Bakar’s heritage offers different perspectives on the town: the castle and churches represent its architectural and urban history, while the coast and traces of fishing turn the focus to life on the bay. You can tailor your visit to your interests in architecture, local traditions or paths by the water.

Old Town: Architecture and history

At the top of Bakar’s Old Town, Frankopan Castle houses a small interpretation centre. The catacombs of the Church of St Andrew can be visited by prior arrangement. So, if you plan to visit, make arrangements in advance.

Roman House, a Neo-Renaissance-style building, is located near Frankopan Castle and St Andrew’s Church. Its features include a luxurious entrance hall and vaulted ceilings. The Church of St Margaret houses a painting of Saint Margaret, considered the finest work by the Slovenian painter Valentin Metzinger. In front of the church also stands a replica of a historic tuna-fishing lookout post, recalling this tradition.

Two churches also tell different stories about Bakar’s past. The Church of Our Lady of Port was a votive church for sailors from the region. Built in 1764, the Church of the Holy Cross has an orientation that is reversed compared with the usual layout of a Catholic church: its entrance faces east and its altar faces west. Old stone measures for salt and grain stand in the square that was once a centre of maritime and commercial exchange. Another historical reminder can be found beside Jaz: there stands a replica of the “Povelja Marije Terezije,” dated 23 April 1779 and commemorating Bakar’s designation as a free royal town.

Fishing history and waterfront views

At Banj Park on Bakar’s coast, the open-air exhibition “Nets of Memory” tells the story of the town’s tuna-fishing tradition. It offers a different way to explore the history of fishing than the lookout post in front of the Church of St Margaret: here, the focus is on interpreting the subject; there, on a replica of a historic structure.

The Pontonac pontoon walkway extends into Bakar Bay, offering views across the water towards the Old Town. Perilo, a former washing place, is also visible on the waterfront. The freshwater spring at Jaz flows into the sea beside Bakar’s shore. A tourist map leads to Bakar’s public fountains, known as “špine,” and includes brief explanatory texts; check locally to find out whether it is available.

Town walks and trails

For a guided introduction, you can arrange town walks through the tourist office. A themed promenade follows a local stream through greenery and uphill to the Old Town near the castle. The Tragovima Frankopana cycling route, by contrast, runs along the shore of Bakar Bay. The two routes therefore differ mainly in their course and mode of travel: one follows the stream to the Old Town, while the other follows the coast by bicycle.

Near Bakar, the Stari žar japnenica themed trail focuses on the tradition of lime burning. A forest path and information boards introduce the subject; check trail conditions locally. Taxi boat and Rent-a-Boat services are available in Bakar for exploring the bay and the Kvarner Archipelago. Ask the tourist office for current details.

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

For the overview of the wider area: Općina Bakar.