Rab Island Croatia (Rab Town)

Rab Island (Croatia) has a same-named port town (Rab) and is located off mainland Croatia (northern Adriatic Sea) and on the northernmost part of Croatia's Dalmatian Coast. The island has total area approx 94 km2 (36 ml2) and population around 10,000.

Considered to be the most beautiful of the islands in Kvarner Bay, Rab itself is a completely preserved late-medieval settlement which served as a base for both Roman and Byzantine fleets. Settled by prehistoric Illyrians, the isle successively came under Roman, Greek, Croatian, Austrian, Venetian, French, Italian and Croatian-Yugoslavian rule. The walled Rab Town is among the most popular Croatian resort destinations.

The island was mentioned for the first time around 360 BC (under the name "Arba"). Rab Island has length 22 km (14 mi) and highest elevation point (Kamenjak) 408 m / 1339 ft. The island's northeastern side is mostly barren, karst, while its southwestern side is covered by one of the Mediterranean's last oak forests.

Ferries link Rab Island with mainland Croatia (Stinica) and with the neighbouring islands Pag and Krk. European Coastal Airlines offers daily seaplane connections from Rab to Zagreb and Rijeka (Rijeka Airport in Omisalj on Krk Island).

Cruise ship tourists may explore the network of teeny streets or visit the ruins of the St John the Evangelist Basilica. It is the first in a line of 4 bell towers on a ridge that dominates the old town. Several historically interesting houses have been built by patrician Venetian families.

Rab Island Croatia cruise terminal