This cosmopolitan coastal city is famous for its annual carnival; Rijeka’s theatres, museums and abundant history make cruises to Rijeka an intriguing destination at any time of the year. Energetic visitors on Rijeka cruises can climb the 500 steps to reach the ancient district of Trsat and the Church of Our Lady of Trsat, the oldest Croatian sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The unique Baroque rotunda of St Vitus Cathedral, dedicated to the port’s Patron Saint and protector, is in the old town. He appears again in a relief on the early 16th century city flagpole outside the Municipal Palace close to the Church of St Jerome, once part of an Augustinian monastery complex. Further stone decorations, this time of fish and molluscs, are found in the city’s Great Market. The main port of Croatia, Rijeka port is also the gateway to the Opatija Riviera, which has long been the country’s most popular holiday destination.
A strange claim to fame is that Rijeka was the birthplace of the torpedo and traces can still be seen of the Torpedo Factory, including the launch ramp where they were first tested in 1866. On the ridge of the Sveti Kriz hill, on the site of a Second World War fortress, is the Astronomical Centre, with an observatory and planetarium. The City Museum is fairly new but has interesting finds from the local area, especially from its maritime history.
Rijeka Shore Excursions
A city that attracts with its beauty and an ideal combination of “the green and the blue”. Rijeka is the main Croatian port and third largest city in Croatia, situated in the northern Adriatic. Tarsatica – Roman settlement on the territory of today’s Old Town was first mentioned in 180 BC after the Roman legions defeated the Illyrian pirates who were native to this region.
We will take a walk to discover places like Theater of Ivan pl. Zajc, the Modello Palace and Rijeka’s marketplace. We will also find the orthodox church of St. Nicolas and then the Korzo – Rijeka’s most famous pedestrian street, where there is always something going on.
The walk continues through the City entrance to the St. Vitus Cathedral, and then lead us from Užarska street to the Leaning tower and it’s church. Later the tour continues to Trsat where we visit the Sanctuary of Trsat and the monastery with city walls that dominates the territory for centuries above the river Rječina. The history of Trsat goes far back into to pre-iliric time in which the first traces of ancient fort came to existence.
- Opatija and Kastav – Pearls of North Adriatic (5 hours)
Visit Opatija, once the stylish holiday destination of the Austrian aristocracy, and Kastav, a picturesque medieval town overlooking Kvarner Bay. Opatija’s elegance and charm still attract travellers from all over, making it an important holiday destination and attraction. A pleasant walk along the promenade will bring you to Viennese-style cake shops and cafes, Liberty-style hotels and views which extend to Rijeka – the capital of Kvarner bay – and to the islands of Krk and Cres.
The Angiolina Park, the Park of St. Jacob with its beautiful collection of 150 types of plants, the most famous one of which is the Japanese Camellia that has become the symbol of Opatija, the famous Girl with a Seagull by sculptor Car and a 12km long coastal walkway called Lungomare that connects the towns and villages located on the Opatija Riviera.
After Opatija the trip continues to Kastav, a 14th century walled town perched on a hill with stunning views over Kvarner bay and the islands. Stroll along the smooth, white stone-paved streets with historical and architectural sites and art galleries.
- KRK island – Golden Island (6 hours)
A journey through time and history. The island of Krk or The Golden Island, as it was called in ancient times, has many unique features and it is a voyage through time across the millennia of rich history. Today the island is a vibrant place offering well-thought-out tourist programs, modern amenities, extensive wine lists and great food made from local produce.
Tour starts at Biserujka Cave which has been discovered over a hundred years ago, when its interior was hiding and arousing interest in the undiscovered secrets and beauty of its calcite ornaments. The present-day maintained and safe paths make the passage through the cave accessible to all, from children to the elderly people. Than we visit island capital town of Krk. Walk through old city center visiting city walls the Frankopan fortress, square Kamplin, town council hall and other city highlights.
Our next stop is small island Košljun which is situated only 750 m from Punat and is known for its Franciscan Monastery in which the friars have collected and preserved numerous valuable items over the centuries. A museum with an ethnographic collection including numerous items used by the fishermen and peasants of Krk as well as folk costumes from the entire Island of Krk. Last stop on Krk tour is historical city of Vrbnik which is situated on a promontory at almost 50 meters above sea level. It was mentioned for the first time in 1100 AD. Today the best known product indigenous to Vrbnik is the golden yellow Žlahtina wine, popular in Croatia and abroad.
- Cres Island – Osor, Valum, Cres (8 hours)
No stress on Cres! Enjoy the untouched nature. The history of the islands of Lošinj and Cres is most distinctly rooted in the town connecting the two islands by a bridge: Osor – A Museum Town. Visit Valun, known for its Glagolitic heritage. It is a small fisherman place directly on the see where you can feel taste of a fresh fish in some local restaurant. The best way to fell the town Cres is to take a walk through numerous small streets in the old city centre. Narrow and high small houses attaching to each other and streets winding in a maze through the old city centre are a typical example of medieval architecture.
- Castles and Fortresses of Kvarner – (6 hours)
Feel the medieval spirit. Trsat Castle (Gradina Trsat in Croatia) has been standing on Trsat to guard the city since the 13th century. The castle was built on the ruins of ancient Illyrian and Roman castles and originally owned by the most eminent noble family of the region at that time – the Frankopan family came from neighboring Krk Island. Grobnik Castle has been designed in a form of triangle, belted by walls, strengthened by towers and semi-towers, and additionally protected with another belt of walls.
Fortifications were mainly constructed in a period from the 15th to 17th century. Drivenik Castle is a castle in the hinterland of Crikvenica and Novi Vinodolski. Little town of Drivenik is located near the castle of the Frankopans, one of the very few that are preserved, which offers view of the northern part of Vinodol. Once upon a time, the castle of Drivenik was entered over a mobile bridge built over a dug-up moat filled with water. Great castle in the shape of a square was defended by high walls and four round corner towers, as well as a semicircular bastion.
The lend of History. Pula is to Croatia what Rome is to Italy. There’s no hiding the city’s main attraction – an enormous Roman amphitheatre. It is 1st-century amphitheatre, overlooking the harbornortheast of the old town. Built entirely from local limestone, the amphitheatre, known locally as the Arena, was designed to host gladiatorial contests, with seating for up to 20,000 spectators. On the top of the walls is a gutter that collected rainwater. You can still see the slabs used to secure the fabric canopy, which protected spectators from the sun. In the chambers downstairs is a small museum with a display of ancient olive-oil equipment. Pula Film Festival is held here every summer, as are pop and classical concerts.
Departure to Rovinj. Enjoy in a small town… climbing up to the top of the old town to see the beautiful church of St. Euphemia, touching the old sarcophagus to feel the power of religion. Rovinj town is just a pleasure of Earth, walking, enjoying or just drinking coffee on the main square is a must if you are in this region. After Rovinj follows Poreč, situated on the Norther Western Istrian Coast. Established during period of Roman Empire as Parentium, old town has many historical and cultural attractions, among them the most valuable is Euphrasiana, early Christian complex with its world known Basilica from 6th Century with authentic Byzantine mosaics from the same period, which are one of best preserved ones in the world. The whole complex is UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site since 1997.
Green heart of Croatia. Gorski kotar is a green oasis where at every turn you can notice the harmonious co-existence of man and nature. With its clear lakes, sunny meadows, numerous water sources, streams, rivers, and wondrous hills and mountains, Gorski kotar is an ideal destination for memorable excursions and holidays. Excursion includes visit of national park Risnjak and Park Forest Golubinjak.
Just fifteen kilometers from the sea, 300 – 1500 m above sea level and spread out over 6,400 ha, lies National Park Risnjak. Its unique topography and rich animal and plant life have earned it the status of an area of great natural value. The Park is dominated by the mountain massif Risnjak with one of the most beautiful belvederes in Croatia, from which the view extends to other sites, too – the massif Snježnik and the hydro morphological natural monument – source of the Kupa river. Equally attractive is its upper flow locally known as the prodigious butterfly valley Park- Forest Golubinjak is located about one mile from the centre Lokovo.
Golubinjak has been declared a protected forest- park in 1955. This place has nature beauty characteristic for “Goranski” landscape. The area comprises about 50 hectares of forest area, and as a forest vegetation reserve enables visitors to relax in the shade and visit several attractions. The best known is the „forest queen“ – the highest fir tree in Gorski kotar (37 meters high, with a diameter of about 140 centimeters). Here are also two attractive caves: Ledena spilja and Golublja spilja and a whole series of original sculptures of the Lokve art colony, scattered all over the park.
- Rafting on Kupa River – (7 hours)
Relax to the unique sounds of untouched nature and enjoy the beauties of highland area. Brod na Kupi is situated in one of the most beautiful parts of Croatia – Gorski Kotar. It is between Zagreb and Rijeka and it is just the right place in valley of river Kupa Kupa River, one of the most beautiful European rivers, springs from a karstic well, which is located within Risnjak Mountain National Park, in the heart of Gorski kotar. In its upper part, Kupa is a typical spring-fed river in terms of its characteristics.
More than 20 rivulets and streams join Kupa in first 30 kilometers of its flow, which causes a relatively stable temperature and a mostly favorable water level during the whole fishing season. Kupa River is a real mountain beauty of greenish color. It is characterized by crystal-clean and clear water. Kupa flows through a rocky bed in which moss and algae are predominant as far underwater vegetation is concerned.
- Plitvice Lakes – (8 hours)
Feel the magic of water and its power. One of the most popular excursions that attract millions of visitors every year is definitely Plitvice lakes. It is the oldest national park in Southeast Europe and the largest national park in Croatia. Situated in a thick forest, Plitvice Lakes are considered to be one of the most beautiful natural phenomena in the world. Its sixteen lakes, connected by 92 waterfalls, cascade through a picturesque surrounding.
Plitvice Lakes were declared a National park in 1949, and since 1979, they have been on the UNESCO´s List of World Natural Heritage. The park´s attractions also include several caves and a variety of flora and fauna. A guided tour of the park includes both a boat ride and a walking tour. Enjoy the magic beauty of the lakes and waterfalls, creating spectacular scenery. Timeless beauty of waterfalls thrills in every season in a different way.
- National Park North Velebit and Senj – (8 hours)
Discover mosaic of different plant and animals. Youngest National Park in Croatia hides many natural wonders that are just waiting to be discovered. After arrival to village Krasno you will visit first forest museum in Croatia and sanctuary of Our Lady that attracts many pilgrims. Just a short drive from Krasno will take us to the entrance of National park. Visit meteorological station, mountain and botanical garden. Coming back visit Senj and Nehaj fortress, the symbol of Senj. It was built in 1558. of the material of the ruined churches, monasteries and houses which were situated out of the city walls. From the top of a Nehaj you can see the whole panorama view of Senj and surrounding.
- UČKA Nature Park – (6 hours)
Breathtaking panoramic views. We start our journey with a drive to Lovran, a charming little coast town on the bottom of Učka, the highest mountain of the Istrian Peninsula. Učka Nature Park, proclaime in 1999, predominately encompasses the great variety of regional features within a relatively small area. The area spans through the mountain range of the same name and connects the continental part with Istria. Moderate climate, immediate proximity of the sea, attractive localities and rich flora and fauna (out of which some are endemic species) are only some of the features of what this park has to offer.
Thus, this is the only place on Earth where you can enjoy taking pictures of steno endemic Učka’s Bellflower (Campanula tomassiniana). Hiking trails from Lovranska Draga will lead us to the highest peak Vojak (5.45 miles).
This is a sightseeing point that provides you with a breathtaking panoramic view of the Croatia’s north coast and islands, the mountains of Gorski Kotar, the Italian Alps and Dolomites, and the whole of the Istrian Peninsula. The way back takes us across “Little Ucka” towards our starting point.
The Eyes Of Vinodol. The entire Vinodol is a beautiful story, composed of rich history, numerous cultural and historical monuments, natural resources and tradition. A distinctive feature of the Vinodol area is the way many rural holiday homes have been refurbished in the traditional style of the Vinodol region.
Vinodol also offers an interesting choice of wine and original dishes. It is one thing to experience Vinodol by passing through it, and quite another to see it from the “bird’s-eye view”.
A new, distinctive tourist product was created by building six (6) belvederes in the District of Vinodol and the Town of Novi Vinodolski. Six locations for belvederes were selected, out of which three (3) are located in the District of Vinodol on locations 300 – 700 meters above sea level.
- Postojna Cave and Predjama City (Slovenija) – (8 hours)
For 140 years, the Postojna Cave, as the only cave in the world, offers a unique and adventurous ride with a special train, which will take you into the cave, under spectacular underground arches, which are embellished with chandelier look-alike stalactites, through a beautiful subterranean world full of playful limestone sculptures.
Tourist Information
Local Population: |
135.385 |
Time (GMT+/-): |
+1 |
First language:
|
Croatian |
Second language: |
English |
Currency:
|
Kuna ( ISO 4217 code : HRK ) |
Banking hours (morning): |
From 8:00 a.m |
Banking hours (afternoon): |
To 19:00 p.m |
Credit cards: |
American Express, Diners, Visa, and MasterCard are accepted. |
Accepts Travellers Cheques: |
No |
Shopping hours (morning): |
From 8:00 a.m |
Shopping hours (afternoon): |
To 19:00 p.m |
Public holidays: |
January 1. : New Year’s Day January 6.: Epiphany March 31.: Easter April 1.: Easter Mondey May 1.: International Workers’ Day May 3.: Corpus Christi June 22.: Anti Fascist Resistance Day June 25.: Statehood Day August 5.: Thanksgiving Victory and Homeland Day August 15.: Feast of the Assumption October 8.: Independence Day November 1.: All Saints’ Day December 25.: Christmas December 26: Saint Stephen’s Day |
Shops are open on Saturdays: |
Yes |
Shops are open on Sundays: |
Only shopping malls |
Tourist office details