Vrgada: Pine Forest, Coastal Trails and Island History

Vrgada combines a landscape shaped by pine trees with coves, a beach and historic sites. More than two thirds of the island is covered by dense pine forest. Along the coast, steeper shores in the southwest alternate with flatter stretches in the northeast, alongside wooded areas and coves such as Sveti Andrija, Luka and Kranje. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Vrgada, you can first decide whether coastal scenery, trails or cultural history should be your main focus.

Coastal Scenery and Podbrizi Beach

Kranje is a large bay on the south side of Vrgada. At Podbrizi Beach, soil erosion gives the sand a reddish-gold hue. The vegetation provides both sunny spots and natural shade. Podbrizi lies on the Saint Andrew Trail and is within walking distance of the town center. Several distinctive features come together at this beach: its unusual sand color, the vegetation and its location along the trail.

Hiking Trails Through Varied Landscapes

The Saint Andrew Trail leads to the old Croatian Church of St. Andrew in the bay of the same name. From the church, a footpath passes through olive groves to the remains of the Byzantine military fortress on Gradina Hill. The remains of a Byzantine fortress called Gradina are located at Vrgada’s highest point.

The Garma Trail follows a shady path through fields and olive groves to the fishing harbor of Garma. The Kranja Trail offers a different landscape: it winds through a rocky maze of dense pine forest and moss to the picturesque Bay of Kranja. Unlike the Garma Trail, the focus here is on rocks, forest and moss, while the Garma Trail passes through fields and olive groves. These differences can help you choose a trail based on the landscape you would like to see along the way.

Churches, Fortress and Maritime History

The Church of the Holy Trinity was completed in 1687. It stands on Sudujam Hill and offers views of the sea. Vrgada is also home to a preserved pre-Romanesque church dating from the 9th century, dedicated to Saint Andrew. Other historical remains include the ruins of Damiani Castle, dating from the 17th century.

The Chapel of Gospe od Zdravlja on Vrgada houses an image of the Madonna and Child in the Byzantine style. It is adorned with a silver relief covering and precious stones. Gospa od Zdravlja is honored and celebrated on Vrgada every year on November 21. The island’s fishing history is also significant: since 1909, the oldest fishing cooperative on the Adriatic coast has operated here continuously.

Getting There and Activities by the Sea

Vrgada is part of the Općina Pakoštane destination and can be reached by boat from Pakoštane. The crossing takes half an hour; travel time may vary depending on operations, and schedules may change seasonally. Check the connection before your trip. There are no cars on Vrgada.

The sea offers another point of interest for planning your trip: while diving in the turquoise waters around Vrgada, you can look for seahorses and yellow sponges. Together with the coastal trails and historic sites described above, these offer a range of interests to weigh up when choosing your destination and hotel.

Discover more destinations: Drage, Pakostane, Pakoštane.

View the broader travel guide: Općina Pakoštane.