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Towns to visit on the Island
of Krk
With its rich Mediterranean flavor, ancient Romanesque charm, and
magnificent beaches, it is no wonder that the Island of Krk continues to expand as one
of the world's most popular destinations. The Island of Krk is divided into municipalities,
each that feature their own unique appeal and charm. Each municipality has a main town
(in the case of Krk, a city) that bears the same name as the municipality.
The City of Krk is the island's capital and the main hub of activity
for the region. Eateries abound and visitors can experience a variety of
dishes that represent traditional Croatian and Mediterranean cuisine. You
will experience ancient Croatia in its entire splendor as you stroll through
Kamplin Square and view the magnificent Frankopan Castle. The main city
square, Vela Placa, is the perfect background for cultural and artistic
events whilst religious artifacts overlook the plaza as you stare up at
the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Mary.
With m ore nightlife, clubs, and discotheques, Malinska
draws tourists with its active entertainment and beaches that are peppered
throughout the city. It also features the Chapel of St. Nicholas, The Parish
Church of St. Apollinaris, and Third Order Franciscan Monastery. Ancient wonders
are sure to please, as you visit the museum located inside the monastery.
While more antique treasures await. It was in Malinska, that the original
document of Croatian language, the Baska Tablet was discovered. Traced back
to the year, 1100, it was found in the Church of St. Lucy. Today, the tablet
resides at the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts. From cathedrals to museums,
you'll enjoy of wealth of history and cultural experiences when visiting Malinska.
Baska is home to some of the world's most exquisite beaches,
and is definitely the Island of Krk's most popular tourist attraction.
With nearly thirty beaches situated in Baska, with the world renowned
Rajska being one of them, Baska is the most popular destination
in the entire Adriatic coast. You'll enjoy the beauty of the Mediterranean
while visually experiencing the breathtaking splendor of the turquoise
colored Adriatic Sea. In addition to the unparalleled beauty of the beaches,
you can also experience Baska's impressive architectural features. These include
St. John's Church, St Lucy in Jurandvor, and Holy Trinity Church.
 Omišalj has the distinctive pleasure of being the oldest town on
the Island. Founded by the Romans, Omišalj still bears the world famous structures such
as The Parish Church of the Assumption and the Basilica. One of the most striking architectural
delights that you will enjoy while journeying through Omišalj, is the old castle or
Omišalj Castle. The appeal of Omišalj is definitely found in its antique charm and architectural
majesty. The castle stands proudly overlooking the Bay of Kvarner and you will find
that the view is one of the authentic Mediterranean. Omišalj is also home to several
beaches, all of which are family friendly. When visiting the Island of Krk, Omišalj
is one site you won't want to miss.
Punat, once renown for shipbuilding, is now one of the largest tourist
attractions in the entire Island. With its idyllic beauty and mild weather, Punat is
also revered for its top-of-the-line marinas. For those familiar with the beauty of
the Adriatic Sea and its glorious coastline, Punat is a must see attraction. Of course,
the marinas are the number one attraction for they are open year round and are host
to many famous events such as the Croatia Cup Regatta and Olive Days. Visitors and residents
enjoy wonderful water based sports and recreational activities such as diving, swimming,
boating, and an aqua park. The terrain is rich and lush and the ground is alive with
the Mediterranean staple, the Olive Tree. The climate is slightly higher in Punat than
in the surrounding municipalities, and Punat enjoys more pleasant and warmer days than
the other islands. Some of the most impressive architectural structures in Punat include,
The Parish Church of the Holy Trinity and Church of St. Dunat.
Ancient charm and grace is what you will find when entering
Dobrinj. Rolling hills, ancient threshing presses, Romanesque
architectural churches and historic villages all comprise the municipality
known as Dobrinj. Some of the most impressive buildings include the Bell Tower
from Saint Anthony's Church and Gallery, The Parish Church of St. Stephen,
and the Church of the Holy Trinity. You'll enjoy strolling through this picturesque
village and experiencing this taste of Mediterranean history first hand.
Vrbnik is another beautiful depiction of the ancient Mediterranean.
Seated upon
a cliff, Vrbnik is known for its beautiful cathedrals. The most
famous of these include the Parish Church of the Assumption that was established
in 1325 and the renaissance Bell Tower. Other featured attractions include
the Chapel of St. John and the Vitezic Brothers Library. The library
holds over ten thousands books and is a hot spot for divers, who frequent
the alluring Vrbnik Cave. Vrbnik is also known for its wine, Zlahtina, and
you are sure to experience local wine testing while in Vrbnik.
On the western side of the island of Krk, on a hill about a mile
from the coast, is the historic village of Brzac. This picture postcard village is characterised
by  old stone houses some of which are over 300 years old. Largely untouched by tourist
developments and protected as a rural area, the village of Brzac has a glorious view
to the sea and the island of Cres opposite.
Brzac offers a glimpse of life as it once was – small farm
holdings surrounded by stone walls; flocks of sheep herded to their grazing
land first thing in the morning; friendly villagers who take the time to say "hello" to each
other as they pass by in the street; young children roaming freely around the village;
the local menfolk playing the Croatian equivalent of 'boules' every Saturday and Sunday
evening in the centre of the village; fishermen returning with a fresh catch early in
the morning and the locals dressing up in their best clothes on Sunday for a visit to
the local church. You can buy home made sheeps cheese direct from the locals or fresh
fish straight from the fishermen if you get up early enough!
The coast is easily accessible from the village and takes less than
5 minutes by car, or about 25 minutes on foot. You can either take the road to Glavotok
where a XIV century Franciscan church and monastery can be found, or take a narrow road
to the bay of “Vela Jana” with its small and peaceful marina, where most of the local
fishermen moor their boats. If you happen to have your own boat, however small it is
(even a rubber dingy would do!), then you have access to numerous pebbly bays and inlets
located between Vela Jana and Glavotok. These small and secluded bays are usually filled
with sun lovers on a first come first served basis – if you see people or a boat in
one of bays, then just move on to the next empty one and enjoy the sun in peace!
This is a vegetation rich area and new house building is
strictly controlled so as to preserve both the existing countryside
as well as the rural feel of the village itself.
Brzac and its neighbouring village of Milohnic, only half a mile
away, appear to be a world away from the buzzy tourist resorts of Malinska and Krk town.
And yet the lively coffee bars, restaurants and shops of these towns are only 10 minutes
car drive away. Brzac offers the perfect place to get away from everything and yet is
still close to all the tourist offerings available on Krk. |
