Šmrika (near Rijeka/Krk/Crikvenica) Donkey Farm Family Fun

The star of this family outing is not a grand monument but a group of gentle donkeys that children can touch, feed, brush, lead, and ride. At Donkey Tours Croatia in Šmrika, near Rijeka, you get a close look at littoral Dinaric donkeys and the small farm life that supports them. I especially like the hands-on contact without fences and the broad Kvarner Bay view while children play.

I also like that the visit mixes fun with useful facts about breeding, care, endangered Croatian donkey breeds, and donkey milk. The main limitation is simple: the riding portion is short, with two rounds for children up to 35 kilograms, so older children may find the farm talk and cart ride more rewarding than the saddle time.

Key points to know before you go

• Children ride gentle donkeys: Two riding rounds are included for children weighing up to 35 kilograms.
• Adults can drive a donkey cart: You get two small cart rides around the farmyard, an unusual activity in Croatia.
• Hands-on animal care: Feeding, brushing, touching, and leading a donkey are part of the visit.
• Marco may guide your visit: He speaks Croatian, English, and German, and explains both farm life and donkey care.
• The setting looks across Kvarner Bay: Children have a playground while you enjoy the view from the farm.
• Weather controls the schedule: Rain or strong wind can close the farm, so check before setting out.

Meeting donkeys in Šmrika

This is the sort of outing that works because it is small and direct. You are not watching animals from behind a barrier or rushing through a large attraction. You are standing near them, offering food, brushing their coats, and learning how to place a lead in a calm, sensible way.

I like this setup for families with younger children. The experience gives kids a clear task, and the animals provide a reason to slow down. A child who is shy around animals can begin by watching, then move on to feeding or grooming. A more confident child can try leading a donkey and decide for themselves if donkeys really deserve their reputation for stubbornness.

The farm is in Šmrika, a useful stop if you are based around Rijeka, Crikvenica, Krk, Jadranovo, or Novi Vinodolski. It is not an all-day attraction. Think of it as a focused family visit that adds something local and hands-on to a seaside holiday.

The setting matters, too. The farm has a panoramic view over Kvarner Bay, with a green area, pastures, old water reservoirs, a garden, and space for children to play. The view gives adults a pleasant reason to linger while the younger members of your group stay occupied.

What happens during the visit

The visit combines several short activities rather than one long presentation. That variety keeps the pace moving, especially for children who would not sit through a long talk about animal care.

You begin with an introduction to the donkeys and the farm. The guide explains feeding, breeding, daily care, and the role of Croatian farms in protecting littoral Dinaric donkeys. These animals are included in a conservation program for protected and endangered domestic animals, so the visit has a purpose beyond simple entertainment.

I find this context useful because it changes the way you look at the animals. You are not just meeting a cute farm creature. You are seeing a local breed that needs careful breeding and continued attention if it is to survive.

The guide also explains donkey milk, including how it is produced and why it is considered useful for supporting immunity. Treat this as farm education rather than a medical consultation. The activity provides information about its reported health value, but it is not a substitute for advice from your doctor.

After the introduction, you can feed and groom the donkeys. This is often the most rewarding part for adults as well as children. Brushing gives you a calm way to interact, while feeding helps children understand how to approach an animal carefully instead of simply grabbing at it.

You can also lead a donkey on a leash. This is a small activity, but it gives children a feeling of responsibility. You quickly see that an animal may pause, change direction, or simply have its own ideas. That makes the experience more memorable than a quick photo beside a passive animal.

Two donkey rides for children

Children up to 35 kilograms receive two donkey-riding rounds. This is a clear weight limit, so check it before booking if your child is close to the cutoff.

The rides are a nice touch, but keep your expectations realistic. This is not a long trail ride across the countryside. The rounds take place as part of the farm visit, and the riding time is limited. One family found the riding a little short, which is useful to remember when deciding if the activity matches your child’s main interest.

For a younger child, the short format can be just right. A small rider gets a special moment without spending too long in the saddle. Parents can stay close, take photos, and then move on to grooming, feeding, or the playground.

If your child mainly wants a long riding excursion, this is not the right choice. If your child wants to meet, touch, brush, and ride a donkey, the combination gives better value than riding alone.

The unusual cart ride around the yard

Adults and children can also take two rounds in a small cart pulled by a donkey. This is one of the more distinctive parts of the visit and is described as the only activity of its kind in Croatia.

The cart drive stays around the yard, so do not expect a road excursion or a long countryside route. Its appeal is the novelty. You sit in the carriage, the donkey pulls you at a gentle pace, and the farm provides a relaxed setting for photographs.

I would give this part extra attention if your group includes adults who are not interested in riding. It lets everyone take part, and it is a good shared activity for grandparents, parents, and children. The cart also gives you another way to appreciate how these animals were traditionally used.

Because there are two rounds, you may be able to arrange the activity so different family members get a turn. Exact handling of the rounds is best confirmed with the guide on arrival.

A farm walk beyond the donkeys

The educational walk adds useful variety. You see the pastures, old water reservoirs, the garden, and the green area around the farm. This helps explain the setting in a way that a short animal encounter cannot.

You also meet other indigenous domestic animals, including the Hrvatica hen and the Croatian shepherd. The visit is therefore broader than a donkey display. It introduces you to local domestic breeds and the work involved in maintaining them.

I like this part because it connects the animals to the farm itself. You see where they live, how the land is used, and why water storage and pasture matter. It is a modest farm visit, not a polished theme park, and that is part of its appeal.

The walk may be less exciting for a child who only wants to ride. You can keep the day balanced by treating the walk as a short change of pace between animal activities and playground time.

Why the Kvarner Bay view helps

The view is one of the farm’s best practical features for families. While the children use the playground, adults can sit at the benches and tables and look across Kvarner Bay.

This matters because family activities often require pauses. Someone needs a break, a snack, or a quiet moment after handling animals. The farm provides benches, tables, and playground access, so you are not forced to leave as soon as the animal activities finish.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring your own only if the farm’s current rules allow it, and do not assume there is a café or restaurant on site. The supplied information lists food and drinks as extra, so plan your meal separately.

The view also makes this a pleasant stop before or after time in Rijeka, Crikvenica, or on Krk. You get a change from the coast without giving up the sea panorama.

Is $10 good value?

At $10 per person, I consider this a strong-value family activity if you use the full visit. The price includes the children’s donkey rides, two cart rounds, feeding, grooming, the farm walk, the guide’s explanations, playground use, and information about breeding and donkey milk.

The value is not based on riding time alone. If you pay only for a long ride, the limited rounds may feel brief. If you count the full mix of animal contact, cart driving, education, photographs, and free time at the playground, the price makes more sense.

It is also useful that adults can take part instead of simply supervising. You can groom a donkey, try the cart, listen to the farm story, and enjoy the view. That makes the activity better for a mixed-age group than a children-only ride.

The booking information says the activity is valid for one month, which refers to the booking availability period, not a one-month visit. You should check the available starting times when arranging your day.

Getting to the farm from Rijeka or Krk

If you are coming from Rijeka or Krk on the expressway, take the Križišće exit. At the roundabout, follow the Križišće direction.

In central Križišće, turn right toward Crikvenica and Split. After about 300 meters, turn at the first right by the Kartodrom Bura sign. After another 50 meters, turn left at the Villa Suzi sign onto a short gravel track.

Stay to the left, pass through the gate, and continue downhill to the parking area. The final approach is not a polished city street, so drive carefully and watch for the signs rather than relying only on a map pin.

From Senj, Novi Vinodolski, or Crikvenica, pass Jadranovo and take the first right toward Križišće. Stay on the road until after the Šmrika end sign.

After a right-hand bend, look for Kartodrom Bura on the left. Turn left there, then after about 50 meters turn left onto the gravel path by Villa Suzi. Keep left, pass through the gate, and continue downhill into the yard.

Wear sports shoes. The gravel approach, farmyard, pastures, and walking areas are better suited to practical footwear than sandals or dress shoes.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, but the approach includes a short gravel section and a downhill drive to the yard. If you need detailed information about particular surfaces or assistance, confirm those details before arrival.

Choosing the right day and guide

The farm does not open when rain or strong wind is expected. This is sensible for animal safety and for your comfort, but it means you should not build an inflexible day around the visit during unsettled weather.

Check the conditions before leaving Rijeka, Krk, or Crikvenica. If the forecast looks uncertain, keep another indoor plan available.

Guiding is offered in Croatian, English, and German. Marco has guided visits in German and English, and he can cover the farm’s story, local life, donkey care, and the other animals on the property.

The guide is an important part of the experience because the farm activities are simple by design. Without the explanations, you would still have a pleasant animal visit. With them, you understand why these donkeys matter and how a small farm supports a threatened domestic breed.

Pets are not allowed. Leave your dog at your accommodation rather than assuming it can wait in the yard.

Who will enjoy this farm most?

I would choose this for families with children who are curious about animals and comfortable following simple instructions. It is especially well suited to younger children who want direct contact rather than a large zoo with many exhibits.

It also works for adults who enjoy quiet, local activities. The cart ride, farm walk, donkey-care talk, and Kvarner Bay view give parents and grandparents something to enjoy while children take their turns.

The farm is less suitable if you want a long horseback-style ride, a full-day attraction, or included food. The riding is limited, the cart stays in the yard, and the visit depends on good weather.

Plan roughly around the available starting time rather than treating it as a fixed one-month program. The supplied duration describes booking validity, not how long you remain on the farm. Confirm the actual visit time when you reserve.

Should you book Donkey Tours Croatia?

Book it if you want an inexpensive, personal family stop near Rijeka, Krk, or Crikvenica. The best reasons are the direct contact with gentle donkeys, the unusual cart ride, the conservation story, and the fine Kvarner Bay view.

I would not book it solely for a long donkey ride. The riding rounds are short, and children over 35 kilograms cannot take part in the included rides. In that case, you can still enjoy grooming, feeding, leading, the cart, and the farm walk, but check that those activities fit your group.

At $10 per person, the visit offers plenty for a modest price. Pick a dry, calm day, wear sports shoes, allow time to find the gravel entrance, and let the farm’s slower pace do the rest.

FAQ

Where is Donkey Tours Croatia located?

The farm is in Šmrika, near Rijeka, Krk, Crikvenica, Jadranovo, and Novi Vinodolski. The meeting point is reached through Križišće, using signs for Kartodrom Bura and Villa Suzi.

How much does the donkey farm visit cost?

The listed price is $10 per person.

How long does the visit last?

The activity information says it is valid for one month, which refers to the booking availability period. The exact visit duration is not specified, so check the available starting time when booking.

Can children ride the donkeys?

Yes. Children up to 35 kilograms can ride a donkey for two rounds.

Can adults ride the donkeys?

The included donkey riding is specified for children up to 35 kilograms. Adults and children can take part in two cart rides around the yard.

What activities are included?

The visit includes donkey rides for eligible children, two cart-drive rounds, feeding and grooming, information about breeding and care, information about donkey milk, an educational farm walk, conservation information, playground use, and access to benches and tables.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guiding is available in Croatian, English, and German. Marco has guided visits in German and English.

What should I bring, and are pets allowed?

Bring sports shoes. Pets are not allowed. The farm may close when rain or strong wind is expected.