You have arrived on your long-awaited vacation, and now you are wondering what to see in krk island while on holiday. Or you are just thinking about choosing the island of Krk for your vacation destination, so you would like to know if there is anything interesting here and what to see in krk? Whichever of these two sentences best describes you, the answer is the same: you have so much to see on the island of Krk that one visit will most likely not be enough for everything there is to see and do.
Whether you like to enjoy the nature and admire its beauty and the enchanting landscape, or you would want to explore the rich history and tradition of this area, the variety the island offers is great. You can go deep below the surface of the earth, walk through the moon-like landscape, explore the secrets hidden by the old city streets, try to read the old Croatian alphabet on the famous monument or immerse yourself in the impressive water world surrounding the island of Krk. Whatever you choose, a good time is guaranteed for all.
Here are some of the most attractive locations and attractions that you should not miss. Unfortunately or fortunately (as you take it), this list is not all that the island of Krk offers. It would take too long to list everything worth seeing on the island of Krk, so here is a selection of the top 10 best and most popular things. They are not ranked by quality because that is a matter of personal interest and personal experience. Maybe you can send us your ranking list later?
10 attractions as an ideal answer to the question: what to see in Krk
1. Baška Tablet
If you are a fan of history, cultural heritage and old scripts and languages, then, the Baška Tablet is a must-see for you. It is one of the most valuable Croatian monuments, being a document and a monument, history and art at the same time.
The Baška tablet dates from around the year 1100 and is a Glagolitic inscription carved on white limestone. The inscription speaks about the grant of the Croatian king Zvonimir to the church of St. Lucy /crkva svete Lucije/, and the name of the Croatian ruler in is mentioned in it for the first time in the Croatian language.
Due to its priceless value, the original is today kept in at the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts in Zagreb, while there is a copy of the Tablet in the church of St. Lucy in Jurandvor.
2. Frankopan Castle in Krk
The Frankopan Castle is located in the center of the city of Krk, next to the old town square Kamplin, which was the center of all city events in the distant past. Built between the 12th and 15th century, the castle was a fortress of the noble Frankopan family, which has a prominent place in the history of both the island of Krk and Croatia.
The Frankopan Castle is one of the rare, preserved symbols of medieval heritage, with walls and three towers used for the defense of local population. The interior of the Frankopan castle is an impressive space ideal for various events, performances, and concerts. It also houses the Liburnian Cippuses, a tombstone of a specific shape, characteristic of the Liburnian area in the 3rd century.
We also suggest that you climb to the top of the castle and walk along its walls because they provide an unforgettable view of the entire town Krk and its port.
3. Biserujka Cave
Near the village of Rudine, there is the Biserujka cave to be explored. The existence of this cave has been known to the inhabitants of nearby villages since ancient times, and it was mentioned in court documents in the ancient 1834 as a refuge for smugglers. According to legend, a treasure was once hidden in the cave and was never found. Thus, the cave was named after the treasure (the pearls; “biser” is Croatian for pearl).
Biserujka is a smaller cave, about 100 m long and 15 m deep, but it is rich in cave decorations (calcareous singers, stalagmites, and stalactites). Endemic wildlife of the cave is very diverse, and the cave is home to as many as 6 endemic species. This is the place where you can encounter the Anophthalmus maderi (a genus of ground beetle), the Alpioniscus christiani (a genus of woodlice) and the Neobisium insulare (a genus of pseudoscorpions). The lower part of the cave ( the canal) is home to skeletal remains of a cave bear.
4. City Walls and the Old Town of Krk
As the town of Krk is one of the oldest settlements in Croatia, it offers many sights to see. Some date back to the ancient history, and some are from somewhat more modern times. In addition to Kamplin Square and the Frakopan Castle, which have already been listed, there is the Krk Cathedral and the Church of St. Quirinus, both a wonderful example of Romanesque architecture, with a rich interior of Venetian stylistic features.
Do not miss a walk along the city walls of Krk, some of which are almost 2,000 years old. Near the northern city gate Porta Su, there is the Glagolitic Square that was once home to the Franciscans, Benedictine priests and Benedictine nuns, and Poor Clares. Part of the monastery has been preserved (the Franciscan monastery and the monastery of Benedictine nuns) and is still in operation.
In addition to historical sights, the city of Krk is home to numerous museums and galleries, various events, and other interesting happenings. A private tour of the city of Krk with a local guide, who will reveal the city’s many secrets and its rich past, comes highly recommended.
5. The Narrowest Street in the World and the Old Town of Vrbnik
A picturesque little town Vrbnik is located on top of a fifty-meter-high cliff. It has been inhabited since the Neolithic, which makes it one of the oldest settlements on the island of Krk. The old town will impress all lovers of history and atmosphere of an authentic old Mediterranean town. Vrbnik also prides itself with the narrowest street in the whole world, which is in the very center of the town. Klančić Street is really a place to visit and try to squeeze through.
Don’t miss a tour of the Vitezić Family Library and the reconstructed wooden printing house from the Renaissance period, which are situated on the old square in the former Rector's Palace. There you can find out more about the Glagolitic alphabet and Blaž Baromić, the first Croatian printer/pressman who was originally from Vrbnik. The three oldest streets in Vrbnik, Pojana, Roč and Smokovec, will take you to the parish church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary /župna crkva Uznesenja Blažene djevice Marije/.
Here you should pay a visit the beautiful Gothic chapel of St. Rosary /kapela sv. Ružarija/ with a painted vault, the bell tower with the lapidary, and the Museum of art identity of Vrbnik /Muzej likovnog identiteta/. Near the church there is one of the most beautiful views of Vrbnik to enjoy, and not far away are the remains of a medieval tower and city walls, waiting for visitors.
To experience Vrbnik, all its legends and stories the best, take a tour with a local guide.
6. Islet of Košljun
Košljun is a tiny island, rich in natural beauty and heritage, located in the bay of Puntarska draga. It is best known for the Franciscan monks and their monastery, and it is home to a museum, two churches and three chapels. Two thirds of the island is covered with a thick forest with as many as 400 different species inviting the visitors for peaceful walks, meditation, exploration, and relaxation.
According to legend, the bay of Puntarska draga was once a field owned by two brothers, one of whom was blind. The brothers worked the land together, but when picking crops and sharing the harvest, the healthy brother cheated on his blind brother. This angered God, so he flooded the field with the sea, and only the house of the blind brother with the surrounding property remained. Today, this remaining property is the islet of Košljun.
The whole island is today a museum that you can only reach by boat, and various events, exhibitions and concerts often take place there.
7. Plateau of the Moon and the Road to the Moon and Back
If you have always dreamed of a trip to the moon, then, while holidaying on the island of Krk, the Plateau of the Moon is a must-see for you. The "Road to the Moon and Back" is 3 km long and begins in Baška at the very top of the island of Krk on the south side. The well-kept hiking trail “Road to the Moon and Back” is mostly in the shade and provides ideal conditions for a pleasant walk.
While walking the trail, there is a panoramic view of Baška and the surrounding islands to admire. A surprise awaits you at the end of the climb when you leave the forested area and enter a completely different environment that really resembles the surface of the moon. Do not be surprised if you meet flocks of sheep or griffon vultures in flight. This all is part of this breathtaking natural beauty, which takes your breath away.
8. Coast, coves, and beaches of the island of Krk
If you are a lover of the sea and the underwater world, then the coast of the island of Krk and exploration of its many beautiful beaches and hidden coves will mesmerise you with their beauty. You can't say that you have fully explored the island of Krk until you experience it from the sea side. To help you do it, there is a wide selection of boat trips, from catamaran rides, taxi boats, speedboat rides and sailing trips.
Explore hidden beaches surrounded by four islands, go on a private all-day taxi boat tour to your liking, visit the islands of Rab, Grgur and Goli with the inevitable swimming or explore the underwater world during a panoramic glass bottom catamaran ride. Whichever trip you choose, you will experience the island of Krk in a completely different and unforgettable way.
9. Fulfinum Mirine
The bay of Sepen near Omišalj offers a unique exploration of the archeological site of the ancient Roman city of Fulfinum and the early Christian complex Mirine.
Fulfinum was founded in the 1st century, at the time of the downfall of the Roman Empire and was intended for Roman war veterans. It was conceived as a city of the highest civilisational achievements with all the urban facilities of that time. It had a well-protected port with a trading district by the sea, developed agriculture thanks to a fertile field with plenty of water, a forum with the Capitol and the city basilica, spas, villas, residential areas, and two-stage water supply system.
It is assumed that the city "lived" for about 300 to 500 years, was abandoned at the time of the downfall of ancient civilisation, and the inhabitants retreated to today's city of Krk. Then, in the 5th century, a new Christian city began to emerge on the ruins of Fulfinum with the construction of a monumental basilica related to the Glagolitic Benedictine abbey of Sv. Nicholas. This imposing early Christian complex, called Mirine (dialectal name for ruins), is often the center of various events and festivities in summer.
10. Gradec Castle
Gradec Castle is the first property of the dukes of Krk and the cradle of the Frankopan feudal administration. Also known as Rovoznik Fortress, it was a center of military, political and administrative power. However, its significance was wider than the island of Krk because the Frankopan family were the administrators of the Dalmatian islands of Brač, Hvar, Korčula and Lastovo, and for a short time the city of Split.
It is located in a forest, far from the sea and near the field of Vrbnik, on an old road that connected the agriculturally rich municipalities on the east side of the island with the town of Krk. It was abandoned after the departure of the last duke of Krk in the second half of the 15th century and was gradually turned into ruins until the end of the last century.
The ruins of the Gradec castle rise to seven meters in height, are easily accessible from the nearby villages of Risika and Garica and are a popular tourist destination and occasional center of various cultural events.
We hope that we have managed to answer your question what to see in Krk island and helped in your search for the best attractions that should definitely be visited during your vacation. If you need help organising excursions tailored to your wishes and interests, or want some insider advice, feel free to contact us, we will be more than happy to help you.
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