Island in Kvarner
Krk
- Best time to go
- May, June, July, Sept
- Part of
- Kvarner
Krk is one of Croatia's two largest islands and the easiest to reach, because a bridge links it to the mainland near Rijeka.
Its towns range from the walled old town of Krk to clifftop Vrbnik and the long beach at Baška. The island is known as a cradle of Croatian writing, home to the Baška Tablet, one of the oldest texts in the Croatian language. It gets busy in high summer, but the bridge makes it easy for a few days or even a long weekend.
Things to do
Don't miss in Krk
- Walk the old town of Krk, with its town walls, Romanesque cathedral and the Frankopan castle on the square by the sea.
- Taste Žlahtina, the local white wine, in Vrbnik, a village built on a cliff above the sea.
- See the Baška Tablet, or the copy kept where it was found, in the Church of St Lucy at Jurandvor near Baška.
- Take a boat from Punat to the islet of Košljun and its Franciscan monastery.
- Swim at Vela plaža in Baška, a long pebble beach below bare hills.
- Hike the trails above Baška, such as the path over the hills to Stara Baška across the stony plateau the locals call the Moon trail.
- Go underground in Biserujka cave near Rudine, a small cave with stalactites that is easy to visit.
Where to stay
Pick your neighbourhood
Krk town
first-timers who want an old walled town with restaurants and beaches nearby, in the middle of the island
Baška
beach lovers and walkers who want the long pebble beach and trails over the bare hills to the south
Malinska and Njivice
families who want calm bays, pine shade and a short drive from the bridge
Punat
sailors and families near the big marina and the boats to Košljun
Vrbnik
couples who want a quiet clifftop village, local wine and sea views
Tours and getting around
Day trips from Krk
From Krk you can take boat trips to Košljun, to Plavnik and to the beaches of Rab, or join excursions along the island's coast from Baška, Punat and Malinska. By car, Opatija, Rijeka and Učka are within about an hour, and the ferry from Valbiska makes Cres an easy day out. Wine tastings around Vrbnik and kayaking trips are also popular.
A car is the easiest way to get around, since the towns are spread out and buses are less frequent outside summer. Scooters and e-bikes work well for short hops between beaches. Punat and the other harbours rent small motorboats, which is the simplest way to reach coves that can't be reached by road.
Getting there
How to get to Krk
Krk is joined to the mainland by the Krk Bridge near Rijeka, so you can drive straight on; the bridge is toll-free. Rijeka Airport is on the island itself, near Omišalj. From Zagreb the drive takes about two hours via the A6 motorway, and from Rijeka about 30 minutes to the bridge and an hour to Baška. Buses link the island's towns with Rijeka and Zagreb. Car ferries leave Valbiska for Merag on Cres, and in summer for Lopar on Rab. Expect queues and busy car parks in July and August.