Camino Krk from September 30, 2025, bears the official seal of belonging to the great European family of St. James pilgrimage routes. The confirmation was ceremoniously presented at the Adria Camino Festival in Šibenik (view accommodation in Šibenik) held from September 26 to 28, whereby the island of Krk (accommodation on Krk) earned a prominent place on the map of cultural tourism in Europe.
What does joining the official network of Camino routes mean
Joining the network, which is being upgraded by European associations and federations dedicated to the heritage of St. James, does not only bring a prestigious status – it implies standards of signage, safety, information, pilgrim reception, and trail preservation. For the local communities on Krk (accommodation on Krk), this specifically means stronger international visibility, inclusion in joint cultural exchange projects, and a more stable, year-round influx of visitors who choose a slower, sustainable way of travel. At the level of Croatia, the new status confirms that the domestic Camino network has matured to the point where it can equally compete with established European routes in terms of quality and range of offer.
The festival in Šibenik: a confirmation that comes after joint work
The Adria Camino Festival, whose edition this year from September 26 to 28 brought together pilgrims, guides, and representatives of Camino communities from more than twenty countries, served as a natural stage for presenting novelties on the Croatian routes. It was on this stage that it was officially confirmed that Camino Krk is entering the catalog of European Camino routes. Symbolically, the news arrived at the end of September – a period when most pilgrims are returning from their summer stages and planning autumn sections through the Mediterranean.
On behalf of the island's tourist boards – TZG Krka, TZO Malinska-Dubašnica (accommodation in Malinska-Dubašnica), TZO Omišalj (accommodation in Omišalj), TZO Baška (accommodation in Baška), TZO Dobrinj (accommodation in Dobrinj), TZO Vrbnik (accommodation in Vrbnik) and TZO Punat (accommodation in Punat) – the certificate was received by the director of the Punat tourist board, Branko Karabaić, thus giving the joint island project its formal European confirmation.
A route in 7 stages: a week of walking through nature and heritage
Camino Krk is a circular island route just over 150 kilometers long. The starting point is in the center of the town of Krk (accommodation on Krk), next to the Krk Cathedral, and the end is symbolically at the parish church of St. James the Apostle in Kornić (accommodation in Kornić). The recommended duration is seven days – seven carefully designed stages that connect the existing network of hiking and biking trails, churches, archaeological sites, dry-stone walls, and viewpoints. Each day brings a different combination of coast and interior, which makes this route suitable both for those trying a pilgrimage for the first time and for more experienced hikers who want more kilometers and ascents.
What a typical walking schedule looks like
Stamps, credentials, and the local "Compostela"
A network of stamp points has been established on the island – in parishes, museums, and tourist information centers – where pilgrims get their passports stamped. After all seven stages, it is possible, with a duly completed pilgrim's passport, to receive a local certificate of the completed route at tourist offices on Krk (accommodation on Krk) and partner points along the route. This system motivates a complete experience of the island and allows the trail of Camino Krk to be recorded in a personal archive of memories, just as pilgrims do throughout Europe.
Why Camino Krk attracts pilgrims outside the summer season
For several years, September and October have shown a strong growth in interest for the island stages. The mild climate, stable temperatures, and passable trails are favorable for walkers who want to avoid summer crowds and heat. In addition, the sections pass through places where local life is not a "seasonal" phenomenon – Dobrinj (accommodation in Dobrinj), Vrbnik (accommodation in Vrbnik), or Omišalj (accommodation in Omišalj) offer authentic encounters with the island rhythm and gastronomy throughout the year. It is precisely this sustainable off-season attendance that is the reason why Camino Krk has become a model example of how pilgrimage tourism contributes to a more balanced tourism picture.
Heritage on the route: cathedrals, small churches, and dry-stone walls
In addition to the cathedral in Krk (accommodation on Krk), walkers pass by a series of early Christian and medieval sacred buildings, among which the church of St. Krševan near Vrh, the complex in Baška (accommodation in Baška) with its Glagolitic tradition, and the parish church in Kornić (accommodation in Kornić) dedicated to St. James stand out. The landscape is shaped by dry-stone walls – a registered tradition of manual stone stacking – which testify to centuries of hard work and adaptation by the islanders.
Infrastructure and orientation: yellow arrows and digital traces
The route is marked with recognizable yellow arrows and shells of St. James, and GPS files for all stages are also available. At the information points in Šibenik (accommodation in Šibenik) during the festival, new digital tools were presented – from interactive maps to mobile stamp booklets – which facilitate planning and navigation. This aligns traditional pilgrimage with the habits of modern travelers, without sacrificing the pace that encourages contemplation.
Voices of the community: why this confirmation is important
Representatives of domestic Camino associations and the international federation pointed out that in just a few years, the Croatian network has become a recognizable part of the European family. The mutual benefit is also emphasized: walkers get clearer information, a safer and better-maintained trail, while the local community receives guests who stay longer, spend locally, and return outside the peak season. In this picture is also Punat (accommodation in Punat), whose participation in the project is a good example of how a small community can build a recognizable identity around a cultural route.
Practical tips for planning
- When to go: Spring and early autumn offer the most pleasant conditions. These days, after the festival week at the end of September, the trails are highly passable, and the days are still long.
- Accommodation: In each stage, there is a choice of private and hotel accommodation in Krk (accommodation on Krk), Malinska-Dubašnica (accommodation in Malinska-Dubašnica), Omišalj (accommodation in Omišalj), Čižići (accommodation in Čižići), Vrbnik (accommodation in Vrbnik), Baška (accommodation in Baška), and Kornić (accommodation in Kornić).
- Equipment: A light backpack, comfortable hiking boots, a hat, a windbreaker, poles if needed. On the open parts between Vrbnik (accommodation in Vrbnik) and Baška (accommodation in Baška), one must be prepared for the bura wind.
- Water and food: On some sections, there are no permanent springs, so it is wise to mark shops and springs in Malinska-Dubašnica (accommodation in Malinska-Dubašnica), Dobrinj (accommodation in Dobrinj), and Baška (accommodation in Baška) in advance.
- Stamps and passport: The Croatian pilgrim's passport is recognized in the international Camino community; stamps on Camino Krk are easy to collect in parishes, museums, and Tourist Information Centers along the route.
Sustainable effects: step by step towards a balanced season
Pilgrims travel slowly, on foot, and mostly outside the peak season. This reduces the pressure on beaches and main roads, and distributes the benefits throughout the island. Wineries in Vrbnik (accommodation in Vrbnik), family farms in the interior, and smaller family hotels in Omišalj (accommodation in Omišalj) and Malinska-Dubašnica (accommodation in Malinska-Dubašnica) record arrivals throughout the year. Ultimately, Camino Krk contributes to the goal of making Krk (accommodation on Krk) a destination for stays in every month, and not just for a one-day trip in the summer.
How to join and where to find information
Before setting off, it is recommended to review the official online guides with detailed maps, elevation profiles, and GPS tracks – from general information about Camino Croatia to specific notes for each Krk stage. During the festival in Šibenik (accommodation in Šibenik), thematic programs were also presented that combine walking with heritage workshops, concerts, and local gastronomic stories.
Krk in the broader context of the Croatian Camino network
The Croatian Camino network has reached more than 2,400 kilometers of marked sections and in the first five years has attracted tens of thousands of pilgrims – mostly outside the summer season. In this mosaic, Camino Krk is inscribed as one of the first completely circular island stages, alongside routes on the mainland that open access to hidden fragments of heritage from the continent to the south. This returns the Croatian space to its own medieval tracks towards Santiago – but in a modern, inclusive key: accessible, modular stages, infrastructure adapted for beginners, and a voluntary "accreditation" with stamps that tell the story of each place separately.
Stages through the prism of experience
Krk – Brzac. Leaving the urban fabric leads towards olive groves and dry-stone walls in which ancient, thrifty ways of using space can be recognized. On the very first day, it is clear why the island's stone and light give a special "granularity" to the landscape.
Brzac – Malinska. Thick pine forests provide shade, and the coves along the way invite a short stop. The arrival in Malinska-Dubašnica (accommodation in Malinska-Dubašnica) is marked by promenades along the sea and a mixture of the scents of salt and resin.
Malinska – Omišalj. The third day turns north. The settlement of Omišalj (accommodation in Omišalj) on a hill returns to the shelter of medieval walls, and the views of the Krk Bridge remind how the island, however separate, is strongly connected to the mainland.
Omišalj – Čižići. The path along the Soline bay, known for its healing mud, follows a calmer rhythm, ideal for long conversations or undisturbed silence. Čižići (accommodation in Čižići) at the end of the day offers rest by the shallows and secluded shores.
Čižići – Vrbnik. The fifth day gives the stage to the vineyards of Žlahtina. Vrbnik (accommodation in Vrbnik) stands above the sea like a stone ship; narrow streets and viewpoints reward everyone who climbs to the square.
Vrbnik – Baška. Here the karst relief opens up into grand plans of sky and stone. The descent into Baška (accommodation in Baška) is accompanied by the feeling that you have walked across the entire island, even though the final section still awaits you.
Baška – Kornić. The final steps lead to the parish church of St. James in Kornić (accommodation in Kornić), where many pilgrims record a moment of gratitude and get the stamp that symbolically concludes the week.
How to combine Camino Krk with other travel plans
Due to its circular character and good transport connections, Camino Krk is easy to fit into a wider itinerary of Istria and Kvarner. The proximity of the highway and the airport makes arrival easy, and lovers of city walks can visit Šibenik (accommodation in Šibenik) – the place where the confirmation was presented – before or after the route, and compare how different Dalmatian and Kvarner towns shape the pilgrimage experience.
Accommodation on the sections (quick overview)
For easier planning, here are useful shortcuts: accommodation on Krk, accommodation in Malinska-Dubašnica, accommodation in Omišalj, accommodation in Čižići, accommodation in Vrbnik, accommodation in Baška, accommodation in Kornić, accommodation in Punat, accommodation in Dobrinj, accommodation in Šibenik.
Useful links for planners
For those who want to explore the route in more depth before departure, digital guides, lists of stamp points, and GPS tracks are useful. The information is regularly updated and coordinated with local partners, so pilgrims can count on current data about stages, supplies, and safety notes. Additional programs – thematic tours, tastings, workshops – are often linked to dates in September and October, which makes this time of year ideal for walking on the island. For detailed maps and GPS tracks, see also the official information pages of Camino Croatia (official guide Camino Krk) and the festival program in Šibenik (Adria Camino Festival).
Camino Krk has thus become more than a hiking trail: it is a platform for connecting places like Krk (accommodation on Krk), Punat (accommodation in Punat), Malinska-Dubašnica (accommodation in Malinska-Dubašnica), Omišalj (accommodation in Omišalj), Dobrinj (accommodation in Dobrinj), Vrbnik (accommodation in Vrbnik), Baška (accommodation in Baška), and Kornić (accommodation in Kornić), but also a bridge between the thousand-year-old tradition of pilgrimage and modern, responsible travel.
Note for readers: Programs and the availability of certain contents may change depending on the season and weather conditions. Check the latest information before departure and remain open to small improvisations – that is part of the charm of every pilgrimage.