Rab

On the west coast of the island of Rab, which lies in the southern part of the Kvarner Bay in close proximity to the mainland by Jablanac, is the main town of Rab. The old town is situated on a narrow peninsula protruding into the sea. With only 437 inhabitants, this great port city with its well-developed marina has existed since pre-Christian times and received its status as a municipium quite early on by the Roman Emperor Augustus. During his reign the city walls and the towers of Rab were built. Throughout its history, it has had a long line of  successors, including the Illyrians, Romans, Greeks and many others that followed, such as  the Venetians, and Hapsburgs who ruled over Rab. They all contributed their individual characteristics to the island town, so that Rab today displays not only a unique history, but also architecture.

The differing architectural designs lend their certain appeal mainly to the historic city core, which awakens an interest in discovering the past of Rab. This can be seen in the narrow streets where the hustle and bustle of the island takes place, in the impressive buildings such as the Prince's Palace on the main Trg Municipium Arba square, as well as the sacral sites such as the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady. The three-aisled basilica was built from white and pink stone blocks and its pillars have been taken from ancient buildings. In 1127 the church was consecrated by the Pope. The Prince's Palace dominates the cityscape with its distinctive tower on the main square of Rab and provides an interesting insight into the production of windows during the Gothic and Romantic times. Elaborate reliefs and Venetian lions can be admired on its facade. The Prince's Palace now houses archaeological collections. The Galjarda Fortress is located in the Komrcar Park, which has become the green recreational area within the city limits. Surrounded by lush vegetation, numerous locals and tourists will find shady places to relax in after some sightseeing.

Among the most prominent features of the city are its four bell towers, which are clearly visible from a distance. The towers belong to four different churches: The Church of John the Baptist, the Holy Cross Church, the Church of St. Andrew and the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady. The appearance of the four bell towers is often compared to a four-master. The Holy Cross Church is located in the Varos district - also called "new Rab". The church often serves as a venue for musical evenings. A visit to the Church of St. Justine is also worthwhile. Here is where an important relic is kept - supposedly the skull of Saint Christopher. He became the patron saint of Rab after he saved, according to legend, the city from the Italo-Normans in the 11th century. In his honor, the residents annually organize the so-called Knight Games (Rabska fjera). For many tourists, this event is considered to be the cultural highlight of the town because along with providing a good insight into the history of the city, it is where regional specialties are served. The local cuisine is mainly dominated by fish and seafood, which are prepared into delicious dishes like mussels in the Buzara style or grilled scampi. Tourists also take delight in the minced meat dishes like Pljeskavica and Cevapcici in the restaurants and pubs of Rab.

Rab is a versatile place that promises a fun-filled holiday for families, couples, singles and guests with dogs. Since, strictly speaking, there is only one beach belonging to the metropolitan area, so most beaches are to be found outside of Rab - including some sandy beaches and dog beaches (there are a total of four official sections of the beach near Rab).

Bathers who want to go to the beach and into the water with their four-legged friends will find reason to rejoice here. This is because there are four official dog beaches around Rab. The coastal areas are in Banjol (2.1 km to the southeast), in Palit (2.3 km to the northwest) and two are in Suha Punta (about 5 and 6 km to the northwest). The idyllic beaches consist mostly of stones, pebbles and rocks. Bathing shoes are recommended. Furthermore, there are many wild beaches that can be visited with dogs. You will find no infrastructure here. Bathers can arrive by car or boat. Depending on your endurance, you can tie in a stroll to your day at the beach.