Simuni Beach

Šimuni is a village on the western coast of Pag Island, a long, narrow island in northern Dalmatia, and Simuni Beach is the pebble shore beside it. Pag is known for its strange, bare landscape, a limestone terrain swept by the bura wind of the Adriatic, with almost no trees in the middle of the island, and from a distance it looks like the surface of the moon. The coast, however, is gentler, with sheltered bays, clear water and fishing villages. Šimuni lies roughly between the town of Pag and Novalja, so it is easy to reach from either.

The beach is a pebble and small-stone shore with a gentle slope into the sea, and the water is shallow and calm for a good distance out. That makes it popular with families with children, and with people who prefer a quiet swim to a big wave. The bay is sheltered from the worst of the wind by the shape of the land, though the bura can still blow from the mountains on the mainland. Behind the beach there are cafés, snack bars and a campsite, and water sports such as pedal boats, canoes and paddleboards are usually available to rent in summer. Because there is little natural shade on Pag, it is worth bringing an umbrella or hat.

The village has a long history. The area around Šimuni has been inhabited since very early times, and the Liburnian people, who lived along this coast in ancient times, and later the Roman rulers left traces on the island. Today Šimuni is a fishing and farming community, with small harbour boats, olive groves and sheep on the slopes. Pag is famous for its sheep's cheese, its lamb, its salt and its lace, and visitors can sample local products in village restaurants and shops. The town of Pag has the Ducal Palace (Kneževa Palača), the Pag Lace Gallery and the Pag Saltworks, and the Olive Gardens of Lun, with their ancient trees, lie on the island's north end. The lagoons of Malo Blato and Velo Blato, Dinjiska Bay and an old ruined fortress add variety.

To avoid the crowds, visit in June or September, when the water is warm and the beach is calm. In July and August the island is busy, and Zrće Beach, with its clubs, draws a lively crowd at the northern end. Simuni Beach is quieter and better suited to families and couples.

The beach suits swimmers, families and campers who enjoy a simple seaside day with the stark landscape of Pag as a backdrop.