Most of the year, the sheep on Pag island
outnumber the residents three-to-one.
Until the summer, that is, when thousands
of Croatians hit Novalja. Not called the
Croatian Ibiza for nothing, Novalja’s Zrce
beach is home to three open-air dance
venues, where the music never stops. Buses
run regularly to and from the campsite, so
dancing 24 hours a day, every day of the
week, is a lure for many young campers.
This site isn’t only great for party-people;
the family facilities are just as appealing.
A kids’ club will take yours off your hands
whenever you need a siesta, and there are
numerous playgrounds and games rooms
to run amok in throughout the site. But if
screaming children are the antithesis of your
dream holiday, just decamp to the mile-long
naturist section to skinny-dip in the silky
seas in peace. New arrivals are driven around
the site in a buggy so they can choose a spot.
Front pitches under the pines offer great
ocean views, but just be aware that they’ll
also amplify the early-morning clamour of
beachside excitement. Anyone after greater
privacy parks near the entrance at the top
left, under the ancient Dalmatian oaks.
The narrow sunbathing strip won’t win this
campsite any best-beach accolades, but
you’ll find you’re not short of alternatives,
since Pag boasts the longest coastline
in the Adriatic. By servicing a variety of
demographics, you’re guaranteed to find a
truly varied clientele here – from frazzled
ravers to frazzled parents, and all the
frazzled bits in between.
