Hello,

We plan on spending 3 nights on Pag Island (Pag Town) in September on the way up the coast.

Day 1: Travel from Split in am, explore Pag Town - go to the beach in Novalja.
Day 2: Rent a bike and tour around the island stopping for beach time.
Day 3: Day trip to Zadar

Are we selling the area short by not adding one more day? Would a half day trip to Nin be easy logistic-wise or would it make our time too rushed?

Also...we want to head to Plitvice very early after our visit to Pag - that is why we originally based in Zadar...will staying in Pag complicate our one overnight in Plitvice too much? With only one day we would want to catch the earliest bus out possible...but the only timetable we've found online for Pag-Zadar seems to get us into Zadar around 10:00am - but I'm not sure we are looking at the definative/offical schedule.

Any impressions of Pag and bus help would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
Naxos

topping

Pag is an interesting island but there definitely are prettier out there (i.e. Mljet, Vis)! It is unique, though, and interesting to see. I think you could shave it down to two nights there quite easily. On our last trip we had booked three nights there but left after two to spend elsewhere. Not that it is bad or anything - please do not get the wrong impression.

Make sure you see the Pag lace local women make and track down the lovely Pag cheese.

Plitvice Lakes are just astonishingly beautiful - one night is definitely enough to see the best of it (or one day for that matter).

Sorry - I cannot help with bus schedules as we always rent a car. Perhaps someone else can help with that...

travel2live: I'm interested in hearing your impression about Vis or Mljet. I read your trip report on Croatia and I did not find any reference about your stay in either island. If I recall correctly, you weren't able to go to Mljet because the water was too rough. Maybe I am missing a part of your report. In any case, I am also interested as I will be in the area in June. Thanks.

Hi! We did not go to those islands on our first visit to Croatia - that is why they are not mentioned in that report.

Mljet is just gorgeous - so pretty and packed with trees. I am really a tree person. It is more of a getaway nature place rather than resort-ish. Vis is gorgeous, too - and less touristy than many islands. There would be more to actually do on other islands - it would depend on what you like.

Do not get me wrong about Pag - you can find some nice spots there, too. We stayed at a B&B with a small private sandy beach so we were able to enjoy the water (swimming and snorkeling). It is just not as charmingly pretty, know what I mean? But its stark whiteness, on first sight, is almost like you've landed on the moon - surreal and unlike anything I've experienced before.

Another good thing about Pag is that it is so easy to get to, not having to worry about lots of ferry schedules and such. That is one drawback to Mljet - you have to watch as sometimes ferries only run a few times a week. But I still LOVE it there. Hvar and Korcula are very pretty, too, but full of people.

Hey thanks travel2live2! That is great feedback - I wont feel stressed about our alotted time then. Yes...there is something captivating about azure water banking up against Pag's barren landscape. Still, your probably right about time - historically I have always tended to overstay places. I am happy to hear 1 day was enough for Plitvice too as that is really all we have for it.

Cheers!

Naxos

You are welcome! I would love to hear all about your impression once you return. I hope you like it - not many people on this forum seem to have visited Pag in favour of Hvar, Korcula, etc.

If you have not yet been to Croatia I would try to stay on another island to get a variety as well (or perhaps your next trip there!).