Although it's easily accessible from Zadar by boat, Croatia's “Long Island” is rather far out to sea, and so remains one of those few places where you can enjoy tranquillity even in high season.
Its capital, Sali, is a simple, historic and attractive fishing town with a summer cultural festival running from mid-July to mid-August. The climax of this is a festival called Saljski užanci - three days of music, fireworks, fresh grilled fish, drinking, dancing, donkey racing and parades in traditional local costume in a friendly atmosphere. The festivites sometimes get rather wild and climax in revellers leaping into the sea in full national costume! Another unique element is the strange and haunting folk music of the island, played on old irons filled with stones, and on enormous horns poached from some poor beast.
If that all sounds too hectic, head for the smaller village of Božava. The exceptionally clean sea makes it a haven for divers. Nearby is a white sand beach called Sakarun. There are other sandy beaches in this area on the north tip of the island. Treat yourself and hire a boat and explore to your heart’s content – it’s the best way to explore any island. Beaches away from settlements and people are, of course, clothing-optional zones.
A trip to the Telaščica Nature Park is an unmissable part of a visit to Dugi Otok – it’s within biking distance from Sali. Telašćica Bay is a 10km deep inlet dotted with bays, islets and cliffs. A spectacular saltwater lake lies next to the bay – the water is warm and said to be curative, and you can swim there. Legends abound about hidden treasure and ancient inhabitants with five horns on their heads. More visible treasure is the wildlife that abounds there, from pine to fig to olive to moufflon (a kind of wild sheep). Although the park is not commercialised, there are facilities for tourists providing fresh fish and local wine. Paradise indeed.
Our Recommendations for Dugi Otok
1.Beaches: Visit Veli Rat, Veli Žal, Sakarun, Brbinjšćica, and Lake Mir in Telašćica Nature Park, which is always a few degrees warmer than the sea.
2. Visit the Grpašćak Centre The centre is located in Telašćica Nature Park and serves gorgeous views of the endless chain of islands in Kornati National Park.
3. Explore Žman, the oldest village on the island. Have a coffee there, and visit the Žampera Goat Cheese Tasting Room in the evening. Goat's cheese on Dugi Otok is a must — this is a goat island! On the other side of the bay, you can always enjoy a good meal at Konoba Regula (in Žman). As a treat, try the extra virgin olive oil NAI 3.3 from Žman, made by the Split-based olive-growing couple Nives and Goran Morović, which recently won first place at the Monocultivar Olive Oil competition!
4. For an active vacation, you can rent a kayak and gently cruise through the coves of Telašćica Nature Park or the island itself. You can visit the Golubinka Cave or walk to the Strašna Peć Cave.
5. In Savar, you can visit the Church of St. Pelegrin, which is part of the island’s UNESCO heritage. You can also swim below the church and the cemetery.
6. In Sali, the most famous village on the island, make sure to have a coffee, visit the Mediteranea Gallery for souvenirs, or go to the local library to discover why it is so famous and has members from all over the world. Finally, you can visit their "linčarnica," where doing nothing is a must.
7.There's still so much more to do on Dugi Otok, but to finish off, we suggest spending the evening alone on one of the island's peaks, enjoying the silence, the horizon at sunset, and the scent of wild and medicinal herbs. Relax and keep that memory with you!
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