Kali: Island Culture, Olive Groves and Bays

• Location: southern part of the island of Ugljan in the Zadar Archipelago.
• Landscape: Mediterranean vegetation, olive groves, kilometres of dry-stone walls and bays.
• Trails: around twenty hiking trails of varying lengths; also a combined cycling and hiking trail in local olive groves.
• Culture: churches, archaeological traces and a living Glagolitic tradition.
• Beach: An Aqualifter is installed at the public beach of Tratica to help people enter the sea.

In Kali, kilometres of dry-stone walls enclose paths, fields and olive groves. Forests and maquis are also part of its well-preserved Mediterranean landscape. Mala Lamjana and Velika Lamjana are among the particularly deep bays among Kali’s bays and beaches. Kobiljak is a prominent landmark for understanding the ridgelines: at 199 metres, it is one of the highest peaks on the island of Ugljan.

There are around twenty hiking trails of varying lengths in the Kali area. A combined cycling and hiking trail also runs through the local olive groves. Check the current condition and trail markings before setting out on a specific hike. The Kali Tourist Office provides a trekking and mountain biking map with detailed information about trails on Ugljan and Pašman; ask locally about its availability.

For comparison with cycling options in the wider area: Ugljan and Pašman have five cycling routes of varying lengths and difficulty. Bikes can be rented in nearby Preko. These routes complement the hiking and combined-trail options in Kali, but do not form part of a single continuous route.

Vela Pećina is a 36-metre-long geological feature with two chambers in the Mrđine area. At the Orjak viewpoint, there is a hill with a cross and a Way of the Cross. Plan your route there with the current trail conditions in mind. Natural features in the Podgora and Podravno areas in the southwest of the municipality, as well as on the hills of Pelegrin, Veli Vrh and Orjak, must not be disturbed.

There are fishing grounds along the coast and in the bays that are considered suitable for sport fishing. Renting a boat is recommended for exploring the many bays on the northern and southern sides of the island. Before making plans, check which providers and options are currently available.

The parish church of St Lawrence is a single-nave Baroque building with a 15th-century bell tower and five marble altars. During the most recent restoration of the chapel of St Pelegrin, a pre-Romanesque stone relief from the 5th century was discovered. The name Orjak also appears in an archaeological context: the site above Kali contains the remains of an Iron Age hillfort, indicating settlement in prehistoric times and antiquity.

The Glagolitic heritage is particularly pronounced. Glagolitic script was used in Kali’s church books until 1873. The parish preserves eight Glagolitic codices; the “Libar godov” is described as one of the oldest codices on the Adriatic islands. The Glagolitic folk sung Mass is also still sung in Kali today.

The local dialect of Kali, Kaljski govor (“kuãļski jazȋk”), is registered as intangible cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia. The registration was officially reported on 3 September 2026. Along with the churches and codices, this shows how different forms of cultural heritage coexist in the town.

Olives have been traditionally cultivated and processed into oil in Kali for centuries. Fishing also has a long history here: Europe’s first tuna farm was established in Kali. The Blue Fish Festival takes place every year in June. If you want to plan your trip around it, check the specific dates for that year’s event in advance.

An Aqualifter is installed at the public beach of Tratica to help people with disabilities enter the sea. If you rely on this equipment, confirm before travelling that it will be operational during your visit. Petra Dundova Park, which has a children’s playground, is also located beside a beach in Kali. If this is important for your plans, check the current condition of the facilities.

Discover more destinations: Kali, Kukljica, Preko.

When does the Blue Fish Festival take place?

The festival takes place every year in June. Check the dates for that year’s event before your trip.

What options are there for hiking and cycling?

There are around twenty hiking trails of varying lengths in the Kali area, as well as a combined cycling and hiking trail through olive groves. The Tourist Office offers a map of trails on Ugljan and Pašman; check its availability and the current condition of the routes.

What facilities are available at Tratica beach?

An Aqualifter is installed at the public beach to help people with disabilities enter the sea. If you rely on this equipment, confirm its current condition in advance.

For the broader travel overview: Ugljan.