Krk: An island of coastlines, history and discovery
Accommodation in Krk
Krk combines a deeply indented coastline with traces of different eras and a distinctive wine tradition. The island lies in the Kvarner Bay and is the northernmost island in the Mediterranean. This gives you more than one theme to choose from when planning your holiday: you can explore nature, travel on foot or by bike, discover cultural and historical sites, and sample regional specialties.
Coastal scenery and nature
Numerous coves, bays and pebble beaches shape the coastline. An ornithological reserve on the steep northeastern coast is home to griffon vultures. The terraced dry-stone walls and shepherds’ Mrgari above the Baška Valley offer a different kind of scenery. These stone structures are part of the island’s distinctive cultural landscape and provide a striking contrast to its coastal views.
There is also a world to discover beneath the surface: Biserujka Cave lies 300 metres north-northwest of the village of Rudine in the municipality of Dobrinj and has been prepared for tourist visits. Its calcite formations include columns and stalactites. The cave is part of the national ecological network, whose conservation objectives include endemic species and habitat types found in karst caves and pits.
Exploring Krk
The island has 500 kilometres of marked walking and hiking trails, most of which can also be used as cycling routes. One specific cycling route runs along the reconstructed road from Krk to Malinska: it leads from the turn-off to Valbiska to the entrance to the town of Krk and is separated from the road by green spaces. This gives you a choice between hiking and cycling as different ways to get around during your holiday, without all the routes following the same course.
An educational trail connects Biserujka Cave with Slivanjska Bay. The easy hike takes around 30 minutes and features five information boards. If you would like to combine a cave visit with a walk through the landscape, this is a clearly described route. For a different kind of activity, try the Zipline Edison attraction at Treskavac Pass on the D 102 state road, near the Glagolitic Trail. “Šetnja među krošnjama” includes an off-road drive, a walk through the landscape and zip-line descents over a distance of more than 2 km. The Dunat ski lift is located before Kornić, between the town of Krk and Punat; visitors can rent equipment there and benefit from the guidance of experienced instructors.
History across the island
The town walls in the town of Krk are almost entirely preserved, with their oldest section dating back to prehistoric times. Near Risika, the Gradec site preserves the remains of a large castle fortress belonging to the Frankopan princes. At Sepen Bay near Omišalj lie the remains of the Roman city of Fulfinum-Mirine, dating from the 1st century. Together, these sites tell stories from different historical contexts, rather than focusing on just one era.
Near Baška, history leads to the Baška Tablet: it was carved around the year 1100 in the Church of St Lucy in Jurandvor near Baška, and is the oldest surviving document written in Croatian using the Glagolitic script. The island of Košljun near Punat is a unique cultural and historical site. Visitors interested in history and writing can make these monuments a focus of their trip.
Wine and regional tradition
In the Vrbnik Valley, you can visit the Katunar and Toljanić wineries and sample cheese and Vrbnik wines. Vrbnička Žlahtina comes from an indigenous grape variety that grows exclusively in the Krk wine-growing region, specifically in Vrbničko polje. The three-day Žlahtina Festival in July features open cellar days and celebrates the traditional Razgon festival. Viticulture, tastings and festival traditions give this part of the island its own distinctive character.
Getting there and further information
You can reach Krk by car via the Krk Bridge. Ferries run from the port of Valbiska to Merag on Cres and Lopar on Rab. When choosing a holiday apartment, you might first consider which of the island’s themes you would like to shape your stay: coastline and trails, nature, history or wine. The pages for the municipalities offer further information: Općina Krk, Općina Dobrinj, Općina Omišalj, Općina Punat, Općina Vrbnik, Općina Baška and Općina Malinska-Dubašnica.
For the broader travel overview: Croatia.
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