The entire Adriatic coast is famous for its stunning beaches, sweeping views, fantastic food and warm hospitality. The island of Krk, one of our course locations, has all of this and more!
Family Fun
Stroll along the rivica (waterfront) in Omišalj, Njivica, Malinska, Krk Grad, Punat or Baška. Enjoy the cafes and restaurants along the way or enjoy a refreshing swim at the many beaches. The warm blue water is calm enough for young children to enjoy.
Rent kayaks or charter a fishing boat. Conditions are perfect for sailing or windsurfing. For the more adventurous, try a parasailing adventure!
Bring your bikes (or rent some) and enjoy the many backroads. For hiking, the AllTrails app will show many trails on the island including details on distance and difficulty for each hike. https://www.alltrails.com/mobile
Photo: Pixabay
From the Farm and the Sea:
The foundation of Croatian cuisine is the use of fresh local ingredients. Be sure to try some of these specialties:
Peka Cooking
Peka means bell and peka dishes are cooked over hot coals in a special pot with a bell-shaped ceramic lid that allows the ingredients - usually lamb, beef or even octopus, along with potatoes and other vegetables - to be slow-roasted to juicy perfection. This cooking method dates back to about 500 BC. To learn more about peka cooking:
https://jaywaytravel.com/croatia/travel-guide/croatian-food-and-wine/peka-traditional-cooking-method
Seafood
There is nothing quite like eating fish that has been caught that morning. Enjoy tuna, cod, scampi, succulent squid, mussels and many whitefish varieties such as hake, bream, dentex and manta. Enjoy your seafood delicately grilled, fried or roasted - or prepared in a risotto or with a hearty Croatian tube-shaped pasta called šurlice.
Wines and Liqueurs
The island of Krk and specifically the town of Vrbnik is the birthplace of the Zlatina variety of wine grapes. Zlatina means gold and this is a white wine grape similar to Chardonnay. Zlatina wine is available all over the island and especially at wineries in Vrbnik. While in Vrbnik, enjoy a walk through the old town, with its 900 year-old history (more on Vrbnik’s history later).
Fine liqueurs are common throughout Croatia and you can enjoy some unusual varieties. From walnut brandy, called orahovac, to liqueurs made from plum, pear, fig, lavender or sage, an aperitif is common at Croatian meals of celebration.
DID YOU KNOW?
The course location in Njivice, Krk, is within walking distance from the beach. With 2,500 sunny hours a year, the island of Krk is one of the sunniest islands in Europe. Check out our course offer for Krk for 2024 here: Courses in 2024 - Njivice, Krk.
Bountiful Herbs: Delicious and Healing
In the summer months, you’ll see roadside stands selling tree-ripened fruits, honey, olive oil and fresh herbs such as lavender.
This is one of the best olive oil regions in the world, routinely winning international prizes and rivaling any produced in Italy, Spain or Greece. Be sure to leave room in your suitcase to take some home!
Of special interest is Kusshh, a farm and shop in Bajčići, specializing in foods, liqueurs, cosmetics and essential oils made from their own lavender, elderberry, immortelle and more. https://kusshh.hr/en/about-us/
Or stroll through the beautiful yellow flowers of an immortelle farm. Sample their products as you take a tour to see how brandy, perfume and essential oils are distilled. https://www.naturaconsulting.hr/
Photo: Camille Vardy
Frankopan Castle
Grad Krk is one of the oldest towns in the entire Adriatic. The Romans began building a fortress at the site of Frankopan Castle in about 50 BC. These walls were incorporated into the Castle when its construction began in the 12th century. The Castle was the home of the Frankopan nobility, who helped to defend Croatia against the Ottomans and the Hapsburgs from the 11th to the 17th centuries. Visit the cathedral and climb the tower walls for panoramic views of the sea and the coastline.
Photo: Camille Vardy
The Temple of Venus
As you leave Frankopan Castle, take a moment to stop and see the Temple of Venus. Built in the first century BC at the behest of Julius Caesar, the Temple was forgotten until the building was purchased by an entrepreneur who wanted to use it as a clothing shop in the old town. As he excavated for his shop, he discovered the temple ruins underneath. What could he do when he had invested all his money to buy the building? What a dilemma! Go into this commonplace clothing shop and you’ll find a glass floor, with the ruins of the temple underneath.
Photo: Camille Vardy
The Baška Tablet and the Glagolitic Path
Glagolitic Script is the oldest known Slavic alphabet, dating to about 900 AD. It is a precursor to the Cyrillic alphabet. One of the first written records of Glagolitic script is a limestone tablet weighing 800 kilos, found at the Church of St. Lucy in the village of Jurandvor not far from the famous Baška beach. The tablet is a dedication of the church by King Zvonimir. The tablet was so prized that the original was placed on display at the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts in Zagreb and a replica was put in its place in Jurandvor. In honor of this special heritage, Krk created 34 monuments throughout the Baška valley, one for each letter of the Glagolitic alphabet. The sculptures are as much as 4.45 meters tall and weigh up to 20.000 kg. For a very special “treasure hunt” that will allow you to discover the beauty of the southern part of island Krk, the locations of the monuments can be found here: https://www.info-krk.com/en/baska/culture/265/baska-s-glagolitic-alphabet-trail
DID YOU KNOW?
The English courses we provide offer much more than just a language course. Check out our language courses for Krk for 2024 here: Courses in 2024 - Njivice, Krk.
Photo: Camille Vardy
Vrbnik
Picturesque Vrbnik was originally settled by the Iapodians, the Liburnians and the Romans. In the 11th century, it became another Frankopan fortress, perched on steep cliffs overlooking the sea. The fortress in Krk protected the west side of the island and this protected the east. In 1494, a Glagolitic printing center was established and Vrbnik became an important center for culture and scholarship.
It is well worth a trip to meander through the narrow streets of the old town and visit the fortress and monastery. Then finish your day with a tour of one of the Zlatina wineries and enjoy a glass of wine as you look out on the sparkling Adriatic sea.
Photo: Camille Vardy
Access
Krk is the northernmost island so it is the closest to Italy, Slovenia and Austria. It has its own airport (RJK) and a bridge, so it is one of the most accessible islands. It also has a car ferry that allows you to go to the islands of Cres and Mali Lošinj.
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