Traveling on Pag Island in Croatia

Description of the Island

Along Croatia's long coastline, there are hundreds of islands of all sizes—some inhabited, some resort islands with hotels, and some even declared national parks. Pag Island, located in northern Dalmatia, about a half-hour drive north of the city of Zadar, is a unique island due to its topography: it is a barren island, and certain parts of it resemble the surface of the moon.

Guided Tour from Zadar to Pag Island (booking via Viator):

For those who do not have a car or prefer not to drive and want to get added value through explanations and guidance, it is recommended to join a private guided day trip of about six and a half hours on the island (the tour departs from Zadar): Private Day Trip To Pag Island and Nin Saltworks from Zadar
The tour includes a tour of the town of Pag and its main sights, a tour of the SIRANA GLIGORA cheese factory located in the town of Kolan, and a tour of the salt pans.

85 percent of the island's surface is covered with rocks, no wonder it earned the nickname: "The Island of Rocks." There are no rivers or streams on the island, there are very few trees (mainly olive trees) and little vegetation, mostly low bushes, but it is surrounded by charming beaches and abounds in coves and impressive scenic viewpoints. Thanks to its unique appearance, it has become a popular destination for filming movies and television series.
The island is about 63 km long and its width varies between 2 km and 10 km (at its widest point in the south of the island). The total area of the island is 284 square kilometers, and it is considered the fifth largest island in the Adriatic Sea.

The town of Pag and its salt pans (on the right):

Salt Production on Pag Island

Salt production has been the main factor in the island's economy throughout history. Already in the 1st century AD, the Romans built fortresses and aqueducts there. To this day, Pag salt is considered to be of the highest quality. It is worth visiting the Salt Museum in the town of Pag (Museum of Salt), which features exhibitions and films about the salt production process through the generations. The museum is located in Stari Grad just across the bridge leading to the center of Pag town.

The Salt Museum in Pag town:

Sheep Cheese Production

Pag is also known for its high-quality cheeses. There are about 40,000 sheep on the island whose milk is used by locals to make Pag cheese (Paški sir).

The uniqueness of this cheese is that no salt is added to it because the sheep eat grass that is salty, as the soil where the grass grows is salted by sea water that reaches it, and therefore the cheese has a natural salinity. There are two cheese factories on the island, in one of them, Gligora Dairy, you can also tour, and both have a factory store where it is highly recommended to buy local cheeses. The island is also famous for its excellent lamb meat served in many restaurants.

A particularly recommended restaurant is Restoran Na Tale located in Pag town overlooking the sea. The island also produces a white wine called "Zutica" and olive oil whose reputations are far-reaching.

Lace Work

Pag is also famous for its lace work, traditional handicrafts created by the women of the island. To this day, elderly women can be seen sitting on the street at the doorways of houses and shops, making lace exactly as they have done for many generations. The best place to see lace work is at the Pag Lace Museum (Pag Lace Gallery) run by Benedictine nuns.

Beaches and Entertainment on Pag Island

Pag is an island of contrasts: its southern and central parts, including the main town of Pag City, are quiet, rich in local tradition, and not much has changed there since the 15th century. However, in the north of the island, in Novalja, every summer at Zrce Beach there are shows, dance parties, and lively nightlife peaking with the Hideout Festival at the end of June.
The island abounds in beaches, many of them small and shallow coves. A particularly successful beach is Simuni Beach, which also features a popular campsite: Camping-Simuni

The town of Simuni, located about 12 km northwest of Pag:

Where to Travel on Pag Island

The most successful way to tour the island is to drive between the many salt basins and indented beaches all the way to Pag town. Park in the parking lot near the small marina, walk along the promenade by the marina

among parks, cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, lace, cheeses, and local delicacies, and continue into the alleys

to the central square where the church is located, and nearby is the island's visitor center.

From there, cross the bridge to the Salt Museum and from it continue to the beaches of Pag.

Then drive to Simuni Beach and stop at every possible viewpoint along the road that goes up and down the mountain, overlooking the city, the island, and the neighboring islands. The color contrast between the turquoise water and the whitish rocks is extremely impressive! From Simuni, continue further to the town of Kolan for a tour and cheese tastings.

Location and Transportation

Pag Island is located in the small Kvarneric Gulf (Kvarnerić) in the northern Adriatic Sea. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge named Paški most, which is 300 meters long, in its southeastern part, so there is no need to take a ferry to reach it. The travel time from Zadar in the Dalmatia region to Pag town, the largest town on the island, is about 50 minutes (50 km). The travel time from Zadar to the Paški most bridge in eastern Pag connecting the island to the mainland is only about half an hour (30 km).
From the northeast of the island, from Žigljen, you can take a 15-minute ferry ride to the town of Prizna. This is a car ferry that operates frequently. The most convenient way to tour the island is by rental car. For those who do not have a car or prefer not to drive or get added value in explanations and guidance, it is recommended to join a private guided tour of about six and a half hours on the island (the tour departs from Zadar): Private Day Trip To Pag Island and Nin Saltworks from Zadar
The tour includes a tour of the town of Pag and its main sights, a tour of the SIRANA GLIGORA cheese factory located in the town of Kolan, and a tour of salt pools.