The deep Solišćica Bay and a hiking trail through Soline to Sakarun and Veli Rat give the village two distinct focal points: anchoring larger boats and a longer route on foot. Its history also stretches far back: Soline was first mentioned in the 12th century. When planning your trip, you can therefore distinguish between its maritime connections, local history and a hike with a clearly stated duration.

The bay and local history

Soline lies in the deep Solišćica Bay, which is considered suitable for anchoring larger yachts and boats. For travellers interested in sailing, this is a defining aspect of the village. The name Soline refers to former salt pans in the bay. This history is reflected in the settlement’s name and adds a historical dimension to its connection with the water.

Soline was first mentioned in the 12th century. The village is also home to one of the first public schools on Dugi Otok. These are distinct historical points of reference: one speaks to the settlement’s place in the region, the other to its long written history.

A hiking route with a stated duration

A hiking route rated easy covers 11.8 kilometres through Soline and on to Sakarun and Veli Rat. It reaches the area around the Veli Rat Lighthouse. The hike is estimated to take about 3 hours and 30 minutes. This means you can take both the distance and approximate walking time into account when planning your day. If you are considering Soline for its bay and history, the route adds another focus to your stay, with a clearly defined time commitment.

In the wider destination of Općina Sali

Looking at the wider destination of Općina Sali brings other natural and cultural highlights into view. Telašćica Bay was declared a nature park in 1988. The nature park includes quiet beaches and steep cliffs. Sali is the settlement closest to the nature park and is considered the easiest access point from the mainland.

Saljsko polje is also part of this regional landscape: it was protected as a special botanical reserve in 1969. It is home to olive trees up to 700 years old. Its conservation history and centuries-old trees offer a different perspective on the landscape from the coastal scenery of Telašćica.

Culture and tradition in Sali

In Sali, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary has a monumental wooden high altar dating from the 17th century. The Church of St John in Stivanje polje is first mentioned in a document from 1064 or 1065. These details offer different historical perspectives: one focuses on a significant piece of church furnishings, the other on the early written mention of a church.

Saljske užance is a three-day local festival in Sali that has been held for more than 50 years. During the festival, Tovareća mužika makes several appearances throughout the village, stopping at various locations to perform its programme. The rhythm is provided by various drums and old iron flatirons filled with pebbles. Tovareća mužika performs its Budnica on Sunday morning during Saljske užance. The programme for Saljske užance 2026 also includes cooking brudet and other seafood dishes. If you are travelling at a later date, check the programme for that year’s festival.

Another route in Općina Sali

As a separate cycling option in Općina Sali, cycle route No. 13 runs from Sali via Vela Ploča and Čuh Polje to Dugonjive and Mala Proversa. The route is 7.9 kilometres long. As the route map is older, check the condition of the trail locally.

Discover more destinations: Bozava, Dragove, Sali, Luka, Zman, Brbinj, Zapuntel, Zaglav

For the wider travel overview: Općina Sali.