More than 2500 hours of sunshine a year, Mediterranean olive groves and pine forests, relaxed holiday resorts, wonderfully luxurious holiday accommodations, hearty Croatian cuisine and the courteous hospitality of the locals - I am sure: a path to holiday happiness leads across the Krk Bridge. I spent two weeks on the largest Croatian island and looked at the destination in detail. What can we do here? What is there to discover? And where can you find real insider tips? In my Krk travel report I have put together helpful tips and recommendations, my personal experiences and the most important highlights around the island.

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I've been puzzling over how to pronounce Krk for a few weeks. I even googled it and didn't find a satisfactory answer. After my arrival on the small holiday island, I was immediately wiser when I was greeted by my hosts Iva, Hrvoje and Milena with a warm “Welcome to Krk!” (pronounced: Kirk). The three of them will help me with my research Travelogue actively support Krk.

The largest Croatian holiday island is also the northernmost - and the gateway for holidaymakers who want to drive to the Mediterranean. However, I flew and got one Car rental on Krk taken – that was a great idea. This saved me the long journey and was still mobile on site.

In summer, Krk is very popular – and lively

I already saw one of its landmarks from the plane: the impressive Krk Bridge, which connects the island with the mainland. And at the same time I could see car after car lined up across the bridge and the surrounding streets. Most holidaymakers come to the island via the bridge. In the Summer – especially in July and August – Krk is packed.

That was to be expected - because where it is particularly beautiful, it is full. Especially in summer on the Mediterranean. There's no need to fool yourself. It's all the better that I have my experienced guides Iva and Hrvoje from the agency Sol Villas and Sol Tours give me their very personal insider tips and show me the most beautiful sides of the island.

Video – It’s so beautiful on Krk

Since I unfortunately haven't finished editing my own video from Krk yet, I picked out a video for you that gives you a nice overview of the island of Krk.

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Video – Impressions from the island of Krk

Below I have selected a video for you with impressions of the island of Krk. If you prefer watching videos instead of reading travel reports, you can watch the video to get an authentic impression of the island.

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My impression of Krk – the smell of the south

On Krk it smells of the Mediterranean, of summer - and above all of pine trees. When you arrive, take a deep breath and let the fierce sunshine and brightness greet you. I could see how beautiful the island is even from the air. The rugged, hilly landscape with green bushes, olive trees and pine forests with rolling hills will be familiar to you if you are a Mediterranean fan. Another indication of Krk's popularity are the good reviews TripAdvisor and HolidayCheck* – when travel destinations are rated so well, you already know what to expect when you get there.

Cute airport on Krk

The island of Krk and I had an incredibly good start! My first highlight after landing at this unique place Destination was the tiny airport in Rijeka, which is located on Krk and has capacity for almost one airliner at a time. And so it happens that a maximum of five larger flights are handled there per day. You will definitely find your luggage - because there is only a very small baggage carousel.

The delicious Croatian cuisine on Krk

After I arrive, we go out to eat something to celebrate the day. Iva, Milena and Hrvoje want to show me their island - and that includes the culinary delights more than anything else. Of course in an idyllic, small restaurant with local cuisine - Primorska koliba - which has been run by twin brothers and their sons for over thirty years.

The first culinary highlight awaits: There are excellent antipasti with anchovies, the special regional pasta Surlice with crabs and fish and, as a highlight, the famous lobsters from the Kvarner Bay, which are considered a delicacy on Krk. Finally, panacotta with strawberries is served - that alone is a dream.

And so my stay on the island begins incredibly eventfully and harmoniously - just as it should be if you want to be pampered and relaxed to the fullest on vacation. In my Travelogue About Krk I will show you what you can do to make the very best of your visit to this beautiful island.

Luxurious apartments are waiting for Krk

And what applies to the food also applies to the accommodation: During my stay I chose two beautiful holiday apartments in the lively holiday resort of Malinska. The apartments are far too big for me - over a hundred square meters, with a spacious living room, open kitchen and - this is my highlight - a huge balcony that is like a roof terrace. My apartment is the perfect starting point for relaxing days at the beach and for exploring the entire island with a rental car.

Krk is the island of beautiful and often luxurious holiday apartments and holiday homes. You can also find beautiful ones on the island Hotels. But if you're on holiday on Krk, you'll usually book holiday accommodation because the choice is so huge.

From cheap and 30 euros per night to a holiday villa with pool, you get exactly the holiday home you want. Because the offer on the entire island is simply huge: there is more on Krk Accommodations of inhabitants – there are over 18.000 holiday accommodations for every 20.000 inhabitants. So you can take full advantage of it.

My pro tip: Research accommodation on Krk extensively

You can of course book your accommodation on the large, well-known portals - or you can choose a small, regional provider. This has many advantages. You will then have a contact person on site who will help you and have valuable tips for you. In addition, the regional providers are often cheaper because you do not have to pay the commissions that the major booking portals collect when you book.

I can warmly recommend the agencies to you Sol Villas and Sol Tours recommend who have completely specialized in Krk and are there for their guests with a lot of passion and heart and soul. The provider not only has an open ear and a helping hand, but above all also has a lot of useful insider tips for you to make your vacation even better.

You can also book individual events and excursions with the providers, which are accompanied by a personal chef and guide. With a large booking portal you usually get neither one nor the other.

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My very personal Krk experiences

How I discovered the small holiday island for myself

I took a whopping two weeks to explore all around the large island. And with the help of the insider According to my local guides, this shouldn't be a problem either. Croatia is simply wonderful as a holiday destination - the Mediterranean landscape with the pine forests, olive groves and the picturesque bays of the Adriatic coast will simply delight Mediterranean fans.

Croatian hospitality does the rest. Even if you travel to Croatia alone, experience shows that you will quickly find a connection. The people are friendly and open and will proudly show you the most beautiful sides of their country if you ask them to.

I've already been to Zadar and Split - and I'm even more excited to now be able to explore the region of the island of Krk, which is a little further north. I was completely thrilled from the first moment. Although it is the largest island in Croatia, everything on Krk is comparatively small and close. I quickly got a feel for the island and everything quickly seemed familiar. And that is exactly the ideal basis for seeing everything and doing as much as possible.

Krk is ideal for outdoor activities

Especially for Hiking on KrkThe island is wonderfully suitable for cycling, biking and water sports. In most places you will find hiking trails that lead directly along the sea, such as the Rajska cesta paradise trail between Malinska and Njivice. The Camino Krk leads around the island - the regional counterpart to the famous Way of St. James. But of course the island has much more to offer.

Explore Krk by rental car

I rented a car on Krk and tried to visit as many of the exciting sights, the beautiful beaches (all pebbles, no sand) and also some somewhat secluded restaurants. Discovering the island of Krk with a rental car is a very special experience.

You can certainly book a flight to Krk, but you should definitely be aware of how you will get around the island. Although there are well-developed roads on the island, there are few cycle paths and the sidewalks in the towns are sometimes very narrow or non-existent.

The car is therefore the number one preferred means of transport, with which you can easily explore everything. However, you should plan that you will have to pay parking fees everywhere - around one euro per hour or six to nine euros per day. The highest parking fee I've seen so far was nine euros for a whole day.

Explore the most beautiful sights of Krk in two weeks

You might think two weeks is a lot of time to explore a small island. I thought that too - but once you start discovering the most beautiful places, time flies. Two weeks was a good choice - ten days is fine, one week is the bare minimum. And during this time I visited the most beautiful cities such as Vrbnik, Dobrinj, the island capital Krk, Pula, Baska and Stara Baska.

Malinska and Njivice are also worth a trip. I noticed that the beaches in the towns are usually quite crowded. However, things are often no better outside. Basically, the further the walk to a picturesque bathing bay, the fewer people get lost there. You can find all of Krk's sights a little further down in the post - I have listed my favorite sights for you.

My local guides on Krk showed me everything

The fact that I was able to see and do so much of Krk was mainly due to my local guides Iva and Hrvoje, who showed me so much. They come from the island and of course know their way around very well. For example, they showed me some really good, local restaurants - the so-called Konobas, which are something like taverns or ristorante.

Looked at some beautiful holiday homes on Krk

And the two of them also made it possible for me to take a look at some of the most beautiful holiday homes and accommodations on Krk. There are truly wonderful hideaways all over the island, such as the Magari Villas, which you can see in the photo below.

I was lucky enough to be able to stay in some of these amazing villas during my trip. And that's why I learned: On Krk, accommodation is crucial for a successful holiday. If you want to have a great trip, you also need to book the right holiday accommodation.

Consistently positive Krk experiences

And so it is that I have had consistently positive Krk experiences. My trip to the island was incredibly varied. I drove around every day, looked at the different places and sights and was on my feet a lot - so hiking, stand up paddling and snorkeling.

I also looked at a lot of bays around the island. Some of them are really incredibly picturesque. Absolutely wonderful. Every day there had to be time for a few hours of “beaching”. Combined with the great accommodations and delicious food, it really made for an unforgettable trip that I really enjoyed.

Who is Krk suitable as a travel destination for?

There are an awful lot of families on Krk. This means the island is particularly good for you Family Holidays suitable. Parents with children can travel by car and find spacious accommodation at comparatively affordable prices with plenty of space for everyone. But be careful: the cost of living locally is high. Shopping in the supermarket costs twice as much as in Germany. It's better to take some expensive food with you from home.

In addition to families, there are many couples on Krk. There's a lot to be found between young couples who want to go on a cheap holiday and older couples who want to have a good time locally. As already mentioned at the beginning, the travel destination is ideal for outdoor holidays and active holiday as well as a relaxing holiday home holiday. Personally, I don't think Krk is particularly suitable for a beach holiday, but most travelers come to the island to spend their days swimming in the beautiful bays.

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The best outdoor activities on Krk – from boat trips to hikes

You can really see it very differently and discuss it controversially. Most holidaymakers come to Krk for a beach holiday. However, I am of the opinion that Krk is more of an island for outdoor activities and only secondarily a place where you travel to actually visit sights or Beach vacation close. There are numerous beautiful villages and towns, historical sights, ruins from the Roman Empire and certainly a lot to visit.

However, my impression of Krk is that you spend most of your time there with exciting things Outdoor activities or while swimming in the crystal clear, turquoise water. However, the beaches are not sandy, but full of stones - so pack your bathing shoes. There are better travel destinations for a pure beach holiday - such as Sardinia or Mallorca. Although the island is the largest island in Croatia, it doesn't feel that big. It is the ideal refuge for hiking, cycling, stand-up paddling and occasionally going swimming.

You start exploring it quite intuitively, starting in your holiday resort - and on the first day, without much planning, I found myself already doing a wonderful hiking tour on the Paradise Trail between Malinska and Njivice along the coast.

You can discover the island by e-bike, you can rent SUPs and kayaks everywhere in the holiday resorts, you can swim in small bays, relax on the beach or take an island tour with a rental car. You can reach anywhere on the island in less than an hour's drive. Also for jogging and Trail Running the island is ideal.   

1. Relax on the beach and in secluded bays

Of course, one of the best activities on your holiday on Krk is one where you aren't quite as active: relaxing on the beach, going swimming and soaking up the sun. Although the beach on the island is such a thing. You will only find one beach with a sandy beach. But there are a lot of really beautiful bays with smaller pebbles - which I personally find quite pleasant because not everything is full of sand after a day at the beach.

Relax in remote rocky bays on Krk

You can also relax wonderfully in the rocky bays and jump into the crystal-clear, warm Mediterranean water. The beautiful bays are distributed fairly evenly around the island, so you can find a place to relax practically anywhere. And in the holiday resorts there are of course the larger main beaches - for example in Njivice, Malinska or Baska and even in the capital Krk, which get really crowded in summer.

If you look for a spot in a more remote, rocky bay, you may have more space to yourself. The beaches are busy in midsummer - and I recommend thinking outside the box and searching a bit. Then you are guaranteed to find your personal favorite beach. My rule of thumb is: the further you have to walk from the parking lot to the bay, the fewer vacationers get lost there.

2. Go hiking

The island of Krk is a real paradise for hikers - and I logged a lot of kilometers during my stay. You can discover an incredible number of paths directly by the sea or inland. The Camino Krk leads around the island, which is the island's counterpart to the world-famous Way of St. James.

Personally, I prefer the routes along the water but you can also go on extensive tours inland, visit the small villages and stop off in the traditional konobas (trattorias, traditional restaurants) and enjoy the local cuisine, which ranges from meat dishes to fresh fish and seafood From cheese to honey and olive oil.

Hiking trails with different levels of difficulty

The island offers a variety of landscapes - from rocky coasts to green forests and bushland to picturesque villages. There are many hiking trails suitable for different levels of difficulty and interests. Some of the most famous are the path to the top of Obzova, the highest peak on the island, the path along the lunar landscape of Baska and the path through the Vrbnik valley, where you can taste the famous Zlahtina wine.

3. Go on SUP and kayak tours

You will be able to rent SUPs and kayaks everywhere in the large holiday resorts. In Malinska you can find one on every corner SUP, with which you can throw yourself into the water. However, if you have the ambition to do a real tour and not just paddle around a bit, you will have to venture a bit outside of the locations.

If necessary, you can also book SUP or kayak tours accompanied by experienced guides, or rent a board or boat and set off yourself. The best time for SUP and kayaking on Krk is from May to October, when the water is mostly calm and pleasantly warm.

4. Discover the island by motorboat or jet ski

I took a long boat trip with my guide Hrvoje and his friend Jasmin, which took us from Klimno to Vrbnik. In between we stopped to swim in a secluded bay and later stopped at our final destination in Vrbnik for a delicious pizza in the old town. A great experience and definitely one of the most beautiful days of my trip to Krk.

There are an incredible number of boats available for tours on Krk. The price for excursions starts at around 200 euros per boat and day - depending on the size and number of passengers. You can travel along the entire coast by motorboat or jet ski, discover hidden coves and caves, moor on secluded beaches or simply enjoy the views of the crystal clear waters.

Take a trip to the neighboring islands

You can also go to the neighboring ones islands like Rab, Cres or Losinj and explore even more exciting places there. With a motorboat or jet ski you have the freedom to design your own travel plan and discover the most beautiful places on Krk from the water. Since the beaches are very crowded, access to the bays from the water is of course particularly exclusive and unique.

5. Swimming, snorkeling, diving

Although I haven't been diving on Krk, I know the island from a diving perspective from my time at Diving Magazine. There are numerous German-speaking diving schools on Krk. But even if you're not a diver, you can explore the sea. The island offers a variety of ways to visit the underwater world - from simple swimming on the numerous beaches to challenging diving in the caves and wrecks.

Swimming is one of the easiest and most enjoyable activities on Krk. The island has more than 200 kilometers of coastline with many pebble and rocky beaches. The water is crystal clear and refreshing, ideal for cooling off on hot summer days. Some of the most popular beaches are Baska, Vela Plaza, Malinska and Njivice. I particularly liked the bays near Glavotok, Pinezici and outside Malinska - for example on the Rajska cesta hiking trail.

I tried a little freediving every now and then. Diving is the most demanding but also the most exciting way to discover the underwater world of Krk. The island has several diving centers offering courses, equipment and excursions for all experience levels. The dive sites are diverse, ranging from natural reefs and caves to man-made wrecks and sculptures. Some of the most famous diving sites are the Biserujka cave, the Peltastis wreck, the Plavnik reef and the underwater museum in Punat.

6. Jogging and trail running

Where you can hike, you can also jog. And when you jog on hiking trails, it's called trail running. At the beginning I did my rounds every day on the Malinska promenade, but over time I moved it further and further outside the town because there were fewer holidaymakers there. All over the island you will find trails that you can use for jogging and trail running.

Or if you prefer urban running, you can also run along the promenades of the holiday resorts - although there are often snaking lines around the holidaymakers who stroll there. I had fun jogging both in and out of town and wore my running shoes almost every day.

6. Set off on the e-bike

In the larger towns you will find rentals for scooters, motorcycles and e-bikes everywhere. You can grab a bike there and explore the island with it. However, keep in mind that you will have to drive on the streets of Krk because there are mostly no bike paths - let alone footpaths. You can drive normally on the street in town and travel from the holiday apartment to the beach.

Or you can drive out of town on the hiking trails and bridge the short distances on the island. Since the island of Krk is only 38 kilometers long and 20 kilometers wide, you can discover a lot by bike. Especially with the e-bike you can get around very quickly and comfortably.

Sights on Krk

There is so much you can do on Krk. As you pursue your outdoor activities, you will inevitably pass by the island's sights. And that's really worth it. Many of the island's sightseeing spots are evidence of the past. During my trip I tried to visit as many of these beautiful sights as possible.

1. The old town of Krk town

Of course, a trip to the old town of Krk should not be missed. You can squeeze through the narrow streets, marvel at historical monuments, eat well and shop for souvenirs to your heart's content. Yes, this historic place is a little tourist hell. But a trip is worth it. You can get a feel for the island's history here when you visit the Krk Cathedral historic city walls and the Frankopan Fortress.

2. Vrbnik

I liked the little town of Vrbnik much more than Krk town - so it's actually number one of my favorite sights on the island. I thought it was so beautiful in Vrbnik that I went there twice. I drove there once in a rental car and once I took a boat tour to the town, which is located high above a rock.

In the small town you will find narrow streets and the narrowest street in the world, a stately church and many stairs. Because Vrbnik perched high on a rock and winding down to a harbor. Really an incredibly pretty little town that you should take a lot of time to see when you get there.

3. Pinezići

In my opinion, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island is located in the region Pinezici. There you will find several secluded bays that are simply incredibly beautiful. Crystal clear, turquoise water, pine forests and a small harbor await you there. This was definitely one of the places I found most appealing on the island. However, it got pretty crowded there in the high season. If you want to go to this wonderful beach, you should leave early in the morning and secure both a parking space and a berth in the bay.

There are so many more sights to see

You will find an incredible number of sights on the island - which is quite remarkable for such a small island. Listing them all here would go beyond the scope of this article. That's why I'll dedicate a separate post to the sights outside of this travel report about Krk.

Other important sights on the island include Baska Tablet, a stone tablet with ancient Glagolitic inscriptions Biserujka cave, the Church of St. Lucia in Jurandvor, Punat and the Koslyun Monastery, the beaches of Stara Baska, the Glagolitic Avenue eco-path, the city malinska, Frankopan Fortress in the town of Krk, Baška Aquarium and Porporela Beach.

Travel information about Krk

Below I have put together some useful travel information about Krk that will hopefully make planning your trip a little easier for you. I have put together information for you about how to get there and the best time to travel.

How to get there

Most people go to Krk by car. The journey then takes place via Austria, Slovenia and the northern part of Croatia. At the end of your journey you drive over the toll-free Krk Bridge and reach your holiday destination. However, the journey is quite an ordeal. From Hamburg we would drive around 15 to 18 hours. If you come from southern Germany, you can reach your destination in around eight to 12 hours.

As an Austrian, traveling by car is really recommended - it will take you less than ten hours to get there. There are always traffic jams on the Krk Bridge in summer. Basically, in high season the whole island is a traffic jam.

If you want a more relaxed journey, you can also fly. There are comparatively cheap flights from all over Europe to Rijeka Airport - which is located on the island of Krk. I only paid 240 euros there and back with Lufthansa from Hamburg via Frankfurt to Rijeka. The airline Eurowings offers numerous flights to Krk.

Best time to visit Krk

The best travel time for Krk is from May to the end of September – the Season runs from mid-June to early September. During this time it is hot and dry on the island. Typically Mediterranean. The temperatures then rise to over 30 degrees Celsius and there is lots of sunshine. A special feature of the Krk region is that the warm temperatures are in the Autumn and in the spring don't last as long as other Mediterranean destinations.

From October onwards it can become autumnal and cool. In winter there can even be snow in the mountainous region. The first ski areas are not far from the island. So winter is not the preferred time to travel to Krk - at least not if you want sun and warmth.

Climate table Krk

Month	Maximum temperature (°C)	Sunshine hours a day	Rainydays	Water temperature (°C)
January	8	4	12	11
February	9	5	11	11
March	12	6	12	12
April	16	7	13	14
May	21	9	13	18
June	25	10	11	22
July	28	11	8	24
August	28	10	9	25
September	24	8	9	22
October	19	6	11	19
November	14	4	12	16
December	10	3	13	13

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Travel report Krk – tips, experiences & highlights

My detailed conclusion

I really enjoyed my time on Krk. The destination is not an insider tip, but it is definitely a beautiful place to spend your summer vacation. I can highly recommend a trip to Krk. I was completely impressed by the pleasant Mediterranean climate, the hospitable people and the picturesque hiking trails. I have definitely discovered the island for myself. And I have to say that it was a big advantage to travel by plane and rent a rental car on site.

This is quicker and simply less complicated than the long journey by car. A disadvantage on Krk is certainly that there are no sandy beaches. But you'll easily get over that on vacation. Because the bays are absolutely picturesque and fantastic - and the water is crystal clear and turquoise, just as you want it to be on a Mediterranean holiday.

I was able to experience an incredible amount in my two weeks on Krk. Because that's what's particularly important to me about a travel destination: that it is varied. You can visit a lot of sights on Krk, relax on picturesque beaches, eat delicious food in the taverns and do lots of outdoor activities - for me that's the recipe for a successful holiday. I will definitely return to Krk. Next time I would like to go on the Camino Krk - the island's pilgrimage route.

Have you already been to Croatia or even Krk? Which travel destinations in Croatia do you like best? Share your experiences in the comments.

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