A practical starting point for exploring Pašman is its signposting: in 2019, Zadar County installed trail signs on the islands of Ugljan, Pašman and Pag, as well as along all routes in the “Family & Trekking” category. As conditions may have changed, check the signs locally if needed.
Nature and landscapes of Zadar County
Among the Adriatic counties, Zadar County has the longest coastline, measuring 1,300 kilometres. Its landscape brings together a deeply indented coast and numerous islands with fertile plains, karst and mountain scenery, and abundant water and forest resources. The county’s protected areas also illustrate the diversity of its landscapes.
Paklenica National Park lies mostly within the county; part of Velebit Nature Park also belongs to it. Paklenica covers more than 95 square kilometres and includes extensive, especially well-preserved pine forests. The national park also has more than 150 kilometres of hiking trails, as well as the Velika Paklenica and Mala Paklenica canyons. The area figure describes the size of the park, while the trail length refers to its hiking network.
Vransko jezero Nature Park is in Zadar County and is an ornithological reserve for 251 bird species. Telašćica Nature Park on Dugi Otok is also part of the county. It includes a protected bay that is 8 kilometres deep and 2 kilometres wide, and is described as the largest bay in the Adriatic. Together, these places give a sense of the variety spanning island coastlines, mountain scenery and protected natural areas.
Cultural routes and crafts
The cultural route “Na ruti liburnskog, rimskog i hrvatskog nasljeđa” connects Zadar, Benkovac, Asseria, Nin and Pag in a shared experience of history, culture and tradition. Another perspective on the city is offered by the “Zadar – Grad utvrda” route, which leads through Zadar’s historic layers and its significant fortification heritage. Route details may be updated by the tourism authorities, so check them before your visit.
Paška lace is a traditional craft of the region. It has been made for centuries, but is now practised by only a few women. Its name points to a long craft tradition; the focus here is on the work itself and the knowledge required to practise it.
Flavours of Pag and the region
On Pag, you can learn to prepare peka on a food tour. Guided tours of the Gligora cheese dairy in Kolan on the island include a look inside the production gallery, a visit to the ageing rooms and a tasting. Young lamb and hard sheep’s cheese are also among Pag’s standout specialities.
Olive oil is another way to discover local flavours: on a journey through Zadar County, from Ravni Kotari across the coast to the islands, there are places where visitors can taste olive oils in various shades of green. The culinary selection thus ranges from peka and cheese on Pag to tastings in different parts of the county.
Water, hiking and getting here
Throughout Zadar County, you can try rowing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding and similar water sports. You can explore the Zadar archipelago by kayak and see inhabited islands from a new perspective. In the Zadar area, you can also dive among shipwrecks and underwater archaeological sites. The activities mentioned cover different areas: water sports are described for the county as a whole, kayaking for the archipelago, and diving for the Zadar area.
The Zadar region can be reached by land, sea and air. It has direct connections to Zagreb, Rijeka, Split and Dubrovnik. Check connections to suit your travel dates. You can then plan your trip around the discoveries that interest you most—from nature and culture to regional cuisine and activities on the water.
Discover more destinations: Tkon, Municipality of Mali Pašman, Brač, Cres, Kvarner Bay, Brod-Posavina, Dalmatia, Rab.
Go to the main travel overview: Croatia.
