Malinska: the green oasis in the bay of oaks

Welcome to Dubašnica (the land of oaks). While the south of Krk is often barren and rocky, Malinska welcomes you with lush greenery and a gentle, wide bay. The name “Malinska” comes from “mlin” (mill). In the 15th century a mill was built here, around which the village slowly grew. Once the island’s most important export port for timber and oil, today Malinska is the epitome of relaxed holidays sheltered from the wind.

Thanks to its western location, Malinska is largely protected from the cold bora and enjoys a pleasant microclimate that attracted the Austrian aristocracy as early as the 19th century.

Beach & sea: endless swimming

Malinska doesn’t have one main beach, but a kilometres-long chain of places to swim.

• The beaches: From Rova via Draga to Rupa – the coast is made up of well-kept pebble coves and sunny concrete platforms.
• Rajska Cesta (Paradise Path): This is the highlight for walkers. A path almost 4 km long runs right along the sea through the forest to Njivice. Ideal for jogging, walking or romantic strolls in the shade of the pines.
• Family-friendly: As the bay shelves gently and is sheltered, the water here is often calmer than in Baška, which makes Malinska perfect for families with small children.

The Haludovo myth: a world-famous “lost place”

You can’t write about Malinska without mentioning the Haludovo Palace Hotel.

• The history: In the 1970s, Penthouse magazine founder Bob Guccione opened a luxury resort of superlatives here. It was a place of decadence frequented by Saddam Hussein and other world politicians.
• Today: The hotel is a ruin and one of Europe’s most famous “lost places”. Many tourists come here just to marvel at the remains of the futuristic architecture (enter at your own risk!). It’s a fascinating piece of contemporary history right on the beach.

Culture & surroundings: Porat and the hinterland

Malinska is more than just its harbour.

• Porat: Just a few kilometres away (you can walk along the promenade) lies the fishing village of Porat. Here you’ll find an impressive Franciscan monastery dating from 1480. The monastery museum houses a collection of Glagolitic writings and an old olive press (“toš”).
• Hiking in the hinterland: Around Malinska there’s a network of hiking trails (approx. 50 km) leading through the old oak forests to abandoned villages and the archaeological site Cickini in the hinterland.
• Food: Malinska is known for its fishing tradition. In the restaurants on the harbour (“Riva”) you should definitely try fresh fish or the famous Kvarner scampi.

Malinska today: facts & figures

Malinska is lively all year round, as many locals live and work here.

• Population: The municipality of Malinska-Dubašnica has over 3,000 inhabitants and is therefore one of the island’s economic centres.
• Events: In summer there are “fishermen’s festivals” or concerts almost every day. Especially popular are the “Šurlice Days” (a local pasta speciality), where you can learn to shape the pasta yourself.

Conclusion

Malinska is the all-rounder on Krk. It offers more greenery and shade than Baška, is bigger and livelier than Njivice and, with the monastery in Porat and the Haludovo ruin, offers exciting contrasts. If you’re looking for a central base from which (thanks to good road links) you can reach any place on the island in 20 minutes, this is exactly the right place.