Preko
Preko at a Glance
Costs: Typical budget: $60-$90/day - seasonal prices peak in summer; ferries and apartments keep costs moderate.
Safety: Generally safe, tourist-friendly - island town with low crime; watch for seasonal crowds on ferries.
Best Time: Best months: May-September - warm sea and island hopping season; July-August busiest.
Why Visit Preko?
A compact harbor town on the island of Ugljan, it appeals to travelers who want easy access to Zadar by ferry, quiet pebble bays and olive-grove landscapes. The waterfront cafés and marinas set the tone, while fresh Adriatic seafood prepared buzara-style and local olive oil showcase island flavors. Summer brings a relaxed island rhythm without the crowds of larger Dalmatian resorts.
Best Things to Do in Preko
National Park
Paklenica
Karst national park popular for hiking and rock climbing
National Park
National Park Kornati
Archipelago national park of rugged islands and clear seas
Island
Dugi Otok
Long Adriatic island with cliffs and sandy beaches
Island
Pašman
Adriatic island with beaches and traditional villages
Religious Site
Church of St. Donatus
Early medieval circular church and Zadar landmark
Island
Iž
Small island in the Adriatic Sea near Zadar
Island
Kornat
Island in Kornati archipelago with rugged karst landscape
Island
Molat
Adriatic island with pine forests and sandy coves
Preko Bucket List
Don't Miss
Fortica (St. Michael) viewpoint - Hilltop fortress offering sweeping views over Zadar and surrounding islands.
Preko Harbor and ferry - Active harbor with regular ferries connecting Ugljan to Zadar and island life.
Preko waterfront and beaches - Seafront promenade with cafés, pebble beaches, and relaxed island atmosphere close to ferry.
Hidden Gems
Ošljak Island - Tiny inhabited island opposite Preko, ideal for quiet swims and snorkeling.
Preko fish market - Small fish market at Preko harbor selling fresh daily catch and local specialties.
Local olive groves and sea terraces - Hidden groves and terraces producing olive oil, accessible by short rural walks.
Day Trips
Zadar - Historic city with Roman forum, sea organ, and easy ferry access from Preko.
Dugi Otok (Telašćica) - Long island with Telašćica Nature Park and rugged cliffs, ideal for boat tours.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Preko
Preko is best from late spring through early autumn when the Adriatic is warm for swimming and island hopping. Shoulder months offer calmer marinas and pleasant temperatures; winters are mild but quieter.
Winter
Mild, wet winters with quiet harbors - good for low-key walks and off-season calm, though many tourist services run reduced hours.
Spring
Warm, fragrant spring days perfect for cycling between villages, hiking short coastal trails, and early-season swimming before crowds arrive.
Summer
Hot, sunny weather ideal for beaches and island-hopping; expect lively marinas, busy ferries and vibrant seaside cafés through peak season.
Temperate climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 3°C to 29°C. Moderate rainfall (843 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 3° - 10° | 4° | 72 mm | overcast | 76% | 3.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| February | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 5° | 60 mm | overcast | 76% | 3.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.3h |
| March | Acceptable | 5° - 14° | 8° | 63 mm | overcast | 76% | 3.2 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 8° - 17° | 12° | 68 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 3.1 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 13.3h |
| May | Good | 13° - 22° | 17° | 64 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 2.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.6h |
| June | Excellent | 16° - 26° | 21° | 51 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 2.5 m/s | 1.8 very high | 15.3h |
| July | Ideal | 19° - 29° | 24° | 29 mm | some cloud | 63% | 2.5 m/s | 1.9 very high | 15.0h |
| August | Excellent | 18° - 29° | 23° | 48 mm | some cloud | 64% | 2.4 m/s | 1.6 very high | 13.8h |
| September | Very Good | 15° - 25° | 20° | 95 mm | partly cloudy | 68% | 2.6 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Good | 11° - 20° | 16° | 103 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 2.8 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.8h |
| November | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 10° | 99 mm | overcast | 77% | 3.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| December | Acceptable | 4° - 11° | 6° | 91 mm | overcast | 76% | 3.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
How to Get to Preko
Preko (on the island of Ugljan) is reached by flying into Zadar Airport or by reaching Zadar by road/rail and taking a short ferry crossing. Zadar is the practical hub - from there the ferry or catamaran to Preko is frequent in summer and straightforward year-round.
Zadar Airport (ZAD): ZAD is the island’s nearest airport, with seasonal international flights and domestic connections. From ZAD a shuttle or bus to Zadar ferry port/centre takes about 20-30 minutes and costs roughly 25-40 HRK (≈3-6 EUR). From Zadar catch the ferry or local boat to Preko (see below) - total door-to-door time to Preko about 45-75 minutes.
Split Airport (SPU): SPU is an alternative, especially outside ZAD’s peak seasons. From Split Airport take the shuttle to Split city (20-30 minutes) then a bus and ferry combination to Preko - expect total travel time 2.5-3.5 hours and higher fares than from Zadar.
Train: There is no direct train to Preko or Ugljan island - the nearest railhead is in Zadar (station Zadar), which sits on Croatia’s coastal rail network. Trains to Zadar from other Croatian cities vary in frequency.
Bus / Ferry: From Zadar Autobusni kolodvor take a short transfer to the ferry port. Jadrolinija and local lines operate passenger ferries or catamarans to Preko; the Zadar-Preko hydrofoil takes around 25-40 minutes and typical fares are in the range 12-30 HRK depending on vessel and season. Buses from Zadar bus station to the ferry pier take 5-15 minutes.
How to Get Around Preko
For Preko the simplest approach is fly to Zadar and transfer by shuttle to the ferry pier, then take the short catamaran/ferry to Preko. In summer ferry frequency is high and public transport covers most needs; off-season plan connections carefully.
- Airport shuttle (Zadar) (25-40 HRK) - Shuttles and scheduled buses run from Zadar Airport into Zadar centre and the ferry port in about 20-30 minutes. They are the cheapest practical link for air passengers connecting to island ferries. Confirm seasonal timetables as frequencies increase in summer.
- Ferry / catamaran (Jadrolinija / local operators) (12-30 HRK) - Passenger ferries and catamarans from Zadar to Preko run frequently in summer and less often off-season. Crossing is about 25-40 minutes depending on vessel type; single fares commonly fall in the 12-30 HRK range. Arrive at the port at least 10-15 minutes before departure in peak season.
- Local bus (10-25 HRK) - Local buses link Zadar bus station with the ferry port and with island bus stops once you disembark in Preko. Timetables are coordinated with ferry arrivals but can be sparse outside peak times - plan connections in advance during shoulder season.
- Taxi / transfer (100-250 HRK (airport taxi to Zadar centre / pier)) - Taxis or private transfers from Zadar Airport directly to the ferry pier save time and hassle if you have luggage or tight connections; expect to pay noticeably more than the shuttle. On Ugljan taxis are limited but available for short hops from the harbor to accommodation.
- Car + ferry (Vehicle ferry fares vary; passenger fares as above) - You can drive to Zadar and take a car ferry to Ugljan (vehicle ferry operates on certain routes); this is useful if you need a car on the island. Check Jadrolinija schedules for vehicle sailings and seasonal variations.
- Walking - Preko’s harbour village is compact; once ashore most accommodation, beaches and restaurants are within easy walking distance. Walking is the best way to explore locally.
Where to Stay in Preko
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Where to Eat in Preko
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Preko’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Preko
Nightlife is seasonal and relaxed: konobas and waterfront bars get livelier in summer, while the off-season returns to a quiet, community feel.
Shopping in Preko
Shopping is focused on essentials and tourism: a couple of grocery stores, summer stalls selling local olive oil and crafts, and small souvenir shops. For more choice look to Zadar on the mainland.