Linked to the mainland by a 1430-m bridge, and home to Rijeka Airport, Krk is one of the most accessible of all the Croatian islands. It also happens to be the largest (38 km long and 20 km wide) and one of the most populous. While the northwest part of the island is low lying, fertile and fairly developed, the southeast part is mountainous and in places quite barren. It’s certainly not the most beautiful island on the Adriatic, but its accessibility and wealth of tourist facilities make it very popular. The chief centre is Krk Town, which dates back to Roman times with a 12th-century seafront castle and a cathedral. The best beaches are found in Baška, Malinska and Omišalj, though unfortunately the latter two are spoilt by the nearby petrochemical industry. Punat, with its vast marina, is a haven for yachters, while Vrbnik is known for its excellent white wine, Vrbnička Žlahtina.
-$$ Nada Close to the harbour, Nada doubles as a restaurant, where you can eat fresh fish and sea...
Island of Krk (Veglia) information
Sources:
Background
Background
First settled by the Illyrian tribe of the Liburni, the island was later taken by the Romans, who established the municipality of Curicum on the site of present-day Krk Town. During the 12th century the Frankopan family came on the scene. Originally from Vrbnik, they built a castle in Krk Town and gradually expanded their large hereditary estates to the mainland. At the height of their power they possessed territory equal to half of today’s Croatia, which they defended boldly against Venice and the Turks. Krk was the last Croatian island to fall to Venice, when Count Ivan Frankopan was deceived and taken prisoner in 1480.
Krk was connected to the mainland in 1980 with the opening of a monumental bridge, incorporating two reinforced concrete arches and carrying 20 pipelines for water and oil.
The main road runs the length of the island from the bridge in the north down to Baška in the southeast. Towns on this road – Omišalj, Njivice, Krk Town and Punat – are connected by regular local buses. Towns off the main road are served by less frequent buses.
Rijeka Airport is at Omišalj, close to the northern tip of the island of Krk. The airport works in summer only, when Croatia Airlines run regular flights to and from Zagreb and London Heathrow. If you’re thinking of driving to Krk, remember that there’s a 30Kn toll for crossing the bridge, and that in winter, when the bura (northeast wind) is exceptionally strong, it is occasionally closed. Through summer there are 12 buses daily from Rijeka to Baška on Krk, stopping at Krk Town and Punat en route. The service is slightly reduced in winter. The year through, regular ferries operate between Valbiska on the southeast coast of Krk and Merag on the island of Cres taking about 30 minutes.
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