Donkeys make Kvarner feel close up. At the Šmrika Donkey Farm, you can enjoy kid-friendly donkey rides and no-fence feeding and grooming, plus a special carriage drive that feels made for photos. The farm also turns a simple animal visit into hands-on learning about Croatian donkeys and the health talk around donkey milk.

I like that this is real family time, not just a walk past fences. You’ll spend time with donkeys, other indigenous animals, and a playground while getting views over Kvarner Bay, and the guide (often the owner) keeps it friendly in English, German, or Croatian. One catch: the kids’ donkey riding is only in two rounds, so if your child wants a longer go, it may feel a bit short.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Kids can ride donkeys (up to 35 kg), twice for a proper taste of the experience
• A donkey-pulled carriage drive around the yard, built for adults and kids
• Up-close grooming and feeding with no fences in between
• Conservation focus on littoral Dinaric donkeys, plus why Croatian donkeys face pressure
• Kvarner Bay panoramic views from the farm while your kids burn energy on the playground
• Family-friendly farm tour that includes milk info and other indigenous animals

Šmrika Donkey Farm: the real reason families stop here

If you’re traveling around Rijeka, Krk, or Crikvenica, you’ll quickly notice that kid-friendly attractions are often either big and loud or sort of staged. This place is different. Šmrika’s donkey farm is built around interaction: touch, feed, groom, and learn in a small, calm setting.

What makes it special is that the donkeys are central, not background decoration. You’ll lead a donkey on a leash to see if that stubborn-donkey stereotype is true for yourself, and you’ll even try a donkey-pulled carriage drive in the yard. That combination—hands-on animal time plus guided explanations—works well for families with different ages.

And yes, the views matter. From the farm you get a panoramic look over the Kvarner Bay area, so even while kids play, adults aren’t just standing in a parking lot.

Getting there from Rijeka/Krk: follow the Križišće turnoff

Driving is straightforward, as long as you follow the signage and gravel track directions. If you’re coming from Rijeka or Krk, take the Križišće exit from the expressway. At the roundabout, stay on the road toward the Križišće exit, then in the center of Križišće turn right toward Crikvenica / Split.

After about 300 m, take the first right at the sign for Kartodrom Bura. Then go 50 m and take the first left toward the Villa Suzi sign onto a short gravel stretch. Stay left, go through the gate, and head downhill to the parking area. The last line is simple: you’ll drive through to the farm yard and arrive.

If you’re coming from Senj / Novi Vinodolski / Crikvenica, the directions also work well. After Jadranovo, turn right toward Križišće, continue until you see the sign for the end of Šmrika, then look for the Kartodrom Bura sign area. From there, you’ll turn left and then follow the gravel path toward Villa Suzi, stay left, and drive downhill through the gate into the yard.

Good tip: wear sports shoes. The approach includes a short gravel section, and you’ll be walking on farm ground.

Your first minutes: how the visit starts and how groups work

This is a guided farm experience run by Donkey Tours Croatia (Farma magaraca). The tour includes a live guide who speaks Croatian, English, and German, so you’re not stuck with a one-language-only setup.

The flow is pretty natural. You start with the basics: how to be around donkeys, how feeding and grooming work, and what you’ll do next (rides and cart drive). The guides keep the explanations tied to what you’re doing, so kids aren’t just waiting while adults listen.

Because the farm does not open in bad conditions like rain or strong wind expected, you’ll want to check local weather before you commit. If the forecast looks rough, it’s better to plan a flexible day around it.

Kid donkey rides (up to 35 kg): gentle fun with real handling

The headline activity for most families is the donkey ride for kids. It’s designed for children up to 35 kg, and you get two rounds. This matters because it turns a quick photo stop into something that feels like an actual activity, not a one-and-done moment.

What I appreciate is that the experience doesn’t pretend donkeys are robotic. You’ll also get to lead a donkey on a leash, which is a fun way to see how donkeys respond when you’re the one guiding. Donkeys do have their own opinions, so it’s not the kind of ride where everything feels fully automated.

If you’re traveling with a toddler or younger kid, this type of interaction is often easier emotionally than big amusement rides. The animals set the pace, and the guide helps you understand what’s safe and appropriate.

And here’s a detail that shows how personal visits can be: one review mentioned meeting a month-old baby donkey named Bruno. Timing matters, but if your visit lines up, you might get that extra “aww” moment when the newest little donkey is part of the day.

The special carriage drive: a rare donkey cart moment in Croatia

Adults and kids can also take part in the cart drive in the yard, again in two rounds. This is the activity that tends to surprise people because it’s not something you see at every donkey farm.

The farm describes this donkey-drawn carriage drive as the only one of its kind in Croatia. Even if you don’t care about that label, the practical value is obvious: you get a proper “riding in a cart behind a donkey” experience without committing to a longer outdoor ride.

It’s also photo-friendly. You’ll be close to the action in the yard, and you get the visual payoff of donkeys in motion without having to manage a complicated route.

If you’re traveling with mixed ages—like grandparents who don’t want a long walk but still want to do something—this cart drive is usually the best compromise.

Feeding and grooming: why no fences feels different

This is one of the biggest reasons families like this farm. Feeding and grooming happen with direct interaction—no fences in between—so kids aren’t just looking at animals from a distance. You learn how to approach calmly, how to groom, and how feeding works safely.

That matters because it changes the whole tone of the visit. Animals feel more like living farm partners than attractions. Donkeys also tend to stay relaxed when you’re not rushing them.

I also like the honesty in the teaching. When the guide talks about how to lead on a leash and explains what to expect, it’s not overly dramatic. You just learn quickly: approach, be patient, and let the donkey decide a little.

If you’re worried about mess or slobbery pictures, plan for some farm-level inevitability. It’s a working donkey environment, not a museum.

The educational walk: pastures, ancient water reservoirs, and farm life

After the hands-on animal time, you’ll shift into a guided educational walk. This isn’t just a lecture on a bench. The tour takes you through areas of the property, including pastures, ancient water reservoirs, and a green area with a garden.

Along the way, you’ll get information about donkeys in real life: their diet, breeding, and how this small farm contributes to the survival of littoral Dinaric donkeys. The farm places that donkey story inside a protected and endangered domestic animal conservation context, which helps you understand why the animals here matter beyond this single stop.

You also learn about health and food: the farm explains the process of producing donkey milk and why they say it’s excellent for boosting immunity. It’s a topic most kids find interesting because it sounds unusual, and it gives adults a concrete reason to care beyond cuteness.

The farm also includes other indigenous domestic animals, such as the Hrvatica hen and the Croatian shepherd. That adds variety to the visit and helps keep attention when you’re moving from donkey to donkey.

Donkey milk talk and what to expect (without the hype)

Donkey milk information is part of the guided content, but it’s presented through the farm’s everyday role. You’re not just hearing a health slogan. You’re hearing how milk production works and why the farm connects milk and donkey care to broader well-being.

For parents, this is a useful kind of learning. Kids hear a strange animal fact (milk from donkeys), then they see donkeys up close, so it feels connected rather than random trivia.

If your family is very skeptical about health claims, keep it simple: treat it as an educational farm topic, not a medical promise. The value here is understanding the farm’s mission and how donkey care ties to conservation and daily animal management.

Kvarner Bay views plus playground time: letting the day breathe

One reason this donkey stop works so well is the pacing. You get active moments (rides and cart drive), calm moments (feeding and grooming), then breaks built into the visit.

The farm offers panoramic views of Kvarner Bay, so adults can enjoy the scenery while kids switch modes. The property also includes a playground, plus benches and tables, so you’re not stuck standing the entire time.

This combo is practical for families. Kids can burn energy after a quiet animal moment. Adults get a chance to reset without turning the day into a workout.

From what’s described, the time feels balanced: it’s not only animals, but it also isn’t a long walk with heavy stops. The day is designed to keep families engaged without dragging.

Price and value: $10 for a lot of hands-on time

At about $10 per person, this experience sits in the budget-friendly zone for Croatia, especially considering what you actually do. The visit includes:

• donkey ride for kids (up to 35 kg), two rounds
• cart drive in the yard for adults and kids, two rounds
• feeding and grooming
• educational farm tour content on breeding and care
• info on donkey milk and why it’s considered healthy
• info on why Croatian donkeys are endangered
• playground access, benches, and tables

Food and drinks are not included, so plan to bring snacks if you think you’ll want them. The farm provides a place to sit, but you’ll handle your own refreshments.

For value, the key point is the amount of direct interaction. You’re not paying mainly for the animals to be visible; you’re paying for the experience of getting close and doing things safely with guidance.

Who this is best for (and who might want to skip it)

This is ideal for:

• families with children who love animals and want actual participation
• parents who prefer small, guided experiences over big theme parks
• visitors in the Rijeka–Krk–Crikvenica area who want a half-day-style plan that feels personal
• anyone curious about conservation and why local donkey breeds matter

It might be less ideal if:

• you’re expecting a long donkey ride adventure beyond the yard and rounds provided
• your trip day is at risk of rain or strong wind, since the farm won’t open when rough weather is expected
• you’re traveling with pets (pets are not allowed)

Should you book the Šmrika Donkey Farm?

If your family likes hands-on animal time, I think you’ll enjoy this one. The strongest reasons to book are the no-fence feeding and grooming, the kid donkey rides, and the unusual donkey carriage drive that keeps the day fun for adults too.

Book it with the mindset of a farm day: shoes on, patience ready, and a willingness to let donkeys set a bit of the rhythm. If you want longer riding time, plan for the fact that the kids’ donkey ride comes in two rounds and can feel short for the most ambitious little riders.

If your schedule is flexible around weather, and you’re in the Kvarner orbit, this is an easy yes.

FAQ

What does the donkey farm visit include?

The visit includes donkey rides for kids (up to 35 kg, two rounds), a cart drive in the yard (two rounds) for adults and kids, feeding and grooming, and a guided educational farm tour. It also includes information about donkey breeding and care, donkey milk benefits, why Croatian donkeys are endangered, plus use of the playground, benches, and tables.

Are there weight limits for the donkey ride?

Yes. The donkey ride is for children up to 35 kg.

Do adults get to ride too?

Adults can participate in the cart drive in the yard (two rounds). The donkey ride described is specifically for kids.

What languages is the tour offered in?

The live guide offers tours in Croatian, English, and German.

What should I bring?

Wear sports shoes.

Is food or drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Will the farm open in bad weather?

No. The farm does not open when rain or strong wind conditions are expected.

Are pets allowed?

No. Pets are not allowed.