Preko City

Island town on Ugljan island opposite Zadar

Why Visit
Best Things to Do in Preko
Bucket List
Best Time
Getting There
Getting Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
Shopping
Nightlife

Accessible by short ferry from Zadar, Preko on Ugljan island draws boaters and cyclists to olive groves, pebble coves and the hilltop St. Michael fortress with views back across the Adriatic.

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.

Ferries connect Preko to Zadar across the Pašman Channel in roughly a 20-25 minute crossing.

Local Time

6:27 AM

GMT+2

Weather

65°F

Overcast

Population

1,250

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#

All Attractions ›

Paklenica

Karst national park popular for hiking and rock climbing

National Park

National Park Kornati

Archipelago national park of rugged islands and clear seas

National Park

Dugi Otok

Long Adriatic island with cliffs and sandy beaches

Island

Pašman

Adriatic island with beaches and traditional villages

Island

Church of St. Donatus

Early medieval circular church and Zadar landmark

Religious Site

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

Island

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.

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

December - February

7 to 14°C (45 to 57°F)

Mild, wet winters with quiet harbors - good for low-key walks and off-season calm, though many tourist services run reduced hours.

Spring

March - May

12 to 22°C (54 to 72°F)

Warm, fragrant spring days perfect for cycling between villages, hiking short coastal trails, and early-season swimming before crowds arrive.

Summer

June - August

22 to 32°C (72 to 90°F)

Hot, sunny weather ideal for beaches and island-hopping; expect lively marinas, busy ferries and vibrant seaside cafés through peak season.

Climate

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).

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustJune

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

34°

Warmest Month

-3°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

7°

Feels Like Cold

7°C

Temperature

3° – 10°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

72 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

9.1h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

7°

Feels Like Cold

7°C

Temperature

3° – 11°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

60 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

10.3h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

5° – 14°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

63 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.6

UV Index

Moderate

11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

8° – 17°

75%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

68 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.0

UV Index

Moderate

13.3h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

13° – 22°

73%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

64 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.4

UV Index

High

14.6h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

16° – 26°

69%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

51 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

15.3h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 29 mm.

91 Ideal

Comfort

24°

Feels Like Warm

24°C

Temperature

19° – 29°

63%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

29 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

15.0h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm).

87 Excellent

Comfort

23°

Feels Like Mild

23°C

Temperature

18° – 29°

64%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

48 mm

Rainfall

2.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

13.8h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

20°

Feels Like Mild

20°C

Temperature

15° – 25°

68%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

95 mm

Rainfall

2.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.0

UV Index

Moderate

12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

11° – 20°

74%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

103 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.5

UV Index

Moderate

10.8h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

10°

Feels Like Cool

10°C

Temperature

7° – 14°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

99 mm

Rainfall

3.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.5h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

4° – 11°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

91 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.7h daylight

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.

By Air

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.

By Train & Bus

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#

Budget

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Mid-Range

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Luxury

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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.

Pizza

Regional

Burger

Italian

Fish

Croatian

Pasta

Barbecue

Mediterranean

Seafood

Grill

Kebab

Balkan

Chicken

Pancake

Sandwich

Steak House

Meat

Greek

Local

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.