Ugljan

Ugljan village spreads across the northern part of its namesake island, incorporating coastal hamlets such as Čeprljanda, Batalaža, Sušica and Muline. Its identity rests on olive groves, sandy coves and historical layers tied to the Roman territory of Zadar. Muline preserves the remains of a villa rustica, mausoleum, first-century oil-processing complex and an early Christian basilica dedicated to St John. In the main village, the Franciscan monastery of St Jerome stands beside Mostir Bay, allowing a cultural visit and a swim to be combined without transport. Mostir is known for sand and a shallow protected bathing area, while Južna Luka near Muline has a sandy seabed, broad shoreline rocks and pines. Ugljan village has no direct ferry terminal for Zadar: Preko is the island’s principal gateway, served by car ferries from Gaženica and passenger boats from the city harbour. An island road and local bus continue from Preko to Ugljan and Muline. The layout suits days mixing archaeology, short rides through olive country and swims in separate hamlets.

Ugljan village occupies the island’s northern end and incorporates nine distinct hamlets: Čeprljanda, Lučino Selo, Batalaža, Sušica, Gornje Selo, Muline, Guduće, Fortoština and Varoš. This dispersed pattern explains why its beaches, churches and archaeological remains do not cluster around a single waterfront. Olive trees and dry-stone walls shape the ground between the hamlets; the regional tourist board counts more than 200,000 olive trees across the island. Northern Ugljan’s historical focus is Muline, where a Roman agricultural complex records oil processing from the first century. Mostir Bay and the monastery of St Jerome form the village’s central postcard view, while Muline and Južna Luka farther north retain a separate, quieter coastal rhythm.