Preko
About this place
Preko is the principal ferry settlement on the northeastern coast of Ugljan, directly opposite Zadar, a position that gave the village its name. The ferry connection with Zadar makes it the simplest entry point to the island for both motorists and foot passengers. Immediately offshore lies Galevac, also called Školjić, a small islet with the 15th-century Franciscan monastery of St Paul, reached by a very short boat ride. Above Preko stand the remains of the 13th-century fortress of St Michael, offering one of the best viewpoints toward Zadar and the surrounding archipelago. Within the settlement are the parish Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Romanesque Church of St John the Baptist. Preko is linked by road with the whole of Ugljan and, across the Ždrelac bridge, with Pašman, allowing extensive island trips without additional ferries. Olive groves, Galevac and the hilltop fortress create a distinctive combination of shore, sacred heritage and panoramic viewpoints.
Preko is Ugljan’s transport and administrative hub, yet its island character is clearest in its relationship with the sea: ferries dock beside the settlement, Marina Preko occupies the centre and Galevac is only a short boat crossing from the waterfront. The old quarter retains Dalmatian stone houses and historic summer residences, while everyday services cluster around the ferry terminal, market, clinic and pharmacy. Olive groves and the routes towards St Michael begin directly behind the coast, creating a swift transition from busy harbour to rugged island interior. The view across the Zadar Channel keeps Preko visually tied to Zadar, although Galevac and inland Ugljan give it a distinct identity.
Stays
No stays listed here yet
Things to see
Galevac, the small islet immediately off Preko, contains the 15th-century Franciscan monastery of St Paul and is one of the most recognisable island scenes in the Zadar area. Above the settlement, the 13th-century fortress of St Michael occupies a strategic hilltop position with views toward Zadar, Ugljan and neighbouring islands. In Preko itself, the Romanesque Church of St John the Baptist from the 12th–13th century and the parish Church of Our Lady of the Rosary show the continuity of sacred architecture. These three levels — waterfront, offshore islet and hilltop fortress — make sightseeing in Preko unusually varied.
Beaches
Jaz is Preko’s best-known beach, combining sand with developed bathing areas and providing children’s facilities, places to eat, toilets and nearby parking. Centar beach sits directly in the settlement; its waterfront is paved, the seabed is sandy, and swimmers have access to a shower, changing cabin and loungers. Cape St Peter offers another paved bathing spot beside the sports ground, shops and restaurants. Parapet beach lies just behind Marina Preko, while Čerenac towards Poljana is a small pebble shore shaded by pines and cypresses. For a more natural setting, cross to Galevac, whose wooded monastery islet is edged by small bathing places.
Bathing water quality nearby
- Jaz · 254 mnot classified · season 2025
- Otočić Galovac · 508 mnot classified · season 2025
- Sveti Petar · 654 mnot classified · season 2025
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA); data from Croatian authorities. · bathing water profile
Things to do
Begin on the waterfront and walk from Marina Preko to Naša mati, the memorial to Preko’s washerwomen, who once carried laundry to and from Zadar. Continue by local boat to Galevac and visit the monastery of St Paul the Hermit; the islet also holds a memorial to washerwomen lost when their wooden boat capsized. Back in Preko, walk towards Jaz beach or Cape St Peter. Reserve the latter half of the day for the three-kilometre paved ascent to St Michael’s fortress, undertaken on foot, by bicycle or by car. The summit overlooks the Zadar archipelago and Kornati, while Željina’s 40-plus climbing routes lie below.
Food and drink
Preko’s dining scene is concentrated around the waterfront, marina and central road, making dinner easy to combine with an evening walk beside the Zadar Channel. The tourist board’s local listings include Dunatovi Dvori, Kod Špira, Jardin, Konoba Joso, Konoba Petrina, Vile Dalmacija and Konoba Barbara. Terra at Hotel Preko offers a more contemporary interpretation of Ugljan’s produce and culinary heritage. Menus built around island fish, olive oil and seasonal vegetables best reflect Preko’s fishing and olive-growing identity. For a meal during a beach day, the establishments around Jaz and Cape St Peter are the most convenient choices.
Practical information
Practical information
The Municipality of Preko Tourist Board is based at Magazin 8 and can be contacted on +385 23 286 108 or at [email protected]. The centre contains the marina, shops, market, clinic, pharmacy and post office, allowing visitors to handle essentials without returning to Zadar. For Galevac, check local boat arrangements and access to the monastery collection at the waterfront. The tourist board promotes more than 100 kilometres of walking and cycling routes across Ugljan, while bicycles, kayaks and SUP boards are available from local rental operators. These services make Preko a practical base for exploring the island without moving accommodation.
Parking
In 2025, public parking in the Municipality of Preko was divided into two zones for the charging period from 1 June to 30 September. Zone 1 in Preko covered the Na Mulu car park opposite the Konzum shop, while all other marked municipal spaces belonged to Zone 2. Hourly tickets could be purchased from a machine, by SMS, through a mobile application or at an authorised outlet, with regulations allowing ten minutes after parking to obtain a valid ticket. Drivers boarding the ferry should allow extra time, as waterfront parking spaces are separate from the vehicle queue leading into the terminal.
Getting there and around
Jadrolinija car-ferry route 431 connects Preko with Zadar’s Gaženica port and carries foot passengers, bicycles and vehicles; the published 2026 timetable provides numerous daily sailings throughout the year. Selected crossings call at Ošljak, as marked in the seasonal schedule. Local buses continue from Preko towards other Ugljan settlements, while the island road runs through Kali and Kukljica to the Ždrelac Bridge and onward to Pašman. Preko’s centre begins immediately beside the ferry terminal, making arrival straightforward for pedestrians. St Michael’s fortress is better approached by bicycle, car or on foot along its three-kilometre paved access road.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the village called Preko?
The village lies on Ugljan directly across the Zadar Channel from Zadar, which explains its name.
What is on Galevac island?
The small island contains the 15th-century Franciscan monastery of St Paul.
How old is St Michael’s fortress above Preko?
The fortress was built in the 13th century on the site of an older Benedictine monastery and church.
Is there a ferry from Preko to Zadar?
Yes. Preko is Ugljan’s principal ferry port for the connection with Zadar.
Nearby
Poljana, Ugljan
Village · Ugljan
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Photo credits
- Preko — Andres rus · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Poljana, Ugljan — Falk2 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Ošljak, Preko — Lovro Rumiha from Zagreb · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Lukoran — The original uploader was Maestralni at Croatian Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Kali
