Vir island with kids and a dog: a walk above the red cliffs near Zadar

Vir is a small, flat island north of Zadar, linked to the mainland by a bridge. Its shores are lined with red cliffs that look as if someone had sprinkled them with rust. We went there on 5 May 2025, during our May holiday in Croatia (majówka, as the early-May long weekend is called in Poland), with our four daughters and our golden retriever.

Over the bridge to the island

It is not far from the resort in Zaton to Vir. We crossed the bridge over a narrow channel and stopped by a meadow above the sea. The day was cloudy and windy, just right for a long walk.

The red cliffs

Paths run across green meadows right up to the edge of the cliffs. The earth here is a deep red, thanks to iron oxides. The cliffs are crumbly, and every now and then bits of them slide into the sea. From the top you can see the bay and the neighbouring islands.

A dog in its element

Our dog had the best time of all: running along the paths, sitting at the edge of the cliff as if admiring the view, and finally coming down with us to the pebbly shore and wading into the sea. We got back to the car with a wet and very happy dog.

Practical info

Checked in November 2026.

• The bridge to Vir is about 300 m long. It was built in 1974-1976.
• The drive from Zadar to Vir takes about 30 minutes.
• There is also a lighthouse from 1881 on the island, with a beach next to it.
• For small children the most convenient beach is Lučica, a gravel beach that slopes gently into the water. There is no shade there, though.
• The red cliffs are crumbly and have no railings, so with kids and a dog it is better to stay a few metres back from the edge.