Pag - the island of heavenly beaches

It presents itself to its visitors soberingly dismissive and fascinating at the same time – the island of Pag surprises with barren landscapes and lively contrasts that form an extremely exciting whole.

Pag is an island whose charm lies in the contrasts of its appearance. There are huge lunar landscapes, whose dazzling white stone and rubble masses may be bleached even brighter by the blazing sun, and which form a breathtaking contrast to the deep blue water of the Adriatic. At the beginning of summer, this lifeless landscape wraps itself in the bright yellow of the thistle flowers, which sets an atmospheric counterpoint on the island’s color palette.

Karsty and bald with green splashes of color – an island with brittle charms

If you look at the lean pastures framed by low stone walls, you would hardly think that Pag was once covered by forests, which, however, fell victim to human pursuit of profit. It was the Venetians who needed tons of wood to build their ships. The deforested areas were now exposed to the winds coming from the mainland, so that even small trees and shrubs had little chance of taking root on the barren soil, which was heavily drained by erosion. The sparse remains of grass, herbs and low undergrowth are eaten by the countless sheep on Pag, which makes reforestation even more difficult than it already is.

But there are also green oases on Pag, where fields, gardens and even a forest with holm oaks, pines and cypresses thrive. The Pag Bay valley is particularly fertile, although it is often flooded by the floods of the Adriatic. The macchia typical of the Mediterranean is also present in protected areas with fragrant thyme and sage, evergreen hard leaves and bright yellow thistles and immortelles. The natural spaces, which are largely spared by human activity, offer ideal living conditions for many animal species. In addition to turtles, lizards and some snake species, partridges and pheasants populate the island, which were once abandoned here to offer holidaymakers coming to Pag a very special hunting experience. The feathered attractions of this island also include the griffon vulture, which is located in Velebit, the coastal mountain range on the nearby mainland, and is happy to include excursions in the literal sense to Pag in its tour program.

The climate on Pag is ideal for visitors who do not like it so hot and calm in summer. The Maestral winds cool off in summer, while in the winter months a mild south wind ensures a mild and rainy climate. The dry and cold Bora, on the other hand, is not quite as pleasant, which romps around on the northeast side of the island.

Sand, gravel and secluded bays – fantastic beach fun on Pag

If you want to spend your vacation on Pag on the beach and in the sea, you will immediately love this island. Because the countless large and small bathing bays that stretch around the island, with their pebble and sandy beaches, offer ideal conditions for all kinds of water fun.

If you like swimming socially in the Adriatic or doing other sporting activities in the water, you will feel in your element on the beaches of the tourist center Novalja. The former fishing village has become the popular seaside resort and tourist center of the island and is a much-visited meeting place for young and young-at-heart guests and partiers.

The beach Zrce in Novalja is a lively playground and for many day and night owls the hotspot on Pag par excellence. The pebble beach also offers non-swimmers and children a restricted area where they can splash around in the sea undisturbed. At night, this beach becomes an open-air party mile, but busy cleaning crews remove the traces of the exuberant parties at dawn, so that the first morning swimmers can no longer find the hustle and bustle here on the beach.

Not quite as turbulent, but it is no less beautiful Strasko beach Novalja, which stretches for 1.5 km in an open bay south of the city. The pebble-covered beach provides easy access to the sea, the bottom of which is pleasantly sandy at this point. The campsite of the same name, located directly on the beach, offers ideal opportunities for physical well-being and various entertainments with its restaurants and sports facilities.

If you prefer sand as a base for your beach towel, you are at Trincel Beach right at Novalja. The fine sand and shallow access to the water make this beach a popular place to stay, even with families with small children and non-swimmers. A good Infrastructure with showers, changing rooms, a playground and sports facilities are just as natural here as on the other beaches around Novalja. In this bay there are some other small sandy beaches, where you can spend your vacation relatively undisturbed by the hustle and bustle of this place.

It is located east of Novalja Caska beach, which is initially covered with gravel, but then becomes increasingly sandy. This beach is also very popular its beautiful location and possibly due to a legend. Because here is said to have been an ancient Roman city, the remains of which lie on the very deep and steep seabed here and are probably waiting to be discovered by amateur divers.

A completely different ambience awaits beach visitors in the east of the island Rucica Metajna beach. This part of Pag Bay shows its particularly rocky and unearthly side because of the moon-like side. A wildly romantic gorge leads to this pebble beach, which is a little more tranquil than the beaches of Novalja. Just be prepared and bring your own sun protection, as this beach offers no shade. If you are looking for a change from water fun, you can practice climbing on the rocks of Metajna.

These are just a few beaches with which Pag makes his stay at the sea as pleasant as possible, either in exuberant conviviality or individual tranquility. If your vacation on the beach gets boring in the long run, you can spend time with surfing, Diving, wakeboarding, climbing, hiking or cycling are very active and entertaining. Cyclists should be noted, that Pag has a 150 km network of bike paths, that gives mountain bikers a variety of opportunities to explore the island.

Lace, cheese and wine – the different attractions of Pag

The search for a suitable souvenir is not difficult on this island. Those who want to treat themselves to a small handicraft souvenir at home will find what they are looking for in the mostly older women in the alleys of the town of Pag. Today there are only a few lace makers who understand this filigree art, which these women practice while sitting on the alleys in front of their houses for the passers-by to see.

A not so long-lived souvenir is all the more delicious Pag sheep cheese Paski sir. The cheese, reminiscent of Parmesan cheese, gets its very own taste from the salty pastures of the island. There are good cheese factories in Kolan and Pag.

Another very specialty of this island are the extremely tasty wines. Be it golden yellow Zutica or the very intense and full-bodied prosec, which should only be enjoyed in small quantities as a dessert wine – Pag wines still taste just as full-bodied and sun-kissed in the local region as on the island.

The dried figs that are offered for sale in the area around Lun are guaranteed to be alcohol-free but just as sweet.

There are many good reasons to explore Pag island intensively. If paradise beaches with crystal clear water or fascinating natural spaces with picturesque charm – Pag is always a good tip for an unforgettable vacation.