Kukljica – Gospe od Sniga, Beaches and Cycling

• Kukljica is located on the island of Ugljan.
• The Gospe od Sniga festival takes place every year on August 5 and has been celebrated for more than 500 years.
• The old town preserves original examples of vernacular architecture.
• The Municipality of Kukljica has sandy beaches as well as naturist beaches.
• Leisure activities include cycling, rowing, tennis, sport fishing, and diving, among others.

A special occasion in the annual calendar is Gospe od Sniga. During the procession, the statue of Gospe od Sniga is carried by sea from the parish church of St. Paul to the votive chapel. The annual festival takes place on August 5 in Kukljica on Ugljan and has been celebrated for more than 500 years. Visitors interested in local religious traditions will find a tangible connection here between the festival, the church, and the chapel.

The parish church of St. Paul stands in the center of Kukljica. The Gospe od Sniga chapel features Baroque elements from the 17th century and was placed under state protection in 1982. The old town is also part of the cultural character of the place: original examples of vernacular architecture have been preserved there. These varied features are a reason to include Kukljica’s architectural heritage in your travel plans alongside the festival.

The beaches in the Municipality of Kukljica include sandy and naturist beaches. Sabuša is a developed sandy beach; there is also a sandy beach in Kostanj Bay. Jelenica is a sandy and pebbly naturist beach, while Mala Sabuša is described as a naturist beach. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between a sandy beach and the two options explicitly identified as naturist beaches.

Kukljica has a well-equipped harbor in a sheltered natural bay. Visitors can also take a walk along the waterfront promenade. The Zelena Punta tourist resort has tennis courts, and you can rent bicycles there. Visitors to Kukljica can rent bicycles at the Zelena Punta resort and cycle across the whole island of Ugljan. This gives you a practical option to consider if you would like to include cycling on the island as well as a stay in the village.

Small rowing boats are available for rent both in Kukljica and at the Zelena Punta tourist resort. Sport fishermen need a permit, available from the ŠRD “Uligna.” Diving is also listed as a leisure activity; a valid diving permit issued by the Croatian Diving Federation is required. These requirements are relevant when planning to include sport fishing or diving in your trip.

The official Jadrolinija ferry service operates nearby, connecting Zadar’s central harbor with Preko on the island of Ugljan. The service has numerous daily departures and a crossing time of 25 minutes.

If you are looking for a hotel in Kukljica, you can base your choice on the interests that matter to you: the annual festival, the architecture, the different types of beaches, or activities such as cycling and rowing. To compare other destinations, you can also visit Kali and Preko. Find more detailed information about the area at Kukljica.

When does the Gospe od Sniga festival take place?

The festival takes place every year on August 5 in Kukljica on the island of Ugljan.

What is the procession route?

The statue of Gospe od Sniga is carried by sea from the parish church of St. Paul to the votive chapel.

Which beaches are identified as naturist beaches?

Jelenica is a sandy and pebbly naturist beach; Mala Sabuša is also a naturist beach.

What is required for diving?

A valid diving permit issued by the Croatian Diving Federation is required.

For the broader travel overview: Ugljan.