Sukošan: Coast, Marina and Culture

When looking for hotels in Sukošan, you can shape your stay around the coast, history or maritime offerings. Sukošan combines a varied coastline with historic buildings and local customs. The wider destination of Općina Sukošan also offers additional routes and cultural activities.

Coast and Beaches

Sukošan has more than 10 kilometres of varied coastline, with shallow bays and sandy and pebbly areas. Its beaches include Zlatna luka, Dječji raj and Makarska. Alongside the bays, these named beach locations offer a range of options when planning a seaside stay.

Local History and Carnival Tradition

The Church of St. Cassian features Romanesque and Baroque details and has a bell tower. Visible remains of the defensive walls of the fortified settlement have been preserved at Gornja vrata. The Venetian authorities had these walls built between 1468 and 1470.

The local tradition of “Babe luže” takes place during the carnival season. Men wear old clothes, sheepskins or goatskins and masks, along with bells and sacks filled with ash. Seasonal fishing festivals also combine local food culture with singing and dancing. Menus may feature sardines and other small fish, shellfish, prosciutto, wine, kroštule, fritule and homemade “bubice”. Dates and dishes may vary.

Marina and Boat Excursions

Marina Dalmacija in Sukošan supports nautical travel. Its facilities include berths, charter offices, a fuel station, a café-restaurant, a travel agency, a diving centre, a beach club and a children’s playground. Facilities may change. The marina is geared towards boat excursions around the Zadar Archipelago and the waters surrounding Kornati National Park. Specific options depend on the marina and charter conditions.

In the Wider Destination of Općina Sukošan

In the wider destination of Općina Sukošan, Dječji raj is a sandy beach with shallow water. Makarska Beach is part of a newly built promenade; nearby are areas for beach volleyball, basketball, children’s play and bocce. These features add specific beach and leisure options to the general description of the coast.

On Tustica, the fitness trail includes a 6.6-kilometre circular route and a 2-kilometre ridge route; there are two rest stops along the way. The wider destination of Općina Sukošan also has three signposted cycling routes from Zadar Bike Magic. The Magunja Trail offers races over 25, 12 and 6 kilometres through the municipality, across Tustica and through fields, vineyards and olive groves. A section of the Camino Zadar also passes through the Sukošan destination and forms part of the European Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route network.

Palac was later used as a fortress and served as a refuge for refugees fleeing the Turks in 1646 during the Cretan War. Another craft tradition is boatbuilding: the Filipi boatyard has been operating in Sukošan since 1932. Today, the fifth generation of kalafati (traditional boatbuilders) runs the business and preserves boatbuilding traditions recognised as intangible cultural heritage.

Cultural activities in the wider destination of Općina Sukošan include Ispod Kampanela, a klapa singing gathering in Sukošan. Renowned klapa groups perform klapa songs and poems in the local dialect. Folklore evenings in Sukošan and Gorica offer insights into local traditions and folklore from Slavonia, Prigorje and other regions of Croatia. The Feast of St. Cassian is celebrated on 13 August in Sukošan and Debeljak. In Sukošan, a procession around the old town centre and a fireworks display over the sea follow the Mass. The Sukošan Jazz Festival is a two-day event; dates and performers vary with each edition.

Discover more destinations: Gorica, Debeljak.

Go to the wider destination overview: Općina Sukošan.