Island in Dalmatia – Zadar
Pag
- Best time to go
- May, June, July, Sept
- Part of
- Dalmatia – Zadar
Pag is a long, narrow island off the coast north of Zadar, known for its bare, rocky landscape, which looks almost like the moon where the bura wind strips the hills of plants and coats them in salt.
It is famous for Paški sir, a hard sheep's cheese, for the fine lace made in Pag town, and for the summer beach clubs of Zrće near Novalja. In between are salt pans, quiet bays and the ancient olive groves of Lun at the northern tip. A bridge in the south joins the island to the mainland.
Things to do
Don't miss in Pag
- Walk the straight, planned streets of Pag town, and see the delicate needle lace that has made the town famous.
- Taste Paški sir, the island's sheep's cheese, at one of the dairies around Kolan and Pag town.
- Dance at Zrće beach near Novalja, where open-air clubs run through the summer.
- Walk among the wild olive trees of the Lun olive gardens, some said to be well over a thousand years old.
- Swim at quieter beaches such as the bay of Ručica near Metajna, or Caska near Novalja.
- See the salt pans beside Pag town, where salt has been made for centuries.
- Hike the stony trails around Metajna for the island's strangest, emptiest landscapes.
Where to stay
Pick your neighbourhood
Pag town
people who want the old town, the lace and the salt pans, with calmer evenings
Novalja
a lively base close to Zrće beach, with plenty of restaurants and bars
Mandre and Šimuni
families who want small beaches, campsites and a central spot on the island
Lun
peace and the old olive groves at the quiet northern tip
Tours and getting around
Day trips from Pag
Novalja has boat trips along the coast and party boats in summer, while Pag town has walks that take in the lace, cheese and salt. Over the bridge, Zadar, Nin and Paklenica National Park are all within about an hour's drive. From Novalja, the catamaran makes Rab an easy day out.
You will want a car, as the towns, beaches and dairies are spread out along the island and buses are limited. Scooters are popular in Novalja for getting to Zrće. Bikes suit the flatter stretches, but the bura can be strong. Boat rental is available in Novalja and Pag town.
Getting there
How to get to Pag
In the south, the Pag Bridge joins the island to the mainland, so you can drive from Zadar in about an hour. In the north, a short Jadrolinija car ferry crosses from Prizna on the mainland to Žigljen, near Novalja. Catamarans run from Rijeka to Novalja by way of Rab, and another Jadrolinija catamaran line from Kraljevica and Rab ends at Lun, at the island's northern tip. Zadar Airport is the nearest. Queues for the Prizna ferry can be long in summer.