Murter and the Kornati Islands are in the western part of Šibenik-Knin County. The four main settlements are Murter, Betina, Jezera and Tisno. Betina brings the maritime tradition to life in a particularly tangible way: here you can encounter the shipbuilders, the building of the Betina gajeta and a museum that offers insights into this history.

Betina Shipbuilding and the Latinsko idro Regatta

A documentary about Betina’s shipbuilders is shown continuously at the Betina Museum of Wooden Shipbuilding. It offers insights into the highlights of the local shipbuilding tradition. The craft itself also holds a special cultural status: the skill and art of building the Betina gajeta have been recognised by the Croatian Ministry of Culture and protected as part of the intangible cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia. Here, you can encounter the shipbuilding tradition both through the people who shaped it and as a recognised craft.

Latinsko idro offers another perspective. The regatta takes place every year at the end of September and is an expression of Murter’s maritime tradition. Unlike the documentary shown continuously at the museum, it marks a specific point in the annual calendar. Together, the film and the regatta show different ways of engaging with the tradition: the film offers insights into the shipbuilders and their work, while Latinsko idro is a recurring event held at the end of September.

Colentum and Historic Ensembles

The ancient site of Colentum is near the present-day settlement of Murter; its remains lie at the foot of Gradina Hill. Today, Colentum is an archaeological park with viewpoints, walking paths and an archaeological beach. The name thus brings together two time periods: the ancient site and today’s park with its various features.

Another trace of the past is the church in the cemetery of Murter and Betina. It is a cultural monument built on the ruins of Colentum and the oldest church in this cemetery. Old Srimač, now Staro selo, represents a different kind of architectural heritage: an ensemble distinguished by its location, street network and building typology. These features draw attention not only to individual buildings but also to the layout of an entire ensemble.

Cycling Routes and Regional Context

There are ten cycling routes of varying lengths and easy to moderate difficulty on Murter Island and in the mainland part of the Municipality of Tisno; six of them are on the island. So, for the island, six is the relevant number, while the total also includes routes in the mainland part of the Municipality of Tisno. The varying lengths and difficulty levels help you choose a route. Check local route conditions before setting out.

The wider geographical context also extends to Šibenik-Knin County, which is home to Krka and Kornati National Parks. Murter’s four main settlements describe the island; the two national parks are part of the wider regional context at county level.

Go to the subcategory: Murter.

Discover more destinations: Zadar County, Virovitica-Podravina, Ugljan, Krk, Ciovo, Split-Dalmatia, Brac.

Go to the main travel overview: Croatia.