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

Donkeys make a Kvarner day unexpectedly memorable. At this small farm near Šmrika, you can let children ride gentle donkeys, help feed and brush them, and learn why the local littoral Dinaric donkey needs protection. I especially like the hands-on contact, with no fence between you and the animals, and the wide Kvarner Bay view while children play nearby.

Adults are not left on the sidelines. You can lead a donkey, try two rounds in a small carriage, and hear about donkey milk, breeding, food, and care from a guide in Croatian, English, or German. The main caution is that the riding time is limited, and the farm closes in rain or strong wind, so it works best as a planned family stop rather than a casual drop-in.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Children can ride twice: The donkey ride is for children up to 35 kilograms, with two rounds included.
• Adults get a turn too: The small cart can be driven around the yard by both adults and children, also for two rounds.
• The contact is hands-on: Feeding, grooming, touching, and leading the donkeys are part of the visit.
• The view is a real bonus: The farm looks across the Kvarner Bay, giving parents a pleasant place to sit while children play.
• It is more than an animal photo stop: You learn about breeding, donkey milk, endangered Croatian donkeys, gardens, water reservoirs, and other local animals.
• Weather matters: Rain or strong wind can close the farm, and sports shoes are the sensible choice.

A Small Farm Above Kvarner Bay

The Donkey Tours Croatia farm is in Šmrika, a useful stop between Rijeka, Crikvenica, Novi Vinodolski, and the Krk area. It is not a grand attraction with rows of exhibits. That is part of its appeal. You arrive at a working family farm where the main event is meeting the animals at close range.

I like the setting because it gives you two kinds of entertainment at once. Children get movement and animal contact, while adults can sit at tables or benches and take in the view over Kvarner. A playground adds another layer for younger children who need a break from the guided activities.

The farm is described as the only nearby donkey farm where children can ride. It also offers a small carriage experience promoted as the only one of its kind in Croatia. Those claims make the stop unusual, but the real value comes from how much of the visit is active. You are not simply looking at donkeys from behind a barrier.

The price is listed at $10 per person. For a family, that is a modest charge for a guided visit that includes rides, carriage rounds, feeding, grooming, an educational walk, and playground use. Food and drinks are not included, so bring your own expectations: this is an activity stop, not a farm restaurant.

Meeting the Donkeys Up Close

The visit begins with an introduction to the donkeys and the farm. You learn how the animals are fed, cared for, and bred, along with the basic facts that help explain their behavior. One enjoyable part is leading a donkey on a leash, which gives you a chance to test the old idea that donkeys are stubborn.

That activity is useful because it turns a familiar saying into a small practical lesson. A donkey may pause, assess what is happening, or simply prefer its own pace. You get a better sense of the animal when you are standing beside it rather than watching from a distance.

Feeding and grooming are included. Children can touch the donkeys, brush them, and help offer food under the guide’s direction. This is likely to be the most memorable part for younger visitors, since it gives them a simple job and a direct connection with the animals.

The farm also has a young donkey named Bruno, who was about one month old during a recent visit. If he is still present when you go, seeing a very young donkey may be a special moment, though animal availability and ages naturally change.

The farm’s gentle approach suits children who may be nervous around large animals. At the same time, you should stay close and follow the guide’s instructions. Feeding and grooming are supervised activities, not a free-for-all.

Two Donkey Rides for Children Up to 35 Kilograms

Children up to 35 kilograms can ride a donkey for two rounds. That limit matters, especially if you are planning the stop around several children of different ages and sizes. Older or heavier children may enjoy the carriage activity instead, but the included riding provision is specifically for children within the stated weight limit.

The rides are designed as a short introduction, not a long trail ride through the countryside. One past comment found the riding a little brief, so I would set expectations carefully. Your child gets the excitement of sitting on a donkey and making two rounds, but this is not an hour-long riding excursion.

That short format has advantages. It keeps the activity manageable for the animals and gives several children a chance to participate. It also leaves time for brushing, feeding, the farm walk, and the carriage.

If your child dreams of a long horseback-style outing, this may feel too short. If your family wants a gentle first animal ride with plenty of other things to do, the balance works better.

Parents should bring sports shoes. The farm includes a yard, a gravel approach, pasture areas, and outdoor activities, so beach sandals or delicate city shoes are not the best match.

The Small Carriage Ride for the Whole Family

The carriage activity is the farm’s unusual extra. Adults and children can try driving a small carriage pulled by a donkey around the yard, with two rounds included.

This is different from the children’s donkey ride. It lets adults take part rather than simply taking pictures from the edge. You can enjoy the slightly comical challenge of guiding a donkey while the family rides along, and it creates an easy photo opportunity without turning the visit into a formal performance.

The carriage drive takes place around the yard, so do not expect a long route beyond the farm. That is a limitation, but also a practical choice. You can try it without committing to a major time block, and the guide can keep the activity controlled.

For many families, this may be the part that makes the $10 price feel especially fair. A parent who has no interest in riding a donkey can still join in. The experience becomes something you share rather than something arranged only for the children.

Learning Why Croatian Donkeys Need Protection

The educational side gives the visit more purpose. The farm works with littoral Dinaric donkeys, a local type included in a conservation program for protected and endangered domestic animals.

You learn why these donkeys are at risk and how a small farm can help keep them part of Croatia’s rural life. This matters because domestic animal breeds can disappear quietly when farming practices change and fewer people keep them. The conversation connects the animals in front of you with a wider question about local food, farming, and heritage.

The guide also explains breeding and everyday care. You hear about what donkeys eat, how they are looked after, and how the farm supports their survival. This information gives children a clear lesson without feeling like a classroom lecture.

Donkey milk is another topic. You learn how it is produced and why it is considered useful for health and immunity. Treat these claims as part of the farm’s educational presentation rather than a reason to buy a medical product. The important point is that donkey keeping includes more than rides and petting.

The farm also introduces you to other indigenous domestic animals, including the Hrvatica hen and the Croatian shepherd. These details widen the visit beyond one species and give you a glimpse of local animal breeds that you might not encounter at a standard city zoo.

The Educational Walk Through the Farm

A guided walk takes you around the wider property. You can see the pastures, old water reservoirs, and a green garden area. The walk helps you understand how the farm functions and why water, grazing space, and animal care all matter.

The ancient water reservoirs are a particularly useful detail. They show that the property is not just a modern play area built around animals. There are older practical features here, and the guide can connect them with life in the region.

The garden adds a quieter change of pace after the rides. If you have children who need to move constantly, the walk may feel less exciting than the donkeys. Still, it gives the visit shape and keeps the stop from being over in a few minutes.

Recent family visits have included time with chickens, the garden, and the playground as well as the donkey activities. That combination is helpful when siblings have different interests. One child may want another brush and feed session, while another prefers the play equipment.

Marco and the Language Options

The farm offers guided visits in Croatian, English, and German. Marco has guided families in German and English, and he is described as friendly and very comfortable speaking English. That matters because the educational side works best when you can ask questions rather than simply watch a demonstration.

The guide’s role is practical. You need someone to explain how to approach the donkeys, help children during the rides, organize the carriage, and make sense of the farm’s conservation work. A warm guide can make the difference between a quick animal encounter and a proper family activity.

The farm is family-run in feel, so do not expect a polished theme-park production. You are visiting a small working place. That means the pace may feel personal and relaxed, but it may also depend on weather, animal routines, and the group present that day.

Views, Benches, and Time to Slow Down

The panoramic view across Kvarner Bay is one of the strongest extras. You can enjoy it while children use the playground, making the farm useful for parents as well as young visitors.

This is not a place where you need to rush from one attraction to the next. Sit on a bench, let the children play, and give the donkeys a little space between activities. The farm’s appeal is its calm rhythm, and the experience is at its best when you allow time for that.

You will not find food or drinks included. Pack water and snacks if your family needs them, though the supplied information does not identify a farm café or meal service. Tables and benches are available, so a simple break is possible if you bring what you need.

The farm does not allow pets. Leave your dog at your accommodation rather than assuming it can wait with you during the visit.

Getting There From Rijeka, Krk, or Crikvenica

From Rijeka or Krk, use the expressway and take the Križišće exit. At the roundabout, follow Križišće, then turn right in the center toward Crikvenica and Split.

After about 300 meters, turn right at the Kartodrom Bura sign. After roughly 50 meters, turn left by the Villa Suzi sign onto a short gravel track. Keep left, go through the gate, and continue downhill to the parking area.

From Senj, Novi Vinodolski, or Crikvenica, pass Jadranovo and take the first right toward Križišće. Continue until after the Šmrika end sign. After a right-hand bend, look for Kartodrom Bura on the left, then turn left.

After about 50 meters, turn left again at the Villa Suzi sign onto the gravel path. Stay left, pass through the gate, and drive downhill into the yard.

These directions include several small turns, so pay attention to the Kartodrom Bura and Villa Suzi signs. The final gravel section is short, but it is another reason to wear sensible footwear and avoid treating the stop like a city-center attraction.

Weather, Booking, and Who Will Enjoy It

The farm does not open when rain or strong wind is expected. Check the conditions before setting out, especially if you are planning around a fixed ferry, beach, or dinner reservation.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. The activity is valid for one month, but you need to check available starting times rather than assuming you can arrive at any hour.

The farm is listed as wheelchair accessible. Even so, the gravel approach and outdoor setting may make exact conditions worth confirming if someone in your group has specific mobility needs.

I would recommend this most strongly to families with younger children, especially those who enjoy animals but do not need a long, demanding excursion. It also suits adults looking for an easy, cheerful activity between coastal stops. Children up to 35 kilograms get the most direct benefit from the riding, while everyone can join the carriage, feeding, grooming, and walk.

Should You Book the Šmrika Donkey Farm?

Book it if you want a low-cost, personal family activity with real animal contact, a good guide, and a beautiful Kvarner view. At $10 per person, the package offers more than a quick photo stop: you get two child riding rounds, two carriage rounds, grooming, feeding, conservation information, a guided farm walk, and playground access.

Skip it if your family expects a long riding tour, a restaurant meal, or a large attraction with a fixed all-day schedule. The donkey rides are short, the carriage stays in the yard, and bad weather can close the farm.

For most families staying around Rijeka, Krk, Crikvenica, or the nearby coast, I see this as a worthwhile half-day-style stop, provided you confirm the time and weather. Go with sports shoes, bring water and snacks, and let the visit unfold at the farm’s gentle pace.

FAQ

Where is the donkey farm located?

The farm is in Šmrika, near Rijeka, Krk, Crikvenica, Novi Vinodolski, and Senj in the Kvarner region of Croatia.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $10 per person.

Can children ride the donkeys?

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

Can adults take part in the carriage ride?

Yes. Adults and children can drive a small carriage pulled by a donkey around the yard for two rounds.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guided visits are available in Croatian, English, and German.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The farm does not open when rain or strong wind is expected. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.