The tiny but beautiful island that gets over 2,500 hours of sunshine a year
The coast of this small island is full of bays with beautiful sand and pebble beaches overlooking the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea.
Thanks to its enviable location, visitors heading to this little hidden gem of northern Croatia can enjoy long stretches of sunshine throughout the year.
The island of Silba is characterised by a Mediterranean climate with an average of 2,570 days of good weather each year, with average highs of 29C from June to August.
Summers on this small island in the Zadar archipelago are mainly hot and bright, with a light mistral wind bringing in some cooler air in the afternoons.
Silba is very quiet compared to other Croatian islands that are overrun by tourists from the most disparate corners of the earth.
There are no cars on the island, only a small fleet of tractors, and the reduced number of visitors makes it the ideal destination for quiet and fully relaxing holidays.
It is a perfect retreat for families and couples who will be enchanted by the rich natural heritage present on the island. Its pristine coasts have inspired artists and musicians for decades.
The village of Silba is a typical fishing hamlet and is also the only settlement on the island.
The most romantic will be fascinated by the story of the lonely sea dog Petar Marinic who, after having promised eternal love to the beautiful local Antonija, found himself heartbroken after she married someone else after growing tired of waiting for him after 20 years.
Legend has it that after finding out about Antonija's marriage, Petar decided to wait another 20 years to marry her equally beautiful daughter Dominika - for whom he had the so-called Tower of Love built.
The tower still offers a breathtaking view of the sea at sunset and serves as a long-lasting tribute to Marinic's love for both women.
Walking through the picturesque streets of Silba, visitors will come across large, ancient homes of sailors and captains that bear witness to the island's rich maritime past.
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Sotorišće beach is the most famous on the island and is located near the small port of Mul.
Its shallow sandy bottom makes it the ideal choice for families with children.
Near the beach, one can find a small bar, beach volleyball, basketball and football pitches and some ping pong tables.
One of the largest beaches on the island is Pocukmarak, with its clear, blue waters, which is located just 400 m south of the city centre.
For lovers of sandy beaches, the best location to enjoy a day out in the sun is Pernastica beach.
The beach is surrounded by a dense pine forest 4.5km from the city centre, easily reachable with a quick boat trip.
The more adventurous can instead try their hand at a walk of about an hour through the woods.
Silba can be reached via the ferry line that connects the city of Zadar on the Croatian coast with the islands of the small archipelago.
The journey takes approximately one hour via the catamaran service operated by the Kapetan Luka-Krilo company. Via conventional boats, the journey from the coast is about four and a half hours.