Islands Near Zadar to Visit

Zadar's position on the Dalmatian coast places it at the threshold of an island belt stretching northwest toward Istria and southeast to Split. The archipelago nearest the city divides into two groups: the inshore islands accessible by frequent car ferry, and the outer Kornati chain reachable only by organized boat tour or private charter. Ugljan lies closest to the mainland and functions as a residential extension of Zadar. Ferries depart every two hours throughout the day, crossing to Preko in twenty-five minutes. The island's eastern shore is lined with villages that share stone-paved waterfronts and small parish churches. Olive groves cover the interior, and a network of trails connects the coastal settlements. Pašman sits immediately south of Ugljan, separated by a strait spanned by a bridge, so a single ferry ticket opens both islands. The southern coast of Pašman holds quieter beaches and deeper anchorages. Dugi Otok—Long Island—stretches forty-five kilometers along the outer edge of the archipelago. The northern half is agricultural and dotted with villages, while the southern end holds Telašćica Nature Park, a deeply indented bay system flanked by cliffs that drop vertically into the Adriatic. Sakarun Beach, on the island's northwest coast, offers shallow turquoise water and fine white sand uncommon in Croatia. The ferry from Zadar to Brbinj or Božava runs twice daily, with crossings lasting ninety minutes. Day trips are feasible but compressed; most visitors rent a scooter or bicycle on arrival to cover the island's length. Pag connects to the mainland by bridge but remains culturally and geographically distinct. The island's northern towns—Novalja in particular—draw summer crowds for beach clubs and late-night venues. The southern half, accessible from Zadar by a shorter ferry crossing to Žigljen, remains arid and sparsely populated. Pag is known for sheep's cheese aged in stone huts and for lace-making traditions preserved in Pag Town. The Kornati National Park comprises eighty-nine islands, most uninhabited and treeless. The park's defining feature is its density: islands lie so close that channels between them narrow to boat widths. Stone walls partition old grazing plots, and a handful of konoba—seasonal seafood taverns—occupy sheltered coves. Kornati requires a park entry fee and is best visited by organized tour, which typically includes swimming stops and a meal at one of the konobar. Boats depart from Zadar in the morning and return by late afternoon. Early departures from Zadar between eight and ten allow time to explore an island's interior before midday heat settles. Return ferries from Ugljan and Pašman run until evening, but Dugi Otok's last departure leaves in late afternoon. Kornati tours operate on fixed schedules. The Zadar archipelago remains accessible throughout the year, though ferry frequency drops outside the May-to-September season.