Rab: Island of the blessed
Even the ancient Romans knew it: Rab makes you happy! ...
... That's why they once christened the island in Kvarner Bay "Felix Arba". The name has changed, but this very special feeling of happiness can still be felt everywhere today.
Crystal-clear water, a picture-perfect old town, more sandy beaches than anywhere else in the region and a network of cycling and hiking trails with over 100 km of scenic discovery tours: There are many good reasons for a vacation on Rab. One that connoisseurs in particular will appreciate: The hotel offer leaves nothing to be desired, even for spoiled travelers. For example, the renowned Valamar Group has five hotels on the island - from the family-friendly Arba Resort to the elegant Imperial Heritage Resort and the lifestyle Carolina Hotel & Villas with its exclusive swim-up retreats.
Good news for all those who would like to pack their bags right now: The ferry from the mainland takes just 15 minutes and departs up to 23 times a day - even in high season, with no need to book in advance. Now that the question of where to stay and how to get there has been answered, the question remains: what to do on this paradisiacal island, which is 22 km long and up to 11 km wide?
If you want to do as Edward VIII and his wife Wallis Simpson did, get naked and jump into the sea. Back then, when the former king visited in 1936, this was still a huge scandal - but also one of the (co-)triggers for the nudist trend. Today, most of the 30 island beaches are more "covered", but Rab's reputation as a naturist hotspot remains. One of the most beautiful local beaches is Rajska Plaža on the Lopar peninsula. Situated in a sheltered bay, the beach here slopes so gently that you have to wade 100 m towards the open sea to hire a pedalo. Closer to the shore, the boats would get stuck in the sand. If you hire a motorboat instead - or are a good walker - you can also visit ten other beaches around Lopar or cross over to Otok Sveti Grgur , where dense pine forests, Caribbean blue water and tame fallow deer beckon.
Pure nature
Rab is not only the perfect vacation destination for water sports enthusiasts and sun worshippers. Hikers and cyclists also get their money's worth here. One of the most scenic tours is the "ascent" of Kamenjak , at 408 m the highest point on the island, with spectacular views over Rab town, the green Kalifront peninsula , the Velebit Channel and the Velebit Mountains . Those who prefer to pedal rather than lace up their hiking boots can cycle along secluded paths and car-free gravel roads through the Dundo jungle to a breathtaking viewpoint and secluded bathing bays.
Rab town - the versatile
All that remains to be clarified is what is on offer for culture and culinary fans. It's worth taking a look at Rab Town in particular. Surrounded by an ancient city wall and crowned by four iconic church towers, a stroll through the narrow streets quickly turns into a journey through time, from antiquity through Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque to the Venetian Renaissance. Simply divine: "Church hopping" through Gornja ulica , the Upper Street, which not only offers views of impressive religious buildings, but also of the city and the sea. Our tip for refreshment afterwards: The pretty Trg Slobode with shady trees and the Dominis Palace. Further towards the old town, the tapas bar "Kampanel" tempts you with Croatian snacks - and very good wine. And if you want to turn night into day afterwards, it's best to stop by the city beach below Gornja ulica and the Komrcar city park, where the party goes on every evening - often from sunset to sunrise.
