Sali

Dugi Otok

About Sali

Sali is one of the 12 villages on Dugi otok (Long island) – one of the largest and most beautiful islands on Adriatic sea, and his name is justified by his 45 kilometers length.

This is an ideal destination whether you want relaxing or active holiday, as well as ideal starting point for discovering exceptional Long island nature beauty.

Sali is located on the north-eastern island coast. It is administrative center of the island and village with largest population.

With its tourism facilities, proximity of Nature Park Telašćica and National Park Kornati, Sali is ideal place for relaxation. On the other hand, everyone who wishes active holiday can rent a boat, bike or scooter and explore the  island. There is also taxi service which offers transfers along the island.

For more details visit www.dugiotok.hr.

History

Sali is a place of a thousand-years-old fishing tradition, which was confirmed by written documents from the 10th century and ancient olive groves surrounding the village witness the intensive agricultural activities throughout the centuries.

The cultural heritage of Sali is represented by sacred buildings such as the parish church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a gorgeous wooden altar from the 17th century and inscriptions written in Glagolitic, as well as the churches of St. Roch and St. Nicholas. There are also remains of layouts of other Christian churches in the fields of Sali.

In the olive grove Saljsko polje are olive trees 700 years old which along with the size of the tree represent a unique ecological area in this region. Because of the age and size of the trees, this olive grove represents an important horticultural facility on the coast which was declared a botanic reserve.

The olive groves are called “olive woods” by the local residents and it is assumed that the old Greeks who had estates on the island started to plant olive trees. According to its age, spaciousness, the olive grove Saljsko polje represents a unique botanic, aesthetic and tourist value.

Attractions

Nature Park Telašćica

Nature Park Telašćica is first on the list of „must see“ attractions on Dugi otok (Long island). It is situated only a few kilometers from Sali, so you can reach it on foot or by bike, while enjoying beautiful sights along the way.

The Telašćica bay is one of the safest, the most beautiful and largest natural ports in the Adriatic. There are 6 islets and cliffs inside the bay, and 25 small coves on the 69 km indented coastline. It is an attractive anchorage for many boaters.

On the other side of the Park you must experience great panoramic views as well as „The cliffs“ of the island Dugi otok or locally called “Stene” rising up to 160 m over the sea, and vertically falling down 90 m into the sea.

Another phenomenon of the Telašćica Nature Park is the Salt Lake “Mir” with fine curative gray silt.

The Park offers organized tours in nature, cruising, water sports, diving, fishing, cycling, photo safari and traditional sea specialities in several catering establishments in the area of the park.

For more details visit www.dugiotok.hr.

 

Salt Lake “Mir”

Lake Mir is located in the southwestern part of Nature Park Telašćica. The lake is located in a narrow strip of land between Telašćica Bay and the open sea. The lake is about 900 m long, and its greatest width is about 300 m. The greatest depth is 6 m. The lake is salty due to underground connections to the sea. The salinity of the lake is generally higher than the salinity of the surrounding sea due to evaporation and enclosedness. The lake shore is mostly low and rocky, with numerous limestone rocks, and only in the extreme southwestern part a lesser accumulation of sand can be observed. The bottom of the lake is rocky in the shallow parts, and covered in pelitic bottom deposits in the deeper ones, with fango (healing one) in one part.

Temperature fluctuations in the lake are very prominent (in summer to 33°C, in winter to 5°C), therefore the lake is warmer than the sea in summer, and colder in winter due to its shallowness. The salinity of the lake is above average due to evaporation. These extreme conditions are the reason for the biological poverty of the lake. In addition to the plankton, there are only a few species of marine organisms in the lake. These are: algae, goby, mullet, sea bass, several species of shellfish, see snails, crabs, and a special type of eel that grows up to 3 kg.

Beaches and coves

To go swimming or sunbathing on the Dugi otok (Long island) is extremely easy while all around you there is bright blue attractive sea.

Apart from 25 beaches and coves in Telašćica Nature Park, there is a great number of hidden places with lovely beaches, which are great challenge to explorers or visitors who want privacy and peace.

For more details visit www.dugiotok.hr.

Diving and fishing

Like all the Adriatic islands, the island of Dugi otok has a rich underwater world. You can explore this world with the help of one of the four diving schools on Dugi otok, who will give anyone the opportunity to take an adventure in the mysterious depths of the sea. Diving instructors will walk you through this magnificent world and take you to some of the best diving destinations in the central Adriatic such as the islet Mežanj or underwater cave Brbinjšćica.

If you prefer to stay above the sea surface, fishing is a great opportunity to learn about local tradition and sea world. There are several options: morning, daily, evening and multiday fishing.

Destination for fishing trips is the Kornati archipelago, and you can use various fishing techniques.

For more details visit www.dugiotok.hr.

Events

Festivities of Sali

When ships from Sali sail into the port of Zadar, bringing with them the sounds of “donkey music”, it is a sign to all that the Sali Fiesta, popular across the whole of the Adriatic, has begun.

Larking about through the streets of Zadar and playing “donkey music”, the merry parade invites everyone to join the three-day celebration in a relaxed atmosphere.

The following evening the mouth-watering aromas of the Fishermen’s Night will make your palate crave for food.

 

It will not be easy to decide what to try first among the many specialties like brodettos, pilchards and tuna dishes, surrounded by the mellow atmosphere of Dalmatian nights still further enhanced by the melodies of Dalmatian harmony singing groups.

Sport-inclined visitors interested in trying new and unusual sports will get into their own on the third day of the Fiesta, which comes to an end with the popular Night of Sali when entertainment is provided by well known pop stars.

The Fiesta ends on Sunday with the traditional Donkey Race, a spectacular event and a barrel of laughs.

For more details visit www.dugiotok.hr.

Dugi otok Trail

Dugi otok trail unveils the most amazing scenery of Telaščica Nature Park and small islands in Zadar archipelago.

Trail starts and finishes in Sali and is being held in spring (March).

It gives you the perfect reason to visit this jewel island in the preseason.

For more details visit www.dugiotok.hr.