Visit Primošten – the most photogenic place on the Adriatic coast

Primošten – the jewel of the Adriatic and the „town of beaches“

This is due to its natural beauties, crystal clear sea, hidden bays, Mala and Velika Raduča town beaches, famous vineyards, exquisite fruits of the land such as superb olive oil, high-quality Babić wine, home-grown meat, and fresh fish. It is also called the town of beaches because it boasts wonderful pebble beaches. It is also known as the home of famous Babić wine.

Primošten panorama, source: Wikimedia Commons

How to reach Primošten

You can reach Primosten easily if you follow the D8 road- the longest state road in Croatia 643.1 km long. The D8 state road is the Croatian section of the Adriatic Highway, connecting the most important coastal towns with the rest of the world. The nearest airport is in Split, 45 km away and it takes less than an hour to reach it.

Its position enables you to explore Central Dalmatia easily. The town of Split is less than an hour and a half by car, the town of Šibenik is 40 minutes away and Trogir is 48 minutes away. The nearest airport is Split airport (Resnik). The nearest national parks are Krka National Park and Kornati National Park.

Bike map of the municipality of Primošten, source:Official website of the Municipality of Primošten

History of Primošten

Traces of a very early Illyrian, Greek and Croatian population are known in the Primošten area.

Its name Primosten owes to the Turkish invasion in the 16th century (1542). During their era, the town was connected with the mainland by a draw bridge. After the Turks left they replaced the draw bridge by the causeway. In 1564 the settlement was called Primošten due to the Croatian word premostiti (to bridge).

The oldest settlement in Primosten is today's Prhovo, a little later the settlements of Široke and Kruševo arose. The oldest mill is located in Kruševo village. The economic basis is agriculture, viticulture, olive growing, fishing and tourism. One curiosity, in the 1930s the Parisians drank champagne and wine from the Šibenik area.

Primošten coat of arms, source: Wikipedia

Beginning of tourism in Primošten

Organized tourism in Primosten has been developing since the 60s. Esperanto camp was built, while Adriatic Highway was built in 1964. Hotels Raduča, Zora and Slava were built later in the 1960ies. Marina Kremik was built in 1983. Kamp Adriatik was built later. The Homeland War, which began in September 1991 stopped the revival of Primošten and the Primošten region. After the war, the area began to develop again.

Nowadays, secured Marina Kremik features 393 moorings and 150 on dry land. That is excellent for the boaters. In the marina, there are other facilities like reception, market, restaurant, nautic shop, technical service, petrol pump, etc.

The best beaches in Primosten are Mala and Velika Raduča Beach, island Smokvica beach, Garbina Beach, Varoš beach, Marina Lučica Beach, June Beach, Popožo Beach, Dagna Beach, Pista Beach and Lokvice Beach. You can find secluded beaches near the ACI marina Kremik.

The beaches in Primošten

Each year manifestation „Primoštenske užance“ is taking place during summer. It is a traditional folklore festival about the way of living in Primosten.

Primošten in 1964, source: Wikimedia Commons, author: Joergsam

Primošten awards

Primosten received a gold medal and Zlatni Cvijet Europe Award in 2007 (Golden Flower of Europe Award) for urban and horticultural landscaping. Mala Raduča Beach was mentioned among the top 10 best beaches in Croatia!

Tourists taking pictures of Primošten, source: Wikimedia Commons, author: Roman Bonnefoy

Beaches in the Primošten area

Mala Raduča and Velika Raduča are the largest fine pebble beaches in Primosten center with many entertainment facilities. Velika Raduča beach offers the possibility of tennis, beach volleyball, mini-golf, table tennis, beach canoes.

Raduče beaches, source:Official website of the Municipality of Primošten

Mala Raduča beach offers the possibility of outdoor massage and trampolines. On Punta Raduča you can enjoy water sports and diving.

Mala Raduča beach in Primošten

Velika Raduča exists since 1966 and is 1600 meters long. The entrance to the sea is gradual, so is perfect for children and elderly people. An islet Smokvica is known to have nudist beaches.

Velika Raduča beach in Primošten

Primošten Burni/Burnji (Northern) and Primošten Južni (Southern)

It consist of Primosten Burni/Burnji (owes its name to the northern wind bura) and Primosten Južni. Primosten Burni is located in central Dalmatia not far from Šibenik town. Primosten Burni borders the towns of Grebaštica, southern Primosten, Primosten and the Zlarin waters.

Primosten Burni is mostly a hilly area with fifteen hills, with two larger karst fields (Prhovski and Tribeški), and a developed coastline in front of which are two islands, Tmara and Krbela, and a huge Adriatic sea all the way to Italy.

The center of Primosten Burni is the village of Draga where Jurlinovi Dvori is located.

Primosten Južni consists of the villages like: Kruševo, Široke, Ložnice, Vezac Gornji, Vezac Donji, Stavor, Vadalj, Grujini, Bratski Dolac.

Times and customs: afternoon "fjaka" in Primošten

Primošten Folk costume

A Primosten women's folk costume is composed of a total of 13 parts, lace is applied to the 'shirt' (plain linen undershirt with finer lace), the 'braid' (the shirt is decorated with wide lace on the chest and the bottom of the sleeve with finer lace) and the ‘bake’ that in the back corner has an insert of sewn lace for the holiday costume. Earlier, the folk costume was held in the original chest.

Today, the people of Primosten wear their folk costumes at celebrations, during holidays, and during the tourist season, not allowing the invaluable treasure of Primosten - the art of sewing lace - to be stolen from oblivion.

A doll in the Primošten folk costume

For this reason in 2013 Association of Primosten lacemakers Pekljica was founded. Lace represents the intangible world heritage inscribed in the UNESCO list in 2009. Pag lace from the island of Pag is known in the world. There is a difference between the two laces. Women from Pag have a design according to which they work, while each piece of Primosten lace is original and it is impossible to make two identical ones.

Primošten Lace, source:„Pekljica“ - Association of Primošten lacemakers

Agriculture in the Primošten area

The area of Primosten abounds in charming villages with a rich history. Every household here narrates its story, each house, church or stone would tell you if only they could talk. That is why we appreciate the word of mouth or storytelling that our ancestors left us.

If you decide to visit one of the small villages in the area, you will be amazed at how hardworking these people are. Their descendants continue their heritage. Nowadays, you can find a lot of family farms that produce the most exquisite fruits of the land.

Fruit of the land, olives and olive oil, source: Pixnio

Agrotourism in the Primošten area

In the villages and hamlets of Primosten, in the hinterland, tourists are offered accommodation and local food like prosciutto, olive oil, oil cheese, lamb, baked dishes, and traditional folk dishes. Here are some of them:

Paško Gracin family farm

Family farm Gracin has one of the best homemade products in the area. The owner of the vineyards, olive groves, and the brain of the whole production is Mr. Paško Gracin. He was raised in a traditional catholic and hardworking family in Kruševo. His parents Mr. Križan and Mrs. Filipa taught the children to value the gifts of the land. Mr. Paško taught his son Karlo the same values, so they continue to build the Gracin brand in the Primosten area. Every returning guest in Primosten knows them because they have probably bought some of their delicious products. Here you can taste their delicious olive oil, wine, different rakija and buy lavender souvenirs.

Vineyard of Mr. Paško Gracin in Kruševo, Primošten area

Olive picking in the olive grove of Mr. Gracin

If you ever visit Primosten, you can purchase their products in the market in the town center. Wine, olive oil, liqueurs, lavender souvenirs- all this will be magical to your taste buds.

Delicious liqueurs of Mr. Paško Gracin and his son Karlo

The family products and charming Mrs. Petra - she will explain everything you want to know about the products

If you want to contact them look for:

OPG Karlo Gracin

Mobile phone: +385 95 1967 880

Mail: [email protected]

Šarićevi Courts

Šarićevi Dvori (Šarić Courts) is a family farm visited by many wanderers who visit Primosten. In 2013 the family farm is awarded a gold medal in the first competition as the best agricultural establishment in Dalmatia in 2013. Here you can try autochthonous dishes, prepared in a traditional way with delicious grandma's recipes.

Address: Supljak Š.Č 17, Primosten, Croatia

Email: [email protected]

Mobile phone: +385(0)98/174-3334

Website: https://saricevi-dvori.net

Wine in Šarićevi Courts, source:Šarićevi Dvori website

Olive processing, source:Šarićevi Dvori website

Jurlinovi Courts

Jurlinovi Dvori in Draga village in Primosten Burnji are a stone monument to the Primosten farmer. It became famous due to a priest, father Stipe Perkov, who carefully cares for the heritage. On the property you can get an insight into the rural architecture and ethnography, antique inventory, Primosten folk costumes, visit a library with 2000 books, the distillation room, kitchen with a fireplace, cellar, old water well.

Jurlinovi Dvori in a village Draga, Primošten Burni, source:Jurlinovi Dvori website

Here you can also see old olive groves and vineyards that gave food to the Perkov family. Konoba, steam boiler for roasting rakija, and bread oven that is more than 100 years old are also here. Father Stipe will welcome you at the stone table that once was the center of family life.

Library with 2000 books in Jurlinovi Dvori, source:Jurlinovi Dvori website

Ethnography in Jurlinovi Dvori, source:Jurlinovi Dvori website

Address: Draga, Primošten

Mail: [email protected]

Phone: +385 (0)22 574106

Mobile phone: +385 (0)98 939 1906

Website: https://www.jurlinovidvori.org

Galjin Court

Galjin Dvor is the court of the family member nicknamed Galja. It is a rural household of the family Županović located in a village of Kruševo in the hinterland of Primosten. It has top-quality Babić wine and organic olive oil.

Galjin Dvor in Kruševo, Primošten area, source:Mr. Rade Županović

Mr. Ante Županović and his son Rade are also planning to expand their offer with rural tourism. Currently, they are doing two apartments on a rural household for the next season (in 2022), through the EU measures project.

Apartment area, financed through EU measures project, Galjin Dvor, source:Mr. Rade Županović

Visit one of the family farms and enjoy olive and olive oil, dried figs, sheep cheese, and a drop of the famous Babić wine. You are going to love it!

Family products of Županović family, Galjin Dvor, source:Mr. Rade Županović

You can check the promo video below by clicking on the picture:

Galjin Dvor promo video

Contacts for Galjin Dvor:

Address: 22204, Primošten

Phone number: +385 91 126 5219

Landmarks and monuments of Primošten

The most distinctive monuments of Primosten are the following:

Church of Saint George (Juraj)

According to old records, the parish began operating in 1485. The Church of Saint George was built in the 15th century in the Renaissance style. A beautiful three-nave church dominates the center of the town since it is located on a hilltop. An old cemetery is located next to the church.

Church of Saint George (Juraj) in Primošten, source: Wikimedia Commons, author: SchiDD

Church of St. Roch/Rocco (Roko)

The small church is located on the mainland, in front of the gates of the Old village. It dates back to the 16th century. In front of the church, there was erected a monument to the priest Ivan Šarić.

Church of St. Roch/Rocco (Roko) in Primošten, source: Wikimedia Commons, author: SchiDD

Our Lady Of Loretto Statue

Our Lady Of Loretto statue was erected on the Gaj hill in 2017. The statue is 17 meters high. Lady Of Loretto is a protector of Primosten. It is celebrated on May 9 and May 10. From here you can enjoy the mesmerizing view of the Primosten and the archipelago. It is a great place to take a picture, say a prayer or just sit and sip your coffee with a view. The only view in Croatia that can be compared to this one is the one from Mount Srdj above Dubrovnik. After taking selfies we recommend visiting Madona bar at the top.

Our Lady Of Loretto Statue, Primošten, source: Wikimedia Commons, author: Silverije

Our Lady Of Loretto by night, source:Madona bar staff

Our Lady Of Loretto viewpoint, source:Madona bar staff

Monument to the Primošten farmer

Monument to the Primosten farmer was erected in 2007.

Monument to the Primošten Farmer, source: Wikimedia Commons, author: Ante Perković

Monument to the Fisherman from Primošten

The monument was erected in 2016.

Monument to a Fisherman in Primošten

Bucavac Veliki vineyard

The famous vineyard is located 3 km south of Primosten. It is widely known due to the fact that the picture of the vineyard hung in the United Nations building in New York represents a monument to human labor. A dense rock arrangement represents a traditional form of cultivating. The bordered lots of Bucavac Veliki site remind of the vineyards in the continental village of Kruševo. Babić variety which is grown here is simply a must-taste!

Bucavac vineyard and Marina Kremik- aerial shot, source:TZ Primošten

Visit this magnificent rich seaside village, get to know its lively people and all the boons this rich land offers, and taste its exquisite gastronomy- like a famous lobster in the Primosten way.

"The sparse land keeps its treasure, every grain like a heart in the middle, it bears little and does not give much, but what it gives is worth three times more." ♡

Treasure of the land, source: Pixabay