Novalja-Natural heritage

The island of Pag is one of the sunniest in the Adriatic Sea with more than 2,500 hours of sunshine per year and relatively low precipitation. In the summer it is cooled by the mistral and south winds, while during the winter the island is washed by the powerful bora from the mainland, from below the Velebit Mountain. That’s why the average annual temperatures are somewhat lower than other Croatian islands at about 15 °C.

The mild Mediterranean climate brings hot dry summers and mild wet winters. The lowest recorded temperature in January was -2 °C, while the average is about 5 °C. In August, the average temperature is around 25 °C. The sea temperature in the winter is 12 °C, while in the summer it reaches 25 °C. The mild climate allows a pleasant stay on the island throughout the year.

There are only a few places on the Adriatic surrounded by as many beautiful natural beaches as Novalja. Whether you go north or south, you’ll soon reach one of these magnificent beaches, which will provide perfect comfort and relaxation. The beaches are wide, sand and shingle, with clear water and excellent access to the sea, which in turn makes them particularly suitable for families with children. They are located 1-3 km from Novalja, forming a ring around it. All the beaches can be reached by car and have parking areas.

The Lun olive groves represent a true oasis and one of the most scenic and beautiful corners of our island. Among the countless olive trees, there are about 1500 wild olive trees – Olea Oleaster – measuring about 5-8 metres in height and about 20 – 80 cm in DBH.

This area of wild olives, which covers 24 hectares of space, is the only one of its kind in the Adriatic Sea region and it has great botanical value. Due to its special characteristics, it was protected and proclaimed a botanical preserve in 1963.

The Olive Gardens of Lun project commenced in 2010 and will be completed during 2013. The aim of the project is to protect the natural and cultural values and to promote this unique landscape.

The Olive Gardens of Lun project is mostly financed by pre-accession EU fund grants.

More information is available on: www.vlm.com.hr