Ugljan, Croatia: Dos and Don'ts Every Visitor Should Know

What should I wear to visit the Franciscan monastery near Preko?

Cover up. The Franciscan Monastery of St. Paul the Hermit sits on Galevac, also called Školjić, a tiny islet about 85 metres off Preko (Source: Općina Preko, official municipal site), reachable by a short boat trip (Source: Zadar Archipelago tourism site). A sign at the monastery entrance makes clear that visitors may not enter in swimwear (Source: Tripadvisor visitor reporting, 2026). The monastery dates to the 15th century, its library collection is entered in the Register of Cultural Property of the Republic of Croatia (Source: Zadar Archipelago tourism site), and the Ministry of Culture protected the church and monastery inventory in 2013 (Source: Općina Preko), so treat the whole complex with the same quiet respect you would give any active religious site.

• Cover shoulders and knees before entering
• No swimwear, even if you arrived by boat directly from a swim
• Keep voices low inside the church and library areas
• The islet is reached only by short boat transfer from Preko, not on foot

Do you tip in Croatia?

Tipping is appreciated, not obligatory the way it is in the United States. Multiple independent Croatia-focused travel guides converge on a similar range, around 5 to 10 percent at a mid-range, sit-down restaurant, and 10 to 15 percent at upscale restaurants or for standout service, with many locals tipping toward the lower end of that range (Sources: Chasing the Donkey; Inspired by Croatia, updated 10 December 2025; both checked 13 October 2026). Fast food counters and casual sandwich shops do not carry the same expectation. Always glance at the bill first, since some restaurants already fold a service charge into the total.

What is the "kuvert" charge on my restaurant bill?

Some Croatian restaurants add a small cover charge, locally called "kuvert" or "kuver," typically covering bread and table setting, and this should be shown on the menu rather than sprung on you only at the end (Source: Croatia Traveller dining guide, 2026). No single, specific Croatian statute governing this charge was independently verified for this article; treat the disclosure expectation as standard EU-style menu-transparency practice rather than a cited law, and ask to see the printed menu price if a cover charge appears on your bill unannounced.

Can I walk around in swimwear in nearby towns?

Not in some Croatian tourist centers, though no equivalent rule was found for Ugljan or Zadar itself. Dubrovnik banned walking around its Old City topless or in swimwear in 2016, with fines then reported at up to 250 British pounds (about 320 euros at the time) and signs at the main entrances (Source: Total Croatia News, May 2016, checked 13 October 2026). Split's city council adopted a similar bylaw with a 150 euro fine for the old town centre (Source: The Dubrovnik Times; the article could not be reopened on 13 October 2026 because the site blocks automated access). Fines and rules can change, so check the signs when you arrive. No comparable ordinance was found documented for Ugljan, Preko or Zadar's own old town at the time of writing, but the general Adriatic coastal norm, covering up once you leave the beach, is a safe default anywhere in the region.

• Keep beachwear on the beach itself
• Bring a cover-up or T-shirt for village walks, ferries and shops
• Dubrovnik and Split enforce this with real fines if you're combining Ugljan with other Croatian stops
• No confirmed ordinance on Ugljan itself, but local norms still favor covering up in the villages

What should I know about the car ferry to Ugljan?

Plan around summer queues. In 2026 the car ferry (line 431) runs 18 departures a day from Zadar's Gaženica port from June to September and 17 the rest of the year, and the passenger-only boat (line 409) adds up to 11 weekday departures from the city harbour in July and August, which makes up to 29 departures from Zadar on a summer weekday (Source: Jadrolinija sailing schedules 2026, checked 13 October 2026). Only line 431 carries cars, so if you bring a vehicle in high season, arrive well before your intended sailing, or go on foot and rent a bike in Preko instead.

Are there boating or anchoring rules I should respect near Ugljan?

Free anchoring is common practice in bays outside organized beaches and any protected areas, and Muline Bay on Ugljan's west coast is a well-known, sheltered, free anchorage with a history going back to Roman-era loading of wine and olive oil (Source: Yachts Croatia, 2026). No marine protected area specific to Ugljan's own waters was found documented at the time of writing; if you are chartering a boat, ask the charter company directly about any seasonal restrictions, since these can apply to specific coves without always being obvious to visitors.

Can you rent a bike or e-scooter on Ugljan?

Yes, right at the Preko ferry port. Koncept2, a local rental business at Artić 2 in Preko, rents bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters and recommends booking ahead (Source: Koncept2, official site). Zadar-Bike, based in Zadar, rents bikes on Ugljan with free delivery (Source: Zadar-Bike, official site). Renting from a business on the island, and buying olive oil, wine and fresh fish straight from a konoba or producer, keeps more of your spending on Ugljan itself.

• Koncept2 rents bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters at the Preko ferry port
• Zadar-Bike delivers rental bikes to Ugljan free of charge
• Buy olive oil, wine and fish from island producers where you can