Best things to do in Pag
Pag is an island of contrasts, where raw, rugged beauty meets some of the Adriatic’s most vibrant nightlife – it’s not called the Ibiza of the Adriatic for no reason.
Viewpoints and panoramas
Vidikovac Gradac: This elevated viewpoint, high above the road between Pag town and Novalja, offers widescreen views of the whole island.
Pag Bridge: Linger for a moment and soak up the views on the 300m-long bridge linking the mainland with the island.
The best districts
Pag Town: A seafront promenade and pebbly stretches of beach, together with a tight grid of streets and well-proportioned Renaissance churches, are the main draws of this pleasant and relaxing holiday town.
Novalja: Get your dancing shoes on: this is a buzzing modern settlement whose nearby Zrće beach is arguably the prime venue for Adriatic clubbing.
Museums
Parks and gardens
Olive Gardens of Lun: The bucolic Lun peninsula is mostly covered in maquis, but it’s also famous for its olive groves, many of which are very old indeed and feature dramatically stocky, gnarled trees.
Historical monuments
Stari Grad: Pag’s original – now eerily uninhabited – old town was abandoned in the 1440s, but retains a few ruined buildings, including the cloister of a Franciscan monastery, and a church dating from 1392 with a fine Gothic relief of the Virgin above the portal.
The Italian Hole: Originally a Roman settlement dating from around the first century AD, these few ancient remains include an underground water conduit – almost 1km long – also known by locals as the Talijanova buža or “Italian Hole”.
Benedictine Monastery of St. Margarite: Famous for its production of baškotin, a type of sweet bread, St. Margarite’s provides a peaceful retreat from the outside world.
Day trips in the area
Zadar: Less than an hour from Pag, Zadar combines ancient and medieval heritage with a lively café culture and a vibrant festival scene. Discover our cheap holidays to Zadar for a blend of history and culture.
Paklenica National Park: A staggeringly beautiful mountain landscape comprising an enticing mixture of karst wilderness, deciduous forests and fir-clad slopes.
Activities for families in Pag
While the island’s beaches are in many ways the default family activity, there are more than enough cultural and physical pursuits to keep the gang entertained.
Beaches: Of the island’s many beaches, Planjka (also known as Trinćel) is best suited to families; a long shallow curve of fine shingle and sand with a couple of beach bars at the rear.
Interactive museums: Both the Pag Lace Gallery and the Salt Museum are worthy expeditions, offering just the right balance between fun and education.
Water sports: What could be better than a family outing by stand-up paddle board, and the beauty of Pag is that its waters are calm enough for even the youngest members to have a go.
Free things to do in Pag
It may be small, but that doesn’t mean to say that there aren’t plenty of free activities to partake in on the island, if you look hard enough.
Beaches: Pag’s finest beaches are in Novalja: the main town beach is Vrtić, a stretch of fine shingle and sand, or there’s the much larger, pebbly Straško beach, home to extensive facilities and a naturist section.
Free events: Pag Carnival is a special spectacle, running every Saturday from early January and culminating in three days of non-stop, costumed festivities before Ash Wednesday. You can either watch from afar or join in with the fun and get dressed up.
Nature and outdoor activities in Pag
Pag’s easily accessible coastline and rugged interior present opportunities for all kinds of leisure pursuits.
Hiking: The island’s stark interior is made for long walks, but be warned, it’s very exposed here so take sensible precautions.
Kitesurfing and windsurfing: The island’s exposure to the elements makes it an excellent spot for all kinds of water-bound pursuits, especially kitesurfing and windsurfing.
Climbing: Stogaj is the island's best-known climbing spot, offering nearly 20 marked routes, including short, easy ascents for beginners, while experienced climbers can attempt the so-called Skorpion or Spyder climbs.
Stand-Up Paddleboarding: A popular activity around the Pag coastline, the calm waters here are perfect for both beginners and experienced paddlers alike.
Bird-watching: The reeds and marshland of Veliko Blato provide shelter for almost 150 varieties of birdlife, including herons, great crested grebes, spoonbills and hundreds of flamingos – truly fantastic bird-watching territory.