Rijeka is the third large Croatian city after Zagreb city and Split city; it lies in the Kvarner Gulf, where the Rechina River joins the Adriatic Sea.
Rijeka is a famous port and tourist centre of Croatia.
Besides, Rijeka attracts holyday-makers by its variety of landmarked buildings that date back to different centuries, by picturesque comfortable pedestrian zones, by parks, and a well-tended beach.
History of Rijeka
Throughout its history, Rijeka has been under the Roman, Venetian, Austrian, French, and Croatian rule.
Rijeka was first mentioned in chronicles in the 13th century. It was founded on the site of the antique settlement named Tarsatica. The name of Rijeka originates from the word meaning “river”; the town was named after the mountain river called Rechina, and it now lies in its mouth.
In 1466, Rijeka became part of the Habsburg Empire, which caused numerous military clashes and fights for the territory with Venice; as a result, the town suffered severe destruction and was almost completely demolished.
In 1848, the Hungarian lord Josip Jelashic became its governor.
Sightseeing in Rijeka
Rijeka’s historical centre and the pedestrian Crozo Street begin at the foot of the Town Tower with the ancient clock. The Tower’s walls are decorated with portraits of Austria’s great emperors, Charles VI and Leopold I. The Tower, constructed in the 13th century, is Rijeka’s symbol and a source of pride for the residents.
Rijeka’s old centre is carved through by a net of cozy winding little streets that impress you by variety of architectural styles and massive greenery. Rijeka’s main landmark is the gate called Stari Vrata built in the Classical times.
Another famous and beloved site is Rijeka’s Trsat Castle built in the 13th century on a hill 139m high. The total of 538 steps lead you to the top of the Castle Hill that offers a broad and breathtaking view over the port and resort town of Rijeka.
The synthesis of architectural styles in Rijeka was stipulated by the region’s history and its transition from one rule to another, with their multiple influences.
Among Rijeka’s most ancient buildings is St. Hieronymus gothic Church constructed in 1315, St.Vidus Church built in 1638, St.Sebastian Church built in 1291, Virgin Mary Ascension Church of 1442, St.Nicholas orthodox Church of 1790, Our Lady of Lourdes new Capuchin Church built in 1904, and Rijeka’s Synagogue constructed in 1930.
Rijeka’s architectural sites of special interest include the Municipality Palace, the Palace of Justice (1904), the Governor’s Palace, the Modello Palace (1885), the Comuna Palazzo Palace (1532), the State Archive (1892), the Ploechovih Palace (1888), the Railroad Management Palace (1911), the ex-Sugar factory Palace (1782), the Museum of Modern Art, the Academy Theatre (1883), the Marine Museum and City Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the University Library (1887). When in Rijeka, seeing the Yadran Palace (1897) is a must.
The town’s winding streets are paved with stone, framed by greenery, and decorated with many flowers. The amazing local market is loved and frequented by Rijeka’s residents and guests.
Rijeka welcomes its guests in hotels, hostels, villas and private apartments in Rijeka city, with a wide range of facilities and prices. The most luxurious hotel and Rijeka’s symbol is Hotel Continental 3* of Rijeka, located in the building constructed in 1881.
The famous city of Zadar, with all its sites and nature parks, lies just within 20 minutes’ drive from Rijeka.
Visitors to Rijeka can enjoy free Wi-Fi in the city centre.
Video about Rijeka
Carnival in Rijeka
Rijeka’s carnival is a colourful public event that takes place in its streets and squares.
Rijeka carnival is the favourite event anticipated by the town residents, who prepare for it throughout the year. The carnival traditionally attracts many tourists.
Rijeka’s carnival dates back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. European carnival traditions and Croatian Slavonic roots have merged in this unique festival.
Video about Carnival in Rijeka
International yacht regatta Fiumanka in Rijeka
The famous yacht regatta Fiumanka is to be held for the 15th time in 12-14 June, 2014.
Beaches in Kvarner bay Croatia
The Kvarner beaches are also picturesque and various, there are sandy, small-pebbled and rocks beaches.
The most popular beach of Kvarner bay is Paradise beach on Rab island.
Kvarner region include beaches resorts and islands
- beaches in Opatija
- beaches in Crikvenica & Novi Vinodolski resorts
- beaches in Rijeka
- beaches on Krk & Rab islands
Hotels in Rijeka
Hotel Grand Hotel Bonavia 4* Rijeka
VERY GOOD rating 8.3 / 10
Review score based on 220 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: some min walk
Distance to center of Rijeka: in center
Distance to airport Rijeka: 25 km
Add: elegantly furnished interiors, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, restaurant, caffe, Fitness & Wellness Centre
Cost room 2 per: from 114 euro
Hotel Best Western Hotel Jadran 4* Rijeka
VERY GOOD rating 8.3 / 10
Review score based on 407 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: seafront
Distance to center of Rijeka: 1 km
Distance to airport Rijeka: 25 km
Add: simply decorated accommodation mostly with a balcony and views of the Kvarner Bay, free Wi-Fi, restaurant is separated from the sea only by glass walls
Cost room 2 per: from 90 euro
Botel Marina Rijeka
VERY GOOD rating 8.4 / 10
Review score based on 613 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: 2 km
Distance to center of Rijeka: 150 m
Distance to airport Rijeka: 30 km
Add: the Marina was completely renovated in 2013 when it was transformed into a botel, situated on a ship permanently moored to the pier in the centre of Rijeka, modernly furnished rooms, free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant serves Mediterranean and Croatian specialities, 24-hour front desk, kid’s club, lounge bar, on the fourth is deck for guests relax in the sun and the breeze, 400 m from the Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Littoral, 500 m from the Croatian National Theatre Ivan Zajc, 1,4 km from Trsat Castle
Cost rent room for 2 per: from 57 euro
➝ more Hotels & hostels in Rijeka
Private apartments in Rijeka
Apartment Armada 3* Rijeka
EXCEPTIONAL rating 9.8 / 10
Review score based on 6 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: 300 m
Distance to center of Rijeka: 5,7 km
Distance to airport Rijeka: 31 km
Add: located in Rijeka, free Wi-Fi, apartment has a balcony, seating area, cable TV, fully equipped kitchen, private bathroom with a hairdryer and free toiletries, free parking, garden and terrace, can enjoy sea views
Cost rent apartment for 5 per: 52 euro
Apartments Cosy and Comfortably 3* Rijeka
SUPERB rating 9.1 / 10
Review score based on 10 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: 10 min walk
Distance to center of Rijeka: 5 min walk
Distance to airport Rijeka: 30 km
Add: located in Rijeka, air-conditioned apartments, free Wi-Fi, each apartment have living area, TV, equipped kitchen, microwave, bathtub, hairdryer, washing machine, free toiletries, free parking, famouse Trsat Castle is 6,5 km away
Cost rent apartment for 2 per: 53 euro
Rooms Marija 3* Rijeka
SUPERB rating 9.0 / 10
Review score based on 78 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: 300 m
Distance to center of Rijeka: 8 km
Distance to airport Rijeka: 30 km
Add: surrounded with a lush garden, panoramic sea views, free Wi-Fi, each room have TV, air conditioning, hairdryer, garden view from the room, shared kitchen, shared lounge, communal pools, the Kantrida Stadium is 3,5 km, free parking
Cost rent room for 2 per: 50 euro
➝ more Private apartments in Rijeka
Get to Rijeka
Rijeka is a trade and transport centre of Croatia. The town can be reached by any means of transportation as Rijeka is located at the traverse of marine and land routes. Rijeka has had perfect transport linkage with Italy and Austria for centuries.
Get to Rijeka by plane
The nearest international airport to Rijeka is airport in Pula city.
Distance to airport Pula from Rijeka – 103 km
Distance to airport city of Zagreb from Rijeka – 185 km
The nearest domestic airport to Rijeka is airport on Krk island.
Airport of Krk isle – Omisalj – is in 30 km from Rijeka.
The island of Krk is connected to the mainland by a road bridge. The bridge is open all year round.
Also You can rent a car in international airport of Pula or Zagreb and get to Rijeka by car
Rent a car in Zagreb airport
Get to Rijeka by train
Built in the 1845 railway connected Rijeka to Budapest.
Railway traffic connects Rijeka with – Ljubljana, Vienna, Munich.
Аddress Rijeka railway station – Trg kralja Tomislava 1, 51000, Rijeka
Phone Rijeka railway station +385 51 335 381
Croatian railway website with the train schedules travelling around Croatia, with the possibility of booking a ticket online www.hzpp.hr
Get to Rijeka by ferry
Ferries and catamaran ships travel from the ferry port of Rijeka city to islands of Kvarner bay.
Timetable catamaran Rijeka city – Rab island – Pag island
Timetable catamaran Rijeka city – Cres island – Mali Losinj island
You can buy the ticket on catamaran from Rijeka city to Cres island&Mali Losinj island online on web www.jadrolinija.hr
Get to Rijeka by bus
Rijeka is connected by bus routes
- to all major cities of Croatia – Crikvenica, Novi Vinodolski, Porec, Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, the capital of Croatia Zagreb;
- to Plitvice lakes national park;
- to foreign European cities – Trieste (Italy), Ljubljana (Slovenia), Vienna (Austria), Belgrade (Serbia)
Аddress Rijeka bus station – Trg Zabica 1 HR-51000 Rijeka
Phone Rijeka bus station +385 51 660 300
Official web of Croatian bus traffic www.autobusni-kolodvor.com
Get to Rijeka by car
Rijeka is conveniently located near motorways which connect Zagreb and Pula, Zadar and Triest (Italy).
Motorways connect Rijeka with all cities and regions of Croatia and Europa.
Rijeka can be reached by the free motorway Jadranska (E65), which goes along all of Croatia’s coastline, or the paid highway (A1).
Distance from Rijeka to cities of Croatia
Distance from Rijeka to Zagreb city – 166 km
Distance from Rijeka to Kvarner and Istria cities:
to Krk city of Krk island – 50 km; to Opatija city – 13 km; to Crikvenica city – 34 km; to Novi Vinodolski – 42 km; to Porec city – 90 km; to Umag city – 100 km; to Pula city – 108 km
Distance from Rijeka to Croatian cities:
to Zadar city – 237 km; to Sibenik city – 291 km; to Split city – 361 km; to Makarska resort – 411 km; to Dubrobnik city – 550 km
Distance from Rijeka to Europian cities:
to Triest, Italy – 75 km; до Ljubljana, Slovenia – 114 km; to Venice, Italy – 232 km; to Milan, Italy – 488 km; to Vienna, Austria – 495 km; to Munich, Germany – 514 km; to Bratislava, Slovakia – 562 km
Map of Rijeka Croatia
Weather in Rijeka
Average monthly temperatures in Rijeka
January +8 С
February +9 С
March +12 С
April +16 С
May +21 С
June +25 С
July +27 С
August +28 С
September +23 С
October +19 С
November +13 С
December +10 С
Average monthly water temperatures in Rijeka
January +9 С
February +11 С
March +14 С
April +15 С
May +19 С
June +22 С
July +24 С
August +25 С
September +22 С
October +18 С
November +13 С
December +10 С
On this page used photos from website of www.kvarner.hr