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Islands

Feel the breeze of the alluring Adriatic sea, moor your vessel in the welcoming harbours and eco-friendly marinas, discover the beauties of stunning nature parks and swim in turquoise waters of serene coves. While you have a wonderful time sailling, boating, yachting or rowing in this amazing environment, do not forget to investigate the rich cultrural heritage of the region and to enjoy some solid-ground activities on panpramic coastal and insular hills!

DON'T MISS

Try a new way of trekking

Taste olive oil like no other

Take a selfie at the mesmerizing Sakarun Beach

Landmarks

Nature Park Telašćica

A natural choice for adventurists

Try not to be amazed by this nature park.

Telašćica is a wonderful bay and a designated nature park located on the south-east part of Dugi Otok (Long Island). This beautiful bay set in a harmonious environment includes 6 charming islets and is surrounded by 13 islands, all covered with lush vegetation of evergreen forests. Telašćica was proclaimed a nature park thanks to its rich flora and fauna, distinctive geomorphological phenomena, clear seabed teeming with marine life, as well as its interesting archaeological heritage. Choose your favourite spot among 25 small beaches, 161 m high cliffs, a salt lake with medicinal properties, picturesque and unusual islands and amazing viewpoints!

Olive Island Ugljan

Try liquid gold

Olive oil makes everything better. Even your vacation. Try it on the island of olives!

This region has had a long intimate connection with the "green gold" that grows in countless rows of fruitful olive trees. The whole area is lush with olive trees that delight the eye and exude a  rich pleasant fragrance. However, the island closest to Zadar, the green Island of Ugljan, is covered by exquisite olive groves. Its small village of Muline is the best place to discover the secrets of the trade and learn more about the ancient craft of great olive oil making. Taste the liquid gold and make some golden memories on this shining island!

Škraping - Trekking race on sharp island rocks

Challenge accepted?

Try out a new way of trekking. If you dare.

Have you heard of škraping? After the global hit called trekking, Croatia got the bragging rights to its own adrenalin sport – škraping. It is running and fast walking on sharp and steep coastal cliffs. Even though it is a very demanding discipline, it has gathered many fans. Since 2006, škraping competitions on Pašman have been taking place in three categories: Ultra (47 kilometres) – intended for experienced athletes ; Challenger (25 kilometres) – introduces the participants to the antiquities and beauties of Pašman, Active (12 kilometres) - walking or running on fresh air and  Light (6 kilometres) - for adults and children. Check which category suits you best and head into a sports adventure!

Sakarun beach

Dream beach for a dream vacation

Imagine your dream beach. White sand, turquoise and pine trees? Well, now you can also visit it.

Sakarun Cove is a natural gem of the region, widely known and regularly listed among the most beautiful coves in the world! But there is another great beauty in the area. Sakarun is a wide 800-metre-long sandy beach with a view of the open Adriatic Sea. It is located on the northwest coast of Dugi Otok (Long Island). This exceptional beach has gained a well-deserved reputation for its distinctively white sand, clear turquoise sea and thick rows of pine trees that provide a welcome shade on hot summer days. Sakarun is a spectacular place of beauty, peace and tranquillity suitable for everyone, as the calm shallow waters surrounding the beach offer safety and relaxation in an extraordinary setting of changing hues and colours.

Visitor Center Grpašćak - Nature Park Telašćica

How to describe Grpašćak without underestimating its importance and beauty? 

Once an Austro-Hungarian military fortress located on the highest part of Dugi otok Island and also the highest cliff on the Adriatic, today it is an attractive lookout point that carefully protects the impressive cliffs. It gives us an insight into the natural riches of the fabulous Telašćica, but also a spectacular view of the unique Kornati National Park. The view shoots to all four corners of the world, so there is a high probability that you will see dolphins - playful inhabitants of the Adriatic Sea from "Stene" (local name for the cliffs). In the central building, children and older ones will rejoice - in the Hall of Good Dolphin and Submerged Lakes you will learn all about the natural values of the park, and in the former armory you can learn all about the history of the fortress and the surrounding area. For anyone who wants to see the underwater world of Telašćica or the stars above it, we suggest you to head to the tower where you can do both - whatever you choose, you will certainly not go wrong!

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Cycle through time

Island by Bike

Cycling on the islands is a unique experience. Wherever you go, sooner or later you will end up on a beach and the views are fascinating – both in the direction of the coast and other archipelagos. The islands themselves are still witnessing the past times and a way of life which does not change so quickly here.

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High(!)lights of Telašćica

Cliffs

On the outer side of the Telašćica Bay, vertical cliffs rise into the most prominent steep slope of the Adriatic Sea – the famous “stene” of Dugi Otok island, reaching a height of 161 m and depths of 85 m. Be sure to look for dolphins that swim along the cliffs and red corals that live underwater on the cliffs. 

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A lake for people with a special taste

Salt Lake Mir

After the last ice age, the global sea level rose by approximately 120 metres, and the karst depression was filled by sea water through numerous underground micro cracks. The unusual salt lake Mir in Telašćica nature park was created due to the underground connections with the sea. See and taste it for yourself!

Stories

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The Kali Fishing Tradition

Fishing for more!

Croatia is famous for its fish and Kali for its fishermen. 

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Uninhabited and Car-Free Islands

Say no to cars, yes to adventure!

Meet the islands where everyone is welcome, except cars. Enjoy the pristine nature – for example, lie under the shiniest stars!

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Veli Rat Lighthouse

The tallest lighthouse on the Adriatic!

The perfect place for all looking for somewhere secluded to take the break that they deserve, charge their batteries and light the path in front of them!

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Tovareća Mužika

Music you have never heard before!

The Island of Sali used to be known for fishing – until they started to use the horn used for signalization in fishing as a musical instrument. 

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Iški Kralji and Iški Lopiž

Party like a Croatian!

Croats are known for being party people. That is why every village has its own festivities. The feast of Iž stands out. Even among Croatians.

Stories

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The Kali Fishing Tradition

Fishing for more!

Croatia is famous for its fish and Kali for its fishermen. 

Many islands in Croatia have a long history of fishing thanks to the rich sea life of the Adriatic Sea. It is a traditional job passed from generation to generation on the Island of Ugljan as well. But the Village of Kali tells a different story. Although the neighbourhood of Kali is not known for fishing grounds, their fishermen became famous around the world. This is thanks to fishing blue fish in the Srednji kanal and on the open sea of the north Adriatic. They innovated the equipment with modern techniques such as using the first “tunara” – a special fishing net. They specialized in fishing tuna and are extremely popular on the Japanese market. To keep the tradition alive, Kali fishermen nights where you can taste the history are organized every year!

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Uninhabited and Car-Free Islands

Say no to cars, yes to adventure!

Meet the islands where everyone is welcome, except cars. Enjoy the pristine nature – for example, lie under the shiniest stars!

These islands are very special for many reasons, but what they all have in common is that they offer a different kind of experience – no cars. Become one with nature and get a feeling of how people used to live! One of the most famous ones is the Island of Silba. During the summer they are even bike-free. Luckily, you can see the best attraction by foot – the Toreta - a viewing tower with an external spiral staircase erected by Captain Petar Marinić in the 19th century in memory of his dearly missed love.  Afterwards, take a swim in one of the many hidden bays or rent a boat to reach Silba’s Pernastica Valley! Speaking of natural attractions, we must mention the Island of Vrgada. The best description would be “Mediterranean like it used to be”. Get into slow motion on the golden sand beaches, pine forests and beautiful fields. Learn what it means to relax the Croatian way!

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Veli Rat Lighthouse

The tallest lighthouse on the Adriatic!

The perfect place for all looking for somewhere secluded to take the break that they deserve, charge their batteries and light the path in front of them!

The imposing Punta Bjanka lighthouse is located on the northwestern cape of the island of Dugi otok, in the vicinity of the town of Veli Rat, 35 kilometres to the west of Zadar. It is surrounded by dense pine forest, beautiful bays and pebbled beaches. It was built in 1849, and it is 42 metres tall, with a light range of 22 nautical miles. Being the highest lighthouse on the Adriatic, it owes its distinctiveness to its yellow facade for which, according to the legend, 100,000 egg yolks were spent. The Chapel of St Nicholas was built in the yard of the lighthouse and is an increasingly popular venue for romantic weddings. The lighthouse also offers apartment accommodation. The settlements of Veli Rat, Verunić and Polje are located 3 kilometres away from the lighthouse, while the ferry port in Brbinj is 9 kilometres away. The lighthouse can be accessed by car.

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Tovareća Mužika

Music you have never heard before!

The Island of Sali used to be known for fishing – until they started to use the horn used for signalization in fishing as a musical instrument. 

Tovareća mužika is a peculiar way of making music on various types of drums and antique irons filled with stones and especially attractive horns. It is a trademark of Sali, and today it is considered intangible material heritage of Croatia. But tovareća mužika is no joke, although it started off as one. In 1960, some youngsters pulled a prank at a spinster’s wedding using what is today known as the instruments for tovareća mužika. The rest was history. Soon they shaped their performance, set the rules and created costumes. The infectious rhythm is the main reason it is mostly performed during Saljske užance, the festivities on Dugi otok - a combination of live music, fine food and good entertainment. With a few performances, tovareća mužika moves through the entire village and everyone hears Budnica performed on Sunday morning waking up even the heaviest sleepers.

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Iški Kralji and Iški Lopiž

Party like a Croatian!

Croats are known for being party people. That is why every village has its own festivities. The feast of Iž stands out. Even among Croatians.

The feast of Iž is summer entertainment that presents cultural programs and sporting events along with food, drinks and plenty of joy during a three day period. The traditional folklore entertainment of the Island of Iž reaches its peak with the final event of the festival entitled "Election of the King of Iž". It is a custom from the ancient times related to the Roman tradition of bacchanalia and saturnalia where the oldest people from the village drew straws (zbice). The person who pulls the longest straw becomes the king. The old king sails into the Veli Iž harbour accompanied by his “entourage” in national costumes with a song, fireworks and “luncijanj” of bells. The new king is then crowned on the stage with the presentation of the traditional island folklore. Every good party also features good food. “Iški lopiž” is popular around here, a meat dish with vegetables and aromatic Mediterranean herbs. What makes it special is the clay pot it is prepared in which is not surprising since this area is known for its pottery traditions. If you want to have a good time, head to Iž!

Explore

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BEST ISLAND ADVENTURE TOURS IN ZADAR REGION

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TOP ISLAND IDEAS - DUGI OTOK

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National & Nature Parks , Sailing & Boating

GUIDE TO NATURE PARK TELAŠĆICA

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