Preko

• The remains of the medieval St. Michael Fortress lie on Mount Sv. Mihovil in Preko, on the island of Ugljan.
• Preko’s main beach is Jaz. It has sand and shallow water, as well as various facilities.
• Trails on Ugljan lead to historic sites; cycling route 101, the Antiquity Trail, is 16.2 kilometers long and takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes by bike.

The remains of St. Michael Fortress lie on Mount Sv. Mihovil. From there, the view extends over more than 200 islands of the Zadar Archipelago and Kornati National Park. A three-kilometer paved road leads to the fortress and is suitable for cars, bicycles, and pedestrians. This means you can plan your visit according to your chosen mode of transport; the route itself is an important part of the planning.

The stone Church of St. John the Baptist stands by the ferry port in Preko. Built toward the end of the 11th century, it has been preserved in its original form and restored. Preko is also home to the Crnica family’s summer residence and the Crnica Renaissance garden. The former complex included an olive grove and an olive oil mill. These places offer different insights into the area’s history without needing to be grouped together as a single attraction.

Other parts of Ugljan also have notable buildings: Sutomišćica is home to the 17th-century Baroque summer residence of the Zadar noble Lantana family. The Romanesque Church of St. Peter, dating from the 13th century, stands on the St. Peter peninsula in Poljana. In Muline Bay are the remains of a Roman villa, a late antique mausoleum, an early Christian basilica, and a monumental oil-processing building dating from the 1st century.

Cycling route 101, also called the Antiquity Trail, starts in Lučino selo, in the center of Ugljan. The route is 16.2 kilometers long; the bicycle ride takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Along the way, the trail passes the Church and Monastery of St. Jerome in the Mostir area and continues toward Muline. The church and monastery are considered an outstanding example of 15th-century island architecture in Dalmatia and a model for other buildings of that period in the Zadar region.

Another historic route option is the Strada publica. This marked cultural and historical trail from the 1st century connects Mali Lukoran and Veli Lukoran. Southwest of Sutomišćica, Vela Glava offers panoramic views of the city of Zadar and the Zadar Archipelago. Visitors with a particular interest in cultural heritage can consider these places alongside Preko when choosing where to stay.

Jaz is Preko’s main beach. Sand and shallow water define the beach; children can play in the shallow area. The waterslides and children’s playground there are also useful points of reference for families. The beach also has a volleyball court and a Lungomare promenade. Other listed facilities include a restaurant, a pizzeria, toilets, and a parking lot. The beach combines opportunities for swimming and play with options for an active break.

On Ošljak, the entire island is a protected park forest and a habitat for many protected bird species. A circular trail is a little over two kilometers long. There are no motorized vehicles on the island; walking is recommended. Forests cover 80 percent of Sestrunj. The island also has the Saint Peter’s Compass hiking trail. The waters around Ugljan, Ošljak, Rivanj, and Sestrunj have numerous dive sites for professional divers.

Festivals and local games are also among the experiences described: Šulicada is a summer game for all ages on Sestrunj and is played both in the water and on land. The Čeprljanda-Fešta dates back to 1979 and takes place on the first Saturday in August. Sestrunjska noć is one of Sestrunj’s most important festivals.

To compare destination pages, you can visit the overviews for Sestrunj, Ugljan, Sutomišćica, Preko, Poljana, and Lukoran. The destination pages for Kali and Kukljica are also available.

How long is the route to St. Michael Fortress?

The paved road to the fortress is three kilometers long and is suitable for cars, bicycles, and pedestrians.

How long is the Antiquity Trail?

Cycling route 101 is 16.2 kilometers long. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes by bicycle.

What is there at Jaz Beach?

Jaz has sand and shallow water. Other features listed include waterslides, a playground, a volleyball court, a Lungomare promenade, a restaurant, a pizzeria, toilets, and a parking lot.

When does the Čeprljanda-Fešta take place?

It takes place on the first Saturday in August and dates back to 1979.

To the main travel overview: Ugljan.