While the little town of Vrbnik on the island of Krk can boast a great tourist offer that includes lovely beaches, wonderful museums and fine dining, it might be overwhelming to choose what to see and do. In this guide we bring you the selection of nine interesting places that will take you off the usual tourist map and to the lesser known attractions of this charming Mediterranean town.

1. Spell your name in the Glagolitic script with the Vrbnik Wheel

This is one of the most curious things you’ll come across on the whole island of Krk. The Vrbnik Wheel is a circle, or a rosette, embedded into the ground, just outside the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Made of pebbles and divided into eight equal sections (like a pie chart), it was used by the priests and Glagolitic monks while teaching the Glagolitic alphabet to their novices. All of its letters can be derived from the structure of the wheel. So, why not give it a try and see if you can figure out how to spell your own name in the old Glagolitic script.

2. Admire thousands of books at the Library of the Vitezić family

This treasury of cultural, historical and literary heritage was founded by the Vitezić brothers, Ivan Josip and Dinko Vitezić. The former was a bishop and the latter a lawyer and a parliament member in Vienna, so it is no wonder both of these men were connoisseurs of culture.

The collection is comprised of 3877 titles and 6273 volumes of books, manuscripts and documents, many of which are either unique or rare. One of the most famous of the latter is a copy of the Johann David Köhler’s Atlas from 1718.

Over the centuries, a great number of Glagolitic texts, manuscripts and monuments was added to the collection, including the unique Book of the priest Savat, a Glagolitic manuscript containing a collection of prayers from 1568.

This grand collection is kept in the old house known as Knežev Dvor, in the very heart of Vrbnik and will prove to be a fantastic treat for any bookworm, library lover and history aficionado. 

3. Try the delicious Vrbnik Žlahtina white wine

The signature wine of Vrbnik is its own ‘žlahtina’ sort. The name of this native vine is derived from an old Slavic word meaning ‘noble’ and these green golden grapes of the white sort are grown along the 211 hectares of the Vrbnik (Vrbničko) Field.

Vrbnik ‘Žlahtina’ is a light, easy wine with a touch of the island’s immortelle, apples and rowan berries. Because of its flavour it has become the staple wine of every hotel and restaurant on the island of Krk.

Another wine Vrbnik can be proud of it the sparkling wine Valomet. It is made from the same ‘žlahtina’ grapes, but left to mature underwater, at a sea depth of thirty meters, at the bottom of the steep cliffs called ‘valometi’. This unique wine is a sparkling companion to any celebration.

4. Wine tour at the Ivan Katunar winery

Wine-making Katunar family turns their hand-picked grapes into the finest, most delicate ‘žlahtina’ of a clear light golden-green colour. They also produce the Chardonnay sort, as well as some fine rose wines and opulent reds.

Since the winery offers wine tours you will be able to taste for yourself how grapes and all other elements have been blended to create these marvellous wines. During the guided tour you will also be able to see the wine cellars and hear and see how the green gold of the Vrbnik grapes is transformed into the golden wines.

5. Partake in the local history at Etno Kuća Vrbnik

Built in the 16th century, this house tells the story of the peaceful life of a typical Vrbnik family - their jobs and daily habits - through the exhibition of original items and furniture found in the house, and its architecture that has been restored but remains unchanged.

6. Beach Potovošće

You won’t be able to decide what’s more attractive on this beach: its pebbled terrain surrounded with Mediterranean trees and the air full of the sage and immortelle fragrances, or the crystal azure and pale blue sea with a sandy sea bed. The woods that surround it give ample space in the natural shade and the beach is equipped with all of the necessary amenities for s full-day stay.

7. Squeeze through the narrowest street in the world

Or, at least, one of the most narrow streets in the world. It is called Klanac and is only 40 cm wide. Technically, it is a back alley, or a passage between two larger streets, but a tourist attraction none the less, since it’s quite fun trying to squeeze through it. Locals advise you be careful so as not to get stuck.

8. Descend the 100 stairs to the Vajavina beach

Vajavina is a small cape in the north part of Vrbnik, its rock-on-rock terrain broken up with sunbathing plateaus, terraces, and a staircase with a hundred stairs leading from the top of the cape to its beach. Loungers, side tables and parasols are available for rent, and we urge you to stop by, even if you’re not going to the beach, because the ambience of this open space is reminiscent of a vintage riviera.

9. Find the hidden entrance to the Pod Kovač beach

You will be able to spot this hidden secret beach only from the sea. It is sheltered by steep cliffs and tall rocks that provide plenty of deep shade during the afternoon hours. In the mornings, this lovely little nook is bathed in sunlight. The only way to reach it is through a secret entrance, a small passageway between the cliffs, and we dare you to try and find it. All we can tell you is that the beach is located off the port of Vrbnik.