Bakar: Heritage and Trails

Bakar brings together several themes for a visit: architectural history and art, memories of trade and fishing, and routes through green spaces and along the bay. If you are looking for a hotel in Bakar, you can tailor your stay to these interests.

Architecture and Churches

Frankopan Castle stands in the upper part of the old town and houses a small interpretation centre. The Roman House, a Neo-Renaissance-style building with a splendid entrance hall and vaulted ceilings, is located near the castle and the Church of St Andrew.

The churches also offer different historical and artistic highlights. You can visit the catacombs at the Church of St Andrew by prior arrangement. The Church of St Margaret houses a painting of the saint, considered the most successful work by Slovenian painter Valentin Metzinger. The Church of the Holy Cross was built in 1764 and reverses the usual orientation: its entrance faces east and its altar west.

Traces of Maritime History

In Banj Park on Bakar’s coast, the open-air learning exhibition “Nets of Memory” explains the town’s tuna fishing tradition. In front of the Church of St Margaret, at Žal ribara, stands a replica of the historic tuna fishing lookout.

Bakar’s old stone measures for salt and grain stand in the square where maritime and commercial trade once took place. The Church of Our Lady of Port was a votive shrine for sailors from the region.

Perilo near Jaz was once a washing place and remains visible on Bakar’s shore. Also near Jaz stands a replica of the “Povelja Marije Terezije”: it bears the date 23 April 1779 and commemorates Bakar’s elevation to the status of a free royal town. The freshwater spring at Jaz reaches the sea on Bakar’s shore.

Trails and Views of the Bay

A themed promenade in Bakar follows a local stream through green spaces to the upper part of the old town near the castle. The Tragovima Frankopana cycling route runs along the shore of Bakar Bay. The contrasting landscapes provide a useful guide when choosing: the stream and green spaces on one side, the bay shore on the other.

The Pontonac promenade extends into Bakar Bay as a pier, offering views across the water to the old town.

Visits and Local Experiences

The City of Bakar Tourist Board can arrange guided tours of Bakar. Taxi boats and rental boats are available for exploring Bakar Bay and the Kvarner Archipelago. As availability may change, check the details with the Tourist Board.

A tourist map guides visitors to Bakar’s public fountains, locally known as “špine”, and includes short explanatory texts. If you would like to use the map, confirm that it is available locally.

Discover more destinations: Praputnjak, Škrljevo, Krasica, Ponikve, Kukuljanovo, Hreljin, Mrzla Vodica, Zlobin.

For the main travel overview: Općina Bakar.