Krk: the ultimate guide for a 7-day vacation
Day 1: Exploring Krk Island: History and Coastal Charm
We landed at Rijeka Airport at 11 AM. It’s a small airport located on Krk Island, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge. This makes it an excellent starting point if you plan to rent a car and explore Krk Island or the wine region of Istria in northern Croatia.
Our first stop was the city of Krk, a fortified town rich in history. Walking through the inner city streets is delightful, with opportunities to admire the crystal-clear sea. We visited Frankopan Castle, which is well worth the 4-euro ticket. The castle offers insights into the Frankopan family's significant role in Croatian history and the island's origins.
For a relaxing coffee or cocktail, we recommend Punta di Galetto, an airy, outdoor café by the sea, nestled in a small forest. It has a lovely atmosphere and friendly staff. The café also has a restaurant with an open kitchen if you get hungry.
Day 2: Discovering Vrbnik: Narrow Streets and Scenic Drives
We visited Vrbnik, a charming town with narrow, cobbled streets, including the world's narrowest street. Initially, we thought the street was just a novelty, but it actually leads to another part of town. We dined at Restaurant Nada, which has both indoor and outdoor seating and is open year-round. Try the traditional dish, Šurlice, or only enjoy their house wine in small wine-bar area ouside.
Extra tip: If you are making a reservation at Restaurant Nada in Vrbnik, make sure to book a small balcony with stunning mainland views.
Afterwards, we drove from Punat to Stara Baška. This road offers scenic views and leads to Oprna Beach. Visitors of Oprna Beach usually park on the side of the road, and walk down the stoney path.
Exploring curvy direction of Vrbnik narrow streets.
Day 3: Krk from a Unique Perspective
We dedicated this day to a boat trip. Various tours are available, and we chose Nemo for a four-hour journey. The captain, Franjo, will go above and beyond to make you feel comfortable. The trip included visits to four islands, bird and dolphin watching, swimming stops, and exploring beautiful caves. Even on cloudy days, the experience is fantastic. After the trip, we had a relaxed lunch at Konoba Mali Nono in Krk, enjoying their fresh seafood, especially the mussels in white wine sauce.
Extra tip: If you enjoy cooking, don’t hesitate to visit the local fish market and select some fresh fish. Typically, the fishing boats head out every night, and depending on the weather, there may be a great or not-so-great selection available at the market.
Island Krk is surrounded by crystal clear blue sea.
Day 4: Wine and History: Exploring Istria
We ventured to the Istria wine region. Croatian roads are well-maintained, and Google Maps provides accurate navigation. We visited Motovun and Rovinj. In Motovun, we stayed at Guesthouse Villa Marija, a charming B&B in the old town center. Definitely visit Aura Distillery for a taste of Istria—you will find over twenty different types of brandies and liqueurs, homemade chocolate, sugared almonds, etc. I recommend Orancello and Teranino. If you are not a big fan of walking in the crowds, Motovun is less crowded after 6 PM, making it a perfect time for a sunset stroll on the city walls.
The next day, we drove to Rovinj. The city is stunning, with its Church of St. Euphemia offering amazing views. However, it was crowded with tourists since it is one of the hottest spots to visit in Istria (and perhaps entire Croatia). We walked to the Church of St. Euphemia, which takes about 10 minutes from the coast, and spent a total of about an hour in Rovinj. If you are into exploring boutiques, you will probably spend more time in Rovinj since the streets in the old town are crowded with artisan products.
For dining, we highly recommend Agroturizam Mekisi near Motovun, known for its meat dishes and truffles, and Tipico Green Garden near Rovinj, which offers a serene garden setting and delicious seafood.
Extra tip: If you would like to sit in the olive garden at Tipico Green Garden, keep in mind that it opens only after 4 PM during summer because of the heat.
Day 5: Relaxing at Medane Beach in Punat, Island Krk
Back again on Krk Island, we spent this day relaxing at Medane Beach in Punat. The beach offers reasonably priced deck chairs in sunny or shaded areas, with a nearby bar and crystal-clear sea. Bring jelly shoes for walking on the rocky coast and to avoid sea urchins, which are actually a sign of clean sea.
A day to relax in Medane beach - don’t forget your jelly shoes!
Day 6: Hiking, Biking, Wandering on Prniba Peninsula
For nature lovers, the Prniba Peninsula is a must-visit. This green oasis offers excellent shade during the summer and is popular with hikers and bikers. Located between Krk and Punat, it’s accessible by car, with plenty of places on the side of the macadam road to park and begin your exploration on foot. Wear sneakers (or even better, hiking shoes) and bring a bathing suit to explore the peninsula’s olive gardens and secluded beaches. The area is popular with nudists but isn’t designated as a nudist beach.
