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 80 meters off Preko's waterfront, reachable by a short boat trip (Source: Zadar Archipelago tourism site, 2026). 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, and its library holds a collection of old and rare books that has been a protected Cultural Good of the Republic of Croatia since 2016, 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 (Source: Chasing the Donkey; Inspired by Croatia, 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's Old City bans walking around topless or in swimwear, with fines reported up to roughly 250 British pounds (about 320 euros), enforced with signage at the main entrances (Source: Total Croatia News, 2026). Split's city council adopted a similar bylaw with a 150 euro fine for the old town center (Source: The Dubrovnik Times, 2026). 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. The Zadar-Preko crossing is reported as Croatia's busiest ferry line, with up to 29 sailings a day in July and August, roughly 25 a day in June and September, and around 20 the rest of the year (Source: Putovnica.net, Croatian ferry information site, 2026); this frequency figure could not be independently cross-confirmed on Jadrolinija's own site at the time of writing, so treat it as a well-established secondary report rather than an official statistic. Car queues build early in high season, so arrive well before your intended sailing if you're bringing a vehicle, or consider going on foot or by bicycle and using local transport on the island side.

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.