Petroni Rental company category:Standard
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Petroni KrkKrkView map
Hiring a campervan in Krk starts your trip on a whole island, which vies with Cres for the title of largest island in the Adriatic and is joined to the mainland by a long arch bridge. In a single day you go from the coves of Malinska and Omišalj to the Žlahtina vineyards around Vrbnik, then to Punat bay, facing the Franciscan monastery on the islet of Košljun, before dropping down to Baška and its long beach. Close by, at Jurandvor, the Baška tablet was found: one of the oldest Croatian texts, carved in Glagolitic script.
Our partner company Petroni has a depot here, and Rijeka airport is on the island itself, near Omišalj.
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Where to pick up your vehicle à Krk?
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Krk
1 Around the island, from Punat to Malinska
- Krk
- Punat
- Košljun
- Jurandvor
- Baška
- Vrbnik
- Dobrinj
- Omišalj
- Njivice
- Malinska
- Krk
From Krk town and its walls, the Punat road runs along an almost enclosed bay where boats cross to Košljun, a wooded islet home to a Franciscan monastery. Further south it crosses a plateau of bare stone, then winds down in hairpins into the Baška valley: stop at Jurandvor, in the church of St Lucy, where a copy of the tablet replaces the original, then swim at Vela plaža.
The way back climbs via Vrbnik and its Žlahtina wine cellars, Dobrinj, a hilltop village in the middle of the island, then Omišalj and the wooded coves of Njivice and Malinska.
- Distance
- about 130 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or camper van
2 Northern Velebit and the springs of the Gacka
- Krk
- Senj
- Otočac
- Sinac
- Kuterevo
- Krasno
- Zavižan
- Sveti Juraj
- Krk
Once over the bridge, the coast leads to Senj, from where the Vratnik pass road climbs to the Lika plateau. Near Otočac, the Gacka rises in crystal-clear springs lined with watermills, around Sinac. Via Kuterevo and its refuge for young bears, you reach Krasno, a farming village in the heart of Northern Velebit National Park, then Zavižan, its mountain hut and the Velebit botanical garden.
The Zavižan road is narrow and winding, unpaved in places: a camper van gets through, a large motorhome stops lower down. Return to the sea via Oltari and Sveti Juraj.
- Distance
- about 300 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Compact campervan or camper van
3 Green Istria and the Glagolitic Alley
- Krk
- Učka Tunnel
- Roč
- Hum
- Buzet
- Beram
- Krk
The Učka tunnel takes you from Kvarner into the Istria of hills and truffle forests. Between Roč and Hum, the Glagolitic Alley lines the roadside with stone monuments dedicated to the alphabet of the Baška tablet; Hum, enclosed by walls, claims the title of the smallest town in the world. Buzet, on its hill, calls itself the truffle capital, then the church of St Mary at Beram keeps a dance of death painted in fresco.
The villages are explored on foot, with the vehicle left in the car parks at their entrance.
- Distance
- about 220 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhomes
Weather and seasons
When to go à Krk?
Best time
June and September
June, September
highs 24 to 26 °C, lows 17 to 19 °C
The two most balanced months on the island: the sea at 22 °C in June and 23 °C in September, Baška beach still pleasant and campsites that are not overflowing. September stays warm but is among the wettest months, with short, violent thunderstorms: keep a fallback day for Krk town or the wine cellars of Vrbnik.
High season
July and August
July to August
highs 29 °C, lows 21 °C
The height of summer, with the sea at 25 °C and little rain, brings holidaymakers from central Europe to Krk by road: queues at the bridge on Saturdays, Baška and Malinska beaches packed in the afternoon. Book your campsites, swim early in the coves of the north of the island and keep the hottest hours for the cool of Velebit.
April, May and October
April to May, October
highs 17 to 20 °C, lows 9 to 13 °C
A green, quiet shoulder season: the trails above Baška, the vineyards of Vrbnik and the old town of Krk can be enjoyed without crowds, but the sea, between 14 and 20 °C, only tempts the bravest. May and above all October are rainy, and some of the island's campsites only open in spring or close as early as October: check their dates before you leave.
Winter
November to March
November to March
highs 9 to 14 °C, lows 3 to 8 °C
Out of season, the island lives at the pace of its residents: many restaurants in Baška and Punat close, and November, the wettest month, brings one grey day after another. The bora then often blows across the bridge and along the Velebit coast. A winter stay is still possible with a heated vehicle, after first checking which campsites remain open.
Climate à Krk, month by month
Most pleasant months: June to August.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9 °C | 3 °C | 101 mm | 6 h/day | 13 °C |
| Feb | 11 °C | 4 °C | 107 mm | 7 h/day | 12 °C |
| Mar | 13 °C | 6 °C | 104 mm | 9 h/day | 13 °C |
| Apr | 17 °C | 9 °C | 78 mm | 10 h/day | 14 °C |
| May | 20 °C | 13 °C | 109 mm | 11 h/day | 17 °C |
| Jun | 26 °C | 19 °C | 60 mm | 13 h/day | 22 °C |
| Jul | 29 °C | 21 °C | 68 mm | 13 h/day | 25 °C |
| Aug | 29 °C | 21 °C | 71 mm | 12 h/day | 25 °C |
| Sep | 24 °C | 17 °C | 165 mm | 10 h/day | 23 °C |
| Oct | 19 °C | 13 °C | 150 mm | 8 h/day | 20 °C |
| Nov | 14 °C | 8 °C | 182 mm | 6 h/day | 18 °C |
| Dec | 11 °C | 5 °C | 137 mm | 5 h/day | 15 °C |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Krk old town on foot
The walls, the Cathedral of the Assumption and the Frankopan castle can be seen in an hour on foot, but the lanes of the centre are closed to vehicles. Park in the paid car parks on the edge of the old town, or leave the motorhome at the campsite and reach the harbour along the seafront path.
The descent to Baška
After the stony plateau overlooking the valley, the Baška road winds down in hairpins to the sea; it is well surfaced, but a heavy vehicle calls for engine braking rather than constant use of the brakes. In summer, the car parks near Vela plaža are full by late morning: arrive early or stay at the campsite.
Naturist and family campsites
There is no shortage of campsites, from Njivice to Baška, but several of them, around Punat, Baška and Krk town, are reserved for naturists: check the listing before booking. Elsewhere, sleeping in your vehicle outside an authorised place is forbidden in Croatia, and the island's beach car parks are checked in summer.
The bridge and the bora
The bridge linking the island to the mainland, near Kraljevica, is free to cross since its toll was abolished. In a strong bora, however, it is closed to high-sided vehicles, sometimes for several hours: check the bulletins of HAK, the Croatian automobile club, before returning the vehicle to a mainland depot or catching a flight.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip à Krk
Where can I pick up a campervan in Krk?
Petroni, our partner company, has a depot on the island of Krk; the exact address and handover time are given in your booking confirmation. Allow time for the vehicle presentation, then do your shopping in the supermarkets of Krk town or Malinska, which are better stocked than the grocery shops in the villages of the south of the island.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Krk?
The price varies with the season, the length of hire, the model and the return city; July and August are the most sought-after months on the island. Run a search with your dates to see real offers, mandatory fees included, and add to your budget the campsites, more expensive by the sea, and any ferries to the neighbouring islands.
Can I do a one-way trip from Krk?
Yes: our rental companies also have depots in Rijeka, on the nearby mainland, in Pula in Istria, and in Zagreb, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik. Heading down from Krk towards Dalmatia saves you driving the same coast twice. Enter the return city in your search: the offers shown are then those that allow it, one-way fees included.
What is there to see in Vrbnik, in the heart of the Žlahtina vineyards?
Vrbnik overlooks the east coast from its rock; its lanes, one of which is said to be the narrowest street in the world, are explored on foot, with the vehicle left in the car park at the village entrance. Around it, the Vrbnik field produces Žlahtina, a dry white wine unique to the island, which the cellars serve with sheep's cheese and smoked ham.
How do I visit the islet of Košljun?
Košljun, in the middle of Punat bay, can only be reached by boat: in season, shuttles leave Punat harbour throughout the day and cross in a few minutes. The Franciscan monastery houses a museum and a large painted Last Judgement, and a path circles the wooded islet. Leave the motorhome in Punat and bring clothing that covers your shoulders.
Verified customer reviews
They rented à Krk with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
a lot of information, it's precise, but maybe too many different emails. I've received too many different ones that I am getting lost.
C.
Croatia · Apr 2025
Trustpilot
Good provider
(anonymous)
Croatia · Oct 2022
Avis Vérifiés
First rental of this type of vehicle in a professional context where the rental must take place from France to Canada. Many questions and Cooldrive (Marlène) has been a valuable support in guiding my choices. Efficiency and responsiveness beforehand, and on-site a vehicle and service that met our expectations. No complaints. Great!
Alain L.
Canada · Oct 2025
Avis Vérifiés
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Krk
How do I get to the depot from Rijeka airport?
Rijeka airport is not on the mainland but on the island, near Omišalj, about half an hour from Krk town; its flights are concentrated mainly in summer. Taxis and buses serve the island's towns and villages. Out of season, many travellers arrive via the airports of Zagreb, Trieste or Ljubljana: let the rental company know your arrival time.
What licence do I need for a motorhome hired in Krk?
Most rental campervans and motorhomes weigh under 3.5 tonnes and can be driven with a category B licence. If your licence was issued outside the European Union, an international driving permit may also be required. Each rental company sets a minimum age and number of years of driving, stated in the offer conditions.
How many days should I plan when starting from Krk?
Two or three days are enough to tour the island at a relaxed pace, with a swim in Baška and a visit to Vrbnik. A week lets you add Northern Velebit and green Istria. With two weeks, you can combine Krk with the neighbouring islands of Cres or Rab, then head down to Dalmatia on a one-way trip.
Where can I swim on the island of Krk?
Vela plaža in Baška, a long pebble beach, is the best known but also the busiest. The rocky coves between Njivice and Malinska, shaded by pines, suit families well, while those at Stara Baška, at the end of a narrow road, remain wilder. Bring water shoes: most beaches are made of pebbles or rocks.
Do I need winter equipment to leave the island?
Between mid-November and mid-April, Croatia requires winter tyres or chains whenever the road is covered in snow or ice. On the island, snow is exceptional, but the Vratnik pass, the motorway to Zagreb and the Zavižan road are often white, and the latter can become impassable. Ask the rental company what equipment is provided before a winter trip inland.
When should I book a campervan in Krk?
With a single depot on the island, the number of vehicles available is limited: for July and August, book several months ahead, at the same time as your seaside campsites. In June and September, a few weeks are often enough. Out of season, check above all that the depot handles departures on your chosen dates.
About us
Why start a motorhome trip from Krk
Starting from Krk means having a whole island as your first playground, with no ferry to book: Baška beach, the vineyards of Vrbnik, the monastery of Košljun and a fortified old town are all within a few dozen minutes' drive. The island also keeps the memory of Glagolitic script, which you can follow to the villages of green Istria, while Northern Velebit brings cool mountain air an hour from the bridge.
Petroni, our partner company, handles departures here. Rijeka, 34 km away as the crow flies, then Pula, Zagreb, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik, other departure cities of our partners, make it possible to plan a one-way trip towards Istria or Dalmatia. With the sea at 22 °C or more from June to September and an airport on the island, Krk is a convenient starting point for a first motorhome trip in Croatia.
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