Picture yourself relaxing on warm gravel in a shining blue bay. Its crystal-clear water encircled by picturesque cliffs. The sea foaming around in soft white patterns. Pine trees leaning over the bay, the wind rattling through their leaves. You’re taking in the summery sun-salt scent. Not far away, quiet, old houses, nestled at the edge of a village surrounded by olive trees.

Set in the beautiful Kvarner Gulf, the Croatian island Krk is known for its abundance of paradise beaches and bays. But there are many more wonderful things to do in Krk Island. Fantastic nature, hiking paths, and Mediterranean villages make up the island’s charm. So it’s the perfect place for beach lovers, hikers, action junkies, and foodies.

Even though Krk island is the largest in Croatia, you can easily explore the whole island by car, as distances are close. You’ll rarely need to drive more than half an hour to get from one place to the next. Island life, here we go!

Kozika Beach, Krk Croatia

Things to do in Krk Island | Highlights & hidden gems

Towns & villages

Krk Town

A maze of little alleys winds through this lovely medieval town with the same name as the island. It’s one of the oldest settlements in Croatia and among the island’s loveliest towns.

Here, you can stroll through small boutique shops and art galleries and enjoy its Mediterranean flair. Or sip a drink by the sea and take in the vacation mode.

ToDo in & around Krk Town

  • City walls – Walk along the almost 2,000-year-old walls that frame the city.
  • Placa Vela – The town’s beautiful main square.
  • Visit Frankopan Castle – The medieval castle of the town. You can climb up a tower from where you have a beautiful view across town and the harbor of Krk.
  • Sotobattetria Lounge – The perfect bar at the sea among cliffs to watch the sunset.
  • Private full-day boat trip – Explore Krk Island as well as its neighboring islands Plavnik, Prvić, and Grgur on a private boat trip where you can go swimming, snorkeling, or just relax.

Krk Town, Croatia / Krk Stadt, eine beliebte Sehenswürdigkeit in Krk
An alley in Krk Island / Eine Gasse in Krk

Impressions of Krk Town

Vrbnik

This village turned out to be my favorite on Krk Island. Already when you drive to Vrbnik, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the village set on top of a small hill by the sea.

Like many towns and villages on Krk Island, it’s small, so you can easily explore its center within a short walk. There are numerous wine bars where you can enjoy local wine – either nestled in one of the winding alleys or on a panoramic terrace with a sea view. And some of the island’s most wonderful natural bays are just a short drive away.

ToDo in Vrbnik

  • Wine bars – Try local Croatian wine in one of the small bars where you can sit in an alley, or at Restaurant Konoba Nada with the breathtaking sea view.
  • Wine tasting at Kuća vina Ivan Katunar – Just outside of the center, this lovely winery offers wine tastings in its cute courtyard
  • Klancic (narrowest street) – Walk through what is apparently “the world’s narrowest street”, with just around 40 cm wide
  • Eat at Pizzeria Gospoja – Great pizza and a terrace with a remarkable view.
  • Try scuba diving – Krk’s underwater world is spectacular and the water is so clean. So why not try a discovery dive on this beautiful Croatian island?

Enjoy local wine, a wonderful thing to do in Krk Island, Croatia / Weinbars zählen zu den Geheimtipps in Krk
Try the local wine in Vbrnik, Krk Island / Weinbar in Krk
Vbrnik, a must visit among the things to do in Krk Island, Croatia / Vrbnik, eine Sehenswürdigkeit in Krk die du nicht verpassen darfst

Impressions of Vrbnik

Baška

This small fishing village nestled in the south is surrounded by some of the island’s most beautiful bays and beaches. Yet, the village itself is still a hidden gem in Krk Island. Colorful, narrow Mediterranean houses gather in its small town center where you can stroll through the winding alleys. 

It’s also the starting point for the most stunning hiking trails on the island, such as the 1.5-hour hike to the gorgeous bay Vela Luka (which was one of my favorite things to do in Krk Island!).

ToDo in Baška

  • Stroll through the alleys – Grab an ice cream and enjoy the fishing village’s flair.
  • Hiking – Start in Baška and hike to the bays Vela Luka and Mala Luke with a spectacular view.
  • Sunset at Sv. Ivan – One of the island’s most fantastic viewpoints, just a 25-minute walk up to this church from where you can enjoy the sea view.
  • Beach time – A long beach reaches around 1.5 km from the town center.
  • Zavratnica fjord boat tour – A full-day boat trip to the islands Grgur & Rab where you can swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Zavratnica fjord.
  • Water adventures with kayaking and cliff jumping – Discover small bays and a cave during a guided kayak tour and, if you’re brave enough, try jumping from a cliff in beautiful Krk Island.
A cat in Krk Island
Baska, Krk Island / Baska, eine tolle Sehenswürdigkeit in Krk

Impressions of Baška

Rental house recommendation in Krk Island: Villa Muraj

We loved our week in this beautiful house. It was not only very modern and bright (most rooms had their own balcony), but we also loved the garden with the roofed terraces and amazing pool. The house was extremely well-equipped, e.g. there was a ping pong table, SUPs and even a kayak! How amazing is that? We spent the perfect week with friends here & I’d directly go there again (the house has space for up to 10 people).

Accommodation in Krk, Croatia / Unterkunft Reisetipp in Krk
Accommodation in Krk, Croatia / Unterkunft Reisetipp in Krk

More towns and villages

  • Dobrinj – An authentic small village with numerous historic stone houses in the island’s center, located on a hill overlooking the island.
  • Omisalj – A charming coastal town in the north of Krk Island with a wonderful historic center nestled on top of an 80m cliff. There are even some archaeological sites from the 3rd century.
  • Malinska – With its beautiful harbor and long coastal promenade, Malinska is a popular town with many restaurants, bars and cafés.
  • Punat & monastery island Košljun – Just a few hundred meters in front of the coastal town Punat, there’s a tiny island with a monastery that you can visit by taxi boat.

Visiting Njivice, a great thing to do in Krk Island / Njivice, eine tolle Sehenswürdigkeit in Krk
Strolling though towns was one of my favorite things to do in Krk Island, Croatia / Die vielen Gassen gehören für mich zu den schönsten Geheimtipps in Krk

Beaches in Krk Island

Visiting the spectacular bays and beaches in Krk Island is for sure among the most popular things to do in Krk Island for most travelers. And for sure, they were my highlight, too. The landscape reminded me of Mallorca but with much fewer tourists (at least at the end of May when we were there). Anywhere you go, you can find natural bays with crystal-clear water.

The beaches are usually gravel beaches, so remember to bring swim shoes if you’re sensitive. And among the cliffs, it’s also possible to encounter sea urchins.

Here are some of my favorite bays and beaches in Krk Island:

Beaches in south Krk Island:

  • Oprna Bay – There are actually a few bays next to each other that you can reach after a 5-10 minute walk down the cliffs (it’s not really steep but it’s a small path).
  • Zala Beach Stara Baska – An awesome bay that you can reach by car (there’s a large parking area right next to the beach) and where you can jump off some cliffs if you’re brave enough.

Beaches in south-west Krk Island:

  • Vela Luka – It’s around a 1.5-hour easy hike to reach Vela Luka (starting in Baska), but it’s so worth it, as you walk along the cliffs with an amazing view of the island and the sea. And you’re rewarded with a stunning natural beach where you can cool down. And you can take a taxi boat back to Baska if you don’t want to walk the 1.5-hour hike back.
  • Mala Luka – Just another 20-minute walk from Vela Luka brings you to Mala Luka, the second spectacular bay.

Beaches in east Krk Island:

  • Uvala Melska – One of several spectacular bays next to each other (on the way there you pass by Plaža Javna, which is just as stunning). Enjoy the view while you drive there and eventually the shallow, clear water.
  • Beach Kozica – A small bay close to Vrbnik that you reach after an easy 10-minute walk along a gravel road through pine trees.

Kozika Beach, Krk Island / Viele Buchten sind noch Geheimtipps in Krk
Cliff jumping in Krk, Croatia / Krk Reisetipp für Mutige: Klippenspringen
beaches in Krk Island / Strände sind die beliebtesten Sehenswürdigkeiten in Krk

Beaches in Krk Island

Hiking in Krk Island

If you like hiking, you will love Krk! You could spend a week on the island simply exploring a different hike every day. And I promise you, you’ll get breathtaking views every single day, as many paths run along the coast with spectacular seaviews.

There’s a growing network of hiking paths on the island.  Especially during the low season, when it’s not crazy hot yet, hiking is one of the most popular things to do in Krk Island.

Here are a few amazing hikes in Krk Island:

  • Vela Luka – As already mentioned above, In order to reach this spectacular beach, you can do a 1.5-hour hike through the mountainscape. The best starting point is the parking lot of Camping Bunculuka. Follow hiking path 9 which is well signposted. You can even follow the path on Google Maps. On the way to Vela Luka you’ll come across many amazing bays such as Vrženica and wonderful viewpoints such as Rebica Viewpoint. If you don’t want to walk all the way back, you can also take a taxi boat.
  • Baska Viewpoint & Skulijca Lighthouse – It’s just a 20-minute hike but you’ll be rewarded with one of the best views of Krk Island. Start at Vela Plaza beach and walk up the hill to enjoy the stunning view on turquoise water and the mountains. You can continue your hike to the lighthouse next to the natural bay Skulijca and jump into the refreshing water there.
  • Krk Camino – In case you’re up for a hiking holiday, take a look at the Krk Camino which is becoming more and more popular. You can hike around the whole island in seven daily stages making up a total loop of 150km (approx. 20km daily).
  • Fulfinum Mirine – The archaeological park can be reached through a picturesque hiking path. Parts of the ancient Roman city’s ruins are already sunk in the sea, but there’s a large well-preserved basilica from the 5th century that you can still see.
  • Path from Milinska to Njivice – These two towns are connected by a lovely hiking path, perfect for a fairly easy hike along the seaside with lots of perfect spots for swimming breaks in between. You can walk along the so-called “paradise path” along pine trees, natural bays and turquoise sea.

Hiking is one of the best things to do in Krk Island, Croatia / Wandern gehört zu den besten Geheimtipps in Krk
Krk, Croatia / Wandere zu den schönsten Sehenswürdigkeiten in Krk
Hiking in Krk Island / Wandern in Krk, einer der schönsten Reisetipps in Krk in der Nebensaison

Hiking in Krk Island

Map of things to do in Krk Island

Here’s a little interactive map with all the best things to do in Krk Island:

  • Towns & villages
  • Beaches
  • Hiking
  • Accommodation

Map of things to do in Croatia

Highlights & things to do in Krk Island (click for interactive map)

Good to know

Sustainable travel in Krk Island

When we travel to a destination by the sea, especially when visiting an island, we should always keep in mind that all our actions can directly harm one of the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems.

But sustainable travel is a much broader topic than just eco-friendly travel. While many people only connect it to reducing waste or eco-accommodation, there’s so much more to it. There are actually three pillars to the concept of sustainable travel – environmental, economic, and social aspects.

In Krk Island, for example, many small shops sell local products which helps not only the environment (as the products are not shipped from far away) but you can also support the local economy. You can find honey, olive oil, wine and many kinds of fruit and vegetables from the island.

Croatia is well aware of the large number of tourists visiting its beautiful islands every year. so they are taking measures to protect them. Krk has several ecologically protected areas to preserve the island’s biodiversity. Besides, the “Krk – Energy-independent and CO2-neutral Island” project strives to expand Croatia’s energy transition towards renewables. The goal is for Krk to become energy self-sustainable and carbon-neutral by 2030.

What can I do as a traveler?

We as travelers can make a change by responsible and conscious decisions while exploring all the wonderful things to do in Krk Island. Eventually, we want to enjoy our destination, right? And the way we treat the destination significantly influences, whether future travelers can still enjoy it the way we did.

And of course, we have to make sure that inhabitants, animals, and the environment don’t suffer from our visit.

I’ve written a comprehensive guide full of tips on how to travel more sustainably. Often, small things can change a lot. Check this out, if you’re interested in learning more about it.

But to give you the most relevant tips for Krk Island, here’s an overview of what you should consider to reduce the negative impacts of your trip:

  • Stay with locals: in guesthouses, small hotels or rental houses of locals instead of supporting international chains. 
  • Save energy & water: In your accommodation, skip on getting fresh towels & cleaning daily, use a fan instead of aircon, and take short showers. Especially on islands, fresh water is usually scarce.
  • Support local businesses: Eat and shop in small locally owned restaurants and shops.
  • Cause as little waste as possible: It’s actually simple – Say no to plastic bags, straws and packaging (instead bring a tote bag). And when you’re on the beach, never leave any trash but dispose of it properly (ideally in bins with waste separation).
  • Bring your own eco-friendly products: Especially on an island like Krk where you’re always close to the sea, make sure to use reef-safe sunscreen without chemicals that harm the ocean, a shampoo bar that saves plastic and a bamboo toothbrush.
  • Bring your own water bottle: I never travel without my self-purifying water bottle with which I can filter water anywhere I go and make it drinkable.
  • Avoid any activities that involve animal cruelty: such as visiting aquariums. And make sure to book a tour that pays attention to animal welfare with dolphin watching tours.
  • Support organizations helping stray cats and dogs and treat these cuties with some snacks.
  • Eat responsibly:  Besides eating in local restaurants where ingredients are usually from the island, try to eat less meat or even plant-based. This can radically improve your ecological footprint, as meat consumption is one of the most severe causes of climate change.
  • Be respectful. When taking pictures, always ask locals before and respect, if they don’t want pictures taken of them.

Besides, packing light and traveling more slowly makes your trip more sustainable as well.

A bay in Krk Island / Eine versteckte Bucht, Geheimtipps in Krk
enjoying the water is among the best things to do in Krk Island, Croatia / das glasklare Wasser zähöt zu den Sehenswürdigkeiten in Krk, das viele Reisende anlockt

Let’s keep these spectacular beaches in Krk Island clean

Weather & travel season

When is the best time to explore the things to do in Krk Island?

May to September is the best time if you want to swim in the sea. We visited Krk Island at the end of May and had perfect weather with around 22 – 25°C (70 – 80°F). It was perfect to go swimming (the water wasn’t as cold as I had expected and quite calm in the bays) but not too hot to stroll through the villages. We were also surprised that most beaches and also restaurants were still fairly empty.

That’s why I highly recommend visiting Krk in May/June or September/October, because it’s much more crowded during July and August. Also, accommodation can cost triple the price in August in comparison to May.

Turquoise water in Krk Island / Türkises Wasser, der Grund weshalb die Reiseitpps in Krk so viele Reisende anziehen
Visiting beaches, things to do in Krk Island, Croatia / Ein Strand in Krk, Geheimtipps in Krk

Sunny & cloudy days in May in Krk Island

Staying & getting around

Where to stay on Krk Island?

Honestly, the island is small. Because I highly recommend visiting Krk with a car (or get a rental car), you can basically stay in any part of Krk and reach most places in a 30-40 minute drive.

Especially around Krk Town, Baŝka and Malinska you can find a large choice of accommodations, as those are the more touristy parts. Vrbnik and Silo are calmer.

We rented a wonderful house close to Kornic, which I loved. Located in the middle of the island, we could easily reach anywhere within 30 minutes. The closest beach was 15 minutes from here. Just perfect!

Here are my recommendations for accommodation in Krk:

  • Rental house: Villa Muraj – We loved our week in this beautiful house. It was not only very modern and bright (most rooms had their own balcony), but we also loved the garden with the roofed terraces and amazing pool. The house was extremely well-equipped, e.g. there was a ping pong table, SUPs and even a kayak! How amazing is that? We spent the perfect week with friends here & I’d directly go there again (the house has space for up to 10 people).
  • Apartment: Villa Splendissima – This adults-only villa with only a handful of rooms is beautifully built surrounded by olive trees and has a lovely garden where you can always find a peaceful spot for yourself. There’s a large pool and rooms with sea-view balconies where you can relax after a day of exploring all the spectacular things to do in Krk Island.
  • Hotel: Hotel Villa Rova – A spectacular boutique hotel with an olive tree garden directly on the beach close to Malinska in Krk Island with a spa and wellness center. If you’re looking for a modern, high-class hotel yet with a family atmosphere, this is the perfect place to stay. Many rooms have a balcony with a sea view and the staff will do their best to make your stay unforgettable.
Accommodation in Krk Island / Unterkunft Geheimtipp in Krk
Accommodation in Krk Island / Unterkunft Geheimtipp in Krk
Accommodation in Krk, Croatia / Unterkunft Reisetipp in Krk

Impressions of Villa Muraj

How many days in Krk Island?

I recommend spending at least one week on the island to explore all the amazing things to do in Krk Island. This gives you enough time to cruise around different parts of the island, stroll through cute towns, relax on beaches and check out a hike.

You can easily extend your time in Krk, there’s still lots to do, so I’m sure you won’t get bored.

How to get to Krk Island?

The easiest way to get to Krk from other European countries is by car, driving though Austria and Slovenia. You can reach Krk by crossing a bridge connecting the island to the Croatian mainland. Since 2020 there have been no more tolls to reach the island.

However, you have to consider paying for tolls and a vignette when you cross Austria and Slovenia.

Besides, there is even an international airport on the island: Rijeka.

How to get around?

The best way to explore all the beautiful things to do in Krk Island is by car. The island is small and you can easily cross the island in 30-45 minutes. And most accommodations have free parking (except when you have an apartment right in the center of one of the towns). In most of the towns and villages you usually have to pay a parking fee.

While cruising through Krk Island, you can also see a lot of campers. There are many wonderful campsites by the sea, but wild camping is not allowed

Roads in Krk Island / Mit dem Auto die Sehenswürdigkeiten in Krk entdecken
Road to the beach in Krk, Croatia / Mit dem Auto die Geheimtipps in Krk entdecken

Driving around Krk Island

Food in Krk Island

Croatian food is quite heavy on meat (such as Cevapcici), fish and seafood. As Croatia is located by the sea, you can get fresh fish and mussels all over the country, but especially on the coast and on the islands such as Krk.

You can also feel the Mediterranean influences from nearby countries such as Italian, as many restaurants serve dishes such as seafood pasta or homemade gnocchi.

Many side dishes are vegetarian, such as Djuvec rice (rice with red pepper & ajvar) or potatoes with chard.

Local specialties in Krk are the typical cheese made from sheep milk, and olive oil. There are even some delicious Croatian wines.

Language & currency

Croatian basics

The local language in Krk Island is Croatian. Even though many locals speak English and even some other European languages (such as German) due to tourism, it’s always nice to know a few words in Croatian.

  • Hello – “Dobar dan” (more formal) / “Bok” (more informal)
  • Good morning – “Dobro jutro”
  • Thank you – “Hvala”
  • You’re welcome – “Molim”

Is traveling to Krk Island expensive?

Since January 2023, the Croatian Kuna has been gone. Now, the official currency is the Euro, just as in most other European countries. With the change of the currency, prices have also gone up quite a bit. I’d say travel costs are similar to those of Southern European countries, such as Spain or Portugal.

However, there’s a huge difference in accommodation prices depending on the travel season during which you visit Krk Island. In high season (July/August) you may easily pay three times the price you pay in May for a house or apartment.

Krk Island – a wrap-up

Krk Island in three words:  pebble beaches | cliff jumping | scenic roads

Did you know? The island’s number of destiny is seven: it was inhabited by the Croatian people in the 7th century, it survived pirate attacks seven times, the seventh Frankopan prince was the last prince of Krk and today the island has seven principal centres.

Favorite photo spot: The hike to Vela Luka

Favorite food: Djuvec rice

Can’t miss: The wine bars in Vrbnik

Are you excited about your trip to Krk, Croatia? Is there something missing among the things to do in Krk Island that you recommend? Let me know and leave a comment below.

More travel inspiration for the Mediterranean Sea

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