Benkovac: Hotels and Accommodation

Kaštel Benković is a protected cultural monument of national importance dating from the 15th century. At the same time, it is a cultural and historical fortress in Benkovac which, according to tradition, was built in the second half of the 15th century and today serves as a venue and a centre of cultural life.

Culture

In 2022, the permanent exhibition of the Zavičajni muzej Benkovac was opened in Kaštel Benković. The museum comprises an archaeological collection, an ethnological collection, a cultural and historical collection, a collection on the Homeland War, and a collection of stone monuments. The Zavičajni muzej Benkovac also offers professionally guided group visits to Kaštel Benković.

The Benkovac area has a tradition of stone masonry and stoneworking dating back thousands of years. The Zavičajni muzej Benkovac organises workshops and courses on preserving traditional crafts.

In the wider surroundings of Benkovac lies Asseria, a Liburnian-Roman settlement on a hill about six kilometres east of the town. The surviving or documented elements include monumental town walls, seven town gates, funerary monuments, as well as Late Antique burials and buildings.

Geographical Setting

Benkovac lies at the transition between the fertile Ravni Kotari and the karst landscape of Bukovica. The town is also located at a road junction where the routes from Zadar to Knin and from Lika to the sea meet.

Events

Benkovac Fest is a traditional annual festival for young singers. It gives children and young people the opportunity to showcase their musical talents and singing abilities.

Klapa Asseria organises a gathering of Dalmatian klapa groups in Kaštel Benković. The cultural association KUD Branimir organises the Etnofestival in Benkovac.

The Benkovac Fair has a tradition spanning one hundred years. It takes place on the 10th of every month at two locations: in Benkovačko Selo and on Šetalište kneza Branimira in the centre of Benkovac.

Local Life

Vinfest Benkovac is a wine festival. White, rosé and red wines are judged there; the Maraština and Plavina varieties have their own categories. The 2026 edition was the 17th Wine Forum of Zadar County.

The 39-kilometre Wine&Bike tour begins in Polača at Ražnjevića Dvori and runs via Nadin and Kličevica Fortress to Benković Citadel in Benkovac. It combines wine tastings with sightseeing stops and showcases six wineries. A forest path also leads from Benkovac to the nearby 15th-century Old Croatian fortress of Kličevica.

More local pages: Donje Biljane, Podlug, Buković, Donji Karin, Smilčić, Podgradina, Galovac, Korlat

Anyone wishing to book a hotel in Benkovac can continue their accommodation search afterwards.

To the higher-level travel overview: Općina Benkovac.