๐™‚๐™ช๐™ž๐™™๐™š ๐™ฉ๐™ค ๐™ƒ๐™–๐™ฅ๐™ฅ๐™ฎ ๐™ž๐™จ๐™ก๐™–๐™ฃ๐™™ ๐™ค๐™› ๐™๐™–๐™—, ๐˜พ๐™ง๐™ค๐™–๐™ฉ๐™ž๐™–

๐™‚๐™ช๐™ž๐™™๐™š ๐™ฉ๐™ค ๐™ƒ๐™–๐™ฅ๐™ฅ๐™ฎ ๐™ž๐™จ๐™ก๐™–๐™ฃ๐™™ ๐™ค๐™› ๐™๐™–๐™—, ๐˜พ๐™ง๐™ค๐™–๐™ฉ๐™ž๐™–

Welcome to my "Rab: The Happy Island" guide! Inside, youโ€™ll find tips on what to see, where to eat, fun activities, hiking trails, and the best beaches on Rab. Itโ€™s all free, but if you find it helpful, a tip would be greatly appreciated! Enjoy exploring Rab! Note: This is not a PDF but an interactive guide. You can get directions with Google Maps and book hotels directly (we used Booking, Locktrip, or Airbnb). Everything you need in one place! Donโ€™t forget to download the free Thatch app for easier access. Any questions? DM me on Instagram (@petra.hus) or email me at petra2hus@gmail.com. Subscribe for new travel guides! ๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿ˜Š
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๐˜ผ๐˜ฝ๐™Š๐™๐™ ๐™๐˜ผ๐˜ฝ

Rab is an island in the in Croatia, located just off the northern Croatian coast in the Adriatic Sea. The island is 22 km long, has an area of 93.6 km2. The main settlement on the island is the eponymous town of Rab, although the neighboring village of Palit has the biggest population. The highest peak is Kamenjak at 408 m. The northeastern side of the island is mostly barren, karst, while the southwestern side is covered by one of the last oak forests of the Mediterranean.ย 

Rab
@petrahus
Rab the Happy Island :)
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ย  1. Geography and Natural Beauty

Rab is an island located just off the northern Croatian coast in the Adriatic Sea. It spans 22 km in length and covers an area of 93.6 square km. The island's geography features a stark contrast between the barren karst landscape of the northeastern side and the lush oak forests on the southwestern side. The highest point on the island is Kamenjak (408 m), providing panoramic views of Rab's diverse terrain.

2. Geological Diversity

The geological map of Rab illustrates the island's complex and varied geological history. Key formations include Quaternary deposits, Pleistocene sands, Eocene clastic sediments, and Cretaceous and Paleogene carbonates. The Lopar region is particularly noteworthy for its rich sedimentary layers.

3. Historical and Cultural Heritage

Rab's history dates back to ancient times, with its first mention in the Greek 'Periplus of Pseudo-Scylax' around 360 BC under the name 'Arba.' This name, derived from the Illyrian-Liburnian term for 'dark, obscure, green, forested,' reflects the island's historical pine forests. Over centuries, Rab has been influenced by Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian cultures, contributing to its rich cultural heritage.

4. Main Settlements

The principal settlement on Rab is the town of Rab, renowned for its medieval architecture and historical significance. The neighboring village of Palit, with the largest population on the island, serves as a vibrant center of local life.ย 

5. Sacred Heritage

Rab is home to numerous historic churches, which are integral to the island's religious history. The four bell towers, with the oldest dating back to the 11th century, are iconic symbols of Rab's spiritual and architectural heritage. During the Middle Ages, Rab was a significant Dalmatian city-state under the Byzantine Empire. In 1000 AD, it came under the control of the Republic of Venice, along with other Dalmatian territories.ย  ย ย 

๐™ƒ๐™Š๐™’ ๐™๐™Š ๐™‚๐™€๐™ ๐™๐™ƒ๐™€๐™๐™€?

๐™’๐™ƒ๐˜ผ๐™ ๐™๐™Š ๐˜ฟ๐™Š ๐™„๐™‰ ๐™๐˜ผ๐˜ฝ?

Rab is a tranquil, family-friendly island, ideal for those seeking relaxation rather than a party scene. If youโ€™re looking to unwind on beautiful beaches, enjoy nature, sip cocktails at sunset, and savor local delicacies like Rapska pita cake, Rab is the perfect destination for you.

1. Visit Old town of Rab

I suggest visiting in the morning or evening, as it can get quite hot during the day. The old town is small, and youโ€™ll need just 1-2 hours to explore it fully. Take your time and enjoy. If you prefer empty streets, go in the morning. For a more vibrant atmosphere with souvenir shops, bars, and restaurants, visit around 19:00-20:00 (7-8 PM).

Cathedral of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary
@petrahus
Built probably in the 4th century as an early Christian church, it was later remodeled in the Romanesque style. Pope Alexander III consecrated it in the 12th century, and it underwent its last renovation in the 15th century. The ciborium above the main altar features a mix of architectural styles, adding to the churchโ€™s significance. The front of the altar is adorned with a marble sculpture depicting St. Christopher walking through water with a child on his shoulders. This church is a true treasure trove of valuable paintings, various relics, and reliquaries, including the revered skull of St. Christopher, Rabโ€™s patron saint who saved the island and its inhabitants and died a martyrโ€™s death.
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Tower of Rab
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Trg slobode
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Town Walls
@petrahus
Beautiful view of town Rab and a park to walk around when the sun is too hot :)
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Samostan sv. Eufemija
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The charter for the construction of the monastery is highly valuable, marking the first mention of the Croatian name for Rab. Founded in 1444 on the northern side of St. Euphemia's Bay, the monastery features a church adorned with beautiful altars and saintly paintings, including a significant polyptych by Antonio and Bartolomeo Vivarini from Murano. The wooden ceiling, or tabulatum, is decorated with sacred motifs. The monastery's library holds 7,000 rare books, including incunabula and the Rab Statute from 1598. Part of the monastery now houses the Rab Ethnographic Museum and the Rab Chronicle, detailing the island's history.
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Geopark Lopar
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๐™๐™€๐™Ž๐™๐˜ผ๐™๐™๐˜ผ๐™‰๐™๐™Ž ๐˜ผ๐™‰๐˜ฟ ๐˜ฝ๐™€๐˜ผ๐˜พ๐™ƒ ๐˜ฝ๐˜ผ๐™๐™Ž

Kuฤ‡a Rabske Torte
@petrahus
Rabska torta is traditional cake from Rab, it has very funny history, the people there will tell you and give you to try it. Go there and see it for yourself ;)
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Tavern Riva
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ล ANPJER
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Banova Villa Beach Bar
@petrahus
This is my favorite beach bar on all of Rab. They serve breakfast and offer vegetarian and vegan options, including coffee with plant-based milk. The interior is also quite unique and adds to the charm.
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Zdravljak
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Best ice-cream on Rab.
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ลฝal Beach Bar & Kitchen
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Sport Center Cafe & Bar Del Mar
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Santos beach club
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I have mixed feelings about this place. The beach is one of the most beautiful I've seen on Rab, but the cocktail prices are quite steep. On the plus side, the coffee is really good. It might be best to decide for yourself or just bring your own food and water to enjoy the beach.
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ล arengrad
@petrahus
Tradition for Croatian people is to go first thing in the morning for a coffee because, for us, coffee is a social event. So, if you go early in the morning, around 8-9, you will see the locals (and probably my uncle and brother) drinking coffee there and enjoying socializing together.
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Restaurant Dupin
@petrahus
View of the sea, okay prices for large portions of food.
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๐˜ฝ๐™€๐˜ผ๐˜พ๐™ƒ๐™€๐™Ž:

Plaลพa Pudarica
@petrahus
For me, one of the best beaches on Rab. Explore also the left side of the beach, this part is new and you can rent sunbeds on the sea for cca 40-50 euros.
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Suha Punta
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Suha punta also contains the most beautiful beaches on Rab but I have to warn you, most of them are rocky so take your water shoes. There is also part of beaches for nudists.
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FKK Kandarola Beach Rab
@petrahus
Rab was one of the first islands to introduce nudity and naturism to Croatia. This beach is one of the cleanest and most beautiful naturist beaches on Rab. The water is so clear that you can see 20 meters deep, so be sure to bring your snorkeling gear!
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To get to Frkanj, you can take ferry boat from ล kver (Rab local beach) for 5 euros (both-ways ticket). From Frkanj you can also walk to FKK Kandarola or Suha punta.

Plaลพa ล kver
@petrahus
Public beach, if you have children, it is perfect for them.
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Frkanj
@petrahus
''Wild'' beaches, if you want some intimacy.
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Also, if you donโ€™t have a car, there are still beautiful beaches in Rab. While there may not be an exact location on the map, if you head to ล kver and follow the coastline sidewalk (lungomare) away from the Old Town, youโ€™ll pass the marina. After that, youโ€™ll find a long stretch of coastwalk with public beaches shaded by trees and stunning sea views.

Paradise Beach
@petrahus
One of the few sandy beaches in Croatia, itโ€™s perfect for water games, children, and anyone who loves sand. However, donโ€™t expect to cool down quickly, as the water remains shallow for kilometers.
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๐™ƒ๐™„๐™†๐™„๐™‰๐™‚ ๐˜ผ๐™‰๐˜ฟ ๐˜ผ๐˜ฟ๐™‘๐™€๐™‰๐™๐™๐™๐™€:

Rab has many hiking trails and stunning natural scenery. However, it can get quite hot in the summer, so Iโ€™d recommend going in early spring or autumn for hiking. During these times, itโ€™s not tourist season, and the water is still warm, so you can really enjoy your time.

Premuziceva staza na Rabu
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Kamenjak
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I hope you enjoyed this guide! If you did, please subscribe, save, and don't forget to tip if you found the information useful. ๐Ÿ˜Š

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi ๐Ÿ˜Š Welcome to the world of travel! I am thrilled to introduce myself as a traveler from Croatia, Zagreb. I am passionate about exploring new places and trying out different experiences. โœˆ๏ธ๐Ÿš๐Ÿš™ My travel shop is your one-stop solution for all things related to budget-friendly and student travel. Being a student myself, I understand the importance of traveling on a tight budget and I am excited to share my tips and tricks with you.๐Ÿ’ธ During my Erasmus program in Bologna, Italy, I embarked on a journey that took me to 80% of Italy, and it was a life-changing experience. If you share my love for Italy, then this is the perfect place for you!๐Ÿ๐Ÿ• Besides Italy, my guides focus on Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and well, other countries that I will visit. Embark on your journey of a lifetime with my travel shop. The world is waiting for you, go out there and explore!๐Ÿฉท
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