Town in Lika & Karlovac
Senj
- Best time to go
- May, June, Aug, Sept
- Part of
- Lika & Karlovac
Senj is an old harbour town at the foot of the Velebit mountains, on the coast where Lika meets the sea.
It was the base of the Uskoks, the sea raiders who fought the Ottomans and harried Venetian ships in the 16th century, and their Nehaj Fortress still stands above the town. Senj is also known for the bura, the strong north-east wind that sweeps down the mountains. It is a working town rather than a resort, with a summer carnival and an easy route up to Velebit.
Things to do
Don't miss in Senj
- Climb to Nehaj Fortress, built in 1558, to see the Uskok exhibition and the view along the coast to Krk and Rab.
- Walk the old town's lanes and visit the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary.
- Learn about Senj's Glagolitic printing house, which printed one of the earliest Croatian books in 1494.
- Join the Senj summer carnival, held in August with parades through the town.
- Drive up to Zavižan in Northern Velebit National Park and walk the Velebit Botanical Garden or the Premužić trail.
- Swim at the pebble beaches along the coast north and south of town, which are quieter than the islands.
- Visit Zavratnica, a narrow cove below the cliffs near Jablanac, about an hour's drive south.
Where to stay
Pick your neighbourhood
Old town
history lovers who want to be among the lanes, harbour and cathedral, below Nehaj Fortress
Along the seafront
swimmers who want a pebble beach close to the centre
Sveti Juraj
families who want a quieter seaside village a few minutes south, with small beaches
Jablanac
walkers heading for Northern Velebit and Zavratnica cove, further south along the coast
Tours and getting around
Day trips from Senj
From Senj you can drive up to Northern Velebit National Park for hiking, or take the short ferry crossings to Rab and Pag for a day on the islands. Plitvice Lakes and the Gacka river around Otočac, known for its clear water and trout, are both within reach by car.
A car is useful here, especially for Velebit, the beaches along the coast and the ferries, but take care on the coast road when the bura blows. The old town is small and easy on foot. Small boats can be rented in summer for the coast and nearby islands.
Getting there
How to get to Senj
Senj is on the D8 coast road, about an hour south of Rijeka. From Zagreb it takes about two hours: follow the A1 motorway to the Žuta Lokva exit, then drive down over the Vratnik pass to the sea. Rijeka Airport on Krk is the nearest, about an hour away. Buses along the coast between Rijeka and Zadar stop in Senj. The coast road can be closed to some vehicles when the bura wind blows hard, so check the traffic reports in winter. South of town, ferries leave Stinica for Rab and Prizna for Pag.