# St. Marek Beach > St. Marek is one of the rare sandy beaches on Krk's eastern coast — a 130-metre crescent of fine sand tucked into a calm bay north of Vrbnik. The protected geometry, gradual sandy seabed, and the relative absence of crowds make it a dependable family choice in an area otherwise dominated by pebble coves and clifftop villages. Sandy · Vrbnik · Popular ![St. Marek Beach](https://www.madeinkrk.com/images/beaches/sveti-marek-vrbnik.webp) ## About St. Marek (named after the chapel of St. Mark above the bay) sits in a quiet inlet on the east coast of Krk, a few kilometres north of the historic town of Vrbnik and similar distance south of Risika. There's no developed village right at the beach — just the chapel, a few stone houses, a small kiosk that opens irregularly through summer, and the parking strip above the shore. The beach itself is genuinely sandy, which makes it stand out on Krk. Most of the island's coast is pebble or rocky, so a fine-sand beach with a sandy seabed extending 30-plus metres before reaching swimming depth is unusual enough to draw families specifically for that reason. Water clarity is excellent thanks to the bay's protected geometry — the sand stays put rather than clouding the water, and even on windy days the cove stays calm. Facilities are minimal but functional: a single freshwater shower at the back of the beach, two basic toilets in a small cabin, and the seasonal kiosk for water, ice cream, and beer when it's open. Don't count on the kiosk — bring your own provisions, especially if you're planning to stay past midday. The nearest reliable shop and ATM are in Vrbnik, 4 km south. The surrounding area is agricultural — small olive groves, vineyards growing the Žlahtina grape (Vrbnik's distinctive white wine), and pasture for the sheep that produce Krk's aged cheese. After a morning at the beach, the natural pairing is to drive 4 km south to Vrbnik for lunch at one of the cliff-top konobas and a Žlahtina cellar tasting in the surrounding valleys. Several producers run informal tours by appointment. St. Marek is the right beach for families with very young children (sandy entry, calm water, manageable crowds), travellers prioritising water clarity over amenities, and anyone exploring eastern Krk's wine country who wants a swim built into the day. It's not the right beach for a long resort-style day with rentals and beach bars — for that, the Vrbnik area's main beach Zgribnica is a 4-km drive south. Season and timing matter on this stretch of coast: the small kiosk and shower facilities operate on the campsite calendar (May to mid-September); outside that window the beach is technically still public but everything is closed. June and September offer the most reliable balance of warm sea (22–24°C), pleasant air temperatures, and minimal crowds — even in mid-August the parking lot at St. Marek rarely fills as quickly as the busier western-coast beaches. Several small apartments and B&Bs in Vrbnik and Risika cater specifically to repeat visitors who return for the wine-and-quiet-beach combination year after year. ## Quick facts - **Length**: 130 m × 18 m - **Surface**: sand - **Beach type**: Sandy - **Blue Flag**: No - **Dogs**: Not permitted - **Wheelchair access**: No - **Parking**: Yes ## How to get there - By car - By bike - On foot From Vrbnik, take the local road north towards Risika. After about 4 km, look for a small signposted turn marked 'Sv. Marek' or 'Plaža'. The road descends to a free gravel parking area about 100 metres from the beach. The lot fits maybe 20 cars and fills by 11:00 in peak summer. From Krk Town allow 25 minutes; from Baška about 30 minutes. There is no public bus service to this stretch. ## Beach policies ### Dogs Dogs are not permitted on this beach. ### Naturism This is not a naturist beach. ## Tips for visiting - The kiosk's opening hours are unpredictable — bring your own water and snacks. - Mornings are sunniest; the surrounding pine-clad hill puts the beach in shade by late afternoon. - Excellent for very young children thanks to the shallow sandy entry. - The chapel of St. Mark above the beach is worth a 5-minute walk for the views over the bay and channel. - Closest fuel and ATM are in Vrbnik (4 km). - Combine a morning swim with lunch in Vrbnik old town and a Žlahtina cellar tasting in the afternoon. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is St. Marek really a sandy beach? Yes — fine sand on the shoreline and a sandy seabed extending 30+ metres before reaching swimming depth. Sandy beaches are rare on Krk (most of the coast is pebble or rocky), which is part of what draws visitors here. ### Is parking available at St. Marek? Yes, free gravel parking is about 100 metres from the beach. The lot is small (around 20 cars) and fills by 11:00 in peak summer; arrive earlier or be prepared to park further along the road. ### Are dogs allowed at St. Marek? There's no formal restriction posted, but the beach is not designated as dog-friendly. Use the dedicated dog beaches at Kijac (Njivice) or Redagara (Krk Town) to avoid friction with other visitors. ### Is the kiosk at St. Marek reliable? No — it opens at the owner's discretion in summer. Bring your own water and snacks; the nearest reliable shop is in Vrbnik (4 km). For lunch, drive into Vrbnik and try one of the cliff-top konobas. ### What can I combine with a St. Marek beach visit? The natural pairing is Vrbnik old town (4 km south) for medieval streets, the Glagolitic museum, and lunch at a clifftop konoba; followed by a Žlahtina white wine cellar tasting in the surrounding valleys. Several Vrbnik producers run informal tours on advance booking. ## Location - Coordinates: 45.105445, 14.664779 ([open in maps](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=45.105445&mlon=14.664779&zoom=16)) - Size: 130 m × 18 m - Area: Vrbnik ## Plan your visit Combine your beach day with: - [Things to do in Vrbnik](https://www.madeinkrk.com/en/experiences?village=vrbnik) - [Local makers in Vrbnik](https://www.madeinkrk.com/en/providers?village=vrbnik) - [Explore Vrbnik](https://www.madeinkrk.com/en/village/2) ## Related - [All beaches on Krk](https://www.madeinkrk.com/en/beaches) - [Water activities](https://www.madeinkrk.com/en/water-activities) - [Villages of Krk](https://www.madeinkrk.com/en/villages) --- **Canonical URL:** https://www.madeinkrk.com/en/beaches/sveti-marek-vrbnik **Markdown URL:** https://www.madeinkrk.com/en/beaches/sveti-marek-vrbnik.md **[Made in Krk](https://www.madeinkrk.com/en) — local products, experiences, and guides for Krk island, Croatia.**