Pakoštane

Pakoštane is a small tourist village in the municipality of the same name, located in an interesting position between the Adriatic Sea and Lake Vrana. The villages Pakoštane, Vrana, Draga and Vrgada are an integral part of the municipality of Pakoštane.

The natural position of Pakoštane offers a rich selection of beauties worth visiting. Vrana Lake Nature Park offers a beautiful view of the lake and the islands of the Adriatic Sea from the Kamenjak viewpoint, which is located on the hill of the same name. This lake is the largest freshwater lake in Croatia, and next to it there is an Ornithological Reserve where you can get to know the natural habitat of waterfowl in the thick reeds with an impressive promenade. In the vicinity of Pakoštane there are 5 national parks: Paklenica, Kornati, Plitvice Lakes, Krka Waterfalls and Northern Velebit. In this area, nature has provided visitors with a beautiful coast and water area with 5 islets directly in front of the village, and 13 small islands around the island of Vrgada.

According to historical sources, this place is mentioned already in the 15th century, and in several locations, remains from the ancient era can be seen, for example, the foundations of a Roman villa, parts of a Roman breakwater in the sea etc.

In the municipality of Pakoštane, there is also the Jusuf Mašković’s Han from the 17th century in place called Vrana, which provides an authentic medieval experience. The Han was supposed to serve as the residence of this commander of the Turkish army, but due to the death of commander Mašković, the envisioned summer house was not completed according to the original plan, but was built in a more modest form, and it is visible today that part of it was made in later construction. Today it is known as Maškovića Han, a culturally historical building that has become a modern and at the same time historical hotel with a restaurant. This building is the westernmost monument of Turkish (Islamic) architecture in Europe.

Visitors looking for fun and active holiday in this place can engage in cycling accompanied by a guide, kayaking, sailing at sea with a sailing school, horse riding at the Vencel Equestrian Club, hiking to the Bak Krklješi cave and the Bak viewpoint, beach volleyball, sport fishing, and one can rent sup boards, pedal boats, jet skis or quad vehicles. During the hot summer days, one should definitely visit the natural water source Pećina in the Vrana Lake Nature Park, where the temperatures are significantly cooler and the water is cold. In the history, this place played a significant role, because it was from here that the aforementioned Roman water supply system ran.

The entertainment program of Pakoštane offers many festivities, such as the Municipal Day festival held on July 30, the Summer Games held in the first week of the August, the Carnival and many other. Pakoštane also offers a large gastronomic offer, so there are many places where tourists and local residents can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine.