Municipality of Karlobag – Trails, Coast and Cultural Heritage

The Municipality of Karlobag encompasses the southwestern coastal and mountain area of Velebit. Karlobag lies on the Adriatic Highway, which runs along the coast from Rijeka to Dubrovnik. This gives you two clear points of reference for planning your trip: the coastal route and the hiking trails and cultural sites within the municipality. When looking for a hotel, first consider the experiences you want to shape your days—hiking, cultural heritage or diving. The following routes and sights help make that choice more specific.

Hiking trails of varying lengths

The historic Terezijana road was built in 1786 to improve the connection between Gospić and Karlobag and is classified as a cultural asset. The Terezijana educational trail runs for 3 km from Baške Oštarije to Konjsko, is reserved exclusively for pedestrians and takes approximately three hours.

At 57 km, the Premužić Trail is considerably longer; it connects Zavižan with Baške Oštarije. At the same time, it has no major climbs and can also be walked by people who are not used to mountain hikes. A hike from Baške Oštarije to Ljubičko brdo starts at the Church of St. Elizabeth in Baške Oštarije. This lets you compare hikes by estimated time, distance and elevation gain, as well as by a specifically named starting point.

Traces of history in Karlobag

The Church of St. Charles Borromeo was built in 1710 on the foundations of the Church of St. John. After being severely damaged in 1943, its remains were demolished in 1958; part of the wall and the entire bell tower have been preserved.

The Capuchin monastery and the Church of St. Joseph have a rainwater cistern six metres in diameter with a capacity of approximately 180,000 litres. The complex also includes a wooden choir-stand for the psalter, dating from the 18th century and called a “legil”, as well as a theological library containing literature from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

Fortica preserves the remains of a small, square fortress with a defensive tower, dating from the 13th or 14th century. On Kalvarija, a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Seven Sorrows was built in 1727 and converted into a small church in 1740. Thirty-three steps lead to the Kubus, which was erected in 1846. From there, you can see Karlobag, the island of Pag and the entire Velebit Channel.

Diving and finding your way around the town centre

May to November is considered an especially pleasant time for diving in Karlobag, thanks to the comfortable sea temperatures. The “Atlantida” diving club has a centre at Obala Vladimira Nazora bb in Karlobag.

Karlobag town centre has shops, restaurants and souvenir stores. If you plan to visit a particular business, check its current details in advance; information for individual shops and restaurants may change. Karlobag’s cuisine includes Mediterranean and continental dishes in the Velebit style.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Karlobag, Baric Draga, Cesarica, Lukovo Sugarje, Vidovac Cesarički, Sušanj Cesarički, Municipality of Senj, Municipality of Perušić.

For the broader travel overview: Lika-Senj.