Krk is the oldest continuously inhabited town on the island, and one of the oldest in Croatia. It sits on a small promontory on the southwestern coast, its medieval walls more or less intact, with a compact old town of Roman foundations and Venetian stone.
The Cathedral of the Assumption, standing on the site of an early Christian basilica, is the town's anchor. Built in the twelfth century and expanded over the following centuries, it shares a courtyard with the Church of St. Quirinus — a double-nave combination that feels genuinely ancient. Kamplin Square outside is the social centre of town, with the Frankopan Castle occupying one corner, a handsome reminder of the Croatian noble family who ruled the island for several centuries.
The old town is small enough to walk end to end in ten minutes, but it rewards slow exploration. The lanes are tight, the architecture is Venetian-influenced, and there are good restaurants tucked into the walls. The seafront promenade runs along the southern edge, with views across the bay toward the mainland hills, and Dražica beach is a short walk west.
Krk town is the island's main ferry connection — boats run to Valbiska and on to the mainland. As a base, it works well: central, with a working harbour, and less resort-like than some of the island's other settlements.