Rab

Rab is one of the most popular islands in the entire Adriatic region. The island is located towards the northern Croatian coast in the Adriatic Sea, and it also has an eponymous town of Rab, which is the main settlement on the island. This island is so popular because it has the most diverse landscape in the entire Kvarner region, which is why it is sometimes also known as the black/green island. The island was declared as a geopark in 2008.

The northeastern part of this black/green island is mostly barren, while the southwestern side is densely populated with one of the last oak forests in the Mediterranean region.

The island of Rab was first found to be mentioned in a Greek literature source dating back to 360 BC and was named as Arba. The name actually belonged to the Liburnians, who were the oldest inhabitants of the island. Interestingly, Arba was also the name of the Liburnian settlement that lives in the modern town of Rab. The Liburnian word Arb means 'dark, obscure, green forested,' a reference to the oak forest on the island.

Since tourism is the primary source of income in Rab, there are many sights here that you must see. This town is the perfect destination for history buffs. There are many historical churches here, the biggest one being St. Mary the Blessed, built in the 13th century. You must also check out a huge collection of sacral art housed at the Franciscan Monastery of St. Bernardin. There are two churches here, St. Euphemia monastery and St. Bernardin. For the history lover, you can go through all types of ancient artifacts housed here.

The many beaches of Rab are also a popular draw for tourists. In the southern part of the island, there are gravel shores, while in the northern part, you will find many sandy beaches. Rab is the only island in the Adriatic that has the most number of sandy beaches.

One of the most beautiful sights is the older part of the Rab town itself, where there are various Gothic and Renaissance palaces, churches, and the unique four belfries. The center of the town is in the form of a ship that is famous for having 4 churches or belfries. This ship attracts tourists from all over the world due to its unique design.

If you want to have the best experience of your life in Rab, visit the island and Rab town between 25 to 27 July every year, when the town celebrates its patron, St. Christopher. There is a St. Christopher's Fest that takes place, and a medieval festival complete with a knights tournament is held in the town. The month of August also sees another knight’s tournament that draws tourists from all over Europe. The summer months also witness many summer musical evenings, classical music concerts, art exhibitions, folklore fests, and many other cultural and traditional festivals. These months are perfect for tourists to get an opportunity to see all the traditions of Rab right in front of them. It is during these months that the island and town of Rab truly come alive.