A unique sandy oasis, as long as eight kilometers, stretching between the sea and the mainland, became a monumental open-air artistic stage last weekend. In the historic town of Nin, the 11th Sand Festival was held, an event that magically combines creativity, nature, and the rich heritage of this royal region. After the extremely well-attended Festival of Sun and Light, the Nin Tourist Board once again extended an irresistible invitation to its guests and residents for a unique morning gathering that begins with the first rays of the sun.

In the heart of August, the romantic Nin dawn, at exactly 7 a.m., marked the beginning of another sandy magic. Creatives of all ages, from the youngest to the oldest, gathered on Queen's Beach. Families with children, groups of friends, independent artists, and curious explorers – they all became part of this exceptional story, ready to indulge in playing with sand. But this was not ordinary sand that slips through your fingers; in the skillful hands of the participants, it turned into soft but impressive sculptures that breathed new life into the Nin coast for a day. Queen's Beach, this sandy kingdom located at the foot of the mighty Velebit mountain, became a canvas on which the stories and motifs of Nin's glorious past, history, and recognizable architecture intertwined with the inexhaustible creativity of nature and man. Find your ideal accommodation in Nin and experience this magic.

Creativity without limits on Queen's Beach

The Sand Festival is an event that encourages and unleashes the artist hidden in each of us. Here, there are no mistakes, only new attempts and opportunities to create something unique, completely personal, and unrepeatable. Every grain of sand holds the potential for a new shape, and every idea, no matter how ambitious it seemed, could be realized with a little effort and imagination. To make the participants' visions come true as easily as possible, expert artistic guidance was available to direct the creatives with advice and help. The building and shaping process lasted until 11 a.m., by which time the beach had already been transformed into a true open-air gallery, filled with fascinating sand sculptures. After the creative part ended, the most tense part followed – the judging of the works, the announcement of the winners, and the awarding of well-deserved prizes to the most successful teams and individuals.

The jury had a very difficult task of choosing the best among the many outstanding works that testified to the great effort and talent of the participants. Each sculpture told its own story, from motifs from the world of fairy tales and mythology to symbols of national pride and sporting success. In the end, difficult decisions were made, and the winners proudly received their awards.

Winners of the 11th Sand Festival

This year's sand art awards were given to the most imaginative and skilled creators. First place was shared by two outstanding teams: Roko and Borna Kutija from Zagreb thrilled with their detailed and powerful dragon sculpture, while Ana Marija Čikardić from Nova Kapela created an impressive Croatian coat of arms in the shape of a heart, topped with a crown, symbolizing love for the homeland. Second place was also shared; it went to Božena Gržan from nearby Petrčane for a dynamic sculpture of a football player in action, and to Gabriel and Maya Mann from Obernburg, Germany, who created a lovely and realistic sculpture of a turtle. Third place was won by the young team of Mia and Lena Čerimagić Želežinjak from Privlaka, and their sculpture of the king of animals, the lion, radiated strength and magnificence. Explore the possibilities for a stay in Nin and the surrounding area.

Each of these incredible creations was immortalized in a photograph, thus preserving the memory of a unique experience that will long remain in the memory of the participants and visitors. A special prize was provided for the winners – a personalized wall mural with the motif of their winning work, while the other awarded contestants received appropriate gifts from the rich gift program. But the real victory for everyone was the participation and the joy of creation.

More than a festival: An all-day sand experience

Ancient Nin has always been a place of meeting, socializing, and enjoyment, and this spirit was also felt at the Sand Festival. After the competitive part, the program continued for all participants who decided to extend their stay on the beach into an all-day sand experience. Although sand is by nature light, unstable, and transient, for a moment it showed everyone that the most beautiful art is actually the feeling of community, goodwill, and the pleasant atmosphere that prevailed among all those present. Children were laughing, adults were relaxing, and the beach was exuding positive energy.

When the sun, in another of its irresistible sunsets, slowly began to sink behind the silhouette of Velebit, painting the sky with shades of orange and purple, Queen's Beach gradually fell silent. The wind and the sea, as eternal artists, slowly began to reshape and put the sculptures back into their natural state, leaving them only in memories. The sand artists, filled with impressions, went on to further explore the history of Nin's stone, the material from which this magnificent royal city was created and preserved. In Nin, life intertwines with art at every step – from the transience of sand to the eternity of stone, from the taste of salt from the ancient saltworks to the sweetness of ripe figs. Life here is truly the most enduring artistic inspiration. Enjoy everything this region has to offer and book your accommodation in Nin.

Enjoying everything that nature has created and that man has left as a legacy through the millennia, another thematic event has ended in Nin, celebrating in the most beautiful way possible the beauty of nature, the rich history of the kingdom, and the priceless value of socializing. The combination of creativity, joy, and deep respect for nature in direct contact with it once again proved to be a simple but sure way to the heart of every visitor. It is the experience that is the most beautiful invitation for new encounters, new visits, and the creation of unforgettable memories that are carried for a lifetime.

The royal city of Nin creates its invitations daily, always in a new and original way, awakening all human senses and offering experiences that are remembered. Until the next meeting at the sand festival, we are left with the witnesses of eternity: stone, sun, wind, sea, and the inexhaustible thousand-year-old stories of the city of Nin. Located in a protected lagoon, with one of the most beautiful backdrops in the world – the impressive Velebit mountain – Nin and its stories evoke the most beautiful emotions, close to every heart, in every time.