Preko: History, Beach and Ferry Connection

Preko connects the island of Ugljan to Zadar by ferry and offers several points of interest to help you plan your trip: fortress ruins on Sv. Mihovil Hill, churches from different periods, Jaz Beach and climbing routes on Željina.

Plan Your Journey and Routes

Passenger ferry line 409 connects Zadar’s central port with Preko on the island of Ugljan. It operates numerous daily departures; the crossing takes 25 minutes. As schedules may change, check the current departures before your trip.

A three-kilometre paved road leads to the Sv. Mihovil fortress. It is suitable for cars, bicycles and pedestrians.

Fortress, Churches and Historical Layers

The remains of the medieval fortress of the same name stand on Sv. Mihovil Hill in Preko. The fortress played an important historical role, particularly during the Venetian siege of the city of Zadar in 1345 and 1346. It thus connects Preko’s history with a specific regional event: the two years of siege. If you enjoy putting historic places into context during your stay, this site offers a tangible starting point.

The churches also tell stories of different eras. The small stone Church of St John the Baptist stands by Preko’s ferry terminal and was built towards the end of the 11th century. It is considered the finest example of early Romanesque architecture. The Old Church of Our Lady of the Rosary was built in 1765 on the foundations of an older church, which in turn stood on the foundations of the even older early Christian Church of St Andrew. Its construction history can thus be understood as a sequence of several layers of time.

Also preserved is the summer residence of the Crnica family, with the Crnica Renaissance garden. Bay, holm oak and pine trees grow there. The former complex also included an olive grove and an olive mill. Comparing the preserved garden with the former components of the complex helps distinguish what remains today from the earlier estate.

The island of Galevac, also known as Školjić, lies opposite Preko. Its monastery houses a library of old and rare books; its collection has been protected as a cultural asset of the Republic of Croatia since 2016. Galevac adds a different focus to the historical themes of the fortress and churches: the protection of a book collection.

Beach and Climbing

Jaz is the largest sandy beach in Preko and holds the Blue Flag for environmental quality. If the certification is important to your travel plans, check its current status before your visit. This lets you include the beach as a separate activity without basing your plans solely on an award.

If you’d like to include climbing in your options, you’ll find more than 40 climbing routes on Željina Hill, southwest of Sv. Mihovil. The climbing area is open year-round. Check the availability of individual routes and climbing conditions locally. Different travel interests—not a single set itinerary—will determine whether you choose the beach, historical sites or climbing.

Discover more destinations: Sutomišćica, Poljana, Lukoran, Ugljan, Sestrunj.

Go to the main travel overview: Preko.