Murter is a small island off the Dalmatian coast, connected to the mainland by a bascule bridge at the village of Tisno. It gives its name to both the island and its main settlement, and it serves as the gateway to the Kornati National Park — an archipelago of 89 mostly uninhabited islands that draws sailors and divers from across the Adriatic.
The island is compact enough to explore in a day, with four villages: Murter town, Tisno, Betina, and Jezera. The coast is indented with small bays and the beaches range from sandy to pebbly, some busy, some wild. Tisno has the most life in summer, with music events and camping that attract a younger crowd. Murter town is the administrative centre, calmer and more local in feel.
Sailors use Murter as a base for cruising the Kornati; several marinas and charter companies operate out of the island. Even without a boat, renting a small motor dinghy and exploring the nearby coves is straightforward and worthwhile.