Ugljan

Ugljan, Travel Guide with travel tips for holidays in Ugljan, Croatia

Ugljan Island, situated between  Zadar and Dugi Otok Island, is known as the "Green Island" among Central Dalmatia. It is called the "Green Island" because of its lush flora and fauna, including vineyards, pine trees, fig groves, and, most importantly, olive groves. Ugljan is known for their groves of olives in which some date back almost 2000 years. Their olive oil has been called extrodinary and is world-renowned.

History

Ugljan Island's history is rich with fishery, seamanship and olive growing. Generation upon generation took part in their families business, creating a network of villages responsible for delectable Croatian cuisine. Cuturally speaking, Ugljan is very traditional locale typical of the Dinaric region, as opposed to the Adriatic region. During the Renaissance and Baroque period, many of the areas wealthiest families built summer homes on the coastline that still stand today. In Preko, the ruins of St. Mihovila, a medieval fortress, can be visited for picturesque views of the entire Zadar archipelago.

Culture

Festivals

There are traditional festivals that take place on the island of Ugljan every year. The Annual Sports Festival takes place each summer along with the swimming marathon. One of the most beautiful traditional event is the processional on the Feast of our Lady of the Snow which is on August 15th. During this boat processional in the village of Kuklijica, the statue is taken from the church of Our Lady of the Snow to the 17th century parish church of Saint Paul.

Museums

Ugljan doesn't have many museums to speak of but they make up for this in the many monuments that there are to visit. One of the most impressive monuments is Villa Rustica. This is the oldest Roman building in Ugljan from 2 AD. It is there that you can visit the ruins of one of the first olive oil mills.

Things to do

Zelena Punta is one of the most popular tourist spots in Ugljan along with Kuklijica. There are at least 4 restaurants offering regional fare. One of the most popular restaurant is Barba Tome. There are also some open area discos that are enjoyed by locals and tourists, alike.

Ugljan is an island made for exploring with plenty of beaches and excursions that would please any traveler. There are daily excursions from Kornati National Park. You can also enjoy scuba diving, cycling, hunting, tennis and soccer. One of the most popular things to do in Ugljan is visiting the beautiful beaches. A gorgeous hidden spot is the Cove of Luka which is surrounded by a pine forest.

How to reach us

You can reach Ugljan Island by flying to Zadar and then taking a 20 minute ferry ride directly to the island. You can also travel by car from the airport and go over the bridge but the entire trip will take you more than two hours making it the least convenient means of arrival. Ugljan is an island that has something to offer every visitor and is a must-see vacation destination.
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