Punat Municipality: Olive Groves, Hiking Trails and the Sea

• Puntarska Draga is a bay in the inner part of Krk Bay, about 3 km long and up to about 2 km wide.
• Shepherds’ trails lead from Punat and Stara Baška to peaks on Krk Island, including Obzovo at 568 m.
• In Punat, olive groves, local Punat olive oil and the history of its production are part of the area’s character.
• The range of activities includes various water sports; the underwater park also offers non-divers a guided walk beneath the sea.

Puntarska Draga connects the bay in the island’s interior to the open sea via the narrow Buka sea channel. The channel is about 150 to 200 m wide. The landscape around Punat brings together contrasting impressions: the bay, paths through the island’s rocky interior and the coves between Punat and Stara Baška, with their secluded pebble beaches and crystal-clear sea. Stara Baška is known for its beaches.

A walk through the old town follows narrow, paved lanes from the waterfront to Vela Placa, then continues through the settlement’s oldest streets. The “Toš” Gallery is in the old town, on the stone-paved Klančić lane. It displays paintings, sculptures and other works of art in a nearly authentic ethnographic setting created from a former olive mill.

The “Pastirske staze” shepherds’ trails lead from Punat and Stara Baška to the highest peaks on Krk Island. These include Veli Vrh (541 m), Brestovica (558 m), Obzovo (568 m), Zrnina (537 m) and Veli Harn (482 m). Along the way, the trails pass dry-stone walls, vineyards, karst pools and sheep pastures; from the rocky peaks, panoramic views stretch across the sea and surrounding area. The route to the lower plateaus takes 30 minutes to 1 hour. The surfaces are rocky and in places covered with grass or soil—a practical difference to consider when choosing a hike.

There are several ways to enjoy the water, too: in Punat, activities include water skiing on a cable tow or behind a speedboat, parasailing, sailing, surfing, Aquagan and beach volleyball. Diving and a diving school are also available. Punat Underwater Park also caters to non-divers with a guided underwater walk. Visitors can discover marine flora and fauna, as well as a pirate treasure theme beneath the water. The park is at the main beach, which is accessible on foot via the seafront promenade or by car.

Punat is surrounded by olive groves and is known for its local Punat olive oil. The Stari Toš Interpretation Centre preserves fully intact equipment used in traditional olive oil production and presents the history of olive growing, harvesting and processing in Punat. The “Toš” Gallery also tells the story of former manual work through its old mill space: olives were ground by hand there before the space was converted into a gallery.

Seafood with olive oil and wine, served in local restaurants, is part of the local cuisine. At the end of October, organised participation in the olive harvest is available in Punat. If you are interested in the harvest, this period is a useful point of reference for planning your trip; however, it does not provide information about other dates. Every year on 6 December, a Mass is held at the Church of St Nicholas (Sv. Nikole) in memory of all seafarers. Built in 1911 as a votive church for seafarers, travellers and children, it is located in the Buka district of Punat.

The nearby island of Košljun is 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 on request, as there is no fixed timetable. So don’t plan a visit as you would a trip with a set departure time.

The “Punat” Marina is in Puntarska Draga. It developed alongside a shipyard into a nautical port and became the first nautical marina on the Croatian Adriatic for ship and boat owners. Taxi boats also leave Punat harbour for the coves between Punat and Stara Baška. Guests staying in private accommodation or hotels in central Punat can use berths at the central harbour, where small boats up to 5 m can be launched and hauled out. This option is tied to the specified accommodation location in the town centre.

If you’re looking for somewhere to exercise by the water as well as go for walks: the Street Workout Park is on the seafront promenade next to the children’s park and is equipped with several outdoor fitness stations. The range of options gives you practical points of reference for weighing up the area and activities you want when looking for a hotel or other accommodation in Punat Municipality.

To compare other municipalities within the same wider destination: Malinska-Dubašnica Municipality, Baška Municipality, Vrbnik Municipality, Dobrinj Municipality, Krk Municipality and Omišalj Municipality. You can also learn more about Punat itself.

How long does the route to the lower plateaus take?

The shepherds’ trails to the lower plateaus take 30 minutes to 1 hour. The surfaces are rocky and partly covered with grass or soil.

How do you get to the island of Košljun?

Košljun can only be reached by boat. Local boat operators from Punat are available on request; there is no fixed timetable.

What water sports are available in Punat?

Options include water skiing on a cable tow or behind a speedboat, parasailing, sailing, surfing, Aquagan and beach volleyball. Diving and a diving school are also available.

When is the memorial Mass for seafarers held?

A Mass in memory of all seafarers is held every year on 6 December at the Church of St Nicholas (Sv. Nikole).

For the wider travel overview: Krk.