Island of Pag (Croatia)
Discoverer Blog
8/24/20263 min read
If you want to spend your summer vacation on the island of Pag this year (or next), below are some of the interesting sights you might like, especially if you are the type of person who does not like staying in just one place.
Straight to the beaches: Pag has many beautiful beaches, and the type of beach depends on whether it is on the eastern or western side of the island. The eastern side is rocky and barren, so there is not much natural shelter from the sun on those beaches. We found the beaches around the "Life on Mars" hiking trail, such as Ručica or Beritnica, very interesting. I can immediately say that this hiking trail (Life on Mars), located next to the village of Metajna, is a must-do part of exploring Pag. If you embark on the walk "on Mars," park your car at Ručica beach, and from there you have two walking options (longer and shorter). Check the web for details.
Čista beach is similar, located on the way to Novalja if you are coming from the direction of the town of Pag. Zrće and Planjka beaches, both near Novalja, also have very little shade but feature fine gravel and sand. The recommendation is to arrive early before it gets crowded. Zrće is, of course, dedicated to youth partying in the afternoon and evening hours, while families with children often use it in the morning.
If you do not like baking in the sun or under a parasol, you can visit camp Straško or camp Šimuni for a day and enjoy it just like the other campers staying there. Keep in mind that the visit requires a fee (approx. 10 EUR per person) + parking. On the other hand, the Gajac apartment complex (near Novalja and Zrće) is a real discovery, where parking is free, there are no entrance fees, and you can find shade in the little woods right next to the beach.
As for towns, the town of Pag is a typical Mediterranean small town worth visiting (historical town core, Rector's Palace, Church of St. Mary, Salt Museum). If you want beautiful "aerial" shots of the town of Pag, go to the Gradac viewpoint (on the road towards Novalja). Souvenirs include products made of Pag lace (quite expensive but very beautiful), wines, and Pag cheese. Novalja, however, is an even stronger tourist hub where the share of young tourists is among the highest on the Adriatic.
When it comes to food, besides the fish which is excellent at Konoba Bodulo (town of Pag), a few of our islands boast excellent lamb, including the island of Pag. This time, we decided on grilled lamb at Konoba Težak (Metajna). Lamb baked under the bell (peka) must be specially ordered, and a table must be reserved a few days in advance. If you want a very beautiful, romantic atmosphere during dinner with excellent food, Ribarska koliba in Šimuni is the right place for that. Naturally, Pag cheese is a mandatory part of the "literature" when visiting Pag, so it is recommended to go to the village of Kolan, to the Gligora cheese factory. There you can taste cheeses and wines, and later buy what you like in their store. Personally, I love Jadranski cheese, Kotarac (young cheese), and of course, Pag cheese. Boškinac Cuvee red wine is excellent (but expensive).
If you like walking in nature, you should definitely go to the top of the island of Pag to see the famous ancient olive gardens of Lun (it is estimated that the oldest dates back to Roman times). While you are there, take a walk through the rocky terrain past the village of Tovarnele (about 1.5 km) to the very tip, which offers a beautiful view of the islands of Rab, Cres, and Lošinj. Make sure to go during sunset!
On your way back from the island, stop just before the Pag Bridge at the old Fortica. It offers a great view of the bridge, and there is also a "zip line" for those looking for adventure.
Photos of some of these places, along with the text, will soon be published in the new issue of the Discoverer Blog (autumn issue)...