Croatia is renowned for its lush green landscapes, charming medieval towns and sparkling blue waters, but one island tells a different story.
On the northern side of Pag, the land turns pale, rocky and almost otherworldly – a wind-shaped world that looks more like the moon than the Mediterranean.
Locals have long dubbed it ‘Moon Island’ and it’s easy to see why.
The terrain is largely made up of limestone, rolling ridges and sparse fields that stretch for miles, and with few trees and little shade across the island, there’s barely any colour to break up the extraordinary view.
According to Toni Hrelja, founder of Croatian rental company Villsy, spring is the best time to experience the island’s extraterrestrial vibe.
He said: ‘People expect Croatia to be green and Mediterranean. Then they arrive on Pag and feel like they’ve landed on the Moon, or even Mars. It’s raw, dramatic and completely unexpected.’
In summer, temperatures can reach 30 degrees, and with almost no shade along the northern coast, exploring can be tough.
However, spring offers milder conditions that are perfect for walking and taking in the scenery, with temperatures ranging from around 13 degrees in March and 20 degrees in May.
British travellers can also reach the island easily thanks to its close proximity to the UK.
The best way to reach Pag is by flying into Zagreb, with one-way Ryanair flights starting from an ultra-low £15 in mid-April.
From Zagreb Airport, it’s worth hiring a car and driving three and a half hours south to the island, as it offers ample opportunity to catch some spectacular views of the dramatic mountain landscape along the way.
One of the most striking areas is around Metajna on the northern coast, where Paj earns its lunar nickname.
Fierce Bura winds from the Velebit mountains have shaped the land over centuries, carrying salt that stripped away vegetation and left behind bare, pale rock.
In bright sunshine, the ground turns almost white, giving the area its unique ‘moon’ look.
Nearby, Beritnica beach is just as unusual, with smooth stone instead of sand, and three large boulders sitting in the shallow water.
Above it is Stogaj – a sharp, sculpted rock formation that adds to the striking setting.