Ugljan, another island belonging to the Zadar archipelago, is located very close to the city of Zadar, which is the cultural and economic center of the Zadar region. The island is well connected with the city by many ferry lines, while a bridge connects Ugljan with its neighboring island Pašman that lies south. This beautiful green island consists of several larger settlements, i.e. Ugljan, Preko, Kali and Kukljica, and a number of smaller villages (Lukoran, Sutomišćica, Poljana) where private holiday houses and apartments offer accommodation.
The largest and northernmost settlement on the island is Ugljan, which was inhabited in ancient times as testified by many well-preserved remains of ancient architecture that were discovered there. Next to the sandy Mostir beach, there is the 15th-century Franciscan monastery of Saint Jerome with its library, in which valuable writings in the glagolithic script are kept. The great Venetian fortress of Saint Michael from the 13th century towers over the somewhat newer settlement of Preko, which, aside from Kukljica, is the island’s largest tourist center. The road leading to the fortress is at the same time a signposted bicycle trail that cuts across a few interesting footpaths which lead through aromatic Mediterranean vegetation. During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, a large number of manors for Zadar's noble families were built on the island.
Even in present times, many residents of Zadar keep the tradition of having summer houses on the island, because Ugljan is a popular summer resort for them. The municipality covers the islands of Rivanj and Sestrunj, which are popular among sailors for its numerous peaceful bays and gentle coves. Guests are offered accommodation in hotels, camps, private holiday houses and apartments.
