in the Croatian Adriatic  island Vrgada. This unique island is in the southeastern part of the Zadar archipelago, not far from Pakoštane. Among the pebble and sandy beaches, the island is armoured with dense pine forests and crystal-clear sea, making it a perfect hideaway during hot summer days.

This 3km long island is surrounded by hills up to a height of 112m on its south and north. Since there are no cars on the island, Vrgada is a unique place where a good vacation is guaranteed, and everything you need is just a stone’s throw away.

izvor: www.pakostane.hr/hr/dobro-je-znati/vrgada

izvor: www.pakostane.hr/hr/dobro-je-znati/vrgada

The golden beach of Vrgada

This island was named golden due to its beautiful and spacious gold sand beaches that you certainly won’t find anywhere else on the mainland. One of the most beautiful beaches, not only on the island, but also on the Adriatic in general, is a beach called Pobrizi. This sandy beach is sunlit and surrounded by rocks, and only a walk away from another small island named Artina.

izvor: https://visitteo.com/hr/price/otok-vrgada-plaza/

izvor: https://travelina.com.hr/otok-vrgada-plaza-podbrizi/

Even though the island is a perfect place to get away from civilization and today’s turbulent world, you can easily find restaurant and bars to socialize at. For an unforgettable experience, climb the streets to the Church of the Holy Trinity, from where you have a perfect view of Pakoštane, Kornati and Velebit. For those who want to experience untouched nature and return to the past to experience the Mediterranean as it once was, we recommend visiting Vrgada.

Book Accommodation

Plan your summer holiday, and book the desired accommodation unit in the Mediterranean Village of San Antonio,
by contacting us directly for a personalized booking service at info@sanantonio.hr or +385 91 2849152.

See our offer

Top 3 Family Beaches

15. May 2022

While on a family vacation in the Mediterranean Village of San Antonio, feel free to enjoy some of the most beautiful, well-kept and facility populated beaches found in Central Dalmatia. These beaches are DražicaSoline and Slanica and are located in the immediate vicinity from San Antonio. Sand, pebbles, crystal clear sea, shade provided by pine forests and an array of sports facilities and food outlets on the beach are the common attributes of these great family beaches.

Sandy and Well-Kept with Supporting Facilities

Croatian Adriatic has, without a doubt, been recognized for the beauty and purity of its beaches. However, there is more than meets the eye. For instance, the images of turquoise and crystal blue bays with reefs on the hidden islands and islets in Croatia while seductive for its beauty and purity, are often limited to the island hoping travelers only. Unless you are making a stop with a boat, you will find the inaccessible terrain and a lack of facilities, a bit less appealing for your family holiday.

We recommend the beaches of Dražica, Soline and Slanice because, in addition to providing a pleasant terrain through a mixture of sand and gravel, they also posses the appropriate infrastructure such as sports facilities and many food outlets, as well as well-kept public toilet.

Based on the past reviews of San Antonio guests, we have learned how these beaches captivate families, especially parents that are able to relax and create unforgettable memories with their spouses and children during a family holiday.

Soline Beach by: TZ Board of Biograd na Moru

Dražica Beach, photo by Croatia.hr

Slanica Beach, photo by: Visitmurter.com

Water Slide, Aqua Park and Shallow Access for Small Kids

In addition to the common attributes of cleanliness, accessible terrain and the supporting infrastructure, each beach has its own appeal that differentiates them from another. Exceptionally shallow water running for almost 30 m on Slanica Beach is ideal for families with small children, whereas diving lovers may enjoy the scuba diving lessons offered on Dražica beach. School children, especially those in a need for an adrenaline rush may enjoy the Aqua Park located at Soline Beach or the enormous water slide on Dražica Beach.
This is an overview of what to expect on your perfect family beach near the Mediterranean village of San Antonio:

BeachDistance from San AntonioTerrainShadeFacilitiesSpecial For
Dražice1-2 min drive10 min walk(500-600 m)GravelPine treesSnack and beach bars, water sports and scuba diving clubBlue Flag CertificateWater Slide
Soline1-2 min drive10 min walk(500-600 m)Gravel & SandPine treesPedal boats, kayak, Aqua Park, beach volleyball court, cafes, restaurants and fast food outletsBeautiful BayAqua Park
Slanica40 min drive(Murter Island)Gravel & SandPine treesTennis, beach volleyball, beach bars, pizzerias and traditional Dalmatian restaurantsShallow beach spreading up to 30 m from the shore; ideal for small children nonswimmers;
enjoyed by Picigin players

Slanica Beach – Facebook page Visit Murter

Dražica Beach, by TZ Board Biograd-na-Moru

Slanica Beach – Facebook page Visit Murter

For more information on the beaches of Dražica and Soline, as well as on other beaches in Biograd, please visit the Tourist Board of the City of Biograd na Moru page, as well as the website of the Tourist Board of Murter for more information on the Slanica Beach.

Book Accommodation

Plan your summer holiday, and book the desired accommodation unit in the Mediterranean Village of San Antonio,
by contacting us directly for a personalized booking service at info@sanantonio.hr or +385 91 2849152.

See our offer

Telašćica Nature Park – a Hidden Oasis of Beauty

17. April 2022

The Mediterranean Village of San Antonio is close to another natural phenomenon: the Telaščica Nature Park. With its bay, lake and steep cliffs of Dugi otok, the park presents one of the most recognizable aerial panoramic views of the Croatian Adriatic. Located in the north next to the Kornati archipelago, this oasis of beauty is surrounded by 13 islands and islets. Telašćica contains extremely valuable plant and animal species and an interesting archaeological heritage.

For a complete experience of Telašćica during your stay in San Antonio, take a boat trip departing from Biograd.  Excursions are suitable for all age groups such as families, groups of friends, young and mature couples.

Top 3 Natural Attractions

Along the lake in the middle of the island, the Telašćica Nature Park is also recognizable by its landscape contrasts, such as quiet beaches with a laid-back shore on one side and high and steep cliffs on the other side of the island. The aerial view of the forest areas of Aleppo pine and holm oak with bare rocks next to the numerous cultivated fields of vineyards and olive groves is fascinating to say the least.

  1. Telašćica Bay: the safest, most beautiful and largest natural harbor in the Adriatic Sea with 25 small beaches
  2. Impressive cliffs or so-called “rocks“: they are up to 161 meters high and reach a sea depth of 90 meters
  3. Salt Lake “Peace” is beautiful and full of healing properties

Lake in the Middle of the Island

An attractive lake in the narrow part of the mainland between Telašćica Bay and the open sea was formed during the last ice age when the sea level rose to approximately 120 meters. The karst depression was filled with the sea, which was penetrated by numerous underground microcracks. 900 m long, 300 m wide and only 6 m deep, the lake is salty because it is connected to the sea by underground canals.

Seabed near Telašćica

Lake “Mir”

Bay near Dugi otok

Did You Know?

  • The bay of Telašćica Bay is indented and contains 25 bays, capes and 5 islets
  • Due to its position, Telašćica is one of the most naturally protected ports from the wind storms, both from the mainland and the open sea.
  • The sea overflows into the lake in the southeastern part of Lake Telašćica during „Jugo“, the stormy south wind
  • The name Telašćica comes from the Latin name “tre lagus” which means “three lakes”
  • Three lakes in the nature park (Tripuljak, Farfarikulac and Telašćica) karst sinkholes reached the sea tens of thousands of years after the last period of thawing
  • Over 1,000 plant and animal species on land and in the sea can be found in the park
  • The park gets more than 2,500 hours of sunshine a year
  • Remains of Roman buildings and numerous pre-Romanesque churches are scattered thorughout the park
  • The oldest written record of saltwater fishing in Croatia is stored within the church of Sv. Ivana in Stivanje polje, near Telašćica

Top 3 activities in the nature park

  • Scuba diving in attractive areas near the cliffs
  • Hikes to the Grpašćak lookout point
  • Boat trip visits to the park

Reef near Telašćica

Telašćica cliff – Foto by julien, source: Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution

Foto by Plastic pony, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution

Boat Trips

We recommend half-day or full-day excursions to the Telašćica Nature Park by private speedboat. Such trips depart from Biograd na Moru and include a skipper. During the voyage expect to pass by the several pictoresque islands including Pašman, Žižanj and Žuta. The cruise typically includes a swim break in one of the many bay shelters of the crystal clear Adriatic, accompanied by a healthy snack such as bruschetta with tuna, cheese and olive pate.

The excursion to Telašćica is most often offered as part of a wider tour that includes a visit to the Kornati.  During a trip stop over, visitors have about hour and a half of spare time to swim in the salt lake Mir, walk on the top of the 160 m tall rocks in order to be amused by a spectacular view and create memorable photos of the Adriatic horizon. Duringg the break, a light Mediterranean lunch is typically served, such as mussels with pasta and tomato sauce.

Some excursion programs include a stop over on the island of Kornat where you may explore the secret fortifications from the 6th century as well as the history of the whole archipelago.

  • Typical duration of the trip: 1 day (6 to 8 hours)
  • Availability period: from mid-March to the end of October (depending on weather conditions)
  • Typical group size: 4 – 11 people

Book Accommodation

Plan your summer holiday, and book the desired accommodation unit in the Mediterranean Village of San Antonio,
by contacting us directly for a personalized booking service at info@sanantonio.hr or +385 91 2849152.

See our offer

Krka National Park – the sunniest waterfalls in Croatia

15. March 2022

During your stay in the Mediterranean Village of San Antonio, treat yourself with a day trip to the nearby Krka National Park, a unique natural phenomenon, only 45 minutes away by car. Discover the natural beauty of this unique ecosystem near Šibenik by exploring the hiking and biking trails or taking on a boat trip.

River Submerged by the Sea

Krka National Park is one of the seven national parks in Croatia.  It covers an area of ​​over 100 square meters, and is named after the river springing from foothills of Dinara Mountain chain, flowing all the way into the Adriatic.  The area around the national park abounds in brackish water, an area where river meets the ocean, often described as an estuary where a part of the river is literally submerged by the sea.  This area has seen a 100 meter rise in the sea level due to the continuous process that had began ten thousand years ago.

The national park consists of 7 travertine waterfalls surrounded by karst beauty: Bilušića buk, Brljan, Manojlovac, Rošnjak, Miljacka, Roš and Skradinski buk waterfalls. Manojlovac is the highest waterfall whose travertine barriers reach over 32 meters, while Skradinski buk is the longest containing 17 waterfalls whose cascades consist of travertine barriers, islands and lakes.

Summer is ideal for visiting the national park, especially to take a dip and refresh in the crystal clear water.

Izvor: NP Krka

Izvor: NP Krka

Izvor: NP Krka

What Makes Krka Waterfalls Eye-Catching?  

Krka River is a network of karst rapids, underwater covers, rapids and barriers. Krka is surrounded by hard rocks that once formed the seabed. The entire area of ​​the Dinarides consists of carbonate rocks formed by the deposition of shells. The solubility of carbonate rocks in water has enabled fracturing, a process in which water corrodes carbonate rocks. Cracks would form and water could no longer be retained, thus forming caves and pits. The reverse process had been happening too and it involved the excretion of calcium carbonate created by stalactites and recognizable tufa in the Krka National Park.

Krka waterfalls owe their unique shape to the fast current, uniquely shaped slopes and the specific structure of the riverbed.

NP Krka

NP Krka

NP Krka

Did You Know?

  • The hard rocks surrounding Krka River used to form the seabed.
  • Krka is home to the Jaruga hydroelectric power plant, built in 1895. As such, it was the first hydroelectric power plant built in Europe and the second oldest in the world, the first one being the  hydroelectric power plant at Niagara Falls, being finished only 3 days earlier.
  • Along with Plitvice Lakes, the Krka National Park is the only national park in Croatia with lakes and waterfalls.
  • Skradinski buk on the River is the longest travertine barrier in Europe.
  • Krka earned its national park status in 1985 and became the seventh national park in Croatia.
  • Krka National Park belongs to one of the sunniest areas in Croatia with an average of 2,647 hours of sunshine a year

Skradin-NP Krka -autor – Dream Division, izvor TZŽ Šibensko – kninske

Skradin – NPKrka -autor – Dream Division, izvor TZŽ Šibensko – kninske

Skradinski buk – izvor NP Krka

Vidikovac Rogovo – izvor NP Krka

Manojlovac – izvor NP Krka

Manojlovac-izvor NP Krka

Educational and Bike Trails

During a day trip to the Krka National Park, discover the rich flora and fauna while exploring cultural and historical sights on some of the educational trails that include: Skradinski buk (1,900 m), Roš Waterfall (1,360 m) and the Krka Monastery (2,100 m). Most trails contain lookouts located on the top of stone fortifications, such as the ones found at Bilušić buk, Brljan waterfall and in Krnići Gornji.

Take advantage of Krka Bike, a network of cycling paths with a total length of 388 kilometers. The trails are circularly designed to avoid using the same trail on a return leg used on the outgoing leg from the starting point. The park contains a total of 12 bike trails, of which 3 are classified as Mountain Bike, 3 as the Road and 6 labelled as Track, which are best suited for the recreational, family type of ride. The trails are marked with quality cyclo-tourist signage, while the materials with photos, maps and GPS coordinates are provided as well.

Skradinski buk -izvor NP Krka

Skradinski buk -izvor NP Krka

Skradinski buk -izvor NP Krka

Staza Oziđana pećina-izvor NP Krka

Vidikovac Ključica-izvor NP Krka

Skradin-NP Krka-autor – Dream Division, izvor TZŽ Šibensko – kninske

Boat Trips

A special attraction included by all boat trip excursion packages is the island of Visovac, a unique site in the Krka National Park and of vital significance to Croatia’s natural and cultural heritage. The island contains a monastery and a church built by Franciscan monks in the 15th and 16th centuries, remarkable for rich collection of historical books, archaeological collections of historical church vestments and utensils.  Collections of sacral artifacts were systematically delivered to Visovac from the war-torn areas during the Turkish invasions. Hence, Visovac was attributed as one the key contributors in preserving the Croatian national identity throughout history.

  • Excursion duration: from 1.5h to 4h
  • Locations: Visovac, Roš Waterfall, Krka Monastery, Torka and fortifications Trošenj and Nečven.
  • Itinerary: in addition to the Franciscan monastery, church and museum on the island of Visovac, the trip also includes a tour of Skradinski buk and Roš waterfall. Some tours include a visit to the monasteries of Krka and the fortifications of Trošenj and Nečven, the spiritual centers of Orthodox believers located at the extension of the river Krka called Carigradska Draga

Kanjon -izvor NP Krka

Skradin-NP Krka-autor – Dream Division, izvor TZŽ Šibensko – kninske

NP Krka

NP Krka

Visovac -izvor NP Krka

Visovac-autor – Dream Division, izvor TZŽ Šibensko-kninske

Etno Presentation

At the premises of the renovated mills within the Krka National Park, step back in time and witness the way of life in the old rural world through crafts such as grinding cereals, washing and tucking cloths, weaving bags and floor mats, forging horseshoes, plowing, sowing, screwing and traditional preparing of food. The mills in the Krka National Park present the plants from the pre-industrial era on Krka River and as such are an important part of the history of rural architecture.

Izvor NP Krka

Izvor NP Krka

Izvor NP Krka

Book Accommodation

Plan your summer holiday, and book the desired accommodation unit in the Mediterranean Village of San Antonio,
by contacting us directly for a personalized booking service at info@sanantonio.hr or +385 91 2849152.

See our offer

Top 3 Holiday Experiences in San Antonio

17. February 2022

Mediterranean Village San Antonio is your ticket to a holiday paradise, whether arriving as a couple, with a family or group of friends.

When picking a destination and booking an accommodation, it helps to know what you can expect in terms of your desired level of accommodation comfort and a preferred choice of activities.  A holiday is a chance to unwind and you shouldn’t be struggling to experience anything less from your vision of a perfect get away.  Given its central position within Central Dalmatia, the Mediterranean Village of San Antonio has been providing a balanced out set of holiday experiences that cater to the needs of many families, couples or groups of friends for many years.

Here are the top 3 ideas for spending your holiday:

1. Nature Lovers’ Paradise:

Soline Beach

Kornati National Park

Vrana Lake, photo by Iva Rogic

As a passionate excursionist or someone who enjoys pristine beaches and national parks, you have a chance to enjoy the irresistible beaches of Soline and Dražica located only a few hundred meters away from the Mediterranean village of San Antonio. For couples we recommend staying during late spring or early autumn so as to enjoy the beaches with no crowds.  Unsurpassed view of the sunsets over the Pašman Canele and the enchanting Kornati Islands and the sight worth experiencing.  This time of the season is also perfect for taking a diving course from a local diving club and explore the vast beauty of the sea underworld.

Only a 15-minute drive separates San Antonio from the Vrana Lake Nature Park, an oasis of peace and tranquility located at the crossroads of three different landscapes: sea shore, mediterranean swamp and pittoresque village settlements.  The park is a unique ecosystem and a fascinating crypto depressive natural wonder. Vrana Lake offers an ideal mixture of active and educational type of holiday experiences that include educational trail tours accompanied by bird watching of the protected species, adrenaline park for children, kayaking on the lake, bike trails along the lake and series of culinary specialties.

The most distinctive natural attraction within a close vicinity to San Antonio is the Kornati National Park, an archipelago of almost 90 islands, islets and sea cliffs of a stunning landscape, often compared to the kind seen on Mars. Whether being viewed from the air, sea or the island lookouts, archipelago delights visitors from all over the world.  Organized boat trips from the nearby Biograd are available from the early Spring season all the way throughout the Fall.  Summer is the ideal time to indulge into swimming and diving.

2. Dynamic Family Holiday:

Biograd na moru

Fun Park Biograd

Dražice Beach

An ideal family holiday at the Mediterranean village of San Antonio is made possible by the animation program within the resort, vicinity of family beaches and Fun Park Biograd, the largest theme park in this part of Europe.

Hidden by the thick pine forest, comfortable stone bungalows within the village provide the necessary intimacy, while the centrally positioned pool inside the resort serves as a gathering place for the adults having their favorite drinks at the cocktail bar and for the children playing in the water.

The nearby beaches of Soline and Dražica are another great spots to spend a quality family time. Due to its cleanliness and infrastructural quality, Dražica gained the status of the Blue Flag in 2006.

For a more dynamic activity during the evening, take a 10 minutes walk to the center of vivacious town of Biograd, a historic city that frequently organizes special events and performances, including Gastro Biograd, Biograd Night, Biograd Street Music Festival and Slovenian Weekend.

Just a 5-minute drive from San Antonio is the Fun Park Biograd, a thematic adrenalin based site containing 26 permanent attractions and 4 food and beverage outlets. Attractions are divided into exploratory, adrenaline and virtual groups, and special charm is provided by themed daily and weekend programs in the form of activities such as concerts, disco foam parties, fireworks, raffle and bull riding competitions, and archery.

3. Group Fun with Friends

Zadar – Sea Organ

Zadar – St. Donat Church

Zadar – Greetings to the Sun

Good road infrastructure and connectivity to the surrounding cities is an important prerequisite if you plan your trip with a group of friends. Comfortable accommodation in a form of stone bungalows in of San Antonio is a wise choice, as it provides the necessary dose of intimacy. When and if you wish to spice up your stay, take the quick and easy ride to Zadar which is only 30 km away.  Zadar is one of the key city break destinations in Croatia known for innovative cuisine and a rich night live. Zadar also serves as a perfect day excursion point and is full of attractions such as the famous sea organ, the Roman Forum and the historically renown church of St. Donat.

Apart from Zadar, the nearby island of Pag is also accessible by a car.  Zrće Beach in located in a town of Pag and has got a reputation for being a clubbing hub of Croatia.  Moreover, it had been a nickname of “Croatian Ibitza” by the international media. Vodice and Primošten are also attractive towns as they too offer a vast choice of restaurants and night clubs.

Book Accommodation

Plan your summer holiday, and book the desired accommodation unit in the Mediterranean Village of San Antonio,
by contacting us directly for a personalized booking service at info@sanantonio.hr or +385 91 2849152.

See our offer

Bungalows, Beaches, Historic Towns and a National Park

16. January 2022

The Mediterranean Village of San Antonio offers a special holiday experience in stone bungalows close to beautiful beaches, historic town Biograd na Moru and picturesque villages, as well as to the Kornati National Park and Vrana Lake Nature Park.

Plan your vacation on time.  Do you usually opt for hotels or apartments? Let’s say that you like vibrant hustle and bustle of urban towns while at the same time appreciating the relaxing ambience during the night.  What if you like to spend time in nature, yet dislike the discomfort of camping ? Imagine if you could have a balanced out mix ? Be original and surprise your family, friends or your partner with a slightly different type of holiday in 2022. If you have never stayed in stone bungalows, hidden in a pine forest near a beautiful beach, the year of 2022 may be ideal to try it out!

National Park Kornati

Dražica Beach – Photo by Tourist Board of Biograd

Vransko jezero – Photo: Milan Mišo Lakić

Intimate Accommodation

Combining an active day with a peaceful sleep at night often presents a challenge for holidaymakers.   One often has to choose between holiday resort hustle and bustle, town setting and a complete isolation in nature, such as camping.   Imagine being able to have the best of all three options? Staying in stone bungalows in the Mediterranean village of San Antonio is intimate, while providing the opportunity to explore nearby attractions such as the Vrana Lake Nature Park, the historic Biograd na Moru and the Biograd Adrenalin Fun theme park.

The Mediterranean Village of San Antonio is made up of a lovely collection of cozy stone bungalows hidden among century-old pine trees providing soothing scents accompanied by the chirping of birds and crickets.

  • 69 bungalows spread out on an area of ​​17,000 square meters
  • The beautiful Dražica Beach is only 300 m away
  • Amenities include: spacious bedroom, bathroom with shower or bathtub and terrace
  • Family units consist of two bedrooms that share a bathroom and a terrace
  • Beautiful landscaping

The attractive outdoor pool is located in the central part of the Mediterranean Village next to the restaurant and is a gathering place where adults have their favorite drinks at the cocktail bar while children have fun in the water.

Stone bungalows

Restaurant

Outdoor pool

Culinary Delights

Simple, accessible, yet authentic & delightful are the attributes that best describe the culinary  specialties within San Antonio. Located in the center of the mediterranean village, the restaurant uses organically grown ingredients within a wide range of Croatian and international seafood and meat variant specialties.

Nearby Attractions

Historic towns – the medieval town of Biograd na Moru is within walking distance of the Mediterranean Village of San Antonio. Stroll through the historic center of the city, once the capital of the Croatian Kingdom from the 11th century, enjoy the fascinating cathedrals and basilicas built by King Peter Krešimir IV.

Plaža Dražice – Photo by Tourist Board of Biograd

Biograd na moru – Photo by Tourist Board of Biograd

Kornati

Only 30 km from San Antonio and a half hour drive separates you from Zadar, one of the most distinctive city break destinations on the Croatian Adriatic where you may check out the famous sea organ, explore the Roman Forum and many historical attractions from the Middle Ages, such as the Church of St. Donat.

Kornati National Park is an archipelago of almost 90 islands, islets and sea cliffs and as such it is the most densely populated group of islands within the Mediterranean. For a complete experience of this oasis of beauty during your stay in the Mediterranean village of San Antonio, a boat trip departing from Biograd is recommended, suitable for all age groups such as families, groups of friends, young and elderly couples.

Roman Forum & St. Donat

Primošten

Sea organ – Zadar

Locations for going out and having fun – if you are in the mood for an evening of crazy fun, in addition to Zadar, we recommend visiting a nearby island of Pag, known as a major party scene clustered within series of clubs and bars on Zrće Beach, often referred to as “Croatian Ibiza” by series of international media. We also recommend towns of Vodice and Primošten due to their track record for being great clubing and night parties hotspots.

Book Accommodation

Plan your summer holiday, and book the desired accommodation unit in the Mediterranean Village of San Antonio,
by contacting us directly for a personalized booking service at info@sanantonio.hr or +385 91 2849152.

See our offer

Kornati – Ticket to a Nearby Paradise

14. December 2021

From the coast of Dražica Beach near the Mediterranean Village of San Antonio, one may spot a breath taking view of the Kornati National Park , a stone labyrinth of the most populated cluster of islands in the Mediterranean.  A boat trip to Kornati departing Biograd is ideal for getting a full taste of this natural paradise during your stay in San Antonio.  The trip is suitable for all age groups including families, groups of friends, young and elderly couples.

Landscape from Mars

The Kornati archipelago consists of almost 90 islands, islets and sea cliffs forming a fascinating landscape, often described as having a terrain similar to the one found on Mars. Whether being viewed from the air, sea or the island lookouts, the islands provide a unique insight into the 216.78 square meter area of this land of fancy.

The Kornati archipelago is unique for its dotted dry stone walls built by Murter farmers who had bought out the island land around the end of the 19th century. The stone walls served as a fence for private plots and as such present one of the several forms of human intervention which had an impacto on the original landscape on the islands. Couple of thousands of years ago, the Kornati islands were full of pine vegetation, but had since been deforested and turned into rock-strewn terrain.

Contrary to first impression, the Kornati islands are full of life: more than 650 plant varieties, including nine species of orchids, as well as a number of birds, insects, reptiles and butterflies had found home among this rugged and sparse rocky area.

Boat Trips

We recommend full-day boat excursions to the Kornati National Park and the Telaščica Nature Park by a private speedboat.  Such trips depart from Biograd na Moru and include a skipper. During the voyage expect to pass by the several pictoresque islands including Pašman, Žižanj and Žuta. The cruise typically includes a swim break in one of the many bay shelters of the crystal clear Adriatic, accompanied by a healthy snack such as bruschetta with tuna, cheese and olive pate.

The biggest attraction during the trip is a stop over in Nature Park Telašćica during which visitors have about hour and a half of spare time to swim in the salt lake Mir, walk on the top of the 160 m tall rocks in order to be amused by a spectacular view and create memorable photos of the Adriatic horizon. Duringg the break, a light Mediterranean lunch is typically served, such as mussels with pasta and tomato sauce.

Some excursion programs include a stop over on the island of Kornat where you may explore the secret fortifications from the 6th century as well as the history of the whole archipelago.

  • Typical duration of the trip: 1 day (6 to 8 hours)
  • Availability period: from mid-March to the end of October (depending on weather conditions)
  • Typical group size: 4 – 11 people

Bottlenose dolphin

Kornati seabed

Kornati reef

Diving and Educational Trails

The Kornati seabed is rich in diverse animal and coral species. Its splendor and beauty had been one of the key attributes propelling Kornati to earn the status of a national park.

While on the boat, we recommend diving in order to explore the beauties of the crystal clear Kornati underwater world, and this is possible with a simple mask and snorkel, while for a more comprehensive experience you need to join the programs of professional diving clubs.

On the Kornati there are educational trails Trtuša and Vela Panitula. While Trtuša offers a geological insight into the archipelago, Vela Panitula illustrates a whole range of geographical, meteorological, biological and traditional features. A walk along these trails tells the story of the Kurnatars, the ancient inhabitants of the islands and their struggle for survival. Some excursion arrangements also offer this form of exploration of the archipelago, ideal for the Robinson Crusoe type of excursion.

The Unknown About the Known

  • The largest island is called Kornat, after which the entire national park received its name which had originated from the Latin word “corona” meaning crown, or steep cliff.
  • The Kornati archipelago is characterized by crowns – steep cliffs facing the open sea. They were formed as a result of cracking and disintegration of the earth’s crust and the process of corrosion, erosion and abrasion. The highest cliff is 82 meters high and it’s situated on the island of Klobučar, while the longest cliff is 1,350 meters found on the island of Mana.
  • The height of the highest peak is 237 meters and is located on the island of Kornat.
  • Kornati host the largest stone layered limestone surfaces on the Adriatic, known as Magazin’s slate.
  • Fortress of Turret is from the Byzantine period (6th century A.D.) and as such it is the oldest fortress on the Adriatic built for the protection and navigation control of the coast.
  • The national park consists of the sea and land areas which are 100% privately owned by the farmers from the nearby island of Murter who had bout out the plots towards the end of 19th century.
  • Deep penetration of sunlight has enabled the flourishing sea bottom rich in diverse species of fish, crabs, corals, mollusks and algae.
  • The bottlenose dolphin has a habitat on the Kornati islands.
  • It is less known that sheep and olive growing are still active on some of the islands- currently there is a total of about 2,000 sheep and 18,000 olive groves.

Kornati islands

Kornati islands

Book Accommodation

Plan your summer holiday, and book the desired accommodation unit in the Mediterranean Village of San Antonio,
by contacting us directly for a personalized booking service at info@sanantonio.hr or +385 91 2849152.

See our offer