Camping Preko

There are several spectacular beaches on the island, and one of them is pebbly Mala Lamjana (five minutes’ drive), at the very tip of the deep bay of the same name. Its shallow waters are great for kids, who can also look for marine life in the rockpools or explore the nearby playground. In the days of Ancient Rome, the oil mill in Muline (15 minutes), at the northern end of the island, was Croatia’s largest production site of olive oil, with five large presses filling more than 3,000 amphorae that were then exported throughout the empire. In addition to the ancient ruins, you can check out a replica of the mill. Take a ferry to the mainland and visit Zadar (35 minutes). Built in the ninth century, the (now deconsecrated) Church of St. Donatus has a dramatic stone interior with remarkable acoustics and it hosts music concerts. By sunset, be sure to find your way to the Sea Organ, the pipes of which are played by the waves, for a spectacle of music and light.