Olib: Trails, Coast and Cultural Heritage

Olib combines mostly sandy, shallow shores and hidden coves with olive groves, vineyards and historic sites. For planning your trip, the island offers several options: a marked route past historic buildings, time by the sea, or insights into the history of the village and its surroundings.

Walking the Slatinica Circular Trail

The official Slatinica circular trail is 7.2 kilometres long and rated easy. Both the ascent and descent are 90 metres. The route passes olive groves and rocky areas, as well as the Kastel, the Church of the Assumption of Mary and the Church of St. Roch. This makes the route a combination of scenery and several specific points of interest. The distance and elevation gain help you fit the trail into your day without assuming a particular walking time.

There are also a variety of activities to enjoy on Olib beyond the circular trail: visitors can swim, dive, fish and windsurf, cycle or take part in nautical activities. Walks through olive groves and vineyards add to the options. The coastline is marked by numerous hidden coves and sea inlets; the shores are mostly sandy and shallow.

Buildings and history on Olib

The Kastel Tower is classified as an individual cultural asset and as a military or defensive structure. An inventory from February 2023 also lists part of the historic centre as a rural-urban cultural heritage site and the parish Church of the Assumption of Mary as a listed building. These classifications refer to this inventory; details in legal registers may change.

The old parish Church of St. Anastasia was built in 1632 and restored in 1868. Glagolitic codices are kept in the restored church. The parish house also houses a collection of antiquities, including Glagolitic codices and ethnographic heritage. The restored historic Kula houses a collection; visitor access was reported in August 2025. If you plan to visit, check the current access conditions in advance.

Remains of a Roman-era settlement lie in Banjve Bay, including the ruins of a three-aisled Church of St. Paul and a hermitage that was abandoned at the end of the 12th century. The bay also contains remains of an ancient villa and a Roman landing place. Remains of ancient structures can also be found at the Mirine archaeological site.

Cukrov dolac in the south of Olib offers a different landscape: the sinkhole is bordered by massive dry-stone walls and numerous steps, giving it the appearance of an amphitheatre. Its stone features in the island’s interior offer a distinct contrast to the mostly sandy shores.

Local traditions and products

Olib’s Brinčić includes a bouquet of 13 plants dedicated to Saint Anthony; this custom was reported on in August 2025. A report from August 2025 also featured the KUU Zora theatre group performing plays in the Olib dialect. Visitors can also try fresh fish, homemade oil, wine and cheese from local producers.

Getting there and planning your trip

Daily ferry or catamaran services from Zadar connect Olib with the mainland. Olib is also linked to Mali Lošinj and the nearby islands of Silba and Premuda. Check the timetable that suits your trip before arranging your arrival and departure. When choosing what to focus on, you can decide whether to prioritise the Slatinica circular trail, the coast, or the island’s architectural and cultural history.

Discover more destinations: Zadar, Kožino, Zverinac, Premuda, Silba, Crno, Petrčane, Mali Iž.

Go to the regional travel overview: Općina Zadar.