Municipality of Karlobag

• The municipality encompasses the southwestern coastal and mountainous area of Velebit.
• Karlobag lies on the Adriatic Highway, which runs along the coast from Rijeka to Dubrovnik.
• The range of experiences described extends from hiking and climbing routes to diving and cultural sites.
• Karlobag town centre has shops, restaurants and souvenir shops.

The municipality’s coastal and mountainous character offers different thematic focuses without requiring them to be combined into a single route. If you want to hike, the Terezijana educational trail is a walking route reserved exclusively for pedestrians. It runs for 3 km from Baške Oštarije to Konjsko; the walking time is approximately three hours. The historic Terezijana road is classified as a cultural asset and was built in 1786 to improve the connection between Gospić and Karlobag.

A considerably longer option is the 57 km Premužić Trail between Zavižan and Baške Oštarije. It has no major ascents and can therefore also be walked by people who are not accustomed to mountain hiking. When choosing, the main considerations are therefore route length and elevation profile: the educational trail has an approximate duration, while the Premužić Trail is described by its total length and lack of major ascents.

Ravni Dabar is a climbing area for sport climbing. Climbing is permitted on the cliffs of Visibaba/Agin kuk, Čelina kuk and Rujičin kuk. Diving offers a different option by the sea: the “Atlantida” diving club has its centre at Obala Vladimira Nazora bb in Karlobag. Thanks to the pleasant sea temperatures, diving is most enjoyable between May and November.

The cultural sites tell stories from different eras. The remains of Fortica come from a small quadrangular fortress dating to the 13th or 14th century, with a defensive tower. A chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Seven Sorrows was built on Kalvarija in 1727; in 1740 it was converted into a small church. The Kubus was erected in 1846, and 33 steps lead up to it. From there, you can see Karlobag, the island of Pag and the entire Velebit Channel.

The Church of St. Charles Borromeo also has a turbulent building history: it was built in 1710 on the foundations of the Church of St. John. After being badly damaged in 1943 and its remains being demolished in 1958, part of the wall and the entire bell tower survived. At the Capuchin monastery and the Church of St. Joseph, notable details include a rainwater cistern measuring 6 metres in diameter and holding approximately 180,000 litres, a wooden choir stall for the Psalter from the 18th century—known as the “legil”—and a theological library with literature from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

Another cultural facet is Šime Starčević’s “Ricsoslovica”, the first grammar of the Croatian language written in Croatian. Kava, meanwhile, is a private Mediterranean garden with a mosaic exhibition. These places and subjects may inspire travellers who want to include architecture, language or art in their interests alongside nature experiences.

The places in the municipality linked here include Sušanj Cesarički, Vidovac Cesarički, Lukovo Sugarje, Cesarica, Baric Draga and Karlobag. Karlobag town centre has shops, restaurants and souvenir shops; its cuisine combines Mediterranean and continental influences in the Velebit style.

If you are comparing different destinations for your plans, you can also explore the Municipality of Otočac and the Municipality of Lovinac.

How long is the Terezijana educational trail?

The educational trail, reserved exclusively for pedestrians, runs for 3 km from Baške Oštarije to Konjsko. The walking time is approximately three hours.

When is diving in Karlobag most enjoyable?

Thanks to the pleasant sea temperatures, the period between May and November is considered the most enjoyable time for diving.

What can you see from the Kubus?

From the Kubus, you can see Karlobag, the island of Pag and the entire Velebit Channel. There are 33 steps leading up to it.

For the broader travel overview: Lika-Senj.