About the island
Silba lies in the middle of the Zadar archipelago, between Losinj and Zadar: 15 km² of pine forest, olive groves, dry-stone walls and a single village that stretches across the narrowest part of the island.
There are no cars here. From May to October motor vehicles are banned altogether, so the only sounds are bicycles, footsteps on stone lanes, cicadas and the sea. Two coasts meet within a few minutes' walk, which means there is always a sheltered beach — pebble on one side, sand and shallows on the other.
The sea around Silba is among the clearest of the entire Adriatic, warm enough for swimming from June into late September. Days pass between beaches, boat trips to neighbouring islets, a coffee on the promenade and long dinners in the shade of a terrace.
Tourist info
Silba has a lot of small beaches and bays where one can enjoy swimming and sunbathing in clear, unpolluted water. On the west side of the island there are a couple of gravelled beaches with a clean blue sea. On the east and north side the bays are covered with sand, which in combination with the sun reflection creates the beautiful light green colour of the sea.
Pocukmarak
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Pocukmarak is probably the biggest beach on the south side of the island. It is very close to the centre (400 m) and is situated on the south end of Silba’s "Lungo mare". It is a gravelled bay with a very clean, light blue sea.
Only 100 m uphill you can visit the oldest church on Silba, the Church of St. Marko, and the local cemetery.
Tratica is a little gravelled beach on the south side of the island. It is very close to the centre (200 m) and is very easily accessible. It is situated on Silba’s "Lungo mare" and is especially attractive in the afternoon due to the beautiful sunset.
Nearby is the caffe bar Alavia in case you get either hungry or thirsty.
Carpusina is a little gravelled beach close to the centre of the village and very easily accessible, with clear water over a pebble bottom.
It is especially attractive in the afternoon light, and a caffe bar is only a short walk away.
Sotorisce is definitely the biggest and the most popular Silba beach. Its bottom surface is completely covered with sand, which in combination with the sun reflection creates the beautiful light green colour of the sea.
A cold drink or ice cream is available in the nearby coffee bar. The beach is also equipped for beach volleyball.
Tourist info
Beyond the village beaches, Silba is ringed by quiet bays — two working harbours close to the centre and a handful of remote sandy coves reached on foot through the pine woods or by small boat.
Pernastica
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Zalic is the main Silba harbour. It is situated on the south-west side of the island and is very close to the centre. It is really not suitable for swimming since its primary purpose is to be a quay for the big ships, ferries and catamarans that sail from Zadar, Pula and Mali Losinj.
We also have to warn you that it is not possible to anchor private yachts there. If you come to Silba by travel boat, bay Zalic is probably the first thing you will see.
Porat Sv. Ante is a bay situated on the south side of the island and is really the only reliable — or better to say, possible — place for anchoring private boats on this side of the island.
It is not especially attractive for swimming, but you can take a look at the little Church of St. Mark which is placed only a few metres from the sea. Porat Sv. Ante is a very safe place for anchoring sailing and motor boats.
Dobre vode is a very small, but also very attractive Silba bay. It is similar to Sotorisce as far as the colour of the sea (light blue-green) and the sandy surface are concerned, but is also quite different: it is about 3 km from the centre and there are no coffee bars or sport facilities, so it is more like one of those Robinson Crusoe places.
To get there you have to face a 45 minute walk through the woods following narrow paths. Dobre vode is ideal for people who prefer small beaches with not so many people.
Nozdre is a beautiful bay that has two parts, or better to say, two little separate bays. One of them is completely covered by sand, and the other one is partly covered with sand and partly with gravel.
Nozdre is quite far away from the centre but is only about 15 minutes on foot from Dobre vode, so the best way is to see them both in one day. There are no coffee bars or anything similar there — it is a beach made for people who don't like crowded spots.
Mul is one of the two Silba harbours. It is only 200 m away from the centre and is placed on the north-east side of the island. The main difference between Mul and Zalic is that Mul is primarily used as a quay and shelter for private motor boats and yachts, while Zalic is used only by big ships and travel boats.
Since Mul is quite small, you can never be sure to find a place there.
Pernastica is not so popular, but as far as the author of this text is concerned, it is the most beautiful Silba bay. It is even further away from the village centre (4.5 km) and the best way to reach it is by sea or by a one hour walk through the woods.
There is very little space on the coast to leave your personal belongings, so a small excursion by boat is the safest option. In the 51st edition of Croatia's most popular nautical magazine “More”, Pernastica was mentioned as one of the 10 most beautiful sand bays in Croatia.
Papranica is a bay with a small pier only 20 minutes away from the village centre. It is a nice bay to spend a day in, even though it doesn't offer many additional facilities. It is special due to the 10 houses there that have no water or electricity.
Papranica can also be used as a short stay shelter in case of a strong wind or storm.
Tourist info
Guided walking tours around Silba - led by an expert local guide who reveals secrets and stories from the island's history
Organised for groups or as a private guided tour exclusively for people you are travelling with (friends, partners, family).
A tour that covers the period of history from the first settlement of the island until the end of the 19th century and is related to the development of the island and sailing ships as well as the position of barons, captains and sailors in the trade routes to Venice.
