Pakoštane

Pakoštane is a small Dalmatian place situated in the very center of the Adriatic coast and unique position between the sea and the Vrana Lake. Croatia’s coastline is a real stunner, and Pakoštane’s a fab spot for getting out and about to see lots of it. Fishing tours and scuba diving trips leave from the harbour here (five minutes’ drive from the site), as do boat trips to the gorgeous Kornati Islands, a national park made up of 140 uninhabited islands, along with reefs, sea caves and craggy cliffs. Over the years, lots of folk have been inspired to set up shop along this coast, and you can see what drew them here on a stroll around medieval Šibenik (35 minutes’ drive) or a wander around the city walls in Zadar (40 minutes). It’s worth seeking out the glass museum while you’re in town, and listening to melodies created by the waves at the ‘sea organ’ art installation. It’s not all about coastline in Croatia, of course – the country’s inland national parks are all well worth a visit, whether you pick the Krka National Park (40 minutes), the Paklenica National Park (50 minutes) or Plitvice Lakes (an hour and a half