Metajna brings together marked coastal trails, beaches, a historic church and the cuisine of the island of Pag. If you would like to include landscapes and local culture in your travel plans, the town offers several specific points of interest. The Life on Mars trail network passes through Metajna towards several beaches. At the same time, wind, stone, sea and dry-stone walls shape the coastal landscape.

Hiking trails and a challenging coastal route

Life on Mars comprises four marked trekking trails totaling 16 kilometers and is open to visitors year-round. Check trail conditions and access locally before planning a tour. The route also includes a difficult, 100-meter-long coastal via ferrata for experienced climbers. It requires climbing equipment; access is from Slana Bay. Slana is two kilometers from Ručica Beach. Check your equipment and safety conditions before using the via ferrata. The 16 kilometers refers to the total length of the network, while 100 meters is the length of the challenging climbing section. For directions to the via ferrata, note that the two kilometers to Slana refers only to the distance from Ručica Beach, not from the center of Metajna.

Beaches and landscape

Ručica Beach is one kilometer from Metajna and has a pebble-and-sand shore. You can reach the beach by car or boat; the walking path passes through the scenic Kanjon area. Beriknica, also called Beritnica, lies south of Metajna near Ručica and can be reached by land or sea. Three rocks in the shallow water mark the beach. The two destinations offer different points of comparison: Ručica has its shore and path through Kanjon, while Beriknica is known for the rocks in its shallow-water zone.

The climbing crag Stogaj rises above Ručica and Beriknica/Beritnica and is part of Pag’s wind-sculpted, moonlike landscape. In this way, Beriknica’s three distinctive rocks in the shallow water are contrasted with a crag above the beaches. Wind, stone, sea and dry-stone walls shape the landscape around Metajna.

History and local cuisine

The Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands in the center of Metajna. It was built in 1487; its historic bell dates from 1521 and is considered the third-oldest in the Archdiocese of Zadar. The church and the bell thus offer two distinct historical points of interest in the town.

Local cuisine includes Pag cheese, lamb, fish, shellfish and prosciutto. Among the preparations, grilled lamb and lamb cooked under a baking bell sit alongside shrimp prepared buzara-style. The dishes listed on individual menus and their availability may vary.

Discover more destinations: Zubovici, Pag, Bošana, Kolan, Smokvica, Miskovici, Dinjiška, Gorica.

For the broader travel overview: Općina Pag.