Sestrunj: Forests, Bays and Island History

On Sestrunj, nature, local history and local traditions come together as distinct aspects of the destination. The island combines extensive forest landscapes with bays, a settlement preserved on higher ground and archaeological sites. For your trip planning, a daily Jadrolinija catamaran service connects Zadar with Sestrunj and other stops. This gives you a way to get to know the island through its landscape, traces of history and local festivals.

Forests, Bays and Views on Sestrunj

Forests cover 80 percent of the island. Kablin is the main bay; Triluke is one of the four bays recommended for exploring Sestrunj’s natural beauty. The two names have distinct roles: Kablin is designated as the main bay, while Triluke is part of a selection of recommended bays. The settlement on Sestrunj has been preserved on higher ground. From its elevated position, there are views across the Zadar Archipelago. In addition to forests and bays, the settlement and its views are distinct aspects of the landscape. The island is shaped like a mountain rising out of the sea. The waters around Sestrunj are also rich in fish.

Archaeological Traces and Island History

Traces of human settlement on Sestrunj date back to prehistoric times. Historical sites visitors can see include Liburnian burial mounds, two dry-stone fortifications on Gračina and Gračinica, and the Chapel of Our Lady of Health (Gospe od Zdravlja). The burial mounds and fortifications are part of the archaeological heritage; the chapel is a religious landmark. Another clearly dated point of reference is 1904: that year, the inhabitants of Sestrunj bought the island from the noble Borelli family. Thus, early traces of settlement and a much later event in the island’s history sit side by side.

Festivals and Šulicada

The town’s patron saint festival is celebrated on the feast day of Saint Peter. Sestrunjska noć is one of the island’s most important festivals. Šulicada is a summer game for young and old, played both on the water and on land. Local traditions thus take different forms: a patron saint festival, other important celebrations and a game that involves both water and land.

Getting There by Catamaran

A Jadrolinija catamaran service connects Zadar with Rivanj, Sestrunj, Zverinac, and Božava and Brbinj on Dugi Otok. It runs daily. The journey from the first to the last stop takes 1 hour and 45 minutes; this duration applies to the entire route. Before your trip, check the schedule for your chosen travel date and plan around the specific service.

In the Wider Destination of Preko

On Ugljan, in the wider destination of Preko, the remains of the medieval Fortress of St. Michael stand on Mount Sv. Mihovil. A three-kilometre paved road leads to the fortress and is suitable for cars, bicycles and pedestrians. From there, views stretch across more than 200 islands of the Zadar Archipelago and Kornati National Park. This distinct historical and landscape highlight belongs to Preko.

Discover more destinations: Ugljan, Lukoran, Sutomišćica, Preko, Poljana

Back to the wider travel overview: Preko.