Biograd na Moru (white town at the sea), a town and port in northern Dalmatia, 28 km south of Zadar; population 5.259. It lies both on a small peninsula and the mainland. On its northern side is the cove of Bošana and on the southern Soline. In front of the town are the islands of Planac and Sveta Katarina (St. Catherine) (with a lighthouse). An average air temperature in January is 7 °C and in July 24.5 °C, with annual rainfall reaching 840 mm. The Soline Cove houses a large public, sand beach and a pine forest. Biograd is a local trading and traffic centre, with good connections with its hinterland, surrounding coastal villages and small towns and the island of Pašman. Economy is based on farming, fishing and tourism. Biograd is a ferry pier for the island of Pašman. It is located on the main road Zadar - Split (M2, E65).
Biograd 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, Pakoštane and Drage, as well as of several places on the island of Pašman: Tkon, Kraj, Pašman, Barotul, Mrljane, Nevidjane, Dobropoljana, Banj and Ždrelac, 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 Telaščica Nature Park and lake Vransko Nature Park.
Apart from cultural and historical heritage, Biograd is also characterized by nice beaches, picturesque bays and various accommodation facilities. The town has a number of restaurants offering specialities of local and international cuisine.
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. A number of cultural and entertainment programs and sports events are offered in the summer months: 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 Pašman 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 Telaščica 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 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. Biograd provides excellent opportunities for sailing and diving and also offers sailing and diving courses.
Biograd is a port frequented by boaters whose destination is the Kornati Archipelago. Regattas, sailing schools and other nautical activities are organized throughout the year. Biograd's marinas have 1000 berths in the sea and 200 places on the land. They are open throughout the year.
Biograd na Moru 
