Telašćica Nature Park

The Telašćica Nature Park protects the extraordinary southern tip of Dugi Otok island — a landscape of contrasts that combines Croatia's largest, safest natural harbour with some of its most dramatic sea cliffs. The huge 8-km-long Telašćica Bay is a sheltered anchorage rated among Europe's finest for yachts (up to 200 boats moor here on August nights), with lovely deep-blue water and 25 tiny coves for swimming. On the opposite (western) side of the same island, the karst hills drop sheer into the open Adriatic in the astonishing Stene cliffs — a 5-km wall of white limestone up to 160 metres high, best appreciated on a signposted 90-minute walking loop from the small park visitor centre at Mir. Between these two contrasting sea vistas lies the delightful Lake Mir — a saltwater lake fed by underground channels from the sea, so warm and salty in summer that swimming feels almost like floating on the Dead Sea — a favourite of families with children. Excellent traditional konoba beside the lake serves the local Dugi Otok speciality — 'lignje na buzaru' (squid stew with wine and garlic). Access is by boat from Zadar to Sali (1 hour ferry), then by taxi, hired bike or a lovely 12-km walk south to Mir.