Discover Croatia: RAB

Rab, Croatia
Rab town

I’m starting a new blog series called Discover Croatia. I’ll show you that there’s more to see in Croatia than just Dubrovnik or Plitvice Lakes which are of course rather stunning :).

Recently I spent a few hours wandering around Rab town. I haven’t been on Rab island since my school trip when I was 14 which is a shame. It’s a wonderful island that deserves to be more known to travel bloggers and visitors alike.

about Rab

Rab island is situated in the northern Adriatic Sea and it is known as the ˝Island of Love˝. Why? Because the first nudist beach was opened in 1934 and since then Rab has been a world famous destination for all who enjoy to be stark naked on the beach. The most infamous guest of Rab was none other than the English king Edward VIII who also enjoyed some skinny dipping with his partner Wallis Simpson in 1936. There are many beautiful sandy and pebble beaches on island Rab which are frequented by swimsuit-wearing tourists as well. Besides its wonderful beaches Rab island also has one of the last remaining oak forests in the whole Mediterranean. A Geo-Park with interesting hiking trails has been founded too because of the island’s natural diversity. There are several small towns and villages on the island: the biggest is Rab town.

According to a legend the founder of the micro-state San Marino was born in Rab. Today there are still very friendly relations between the small Italian country and the Croatian island Rab. Rab is known as Arbe in Italian language and that name comes from the oldest inhabitants of Rab-the Liburnians. During the history Rab like the large part of the Croatian coast was under the Venetian rule for a period of time. A lot of people speak Italian in Rab but English is also widespread.

Rab town is easily recognized by its 4 church towers. A small historical center is full of old stone houses, churches, palm trees, cafes and restaurants. The biggest event in Rab’s calendar is the yearly Rab Medieval festival-Rapska Fjera. There’s also a renown music festival every summer Rapske glazbene večeri  (Rab nights). Foodies should visit Rab during the Eco Week festival (Eko Šetimana ). A very special souvenir from Rab is Rab Cake. Its main ingredients are almonds and Maraschino liqueur and it was first served in the twelfth century to Pope Alexander III.

What should you do in Rab? Wander its streets, have cocktails and dinner in the evening, take a speed-boat trip and find a secluded beach somewhere on the island, watch a movie in an open-air cinema, do some sports like cycling and just enjoy this rather beautiful small island town. If you’re into history and culture you can visit its numerous churches and climb the towers to see magnificent views of the town and the island.

Let me show you Rab town:

Rab
Rab town

one of the many old houses-entrance to the Middle Street
the main square-entrance to the old town
Rab
a small fortress
climbing the stairs to the Upper street

Rab town, island Rab, Croatia
the most famous Rab visitor
empty streets around 9 am
empty streets around 9 am
Bell tower and the ruins of church of St. John the Evangelist
Bell tower and the ruins of church of St. John the Evangelist
the pink tower is the Church of St.Justine’s tower
a view of the sea over the city walls
a view of the sea over the city walls
old Croatian alphabet
old Croatian alphabet

Rab town, Croatia
there’s a beach below

Town Clock
Town Clock

Rab, Croatia
walking towards the cathedral tower
Monastery of St. Andrew, Rab
Monastery of St. Andrew
church mess in Italian on Saturdays
church mess in Italian on Saturdays
Rab towers, Croatia
Rab towers
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

a lost toy
a lost toy

climbing the cathedral's tower
climbing the cathedral’s tower

The view from the cathedral’s tower

Rab

view of Rab's towers

Rab town, Croatia

walking down from the Upper to the Middle street

Town Clock
Town Clock

the former City Lodge
Rab cake museum-shop
Rab cake shop
inside small Rab cake museum-shop
Rab cake
tasty Rab cake that can be preserved for months

Rab cat
Rab cat
Rab kitten
Rab kitten

square of the Lower street
the main square of the Lower street

Rab, Croatia

the former Duke's palace
the former Duke’s palace

How to reach island Rab

The nearest airport is Rijeka Airport (on island Krk, there’s Ryanair connection with London)

Then you need to rent a car to get to island Rab by a ferry (or catamaran from Rijeka or ferry from the island Krk or from the mainland Stinica ferry dock)

You can reach Rab in only half an hour if you go by hydroplane from Rijeka (or Split or Pag island)

For more information visit Rab tourism page here

get a ferry to Rab
get a ferry to Rab

So would you add Rab to your bucket list?

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86 thoughts

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  7. Such a great idea to start a Discover Croatia tour!!! Love it and awesome photos… Rab looks alike with some Greek cities like Monemvasia, Nafplion, Preveza and Ionian islands (most like Corfu & Lefkada)

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  13. What a nice post! Beautiful pictures as well.

    I’m working on some travel-posts about Croatia as well since our last visit so it’s really nice to get some inspiration from blog-posts like yours 🙂

    Keep it up!

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  21. Great post Tanja. I love the idea for this series. I don’t understand why you haven’t shared any photos of the nudist beach!! 🙂 Rab itself looks stunning, the views overlooking the harbour are amazing. I have only ever visited Dubrovnik and Spilt I clearly need to return and see more of Croatia! Thanks for linking up to #MondayEscapes

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  25. I love this idea for a series – it’s such a long time since I was last in Croatia- we did visit Plitvice and Dubrovnik but stopped at a few other places along the coast as well and I’d love to explore more of the islands (and Split!). Looking forward to reading more of these. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping

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  30. Hi Tanja, from your wonderful description and pictures Croatia sounds like the place we would love to explore, probably next summer even. Rab seems so quaint and perfect. So, can’t wait to read more about such hidden jewels of Croatia!
    -Mansi.

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  39. Rab certainly looks lovely and peaceful! Looks like tourists haven’t really found Rab yet and so it’s still untouched! Was such a shame when we went to Croatia, evvvverywhere we went there were just sooo many people it kind of ruined it for me. I had thought Croatia was still kind of a hidden secret. Nope. All of Europe was there in one summer! #CityTripping
    https://caliglobetrotter.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/the-glory-of-krka-national-park-croatia/

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    1. Well, it was 9am when I walked around and it was the last weekend in August but there are more people. You need to know when to come and where.Some places are overcrowded like Dubrovnik while others still aren’t 🙂

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  47. Of all of the places we’ve traveled this year, Croatia is probably where we’d like to go back the most. It’s incredibly beautiful, and there’s so much more to explore. We’ll definitely have to add Rab to the list!

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