Murter is a picturesque island located in the north-western part of the Sibenik archipelago. It has an area of 18.6 sq km (length 11 km, width up to 2.8 km) and population of 5,192. The island is separated from the mainland by the narrow Murter channel. In the north-west there are fertile Quaternary deposits (sandy soils). The highest peak is Raduc (125 m). The limestone part of the island is covered with sparse vegetation.

The mostly steep south-western coast is indented by smaller coves. A beach, a restaurant and a campsite are located in the cove of Slanica. On the north-eastern coast are favourable docks for larger vessels (the cove of Jezera and the port of Tisno). The villages of Murter (with Hramina) and Betina developed in the north-west of the island, around a sandy field with numerous wells. Tisno lies in the narrowest part of the Murter channel; over the strait is a 37.5-m long drawbridge. Chief occupations are farming, growing of olives, fruit and vegetables, livestock breeding and fishing. The regional road runs throughout the island.

The earliest inhabitants of the island were the Illyrians (remains of the Illyrian-Roman settlement of Collentum near Betina). In the Middle Ages the island was called Srimac; the name Insula Mortarii was also mentioned. In the 13th century there were two villages on the island, Veliko Selo (Big Village) (today's Murter) and Jezera (Lakes); Betina and Tisno developed most probably during the Turkish invasions.

Betina is a village and harbour on the north-eastern coast of the island of Murter, at the northern entrance into the Murter Channel. It has a population of 813 and its economy is based on farming, vine and olive growing, fishing and tourism.

It is located right at the heart of the island of Murter in a necklace of islands that include the nearby villages of Tisno and Jezera, has countless traces of the past ( the Roman settlement Colentum), and is surrounded by a variety of nature parks (Vrana) and local sights of interest (Prosica). Betina was first mentioned in the 16th century, when it was founded by refugees who found shelter from the Turks. The parish church of St. Francis was built at the beginning of the 17th century; it was extended and reconstructed on several occasions and in the mid-18th century a bell tower was added to it. In the vicinity of Betina, on Gradina Hill, a small medieval church of Our Lady of Gradina has been preserved. In the town itself, you can find the Betina marina as well as numerous catering facilities that are by the most famous for their fish dishes.

Betina offers good opportunities for a pleasant and peaceful rest, particularly to boaters. In the town itself, you can find the Betina marina where boats can be rented. Betina is also a well known for its restaurants that offer excellent fish. The traditional feast called Brganja Day, dedicated to a specific species of shells, which are found only around Betina, is held every year on August 3.

APARTMENT BETINA 2 Dolac 127 - Apartment (2 bedrooms, 4+2 persons, 45-80€)

Tisno is situated 29km northwest from Sibenik, on both: mainland and on the island of Murter side. It was named after the Croatian word Tisno which means strait, perfectly describing its location.  

It was first mentioned in 1474 during the Turkish invasion and during the war against the Venetians when numerous refugees fled here to seek shelter.The bridge that connects Tisno with the island of Murter was built at the beginning of the 18th ct., and already in 1832 it was replaced by the new, drawbridge. From its cultural heritage we can point out the parish church of St.Spirit's from 1548 renewed in baroque style in 1640 and enlarged in 1840. The church tower was built in 1684 by the local architects. The church of Our Lady of Caravaggio is a votive church of the Italian family of Gelpis built at the beginning of the 18th ct. Each year on May 26th, thousands of pilgrims come here from all over Dalmatia. But the oldest monument of the historical heritage is on the hill of Ivinj, not far from Tisno.  It is a Romanesque church of St.Martin from the 13th ct., built on the remnants of the early Christian basilica.

Tisno has 1500 inhabitants and they are traditionally occupied by agriculture, wine growing, olive growing, fruit and vegetable growing while fishing was only a side job. The interest that visitors and tourists pay to this place is a chance for Tisno to develop in that direction. Besides the hotel and the camp sites, the guests can use 1300 beds in private rooms and apartments. There are all modern facilities in Tisno which is well connected with other regional centres and abounds in cultural and other entertaining events. Long beaches in the shade of the Mediterranean pines additionally guarantee a pleasant holiday.

Private Accommodation in Tisno:

APARTMENT KRESO Broscica 90, Tisno - Apartment (1 bedrooms, 2+2 persons, 40-60€)