BASIC INFORMATION AND LOCATION

Vrbnik is a village and tourist center on the eastern coast of the island of Krk. It lies on a hill above the sea and has a population of just under 1,000. Vrbnik is approximately 25 kilometers from the Krk Bridge and is therefore very accessible by car after crossing the bridge. The airport is approximately the same distance away, so travel by plane is also very desirable. The nearest train station is in Rijeka, which is 47 kilometers from Vrbnik. After arriving by train, you must take a bus from the Rijeka station that goes directly to Vrbnik. From Rijeka, you can reach Vrbnik by catamaran and ferry. The port is in the port of Valbiska, which is 23 kilometers from Vrbnik. The port in Vrbnik is open only to local ship traffic.

CULTURE, HISTORY AND ATTRACTIONS

Many material remains confirm that the Vrbnik area was inhabited as early as the period of the Illyrian tribes, Greeks and Romans. The settlement of the first Croats in Vrbnik began during the 6th and 7th centuries, and the first mention of the name of the settlement was in the Dragoslavljevo Grant, which is a Glagolitic document from 1100. During most of the Middle Ages, Vrbnik was closely linked to the famous Frankopan family. According to historical research, the Frankopans originated from Vrbnik. There are also some cultural curiosities from the later period of Venetian and Austrian rule. The importance of Vrbnik in the Middle Ages is proven by the so-called "Vrbnik Statute" written in Glagolitic script, which dates back to 1388. You can learn a lot about it when visiting the center of the settlement. The parish church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary from 1325 is another medieval landmark with a Renaissance bell tower from the 16th century. The church houses the Museum of the Visual Identity of the Town of Vrbnik. One of the great figures of Vrbnik history, Dinko Vitezić, comes from a family whose library can be visited in the center of the village. The library contains numerous books, Glagolitic missals and breviaries, and the most famous book the library owns is "Atlas scolasticus et itinerarius". It is one of only two copies of a similar edition in the world. The other copy is in Cambridge, England. On the floor below the library, it is possible to observe a printing press (exhibited in honor of the first Croatian printer Blaž Baromić from the late 15th century) and an ethnographic collection that presents the folk costumes of Vrbnik and old items from everyday life. Interesting locations present within the walls of Vrbnik are Pod Keštel Street, Baćin Dvor, Gradec Fortress, and Klančić, Roč and Smokovec Streets.

BEACHES

Vrbnik beaches are characterized by a natural, almost "wild" ambiance that will suit lovers of peace and secluded places away from the crowds. Such beaches are Pod Kovač and Mala Javna-Risika, whose untouched nature will attract many visitors. Other beaches that are rich in content are Nuluk, Zgribnica (the main beach in the village), Kozica, Sv. Marek-Risika and Potovšće. All beaches are accessible by car or on foot.

OTHER CONTENT

In Vrbnik, the gastronomic offer usually brings delicacies of the coastal region and many indigenous dishes that can be tried in the restaurants and taverns Placa, Nada, Morska Vila, Namori, Luce, Vrbnik or Gospoja. Vrbnik is widely known for the indigenous wine variety Vrbnik Žlahtina and when visiting the town, you can notice the huge plots of vineyards, which is a centuries-old tradition of the region. A visit to the Katunar winery and other wineries will be a real pleasure for wine lovers. Cafe bars where you can spend time are Dubravka, Zlatna Žlahtina or the beach bar Zgribnica. The most important event during the summer season is Ivanja, which takes place at the end of June and brings a rich cultural, entertainment and gastronomic program. Another interesting event is Razgon, when the day of the end of milking the sheep and their release into freedom is celebrated. The Wine Days of the Island of Krk are held in Vrbnik, which is one of the central events during the summer season.

SPORT

Active holidays in Vrbnik are offered by many cycling trails, and their steep slopes and proximity to nature attract many recreationalists and athletes. A very common activity is diving due to the great natural locations. These are the underwater cave Vrbnik, Plić Tenki (a shallow area with rich flora and fauna) and the peninsula of Sv. Marko with rich flora and the wreck of an ancient fishing boat. The range of activities includes many sports fields in the village for basketball, five-a-side football or beach volleyball, and for water sports, boats and equipment can be rented.

WHAT TO DO – EXCURSION POSSIBILITY

The Vrbnik hiking trails are part of the "Otočka transversal" project, and such areas of untouched flora and fauna offer wonderful excursions. There are four hiking trail complexes available: the Vrbnik mountain bypass, the Frankopan Trails, the Pilgrimage Trail and the Vrbnik Workers' Trails. The Vrbnik area also has several dozen caves such as Namori, Pod Kovač, Pod Kupinom, Bezdna jama, Petrina and Babin Zub. Day trips by boat are also available, and it is possible to travel to the nearby islands of Cres, Lošinj, Rab and Pag.

ACCOMMODATION

A unique accommodation option is offered by the Hotel-Vinotel Gospoja, which is an unusual hotel facility. Another interesting hotel with a quality offer is Argentum, while for larger capacity accommodation there are also the Luce Luxury Rooms within the tavern of the same name. There are no campsites in Vrbnik, so for this type of accommodation you need to go to Punat or Šilo, which are about 10 kilometers away. The nearest marina is in Punat.