BIOGRAD NA MORU (BIOGRAD ON THE SEA)

Biograd na Moru is the centre of the Riviera consisting of Petar na Moru (Peter on the Sea), Turanj, Sv. Filip i Jakov (Sts. Philip and James), Biograd na Moru, Pakostane and Drage, as well as of several places on the island of Pasman: Tkon, Kraj, Pasman, Barotul, Mrljane, Nevidane, Dobropoljana, Banj and Zdrelac, and Vrgada on the island of the same name. Thanks to its position in the most indented part of the Croatian Adriatic coast, the area provides excellent opportunities for nautical tourism and boating as one of few parts of the Mediterranean. In the close vicinity are three national parks: Paklenica, Kornati Archipelago and Krka, as well as Telascica Nature Park.

The tourist development of Biograd started between the two world wars. The first guest, the Czechs, started to visit Biograd during the 1920s. The first hotel was erected in 1935 on the location of the present hotel Ilirija.

In the summer months a number of cultural and entertainment programs and sports events are offered to tourists: folk feasts in the open, on the swimming pool next to Hotel Ilirija, at the cinema; sports tournaments and competitions are regularly held.

The picturesque Pasman Channel with a series of small islands protects Biograd and its Riviera from strong winds from the sea, which is an advantage for swimmers and boaters. Excursions to the Kornati Archipelago (by boat) are offered, as well as excursions to the nearby Telascica Nature Park. In the immediate vicinity (7 km) is Vransko Lake, the largest lake in Croatia, abundant in freshwater fish. Fishing excursions are also organized.

Biograd na moru has one of the largest and best equipped tennis camps in this part of the Adriatic, comprising 14 lighted tennis courts with clay and 6 courts with hard surface. It is situated in a pine forest, along the beach. The camp provides excellent opportunities for sailing and diving and also offers sailing and diving courses.

Biograd na moru (Biograd on the Sea), a town and port in northern Dalmatia, 28 km south of Zadar. It lies both on a small peninsula and the mainland. On its northern side is the cove of Bosana and on the southern Soline. In front of the town are the islands of Planac and Sveta Katarina (St. Catherine) (with a lighthouse).