Pakoštane between the coast, culture and Lake Vrana

Pakoštane combines beaches and island routes with churches and traces of earlier history. Lake Vrana and the ornithological reserve are also among the topics you can consider when planning your trip. When choosing your hotel stay, it is worth first considering whether you want to focus mainly on the beach, culture, nature or outdoor activities.

Beaches with different coastal features

The beaches differ in their surfaces and locations. Janica 1 is in the centre of Pakoštane and is partly sandy and partly concrete. At Punta, near the centre, a pebble beach meets a sandy seabed; this makes it easy to enter the sea.

About 1 km northwest of the centre is Pilatuš. The beach combines sand and pebbles with small coves and shade from pine trees. Bužakovina is located 500 m west of Pakoštane in a deep bay. It has fine, powdery sand and shallow water suitable for children. These different descriptions can help you choose a stretch of coast based on the features that matter for your stay.

Churches and historical traces

The Church of the Ascension of the Lord stands in the centre. It was built of stone in 1906. The Church of Sveti Justina has an older history: it was built in 1794 on the foundations of an earlier church. Today it stands on the island of the same name, directly in front of the centre of Pakoštane.

Further evidence of the past can be found in Bužak and Crkvine. Above the entrance to an old stone house in Bužak is a Glagolitic inscription by Jure Škiljić dating from 1606. Records show that a fortification stood there from 1597. At the archaeological site of Crkvine, the remains of the Church of St Mary have been preserved. It was probably built around 800 AD on the foundations of a Roman villa.

The Crkvine Trail also reflects the area's earlier history: it follows a historic route between the Vrana Field and the sea. The traditional route led to the port of Pakoštane and the bay of Bužakovina. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider historic connections between places and visible architectural remains as distinct points of interest.

Lake Vrana and nature experiences

The ornithological reserve at Lake Vrana was designated in 1983 and covers 8.83 km². The Crkvine Information Centre is located between Pakoštane and Vrana, in the northwestern part of the nature park and within the ornithological reserve. From Pakoštane, head towards Vrana along the Adriatic Coastal Road; the centre is 2.4 km away.

The wooden “Birds of Vransko Lake” educational trail starts at the information centre. If you plan to visit, check seasonal access and visitor facilities before your trip. Alongside the coast, the lake, reserve and trail add another nature-focused dimension to your stay.

Island routes, water sports and cycling

The Three Island Trail uses three small islands off Pakoštane as a hiking and swimming route. For the swimming sections, it is important to assess local conditions for yourself. The Three Island Tour starts at the Pakoštane pier or Janice Beach; the islands can be reached by boat, pedal boat or stand-up paddleboard. Tour availability may vary by season. Boats also depart from Pakoštane for Kornati National Park; these trips also visit Telašćica Nature Park. Routes may vary depending on the operator and season.

In Pakoštane, you can go diving, spearfishing, freshwater fishing at Lake Vrana, windsurfing, sailing and jet skiing; there is also a beach volleyball court. Cycling routes are also available: the Pakoštane–Prosika–Crkvine–Maškovića Han cycle route is 40.4 km long and starts in front of the main church. Another route in the nature park runs from Prosika through the area around Drage and Pakoštane towards Crkvine. Check route conditions before setting out on a bike ride.

A regional route tip

In the wider destination of Općina Pakoštane, the 9 km Pakoštane–Drage–Čelinka MTB route starts in front of the parish church on the main square. It runs along the sea via Drage and Čelinka to Vransko jezero, then returns to Pakoštane through olive groves and pine trees. The route is physically easy and technically moderate. By comparison, the Pakoštane–Prosika–Crkvine–Maškovića Han cycle route is considerably longer at 40.4 km, so the distance you want to cover is also a factor when choosing a route.

Discover more destinations: Drage, Pakoštane, Vrgada

Return to the main travel overview: Općina Pakoštane.