Located in the northern part of the Adriatic Sea, the fifth-largest Croatian Island, Pag is one of the most popular tourist hotspots across the globe. Not only does it have some of the most stunning beaches, both sandy and rocky, but it also has a rocking nightlife, adrenaline-packed activities, and food that will leave you wanting more.
With so much to do on this little slice of heaven, and limited time and budget, it is often hard to narrow down your itinerary. So, we’ve compressed everything you need to know about Pag into one article.
Travel
Getting to Pag is not that difficult and there are several options depending on whatever is suitable for you. Pag has two ferry ports, one in Novalja and the other one in Žigljen which is the main port on the island. The port in Novalja has two catamaran routes to Rab and Rijeka which you can utilize to reach the island.
There are airports located in Rijeka and Zadar from where you can reach the place as well. From Rijeka, you can take a shuttle that will help you reach the port which will allow you to reach Pag, and from Zadar airport, you can go to the bus station that will take you to your destination. If you’re traveling by car or even a bike, you can go to the Žigljen port so that your vehicle can be transported to the island.
Since Pag has a good bus line system, once you’re here, traveling around isn’t that difficult. Taxis are a bit more expensive, so it is recommended to rent a car or bike to visit different locations and explore the place thoroughly at your own pace. Depending on where you’re staying, you can even walk to certain nearby places to avoid the extra expenses.
Beaches
Pag Island is filled with tons of mesmerizing beaches with gleaming blue and turquoise waters, undulating rugged mountains, cotton candy clouds plastered across the calming blue sky, and orange-hued warm sunsets. Not only are there sandy beaches to make some cute little sand castles, but there are also pebble bays with a unique variety of textures and terrains.
Offering some of the cleanest and most pollution-free coasts, some of Pag beaches have been awarded the blue flag due to their pristine hygiene and conservation of the environment. There are tons of activities to do there, ranging from jet skis to wakeboarding to zip lines to scuba diving to kayaking and even snorkeling.
Some beaches like Cista and Zcre are more popular among tourists, especially during the peak season but don’t worry, there are less crowded and more secluded beaches like Bosnana and Beritnica where you can pack a picnic and enjoy the food with the picture-perfect view of the Velebit mountain.
Nightlife
A hotspot for party-goers, Pag is also known as the Croatian Ibiza due to the sheer number of people that visit this little island to unleash their inner animal and dance to the techno beats. The main location for all things party related is Zcre Beach offering a ton of clubs for you to let loose.
Not only is there a huge variety of clubs here, but the place also hosts several festivals that are a main tourist attraction. Clubs like Noa and Papaya are some of the bigger ones with a huge array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, tons of pools scattered across the area, and huge dance floors where you can bust out all your moves. They also have high-quality sound systems that make the experience even better.
Apart from the clubs, there are tons of music festivals like Sonus, Hideout, and many more, which are one of the best things to do on the Island. The festivals offer tons of popular artists along with some local ones, along with special VIP passes for exclusive benefits. You can even go enjoy a boat party and tick that off your bucket list.
Weather
Having shorter and warmer summers while longer and colder winters, Pag has a relatively stable climate all year round with little variation and spikes out of the ordinary. Since the place has a ton of beaches with water-based activities, the best time to visit the island is from June to August which are the hottest months.
One of the coldest months on this island is January so it is not recommended to visit Pag during this month as you’ll miss out on some of the best activities to do here. However, you will find cheaper options in January due to the low influx of tourists as this isn’t a common time for most people to visit. The temperature range here is from about 95F to 28F which rarely goes above or below these figures.
So, depending on what time of the year you’re visiting, you should pack your outfits accordingly. Do bring some extra clothes to account for safety measures.
Food and Restaurants
Infamous for its local divine cheese and tender succulent lamb, Pag is a hub for amazing and mouth-watering food that will leave you wanting more with every bite. Offering a huge and expansive menu across its restaurants, the food is to die for. Since the Adriatic Sea surrounds the island, you’ll find some fresh and juicy seafood to gobble down.
Not only does it offer delightful seafood, but the Island also has a bunch of restaurants with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options as well. Some of the best places you absolutely need to try are Konoba Bodulo, Konoba Didova Kuca, and Trattoria Padre, which serve warm hearty meals along with having a professional and friendly staff and a good calming ambiance.
Restaurants here often have large portions so your hunger will be fully satiated when you leave the place. Pag also produces 220 tons of cheese in only a year! To witness the fresh cheese, you can even visit Gilgora Dairy, an award-winning place based in Kolan, serving Paški sir and Zigljen local cheese that melts in your mouth. The factory lets you buy some of it and take home to enjoy it with some freshly baked bread.
Hotels and Accommodation
With some of the most aesthetically pleasing hotels, filled with luxury, amenities, and amazing views, Pag has a lot to offer. Its top-notch accommodation places range from luxury four-star hotels with spas and wellness centers, indoor and outdoor pools, shuttle services to and from the airport, and heavenly food, to mini apartments that are cozy, comfortable, and affordable to unique camping resorts.
Depending on what your budget is, you can pick and choose where to stay. These hotels are scattered all across the Island so you can pick a place based on which activities are in your itinerary. Some of the most popular places to stay include Hotel Plaza, Apartments Barbati, Guest House Frane, Hotel Pagus, and many more.
A few of these places offer special aerobics in the morning, hot and relaxing saunas, soundproof rooms, sediment mud baths, and private pools as well. They have their own onsite restaurants where you can enjoy your meals, terrific views from the terraces, and some are even located right in front of the beach so you don’t need to go far to experience the complete Pag life.
Activities
From exotic excursions across the Adriatic waters to historical landmarks and adrenaline-filled adventures, Pag has it all. There’s so much to do on this little island that you’d actually be surprised. If you’re a space nut, you should go to the popular Pag Bermuda Triangle where people from across the globe visit to research aliens and UFOs.
Visit any one of the beaches to enjoy kayaking, pedal boats, water sports, wakeboarding, and long tours to little coves and islands nearby. You can even rent a bike or go for a hike to witness the gorgeous view of the Velebit. Visit the salt museum to learn more about traditional salt curation techniques or the Pag lace gallery for beautiful and intricate local lace work.
Go glamping at the Zcre beach where you’ll find a luxurious and unique experience unlike any other or enjoy a wild party under the starry sky. Climb up one of the boulders and deep dive into the water below or try some delicious wines like a professional wine connoisseur. The possibilities are limitless so you’ll never get bored here.
Currency and ATMs
Since Pag is a Croatian island, the currency used here is the Croatian Kuna which can be found at a currency exchanger. If you run out of foreign currency, don’t fret because you can visit them and get your cash converted. Make sure to check the ongoing rate because they might try to charge extra if they see that you’re a tourist.
While major places do accept credit cards, if you’re going to be exploring the town more intensively, then you might need Kuna as smaller locations don’t accept credit or debit cards here. You can always head to a nearby ATM machine found in Pag and other closeby towns as well.
Final Thoughts
Pag is a stunning island filled with everything you’d want out of a perfect getaway vacation to relieve some of that everyday life stress. Not only does it offer gorgeous views and unsatiable food, but it also has tons of activities and a roaring nightlife that won’t let you get bored even for a second.
So, if you’re looking for a dream vacation, we’ve condensed all you need to know about Pag Island into a mini guide to make your life easier!
