Rijeka

The Kvarner Riviera's largest city is Rijeka which, with a population of just over 200,000 people, is Croatia's third largest city and busiest port. The surrounding mountain landscape of the Primorsko-Goranska district adds to the attraction of the area around, one of the most developed tourist region in Croatia. The mild Mediterranean climate is a further bonus. Average January temperatures are around 5°C, in mid-summer a pleasant 23°C with well over 2000 hours of annual sunshine. It has also developed into a key centre for business and congress tourism, hosting a number of events including the Spring Fair in April, Automobile Fair in May, North Adriatic Fair in October and the Christmas Fair. Thanks to its modern port facilities and strong naval tradition, Rijeka has grown to become Croatia’s largest port as well as a major European transit port.

Tourist offer of Rijeka

Rijeka leads in activities related to the sea that includes tourism, shipping industries, forwarding agencies, harbour activities and shipbuilding and in other major industries; oil and petro-chemical, civil- mechanical- electro- engineering, timber, and paper industries.

At the distance of 30 km from Rijeka are settled the mountains which offer opportunities for hiking, mountaineering, hunting and coarse game fishing enthusiasts, or during the winter when these mountains are covered with snow and provide suitable slopes for all types of skier.

As a coastal town Rijeka has good offer of sport activities such as aquatic sports that include sailing regattas, internationally fishing contests, sub-aqua seafishing competitions, swimming and water polo...

Due to its developing tourism, many nightclubs, discotheques, café bars and restaurants have been opened for guests to enjoy. It also offers a wide range of hotels and apartments for guests can stay at. In the city you can find various accommodation offer.

So close to the Rijeka is also known motodrom Grobnik, and be sure to visit some of the auto races held in Matulji. Nature lovers can visit the Nature Park Ucka or Bjelolasica in Gorski Kotar.

In addition to the standard international dishes in restaurants, offers a true coastal cuisine which is based on light meals of fish, shellfish, crabs stored in many different ways with home grown and healthy vegetables seasoned with olive oil.

Rijeka is unfortunately more of a transport hub and port city than a destination in itself. Still, if you have time to spare between connections, it can be filled by a stroll along the pedestrianized Korzo, or a visit to a museum such as the maritime museum. The stunning National Theatre building occupies a prominent location in the city. For a little exercise, climb the stairs to Trsat to visit its recently-restored fortress and several historic churches.

Events

About a century ago Rijeka lived its carnival life more intensively than any other town in this part of Europe. Carnival parade were organized as well as carnival balls with the presence of Austrian and Hungarian aristocrats, Russian princesses, German barons, earls and countesses from all over Europe. The rebirth of the Carnival started in 1982. It had only three performer groups in its parade and it was neither famous nor popular. The groups were "Lako cemo", "Pehinarski festari" and "Halubajski zvoncari". All three groups have participated in the carnival each time since the beginning. The largest event happened in 2001 with 144 groups participating. Because of the restrictions that have been made regarding the number of participants in each group, the 2008 carnival had only 99 groups. Nonetheless, 100,000 visitors attended it.

Since the beginning of June until the end of July last "Rijeka Summer evenings", when the locations Trsat, Old Town and the Cathedral of St. Vida for musical-theatrical performances of local and foreign artists.

In late June to join the pop music festival "Melodies of Istria and Kvarner.

In 15th june celebrates, the feast of St. Vida, patron saint of town, while the 15th. august Trsat celebrates the feast of the Assumption.

History and herritage

Trsat, the fortress, sits high on a hill in a dominant position overlooking the River Rijecina. The fortress has played a crucial role in numerous conflicts through the ages, including defense against Turkish attacks. At one time a constant guard was posted there on the lookout for invaders from the sea but as the danger diminished, the fortress lost its strategic importance and finally fell when it was destroyed in the great earthquake of 1750. In 1824 the vestiges were handed over to Irish-born Laval Nugent, a general in the Austrian army, who began reconstruction. However, his heirs were unable to continue the restoration and eventually sold the property. The fortress was later opened to the public, with the most recent improvements made in 1960. Today it is a venue for a range of summer events.

The church of St. Vid, Rijeka's patron saint, is placed in the old part of a town. Passing through the center of town you can notice on its buildings Romanesque, Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance details that decorate this city.

The Governor's Palace was built as a residence for a Hungarian deputy, that ruled the Town from 1968 to 1914.

How to get

As one of the most important traffic centers and the largest port in the country offers many opportunities and ways to arrival. Road routes are easily reached from Zagreb, Split, and from Ljubljana or Trieste, and thus from different parts of Europe. Railway traffic is connected to the main railway station. If you arrive by plane, Rijeka Airport is about thirty kilometers and is located on the island island Krk. Ferry lines connect many cities on the Croatian coast, and there are also international services from and to Greece, Italy and Albania.

return from Rijeka to Kvarner

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