Gajac

Gajac is a holiday and residential settlement on Pag’s south-western shore, roughly 2.5 kilometres south of Novalja, with its apartment blocks set immediately behind Braničevica Beach. Fewer than one hundred people live here outside summer, while the official destination brochure says the seasonal population rises to around 10,000 visitors and guests. That contrast defines the place: beach bars, shops and traffic towards Zrće bring a distinctly lively atmosphere in summer, but Gajac becomes much quieter once the main season ends. Its appeal lies less in historic monuments than in the convenient combination of a long swimming coast, a seafront promenade and easy access to Novalja. Braničevica faces the open sea and provides food, drink and recreational facilities, together with a designated pet-friendly section. Inland lies Kolanjsko Blato, an ornithological reserve protected since 1988, while seasonal town buses make nearby Zrće accessible without driving. Gajac therefore suits travellers who want to stay beside the water while keeping Novalja, Zrće and the natural landscapes of central Pag within easy reach.

Gajac’s identity comes from its apartment neighbourhood, Braničevica Beach and the sharp contrast between summer and the rest of the year. The centre stands only a short walk from the waterfront, so the beach and promenade are normally reached on foot. Unlike Novalja’s old centre, Gajac has no network of historic squares or major monuments; its defining view is a succession of pale apartment buildings behind Pag’s exposed western coast. Official tourism sources place it about 2.5 kilometres south of Novalja and note that its tiny year-round community expands to roughly 10,000 people in summer. That seasonal transformation explains why most services and waterfront venues are concentrated around Braničevica during the holiday months.