BASIC INFORMATION AND LOCATION
Šilo is a settlement and port in the northeast of the island of Krk. It has a little over 350 inhabitants and is the tourist center of the Dobrinj region. It can be reached by car after crossing the Krk Bridge, which is about 18 kilometers away. Rijeka Airport is also nearby. It is 16 kilometers away from Šilo and arrivals by plane are very frequent. Railway traffic is connected to the railway station in Rijeka (40 kilometers away), after which you change to a bus. It is important to note that Šilo does not have its own railway station, so you have to take a bus from Rijeka (which runs very frequently) to the nearest larger town on the island, such as Omišalj or Njivice, and then continue on local lines. A catamaran or ferry is available from the port of Rijeka, which goes to the port of Valbiska, which is about 25 kilometers away. However, the port of Šilo is smaller and is intended only for traffic of local importance.
CULTURE, HISTORY AND ATTRACTIONS
Very little is known about the history of Šilo, as it is almost never mentioned in historical sources. Certain evidence that the area around Šilo was inhabited in ancient times is the remains of a Roman villa from the 6th century. Little is known about the development of the town during the Middle Ages and later. An important piece of information from the beginning of the 20th century is that the first steamship company was founded in Šilo and that since that time the town has gradually developed as a tourist destination. Small historical attractions in Šilo include a tuner, an anchor and the so-called "mel yard". The real attraction that Šilo hides is related to a historical fact dating back to 1968. That year, the Greek ship Peltastis sank near Šilo, and today its wrecks are one of the most popular diving destinations in Kvarner.
BEACHES
Šilo is very famous for its hidden bays and coves that tourists love to explore every time they come. The beaches in the center of Šilo (concrete and sandy) offer a very rich content. Camp Tiha in Šilo also has its own beach, which is extremely popular. It should be noted that Šilo has a special beach for dogs in the center. If you want to visit a more remote beach, there is an area between Šilo and the Klimno bay that is full of smaller hidden beaches. Approximately 8 kilometers from Šilo there is the Soline/Meline bay, the St. Marek-Risika beach and the Slivanjska bay as destinations with an additional selection of beaches and coves.
OTHER CONTENT
Gastronomic delights in Šilo are provided by the restaurants Ikade, Portić, Zeba and the Šiloko tavern. There are several cafes near the beaches, but the nightlife is still limited because Šilo is primarily a quiet place to relax. During the summer season, fishermen's festivals or klapa meetings are sometimes organized, and the town always attracts the most visitors during the so-called "Rokove" or the feast of St. Roko, the patron saint of the town. This event takes place in mid-August. In addition to accompanying gastronomic events and concerts, the holiday is always accompanied by the Šilo-Crikvenica swimming marathon.
SPORT
Known for its tuna, Šilo has always been a center of fishing, and this is still one of the favorite activities today. There are many other recreational opportunities, as Šilo has tennis courts, a beach volleyball court, football and basketball courts. Recreation at sea is related to sailing, rowing and diving. Due to the rocky areas near the settlement itself, Šilo has a large number of hiking trails, some of which are also accessible by bicycle. The trails are very popular because they are demanding and pass through areas of untouched nature.
WHAT TO DO – EXCURSION OPPORTUNITIES
A beautiful destination for a trip is the nearby Soline bay with many attractions and beautiful nature. The special thing that attracts everyone to the bay is the famous healing mud. Another attraction is the Biserujka cave, which can be a great destination for family trips. Even the many hiking trails on the nearby hills are a good opportunity to get to know the nature around Šilo. Other trips can be to nearby larger towns such as Dobrinje, Njivice or Omišalj, from where you can take a boat trip to the islands of Cres, Rab, Lošinj or Pag.
ACCOMMODATION
Šilo is a small settlement, so there is no choice of hotel accommodation, but there is a very good offer of private apartments. Camp Tiha is the main accommodation center in Šilo. The camp has three stars, capacity for almost 900 people, a shop, tennis court, children's playground and a cafe. The nearest marina for boats is in Punat, which is 20 kilometers away.
