Ugljan: Beaches, Churches and Trails

Ugljan combines a rich local history with coastal settlements and trails across the island. In the settlement of Ugljan, Mostir sandy beach is located in Lučino Selo; right next to it stand the monastery and the Church of St. Jerome. Other historic buildings can be found above Gornje Selo and in Varoš, while trails and coastal experiences also take in Muline and Batalaža Bay. This makes it easy to plan a trip around your own interests, balancing culture, the sea and outdoor activities.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

For 2026, Jadrolinija’s passenger service from Zadar to Preko on the island of Ugljan offers numerous daily departures; the crossing takes 25 minutes. Since schedules can change, check the service for your travel dates.

Coast and Architectural History

Mostir is a sandy beach in Lučino Selo, within the settlement of Ugljan. The monastery and the Church of St. Jerome are located beside the beach; they are considered the settlement’s most significant protected cultural heritage site. The single-nave Gothic church dates from 1447. The monastery also houses the tombstone of Bishop Š. Kožičić (Benja). At Mostir, the coast and architectural history meet side by side.

The Church of All Saints above Gornje Selo dates from the 12th or 13th century. The Stražica viewpoint above Gornje Selo can be reached by a short climb from the Church of All Saints; trail conditions may change. The Church of St. Hippolytus and St. Cassian stands in Varoš. Its origins are dated to the 11th or 13th century; it was first mentioned in documents in 1374. These different dates refer to two distinct historical milestones: the dating of the church and its first documentary mention.

Trails and Experiences by the Sea

The island of Ugljan has more than 40 kilometres of trails through olive groves for hiking, walking and cycling. Muline adds to this island-wide selection with well-maintained coastal and inland trails for hiking and cycling. Since trail conditions may change, it is advisable to check them before setting out.

Batalaža Bay has two main beaches. When diving, you may discover a millstone on the seabed. Visibility and underwater conditions vary, so you should not expect to find one on every dive.

Olive Oil and Local Tradition

In Muline, visitors can learn more about high-quality olive oil and the ancient history of olive oil production. The focus there is on both the product and the history of how it was made.

The Čeprljandska fešta dates back to 1979 and takes place on the first Saturday in August. If the festival is important to your travel plans, check the programme for the specific year in advance.

When looking for a hotel in Ugljan, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on: the churches and named neighbourhoods offer a window into architectural history, while trails through olive groves take in the whole island. Plan your stay around the aspects you would most like to explore.

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

Return to the main travel overview: Preko.