Municipality of Sukošan: Coast, Heritage and Trails

A sandy beach with shallow water, historic buildings and trails on Tustica give the Municipality of Sukošan a variety of experiences for visitors. Events add their own highlights, from music and folklore to processions and sports competitions. When planning a stay, you can first decide whether beach days, cultural heritage, outdoor activities or a particular festival should take centre stage.

Beaches with different character

Dječji raj is a sandy beach with shallow water. D-Marin Dalmacija beach forms a pebble beach and beach club area, with pontoons and spaces for relaxation and children’s play. At Makarska beach, a newly constructed promenade is part of the setting; nearby are facilities for beach volleyball, basketball, children’s play and bocce. The shoreline areas therefore differ both in beach type and in the leisure facilities mentioned. Beach club facilities may change seasonally, and individual nearby facilities may also change locally. If you are planning to use a particular facility, check its current status before your visit.

Church, fortress and maritime history

The parish church of St. Cassian in Sukošan offers several historical points of interest. It has been mentioned since 1396 and probably already existed in the 9th or 10th century. It acquired its present appearance in 1642. The church features pre-Romanesque sculptural fragments and a prominent gable from an altar screen, probably dating from the mid-11th century or slightly earlier.

Palac was planned and built as an archbishop’s summer residence on an artificially raised island in Sukošan Bay, but remained unfinished during Matheo Vallaresso’s lifetime. Palac later served as a fortress; in 1646, during the Cretan War, it offered refuge to people fleeing the Turks. Another remnant of the fortifications is Gornja vrata: these are visible remains of the defensive walls that surrounded Sukošan and were built by the Venetian authorities between 1468 and 1470.

Part of the town’s history also lies underwater. In Barbir Bay, at a depth of 1 to 3.5 metres, are the remains of a complex ancient harbour belonging to an ancient villa rustica. The Filipi boatyard represents a craft tradition that continues to this day. It has been in operation since 1932; the fifth generation of kalafati preserves traditional boatbuilding crafts there, which are recognised as intangible cultural heritage.

Trails and sporting options

The fitness trail across Tustica includes a 6.6-kilometre circular route and a 2-kilometre route along the Tustica ridge. There are two rest areas along the trail. The shorter of the two routes listed is therefore clearly distinct from the longer loop. The Rupine and Zrakunjača caves on Tustica are also described as karst features.

A section of the Camino Zadar passes through the Sukošan destination and is part of the European Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route network. Three Zadar Bike Magic cycling routes are signposted in the municipality. The Magunja Trail offers a different focus: during the race, routes of 25, 12 and 6 kilometres pass through the Municipality of Sukošan, across Tustica and through fields, vineyards and olive groves. The different route lengths and themes offer concrete points of reference for weighing up your interests during your stay.

Festivals, music and local traditions

The feast of St. Cassian is celebrated on 13 August in Sukošan and Debeljak. In Sukošan, Mass is followed by a procession around the old town centre and fireworks at sea. Maškare in Sukošan, by contrast, takes place on the last Sunday of Carnival every year: various masked groups from all generations parade through the town with allegorical floats, and refreshment stations are set up along the route. Event dates and programme details may vary from one edition to the next, so checking the relevant programme can be helpful when planning your trip.

At the Ispod Kampanela klapa gathering in Sukošan, renowned klapa groups perform poems in the local dialect alongside klapa songs. The Sukošan Jazz Festival is a two-day event featuring jazz concerts by renowned artists for residents and visitors; dates and line-ups vary from one edition to the next. Traditional folklore evenings in Sukošan and Gorica, meanwhile, offer insights into local folklore as well as traditions from Slavonia, Prigorje and other regions of Croatia. These events showcase different facets of cultural life, from singing and dialect to folklore from various parts of the country.

Choose the right base

Then compare the locations of specific accommodation options with your own plans. If you are travelling for a particular festival, check the date and programme for that year’s edition.

Discover more destinations: Sukošan, Debeljak, Gorica, Municipality of Škabrnja, Municipality of Benkovac, Municipality of Novigrad, Municipality of Zemunik Donji, Municipality of Polača.

Go to the overview of destinations: Zadar County.