Zadar surroundings

Nin

Nin is a town in the marvellous sandy lagoon where life has been present from Neolithic times. It was raised to the level of urbanity in the Roman period. The cradle of the medieval Croatian state with the smallest cathedral in the world, abundance of Roman and medieval monuments up to the remains of boats from long past cultures. It has kilometres of sandy beaches enjoyed by windsurfers, the ancient sea procession to Our Lady of Zečevo, Salt Museum, summer solstice magic festival, medical and healing mud herbs, “šokol” of Nin (meat delicates).

 

Pag

Island of Pag – an island of fascinating “moon” surface with the most indented coastline on the Adriatic Sea. There are numerous sandy and gravel beaches among the kilometres long dry stone walls, old olive groves and the omnipresent fragrance of sage. The symbol of the island is the famous cheese from Pag acknowledged as one of the best in the world, lamb meat and lace, salt and white wine žutica. The town of Pag is a typical medieval town built according to the project of the Dalmatian genius architect Juraj Dalmatinac (George the Dalmatian). Among the stone and rock that glitters from north to south you will find fortifications and churches, archaeological ruins thousands of years old , from the old sunken Cisa to the abandoned old Pag. The biggest salt pan that determined the lives of the locals for years   appears in a picturesque panorama. The refined costume of Pag and numerous traditions, unusual wetland landscape of Velo blato near Povljanja and Kolansko blato, in the heart of a rocky island, songs and unsurpassed gastronomy belong to the traditional reasons of touristic attraction of the island.  Noisy youthful entertainment in the north of the island in Zrće Cove and the famous Pag Festival have given the island European recognition in this type of entertainment.

 

Benkovac

Benkovac – Kaštel Benković on a hill dominates the fertile Ravni kotari on the border toward barren Bukovica and not far from there and the Liburnian and Roman Asseria lies the town of Benkovac, which has been a defence and fair centre for centuries. Even today, the primeval fair takes place, and the fruit of the fertile land of this valley with moderate Mediterranean climate have endowed it with numerous premium wines, olive oil and gastro secrets, which it offers guests from the seashores at its unforgettable manifestations. The vast rural area conceals the almost forgotten Roman and Medieval cultural remains and stories that have only recently been discovered. An innocent tourist paradise, it is heaven for relaxing in the outdoor and searching new experiences. The renewed old village houses, cycling trails along old Roman roads, and the fruit of the fertile land often marked with the European eco label are the assets of the region.

 

Ugljan

Ugljan – green island, called the Zadar garden, situated across the channel and in front of the city it is connected to by ferryboat. From the Roman villa rustica to the Middle Ages, this island served as summerhouse for the nobility and the rich (Califfi, De Ponte, Bartolazzi, Benja, …). Olive growing has been nurtured here from the Roman Veteran Galliano, who had property here in the hamlet of Muline and an oil mill for processing the famous Liburnian olive oil which is being done to this day. The fortress of St. Mihovil (Michael) dominates the island and offers unforgettable views of the Zadar archipelago. The old fishing localities are Kukljica, Kali, Preko, Ugljan, Lukoran, Poljana and Sutomišćica among which Kali is most famous for its fishermen who fish tuna all over the world. Today all the localities are dedicated mostly to tourism. Two quaint islands lying in front of Ugljan are Ošljak with a characteristic fishing port and Galevac (Školjić) with its Franciscan monastery. These pleasant islets offer safe port and anchorage. Valid reason for visiting Ugljan is the peacefulness of the Franciscan monastery, antique ruins, cyling or walking on the kilometre-long trails along the dry stone walls, unforgettable view from Fortress Sv. Mihovil or just taking it easy on the beach.  The municipality covers the islands of Rivanj and Sestrunj, which offer pleasure in sailing around them or just relaxing in the gentle coves.

 

Pašman

Pašman – oasis of peace and quiet, connected by bridge with the island of Ugljan and by ferryboat with Biograd na Moru on the mainland. An island of farmhands who later turned to the sea and fishing preserving its tumultuous history in the Benedictine monastery on the hill of Ćokovac near Tkon and the Franciscan monastery near Kraj. These will fascinate nature and culture lovers. The trails are a unique experience for walking and cycling in mountain bike and leading to the highest peak of the island on Bokolj where the view extends from the peaks of Mount Velebit to the hundreds of islands and islets and the Channel from Zadar to the Kornati islands. The Pašman Channel is a natural phenomenon with its green islands, ideal area for sailing and other nautical activities. The southern part of the island, accessible by narrow roads and rustic houses, today partly intended for tourism, will bring you closer to Robinson tourism and the entire island will give you pleasure with its beaches.

Vransko jezero

Vrana Lake – the nature park covers the biggest freshwater lake in Croatia with an ornithological reserve where 110 bird species nest and are visited by 230 more species. The shores of the lake have marked dwellings since prehistory to the mysterious ruins of the Templar town or Mašković han, the most westernly building from the period of the Ottoman Empire.