Punat is a small town situated on the east coast of Puntarska draga (Puntar Bay), on the south coast of the Island of Krk, only 8 km from the Town of Krk. It is believed that the name Punat originates from the Latin word Pons, meaning bridge, because a bridge once possibly existed here, connecting the narrow passage into Puntarska draga from the south. The name itself was first mentioned in written documents in 1377.

The former activities that survived are fishing and sheep breeding, and almost each family is engaged in olive growing. In front of the town, in the central part of the shallow bay, lies the woody islet of Košljun. Punat – once a renowned shipyard for wooden boats and headquarters to a powerful steamship company – is now a popular tourist destination, thanks to the appreciation of the excursion/tourist values of the islet of Košljun and one of the largest and best-equipped tourist marinas on the east coast of the Adriatic.

Punat and Stara Baška are popular for their beautiful beaches situated in the immediate vicinity of the town and only accessible by boat. Punat has its town beach within Puntarska draga (Punat Bay), suitable for children and seniors, with improved access to the sea, shallow water and protective barriers for the bathers. As soon as you leave the bay, you will find gravelly beaches – a landmark of our island.

The beaches are numerous and a bather will always find a spot, while the leisure time can be spent on sporting activities offered on the beach (water sports, beach volley, windsurfing, ski-lift, paragliding, jet ski, aqua park...).

Visitors to Punat arriving by a vessel will find the coves between Punat and Stara Baška interesting for the wonderful secluded gravelly beaches and crystal-clear sea. You can reach them by a taxi boat from the harbor. Peace and quiet prevail in an intact nature. Make sure you try bathing early in the morning when the first rays of sun shine down upon the crystal-clear sea. A truly unique experience!

Only 750 meters from Punat lies the islet of Košljun. It is known for the Franciscan monastery where the monks have collected and preserved numerous valuable items for centuries. The islet has a museum with an ethnographic collection containing numerous items produced by Krk fishermen and farmers, as well as folk costumes from across the Island of Krk. The monastery also has a rich library with around 30,000 titles. The monastery is a zero category monument. There are two churches on the islet – the Church of Blessed Virgin Mary’s Annunciation and the Church of St. Bernard.

The little church of St. Dunat from the 9th century, at the Dunat site ahead of the intersection where you turn for Punat.

The reconstructed little church of St. George from the 13th century at the Mala Krasa site, near the promenade running from Punat toward the Konobe Naturist Camp.