BASIC INFORMATION AND LOCATION

The city of Rijeka is the center of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County with about 130,000 inhabitants. It is located at the mouth of the Rječina River into the Rijeka Bay in the northern Adriatic and is the third largest city in Croatia and the largest Croatian port. Rijeka is very well connected by road and can be reached from three main land routes. There is also a railway station in Rijeka, which opens up the possibility of traveling by train. In addition to land, Rijeka can be reached using sea and air transport. The ship terminal is located in the city center and the regular maritime transport of the company Jadrolinija connects Rijeka with the rest of the Croatian coast. Rijeka Airport, located on the island of Krk (30 km from Rijeka), connects the city with various cities in Croatia and abroad.

CULTURE, HISTORY AND ATTRACTIONS

The oldest historical sources related to the city of Rijeka date back to prehistoric times. From the period of Roman rule until the arrival of the Slavs, the area around the city of Rijeka was increasingly populated (the settlement of Tarsatica), while during the Middle Ages a new settlement called Flumen Sancti Viti (River of St. Vitus) developed. During the Middle Ages, Rijeka was influenced by various noble families and its transformation into a modern industrial city began in the 18th and reached its peak in the 19th century when Rijeka came under Hungarian rule. During the turbulent 20th century, Rijeka was a separate territory that came under Italian rule in the interwar period until the end of World War II. The most famous part of Rijeka is the Korzo, which is the main city promenade. While walking through the center of the Korzo, you can immediately notice the city tower with a sculpture of a double-headed eagle and the city coat of arms that dates back to 1659. Nearby is the Cathedral of St. Vitus, which also dates back to the mid-17th century, and the nearby building of the Croatian National Theatre "Ivan pl. Zajc" from the 19th century. Over the centuries, various cultural influences have changed in Rijeka, and therefore there is much to learn when visiting Rijeka's museums. Rijeka has two historical museums - the Rijeka City Museum and the Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Littoral located in the Governor's Palace. In addition to the aforementioned, Rijeka also has the Rijeka Natural History Museum and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Among the sights, the Torpedo factory stands out, where the first torpedo in the world was produced. A historical site located outside the center of Rijeka is Trsat Castle, one of the oldest fortifications, or castles, on the Croatian Littoral. Trsat Castle offers a beautiful view of Rijeka, and in its immediate vicinity is the Church of Our Lady of Trsat, a famous Marian shrine.

BEACHES

The offer of Rijeka's beaches is extremely rich as they are located in the western and eastern parts of the city. The eastern part is adorned with Pećine, which is located a few minutes from the city center and consists of eight beaches. In the western part, Kantrida offers a choice of five beaches, and the sports facility Bazeni Kantrida in the immediate vicinity of the beach offers relaxation for those who prefer to enjoy swimming pools. From Bivije to Preluk, a whole series of beaches stretches along a beautiful promenade. There is a variety of catering facilities on all Rijeka's beaches, and all beaches can be reached by city bus lines. All beaches are just a few minutes away from bus stops, and when arriving by car, free parking is easy to find. Animal lovers will also come to their senses because Rijeka has dog beaches Brajdica (Pećine) and Kantrida, where owners can enjoy themselves with their pets.

OTHER CONTENT

Rijeka offers a large number of restaurants, bars, cafes and other catering establishments, which are mostly located near the city center. When walking along the Korzo, it is possible to notice a whole series of popular cafes such as Boa, Fiorello pub, Corso or Filodrammatica. If you go to the waterfront, there is another series of great cafes and restaurants, some of which are even located on boats and represent a kind of attraction. The same applies to the offer of restaurants, which are indeed many and offer an excellent range of Mediterranean cuisine and local specialties. Rijeka is also famous for its nightlife and everyone can find an ideal place to go out. Karolina, Pommery, Phanas, River pub, Tunel or Život are just some of the bars and clubs that will provide excellent entertainment. A variety of content and shopping opportunities are provided by the Tower Center and ZTC, large multi-story shopping centers. The trademark of Rijeka is the famous Rijeka Carnival, which is held every year in February and is the third largest carnival in the world with more than 10,000 participants.

SPORT

Rijeka's sports offer is specific because the city is located by the sea, but it also offers some additional facilities as the Platak ski resort and Mount Učka are nearby. Platak is a great sports and recreational place where the Mediterranean and mountain climates blend. On Platak, you can ski, sled, snowboard or just enjoy a mountain lodge, which can be reached by car or bus in less than half an hour. Učka Nature Park also offers a variety of sports and recreational facilities along with a stay in beautiful nature. All of Rijeka's beaches have sports facilities that meet the needs of visitors, and those looking for a more active vacation will find an extensive network of bicycle paths that stretches for almost 100 kilometers. The Kantrida Swimming Pools facility will offer pool lovers a variety of facilities. There are a large number of fitness centers in Rijeka, and almost all of them are near the center, and the sports centers on Zamet and Trsat can be quickly reached by car or bus.

WHAT TO DO AND EXCURSION POSSIBILITY

Since the concentration of cultural and entertainment content and catering offers is very well represented in the city center, a tour of Rijeka can be done very thoroughly without wasting unnecessary time. In the city you can find travel agencies that offer various arrangements, while in the very center of the Korzo there is a Tourist Information Center that provides various information about guided tours of the city or the very popular tourist bus. Places to visit outside the city center are certainly Trsat Castle and the Church of Our Lady of Trsat. Those who want to enjoy nature and fresh air can certainly go to Platak or Učka. The ship terminal in the city center offers the option of traveling by boat and visiting our islands located in the Kvarner Bay.

ACCOMMODATION

Rijeka, like other facilities, also offers accommodation services in the city center. The famous Rijeka hotels Continental, Neboder and Grand Hotel Bonavia are located near the city center, while the Jadran Hotel is located in Pećine, right on the seashore. The offer of hostels is also large and a good number of them are very easily accessible and are located a few minutes from the city center. Perhaps the most attractive hostel for tourists is Botel Marina, the first Croatian boat-hotel located right on the waterfront.