Discover Šimuni: A Local’s Guide to a Croatian Hidden Gem
By Aleksandra B. Fabijanić
Aleksandra is a social scientist and an academic in entrepreneurship at the University of Glasgow, where she teaches and mentors students and startups on a daily basis. Alongside academia, her entrepreneurship work focuses on the intersection of the space sector, big data, and environmental intelligence, particularly across fisheries, ports, and coastal ecosystems connected to marine systems around the world. Through her husband and her many years spent on Pag, Šimuni has become a place she feels very connected to personally.
Šimuni, on the western side of Pag, is the kind of place visitors return to year after year.
For more than 100 years, this small fishing village has been shaped by the sea and by generations of local families living from fishing, farming and hospitality. Today, Šimuni is known for its calm beaches, fresh local food and relaxed pace of life.
If you are planning a visit, here are a few local tips on where to eat, stay and make the most of your time in Šimuni.
Where to Eat
Food is central to life here, shaped by the rich produce of the island. Fresh seafood, island lamb, fragrant olive oil, local wine and the famous Pag cheese (Paška sirana), one of the island’s proudest culinary traditions and an internationally award-winning Croatian cheese, all reflect the distinctive flavours of this part of Croatia.
One place to enjoy that local flavour is Leut Beach Restaurant Šimuni, a relaxed waterfront restaurant known for fresh seafood, simple Mediterranean dishes and beautiful sea views.
Where to Swim and Sunbathe
With crystal-clear waters and a beautiful coastline, the village’s beaches are ideal for families, offering calm sea, plenty of space and welcome shade from pine trees during the warmer months. Whether you are planning a full beach day or a quick morning swim, it offers a relaxed seaside experience away from Croatia’s busier summer crowds.
Where to Walk
The village is also easy to explore on foot. A walk along the harbour, an evening stroll by the water or a wander through quiet village paths are all part of daily life here. Coastal paths lead through rocky landscapes and pine-covered trails, with beautiful views out to sea.
Where to Stay
Šimuni is known for its warm, family-run accommodation, from small apartments overlooking the sea to welcoming guesthouses that offer a much more personal feel than larger resort destinations. Places such as Apartmani Brankica reflect that spirit well – simple, comfortable and closely connected to the relaxed local way of life.
Staying here means enjoying sea views, shaded terraces and the kind of local hospitality that makes visitors feel at home.
Taste Local Life
The sea remains at the heart of Šimuni. Small family fishing boats head out each day, returning with fresh catch that soon reaches local kitchens and local fishmongers (Ribara dva), centrally located in the village and, like most places here, only a short five-minute walk from wherever you stay. Fresh seafood remains an important part of everyday life here, reflecting the area’s long connection to the sea.
Why Visit Šimuni
Šimuni offers a quieter side of Pag, with calm beaches, fresh local food and a warm village atmosphere. While summer is a wonderful time to visit, April, May, September and October are equally enjoyable, with pleasant weather, quieter beaches and a more relaxed pace. It is a place that has welcomed visitors for many years while keeping its strong family character.
Thank you for your wonderful write-up on this magical place!
