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City in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia
Photo: László Szalai (Beyond silence), Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Rijeka (literally "River" in the Croatian language) is a city in Kvarner Bay, a northern inlet of the Adriatic Sea in Croatia. It is the principal seaport of the country. It had about 129,000 inhabitants in 2011, with the greater city area reaching up to 200,000, and is Croatia's third largest city. In 2020 Rijeka was the European Capital of Culture with the motto Port of Diversity.
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It represents a strategically embossed gazebo on a hill 138 meters above sea level that dominates Rijeka. As a parochial centre it was mentioned for the first time in 1288. Trsat Castle is one of the oldest fortifications on the Croatian Coast, where the characteristics of the early medieval town construction have been preserved. Today Trsat Castle, beside the souvenir shop and the coffee shop, is enriched with new facilities – gallery space where art exhibitions are held as well as open-air summer concerts and theatre performances, fashion shows and literary evenings.
Gradski Toranj
A symbol of Rijeka and a good example of a typical round tower access-point, which leads into the fortified town. Today it dominates the central part of Korzo and is often used as a meeting place for local people.
This is the largest centre of pilgrimage in western Croatia. It is famous for its numerous concessions and for the pilgrimages by numerous believers throughout the year, and especially on the Assumption of Mary holiday.
The tunnel open for visitors has an entrance next to the Cathedral of St. Vitus and extends under Rijeka's Old Town to the courtyard of the Dolac Elementary School. It was dug by the Italian army in the living rock in a length of 330 metr3s in the period from 1939 to 1942. This was done for the purpose of protecting the civilian population from aerial bombardment, going down in places to a depth of ten meters. It is about four meters wide and an average height of 2.5 metres. The main tunnel tube has two branches, one leading to the building of the former city municipality and the other towards St. Vitus Cathedral.
Here you can see yachts.
The launching ramp from 1930s is an item belonging to the closed torpedo production factory. It is proof of the technical inventive of Rijeka during this period and at the same time is an important world landmark of industrial heritage.
Located in the beautiful Governor’s Palace building, it preserves a large part of Rijeka's history and maritime tradition. Besides its continuous ethnographic exhibition, visit our collection of furniture and portraits of people from Rijeka’s public life.
Besides the botanical garden, the museum is a multimedia centre with an aquarium containing species from the Adriatic Sea. Besides fish, sharks and sea rays, the museum also conserves species of insects, reptiles, birds and amphibians. Ideal entertainment for both children and adults.
The museum collects works of art by Rijeka artists from 19th century and Croatian and foreign artists from 20th and 21st century.
One of the few permanent displays of vintage computing technology in Europe. Features also bulky keyboards and handheld video games.
The monastery treasury holds works of extraordinary esthetic and material value, paintings, reliquaries, lamps, chalices, ecclesiastical robes, while the Chapel of Votive Gifts houses gifts since the 19th century.
The library and Mažuranić-Brlić-Ružić collection are at Pećine, in Rijeka inside the villa of the famous Rijeka's family, Ružić.
A permanent exhibition has been collocated in the Rijeka University Library known as “Glagoljica” in which the Glagolitic written and printed heritage has been presented, especially that of the north Adriatic area where the first Croatian (Glagolitic) books were printed.
Complex of five pools by the sea with an amazing view over the nearby islands and Istria.
Learn about the stars in this unique astronomy centre both in Croatia and abroad. Besides sky objects, from Sveti Križ hill, where it is located, a beautiful view extends over the Rijeka Bay and mountain hinterland.
Rijeka has the beach for everyone’s taste and thanks to the Mediterranean climate, the bathing season begins in spring and lasts until late autumn. With regard to the city location, Rijeka’s beaches are located to the far east and to the far western parts of the city, and you can choose your favourite: large and noisy or small and secluded, pebbly, concrete, rocky, hidden. City buses drive to all beaches and there is free car parking close to all of them.
One of the nicest beaches close to Rijeka. On the beach, there is the abandoned „Park Hotel“ which offers a great spot for hanging around.
Nature lovers and more active visitors can discover the city in a different way, by researching Rijeka’s promenades by the sea, urban or forest areas, and for those less active, parks are the best option for taking a break during a walk around Rijeka.
There are numerous restaurants offering domestic and international food. Try some of their local fish specialties and also meat and vegetarian dishes as well as exotic specialties. If you didn’t walk into one of the more exclusive restraints in Rijeka, such as Zlatna školjka, Kamov or Municipium, you will find the prices to be mostly moderate.
Experience the relaxed atmosphere of Rijeka’s taverns which in a typical local environment will offer you their specialties at moderate prices.
Spanish cuisine
Sushi
Vegetarian restaurant
Italian restaurant
Can be found on Rijeka Tourist Board web page.
Around a hundred metres from the sea, in one of the most beautiful locations of the city, at Pećine, 5 minutes by bus from the city centre (it will take you 15 minutes on foot).
A well-connected complex of multiple student dormitories. Quite cheap, even in the summer season. It is connected with two bus stops which are being served by the bus lines 6, 7, 7A, 20, 21. Half an hour away from the city centre on foot.
5 km from the centre of Rijeka, on the main road leading to Opatija. It belongs to the semi-opened category type. It is mainly used by the employees and subcontractors of the 3. Maj shipyard and vacant rooms are also offered to passers-by.
The 125-year-old and completely refurbished 4-star hotel in the heart of Rijeka. First class accommodation consists of 114 air-conditioned rooms, six suites and a presidential suite and has its own car park and garage.
A four-star establishment by the sea. It was reopened in December 2005 after thorough reconstruction. It has 66 single and double bedrooms. Every room is air-conditioned, and has a satellite TV and radio, direct telephone line, Internet connection, safe and mini-bar.
A three-star hotel built in 1888 with 37 double bedrooms, 1 single bedroom and 4 hotel suites on two floors. All rooms are equipped with a TV and a direct telephone line, while the access to the Internet is possible via modem, using the telephone connection port in the room.
Renovated in 2007, this 14-storey hotel is part of the complex of the Croatian Cultural Centre. The best part about the hotel is the amazing view of the eastern part of the Istrian peninsula and Učka, Opatija, Rijeka, the small towns of Kostrena and Kraljevica and the island of Krk.
No supermarket can replace the charm of the personal contact with the vendor or the excitement of the unpredictable purchase at the main Rijeka market – Placa. The harmonious compound of two pavilions and a Fish market building where, in the morning hours, the real Rijeka can be experienced.
By plane
There is an official bus shuttle from Rijeka Airport to city for €15 one-way (June 2024). See schedule here. Tickets are bought inside the bus in euro and only in cash.
By train
Rijeka has been an important railhead since its early days as one of the major ports of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and is connected with direct services to the capital of Croatia, Zagreb, from…
By bus
Rijeka is connected by bus with bigger cities in Croatia, Slovenia, Italy and elsewhere in Europe.
By ship
As one of the largest ports of the Austro-Hungarian empire, and the largest port in Croatia, ships play an important role in the life of Rijeka.
By public transport
For those that are further away from the city or tired, an efficient local bus network operates operating in a single-direction, circular movement around the central city area, and fanning out in all…
By taxi
Rijeka has a cheap and well organized taxi service that will get you anywhere in the city for approximately €10 or less.
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Rijeka(Omišalj) · International · RJK
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