Ugljan is a fascinating island which has become a popular destination for weekend getaways even for the local Croatians, who also like to explore the island because of its beaches, bicycle routes and hiking trails. The beautiful island is also known as the green island because it is covered with dense bushes, pine trees, olive trees, fig-trees, vineyards and other Mediterranean vegetation. Along with its long fishing traditions and its 2000 years of history, growing olives has also become a tradition. If you don’t know where to go and relax after a busy weekday, this island is the best choice!
Location of Ugljan
Ugljan is a green, mountainous island, with olive groves and small fishing harbours, and it can be reached by a 25-minute cruise through the Zadar Canal. Ugljan city is 10 km far from Zára in the linear distance, located in the northwestern part of the island, 9 km northwest from the village center, in a well-protected bay.
History
The island has been inhabited since the Stone Age, which was also proven by archaeological finds. In the first century, the Romans appeared and built a successful economy in the area. In the Middle Ages, it was the property of noble families from Zára, who divided their territory and built their own houses and farms. The Croatians only appeared in the Middle Ages. So it belonged to Zára, from 1409 it became part of the Republic of Venice, and then became part of the Habsburg Empire, until the French laid hands on it. In 1815 the Viennese Congress gave it to Austria with central management from Zára. After World War I, first it became part of the Serbian-Croatian-Slovenian Kingdom, then a member state of Yugoslavia.
Beaches in Ugljan
Ugljan’s hilly coastline was formed around a variety of floating gulfs. The coastal route from Preko to Kali is easily accessible by foot or by bicycle, and several swimming areass can be found here, but sailing is an increasingly inevitable program for the Adriatic vacation. Ugljan coast is about 20 km long, where you can find many beautiful beaches and hidden bays. Ideal place if you prefer solitude, a private environment and peace. The sea is beautifully clean and nature is intact.
Mostir beach:
The Mostir is a sandy beach which is located in the centre of Ugljan. It is really suitable for children and non-swimmers. There is a volleyball court on the beach as well.
Luka Bay:
It is a sandy bay surrounded by pine trees in Muline. The bay is accessible from the Muline parking lot on a gravel road.
Cinta Bay:
This bay is surrounded by steep cliffs. Cintia Bay is an excellent destination for boat excursions and for those who seek peace. It is an ideal place to anchor after a long day spent sailing.
Suha Bay:
It is a sandy bay surrounded by horizontal cliffs and Mediterranean vegetation. From this bay, you can see the small so-called Iz Island, which offers a beautiful view for the swimmers in the bay.
Main sights in Ugljan
The island has a great number of popular historic and stunning natural places. Ugljan is the oldest settlement on the island, among the best restaurants you can find the remains of many late Roman and the early Christian era. It is also worth visiting nearby settlements, such as Preko, which is the administrative centre of the island, where Jadrolinija boats are standing. This is a pleasant place where you can have a coffee at the harbour or take a stroll in the small town. From Prekó there is a hiking trail leading to St. Nicholas Church, which offers a stunning view of the island. The St. Jerome monastery which was built-in 1430, also has great importance, but in Mulin you can see Villa Rustica, the oldest Roman building which worth’s visiting as well.
Weather of Ugljan
The Adriatic coast has Mediterranean climatic features, with lots of sunshine, dry, hot summers, and mild and rainy winters.
Rent a boat in Ugljan
The Harbour Island is the so-called Marina Ugljan, which is located in Muline. This port was already present in the first century, and the Romans stationed their boats there. The marina offers many services, including water and electricity supply, restaurants and shops. In the inner part of the harbour, smaller yachts can dock too, but for larger boats, there is an anchorage to the southeast of the harbour.
Nightlife on the island is not like in larger cities or at popular tourist destinations. You will not find any discotheque or nightclub here, but you can enjoy local festivals, such as fishing days, or you may get acquainted with locals, and try the local specialities. During the season, open-air concerts are organized with local performers. For those who would like to get acquainted with traditions and culture, but also for those who love nature, the time spent here is guaranteed to be a great experience. Find yacht routes in Dalmatia or choose another yacht charter in Dalmatia.
The climate diagrams are based on 30 years of hourly weather model simulations. They give good indications of typical climate patterns and expected conditions (temperature, precipitation, sunshine, and wind). The “mean daily maximum” (solid red line) shows the maximum temperature of an average day for every month for Ugljan. Likewise, the “mean daily minimum” (solid blue line) shows the average minimum temperature.
The wind rose for Ugljan shows how many hours per year the wind blows from the indicated direction. The diagram for Ugljan shows the days per month, during which the wind reaches a certain speed.
