Why is Pag Island worth visiting?
If you’re looking for a summer destination that’s perfect for nature lovers, as well as families or party people, you don’t have to look further than Pag Island, Croatia. Not far away from the coast lies the island of Pag, 5th largest island in Croatia, but the one with the most rugged coastline which hides endless beautiful bays and beaches. Generally, there are a few main associations to the island of Pag – salt, lace, the Moon, and lamb. However crazy this combination might sound, it’s undeniably exciting and you’ll enjoy discovering how all these things are connected to Pag.
What to see and do on Pag?
There are endless things to do on Pag, but we’ll only cover a few you shouldn’t skip.
Hike the Life on Mars trail
One of the main characteristics of Pag is its otherworldliness. In some ways, its landscape reminds of the Moon, while in others, of Mars. Bare stones and monumental rocks distinguish this island from any of the other Adriatic islands. Any hiker, nature lover or SF fan will enjoy hiking the official Life on Mars trail. You can modify the hike depending on your preferences, but we urge you to stay on the marked path since this peculiar landscape makes it hard to find your way back to the path once you’re off it. Stop for a swim in Slana Bay and take an amazing photo on the Stogaj rock!
Taste the best lamb
If there’s one thing Pag is known for, it’s the lamb. While exploring the island, you’ll stumble upon many friendly sheep roaming the fields. This free-roaming form of sheep breeding is a long-standing tradition of Pag which makes the lamb such high quality, and many people from all over Croatia come here solely for the great lamb. An important role in the feed of these sheep is the number of aromatic herbs such as rosemary and sage, as well as the high salt concentration of these plants. The salt is carried by the wind “bura” and has a strong influence on the whole landscape, as well as the nutrient composition of plants.
Enjoy the famous nightlife at Zrće
You don’t have to worry when searching for Pag Island nightlife. Pag is home to one of the most famous summer party destinations in Croatia – Zrće Beach. This beautiful beach is located in the town of Novalja, and its reputation now stands for over 10 years. Thousands of Croatians and tourists visit Zrće Beach Pag Island every season and dance their worries away in nightclubs and beach bars.
Explore the quiet side of the island
Those looking for a peaceful vacation, rather than a party trip will also enjoy Pag. Visit the small town of Lun on the protruding side of the island and immerse yourself in nature. Near this town stands an ancient olive grove with olive trees older than a thousand years. This whole place is a botanical reserve, and as such, the largest reserve of wild olives in the world.
Visit the Pag Saltworks
It’d be a shame to visit Pag Island without exploring its main city Pag and the Saltworks near it. Everyone knows the importance of salt for human physiology, so high-quality sea salt should be one of the top condiments. The majority of Croatian salt actually comes from this place, and the view of the saltworks is amazing. Take a trip to Pag, the Saltworks and the fields of aromatic herbs near it.
Which are the best Pag Island beaches?
Since the island of Pag has such a rugged coastline, there are endless beaches and bays you can swim in, but some are only accessible by boat. Here are the best beaches on Pag Island you shouldn’t miss.
Ručica
Ručica Beach is a long half-sandy, half-pebbled beach that starred in a lot of musical videos in Croatia. Not only that, but several fashion and beauty photoshoots took place here. It’s not far from the Life on Mars trail, and it shares that peculiar look that makes it seem out of this world.
Beritnica
Another unique beach is Beritnica, to which you can get by hiking the Life on Mars trail. Its three large rocks have become famous, and you’ll be glad to hear that it’s safe from the wind, and with much fewer people than other beaches. It’s perfect for a quick dip after your hike or a day picnic.
Small beaches near Lun
The beaches near Lun are ideal if you’re looking for some natural shade that seems so hard to find on Pag. Here, you can rest in the shade of pine trees, and the beaches are full of large pebbles. We suggest you head for a swim after exploring the botanical reserve and olives near Lun.
How to get to Pag Island?
Now that you know why Pag island is worth visiting, it’s time to cover how to get to it. There are a few ways. The first is by taking a ferry to Pag Island. There are two ferry ports: Novalja and Žigljen; Novalja is closer to the island of Rab, while Žigljen is closer to the mainland and the town of Prizna.
Another way of travelling to Pag is by car, whether your own or rented. Just cross over the Pag Bridge which connects it to the mainland, and you’ll soon be on the island. Having a car on Pag pays off if you’ll be visiting many different places, so you can have more flexibility and freedom on vacation. The locations of hotels on the Island of Pag are diverse, so people often rent a car for their adventures around the island. However, the car isn’t necessary if you’re staying in only one place.
If you’re traveling from afar, you’ll be interested in the closest airport to Pag Island which is in the city of Zadar. From Zadar, you can get on a bus to Novalja or head to the ferry port. You can also contact our limo service in Zadar for a private transfer from any Croatian Airport or taxi transfer from the city of Zadar to Pag Island.
All in all, no matter where you’re going on Pag, this island makes for a memorable vacation and a unique experience. In the end, it’s the closest you get to Mars or the Moon in Europe!
Pag Island – other useful info
Pag and Novalja Nearest Airports
- Zadar – 68km
- Rijeka – 141 km
- Split – 173 km
- Zagreb – 325 km
Pag Island taxi services and phone numbers
- Taxi Šime +385 91 332 2460
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Novalja Taxi by Modrić +385 99 195 8123
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Taxi Zrće +385 99 776 6433
- Taxi from Zadar Airport to Novalja
- Hire a private driver in Zadar for a transfer or a day trip to Pag
The most popular day trips from Pag Island and Novalja
- Mount Velebit
- National Park Plitvice
- Boat Tours
- Zadar
Pag Island’s best restaurants
Source: Google Map reviews of the best restaurants at Pag
