Krk Town

Krk Town has a long and rich history dating back to the Liburnian tribes followed by the Romans. The town was highly regarded during the Middle Ages when the powerful Frankopan family dynasty, built fortresses and towers. Venetian rule then followed and later the island became part of Austria. In 1797 the Austrians called it a day. This fascinating history has resulted in some exquisite architecture much of which is clear to see from a stroll or up closer during summer festival events.

Many of the towers and monuments are open to visitors (sometimes there is quite a climb – yet with wonderful views) and are used extensively for “Krk Summer” events.

There are some good pebble beaches around a 10-minute walk from the centre of the old town and there are many boat trips and excursions available from the central waterfront. The day trip excursion to the island of Rab is well worth doing and since a colony of more than 120 dolphins live in this part of the Kvarner Bay, there is a good chance of seeing them (rarely in August since dolphins try to escape high season! Really.)

Krk Town has a population of around 7,000 and is the island “capital” (the whole island population is around 19,000 despite Krk island being one of the two biggest in the Croatian Adriatic) and yet it has a summer festival (called “Krk Summer”) that is bigger than those in much larger and more famous places on the Croatian coast. From June until the end of September there are daily concerts, musical events, plays, gastronomy and cultural offerings which are so vibrant that many Croats from inland head for Krk Town (crossing the road bridge) to enjoy summer holidays during festival time. The place has a cool buzz in summer.

In our opinion, a great time to visit is June, early July, September and early October when it is usually sunny and sea temperatures at least 22C often reaching 25C. May and later in October are often fresher and suit walkers and cyclists who can enjoy the extensive network of hiking and biking paths across the island.

An excellent local bus service connects Krk Town with various places on the island of Krk. To Malinska, a cool spot with a long arc shaped waterfront, nice beach areas, bars/restaurants in 22 minutes. To Baska in the south of the island with a beautiful long pebble-sand beach in 44 minutes and a wide choice of places to eat and drink. To Vrbnik, a wine producing village, in 40 minutes, think white hill top town and narrow streets. We recommend visiting the Nada Winery.

The famous Plitvice Lakes and waterfalls in inland Croatia are 2 hours 30 minutes’ drive away and are possible during a stay here by organised excursion. It is somewhat of a long day – yet totally worth it.

We strongly recommend the excursions available to Kosljun, an island within an island for the monastery and gardens – reachable in 10 minutes by boat from Punat – and also to the island of Rab. These are available from most local travel agencies and from kiosks along the waterfront in Krk Town

We feature the three-star plus Hotel Bor in Krk Town which we at Sunvil really consider to be a four-star property with charming staff where many have worked there for years. It has a great restaurant and a wonderful seafront location.

Did you know?

• Rijeka airport just a 25-minute drive to Krk Town is the least busy airport on the Croatian coast. Short transfer. Quiet airport (max 10 flights per day in high season). Nice and easy
• There is a wine bar in the centre of Krk Town called “Volsonis” – it is on two levels and has an exquisite outside garden area within the walls. When the bar was being excavated by the new owners, a number of significant Roman ruins were found – and they have been left just as they were for visitors to see and enjoy. Tip – enter through the main square entrance, take the stairs down and then exit to the garden – you will see it all that way.
• The main attractions on the island of Krk are all within easy reach of Krk Town namely, Vrbnik (wine heritage), Baska (two km long pebble beach), Stara Baska (a magical hidden beach cove) and Jurandvor (cradle of the Glagolitic script with the Baska Tablet in the church of St Lucy)
• Twin centre idea – becoming more popular – a stay on Krk island combined with a stay on smaller Rab Island to the south. Both beautiful, both very different.