The Island of Rab - The Jewel of Kvarner, Named “Happy Island” by the Romans
The island of Rab is one of the seven jewels of the Gulf of Kvarner and a must-visit nautical destination in the northern Adriatic. The Romans called it “Felix Arba” Or Happy island. Its recipe for happiness comes from its beautiful and varied geography and rich cultural heritage which has brought us treasures such as their Rab cake, and the Rapska Fjera the oldest and largest medieval summer festival in Croatia.
The island is home to more than 7.000 inhabitants and its geography all about contrasts, from sharp stone cliffs on the east coast to numerous, forested coves on the west coast, as well as 30 beautiful sandy beaches. The town of Rab is the largest town and port on the island, with several other idyllic bay villages: such as Mundanije, Supetarska Draga, Kampor, Barbat, Banjol and Lopar. One of Lopar’s most famous inhabitants was St, Marin, a stone mason who in 301 CE escaped Christian persecution and went on to form the principality of San Marino, a sovereign nation which still bears his name today.
The island and the town of Rab in particular are a genuine treasure trove of “archaeological trophies”, with numerous legends teleporting visitors back in time. In July, the hospitable locals reenact many customs and traditions during the Rab Fair (Rapska Fjera) and the Rab Knight Games, combining a renaissance fair with medieval military prowess, with its origins dating back to 1364.
The culinary scene continues to evolve from its rich gastronomic traditions such as the Rab Cake “Rapska Torta“, rich in almonds and maraschino liqueur which takes 3 days to prepare. Seasonal Menus offer such specialties as local wild asparagus or lamb, while the end of September is marked by the biggest culinary event, the Kanata festival with a huge offering of artisanal foods, culminating in a in a contest where brudet (seafood stews) are prepared in copper cauldrons over open fire.
Cruising the island by boat offers an amazing array of different landscapes, with the east coast offering a harsh, rocky backdrop, while the Barbat Channel on the opposite side offers a lake-like ambience. St. Euphemia’s Cove near the town of Rab provides boaters with the most beautiful view of the town of Rab as well as shelter from all winds. This medieval town of Rab has four proudly raised bell towers, resembling a large sailing ship with four raised masts. There is a very interesting fact about the bell towers: each has a height in meters equal to the average temperature in degrees Celsius, according to the seasons. Therefore, the height of the highest bell tower is associated with summer, and the lowest with winter. The old part of the town of Rab consists of four streets (Gornje, Srednje, Donje and Riva), which again are associated with the four seasons, and perpendicular to them are 12 streets representing the 12 months of the year. The safest mooring in the island is in the full-service Rab ACI Marina, offering the most convenient way to explore the town’s historic center.
Located west of the town of Rab is the indented Kalifront Peninsula with its seven coves of various sizes and turquoise pebble beaches. The entire peninsula is covered in lush vegetation, with a holly oak forest alongside pine trees, marking a as a stark contrast to the islands of southern Dalmatia. These coves are not recommended for anchorage during southern winds. Gožinka Cove is surrounded by about 20 small houses and a family-run tavern, while the uninhabited Čifnat and Kristofor Coves boast an enchanting turquoise colour. Between the latter two coves, arguably the most beautiful on the entire island, is Kristofor, recommended for those who prefer more secluded areas and is easily recognizable for the lighthouse at the entrance. The best shelter on the peninsula is St. Mary’s Cove, as evidenced by the stone mooring bollards carved out by the crews of ancient sailboats waiting for the bora winds of the Senj Gate to abate. Rab is also an unmissable destination for boaters who rent boats from Marina Punat on the island of Krk or from Marina Novi Vinodolski.
The northwest part of the island is a paradise for children and sand lovers. The peninsula that separates the Kampor and Supetar Coves is filled with islets and turquoise lagoons, and are just the tip of the beauty provided by this part of the island. Boaters sailing here are advised to be cautious during northwest and north winds. Another ACI Marina on Rab is located in Supetarska Draga, which is distinguished by its family-friendly environment, and as a safe haven for boaters during bora winds.
We will end this story with the northern coves of the Lopar Peninsula and Crnika Cove, home to beautiful sandy beaches and rocky shoals. This area is best avoided by boaters during east and north-east winds. The area is home to Paradise (Rajska) Beach, the longest and most popular sandy beach on the island of Rab, truly living up to its name.
Photo: Julien Duval/CTB, Filip Tezner/CTB, Petar Lupić/CTB, Davor Žunić/CTB, Aleksandar Gospić/CTB
