Municipality of Punat: Bay, olive culture and island trails

Punat offers different sides of a trip: the broad Puntarska draga, trails across the island’s rocky terrain and a local history closely tied to olive oil. Along the coast, water sports and excursions to nearby islands take centre stage; in the lanes and cultural sites, you can encounter the town’s maritime and craft heritage.

Bay, coast and shepherds’ trails

Puntarska draga is a large, shallow bay in the inner part of the Gulf of Krk. It is about 3 km long and up to about 2 km wide. The narrow sea channel of Buka, approximately 150 to 200 m wide, connects it to the open sea. These dimensions give the bay a distinct place in Punat’s landscape.

The “Pastirske staze” (Shepherds’ Trails) lead from Punat and Stara Baška to the highest peaks on the island of Krk. These include Veli vrh at 541 m, Brestovica at 558 m, Obzovo at 568 m, Zrnina at 537 m and Veli Harn at 482 m. Dry-stone walls, vineyards, karst ponds and sheep pastures shape the landscape along the way; from the rocky peaks, panoramic views stretch across the sea and the surrounding area. The walk to the lower plateaus takes 30 minutes to one hour. The trails are rocky, and in places covered with grass or earth—a useful detail when planning your day.

The coast also offers varied scenery. The bays between Punat and Stara Baška have secluded pebble beaches and crystal-clear sea; Stara Baška is known for its beaches. Taxi boats run to these bays from Punat harbour. If you are planning a trip, check the latest departure times.

Old town, churches and olive culture

A walk through Punat’s old town follows narrow, paved lanes from the waterfront to Vela Placa and then through the settlement’s oldest streets. In the Buka district stands the church of Sv. Nikole, dedicated to Saint Nicholas. It was built in 1911 as a church offering protection to sailors, travellers and children. A Mass is held there every year on 6 December in memory of all sailors.

The “Toš” gallery is located in the stone-paved lane of Klančić. It preserves a former traditional space where olives were once ground by hand by transforming it into a gallery. Paintings, sculptures and other artworks are displayed in an almost authentic ethnographic setting created from a former olive mill. The gallery thus brings art together with a vivid reminder of how olives were processed in the past.

Olive groves surround Punat, and the town is known for its local Punat olive oil. The Stari Toš Interpretation Centre preserves equipment for traditional olive oil production in its entirety. It covers the history of olive growing, as well as harvesting and processing in Punat. Restaurant menus also feature seafood with olive oil and wine. This makes it possible to appreciate the olive tradition both through its artisanal history and through local cuisine.

Water sports and boat trips

In Punat, you can water-ski on a cable tow or behind a speedboat, go parasailing, sailing, surfing or Aquagan, and play beach volleyball. Diving and a diving school are also available. A range of activities on the water therefore complements the trails inland, without the two needing to be part of the same day’s plans.

Punat Underwater Park is located at the main beach. For non-divers, it offers a guided underwater walk with qualified and experienced guides. Visitors can discover marine flora and fauna, as well as a pirate treasure theme beneath the water; details of the offering may vary. The main beach can be reached on foot via the waterfront promenade or by car. Check the latest access conditions before your visit.

Another excursion option is the nearby island of Košljun, about 750 m from Punat. It is home to a Franciscan monastery, an ethnographic museum and a library with about 30,000 titles. Košljun can only be reached by boat. Local boat operators from Punat are available as needed; there is no fixed timetable. Check in advance whether a crossing is possible at your preferred time.

The harbour also caters for smaller boats: guests staying in private accommodation or hotels in central Punat can use moorings in the central harbour, as well as launch and recovery services for small boats up to 5 m. If you are planning to use this service, confirm its availability before your visit.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Punat, Municipality of Baška, Municipality of Vrbnik, Municipality of Krk, Municipality of Malinska-Dubašnica, Municipality of Dobrinj, Municipality of Omišalj.

Back to the main travel overview: Krk.