Krk is one of the largest islands in the Adriatic, covering 406 square kilometres off the northern Croatian coast. Unlike most Croatian islands, it is connected to the mainland by a bridge, and Rijeka airport sits on the island itself — making it one of the most accessible islands in the country.
The town of Krk is the main settlement, with a compact medieval centre, a Romanesque cathedral, and the Frankopan Castle on Kamplin Square. Vrbnik, perched on cliffs on the eastern coast, is known for its narrow streets and the local white wine Žlahtina. Punat, a fishing village in a sheltered bay, is the jumping-off point for the tiny island of Košljun and its Franciscan monastery. On the northeast coast, Baška has the island's best beach, the long pebble crescent of Vela Plaža, and gives its name to the Baška Tablet, one of the earliest texts written in the Croatian language.
The coastline alternates between pebble beaches, rocky coves, and pine-shaded stretches, with clear water throughout. The island is a popular holiday destination for Croatians and a growing number of European visitors, but it retains a quieter, more local feel than the islands further south.
