Things to do in Rijeka

Rijeka is the third largest city in Croatia and largest Croatian harbor.  From the border with Slovenia is only a half an hour of drive, from Trieste in Italy an hour, and to the Croatian capital – Zagreb needs an hour and a half to drive.

If you are wondering for “things to do in Rijeka”, then you’ll have to know that Rijeka has a long tradition of city events that are due to favorable climate generally held in public city spaces.

The best example of this is the Rijeka Carnival that has over many years of continuous maintenance became a manifestation of international character which is rightly foreign media proclaimed a unique event that is worth a visit.

Estimates of travel journalists suggest that the Rijeka Carnival is the third largest carnival in the world, after Rio de Janeiro and Venice.

What to see in Rijeka

Korzo

Rijeka is reflected in Korzo.  Anyone who, at least once, had a coffee at one of the terraces of numerous and picturesque café bars lined along this unusual promenade, would agree.

The Trsat Castle

The Trsat Castle represents a strategically embossed lookout on a hill of 138 meters above sea level dominating Rijeka. It was mentioned as a parochial center for the first time in 1288. The Trsat Castle is one of the oldest fortifications on the Croatian coast which preserves the features of the early medieval town construction.

Trsat

The Shrine of Our Lady of Trsat is the largest pilgrimage center of Western Croatia. Its foundation is reported to be, according to tradition, related to the miraculous transport of the Nazareth Barn, and its stay on Trsat (1291 – 1294). Shortly after the relocation of the Mother of God’s house to Loreto, Prince Nikola I of Krk built the first small church on the place where the barn stood on Trsat.

Cathedral

St Vitus Cathedral is the only Baroque round building of monumental proportions built on Croatian soil.

The Capuchin Church

The Capuchin Church of Our Lady of Lourdes was built from 1904 until 1929. It was built as a double neo-Gothic basilica with rich polychrome artwork Lombard-style.

Governor Palace

The construction of the Governor’s Palace began in 1892 at the time of the Governor Lajos Batthyány. It is based on the design of one of the leading Hungarian architects of the time, Alajos Hauszmann, who had already proved himself on the project of the King’s Palace and the Parliament building in Budapest.

The Astronomical Centre

The Astronomical Centre Rijeka is the only facility of its kind in Croatia. It was opened in 2009 above the city, in the former fortress which dates back to the Second World War.

In 2001 a telescope protected by a mobile dome was installed in one of the four fortress towers.

Today it is the first astronomy center in Croatia that includes both an observatory and a planetarium. It is also the only planetarium in Croatia and the wider region with digital technology.

Its programme takes place within a spherical dome which can host up to 52 visitors. Here you can enjoy films and presentations dedicated to the immensity of the universe. The planetarium is part of the International Planetarium Society.

Museum of Computers

Those who peek into Rijeka’s computer museum and poke through its past will be amazed by the speed at which our technological future has become our past.

Under the name of Peek&Poke is the first Croatian Museum of Computers and Computer Equipment.

Its founders call it the Retro Computer Club. The museum has over 2000 exhibits of international and Croatian computer, audio, video and photo technology. Located in the premises of 300 square meters in the city center is one of the first 5 world museums about this subject and is also the largest exhibition of its kind in this part of Europe.

Molo Longo

The current Breakwater in the main port basin is known as “Molo Longo” due to its 1707m length is used as a passenger terminal and promenade. The construction plans and preparations for the Breakwater began in 1872 and was completed in 1888. It was named Molo Maria Teresa after the Empress for her historic influence at the development of the city.

Hotels and Hostels in Rijeka

Rijeka offers many different kinds of accommodation. You can stay in luxury hotels with high-quality service, or in private houses, apartments, villas, rooms… You can also stay in a camp or if you wish to get to know, at close range and in the appropriate way, authentic life in Kvarner destinations and rest, in private accommodation. All this and a lot more is provided in facilities labeled Kvarner Family.

Restaurants in Rijeka

Visiting restaurants is one of the most pleasant ways of getting to know new places, and Rijeka offers many to choose from. Taste their fish, meat and vegetarian dishes as well as their exotic specialties.

Bars and cafes in Rijeka

Sky Bar is in the center of Rijeka with a magical view of Korzo, Rijeka and the quayside.  You’ll need to take the lift to the rooftop of Korzo 11. They serve the excellent coffee, refreshing smoothies made from natural fruits, a wide selection of beers and soft drinks.

Rakhia Bar is the first rakija bar in Rijeka with over 50 kinds of Croatia’s well-known drinks. It is located in the center in the Old Town.

Modesto is a small cafe located in the Old Town, between St Vitus Cathedral and the leaning tower. It exudes a friendly atmosphere where people can relax and chill. At the weekends this café hangout transforms into a night bar open until 2 am with interesting lighting, plenty of space, a DJ who plays everything.

Champagne Bar Pommery is in the heart of Korzo. This is the stylish place for coffee and exclusive drinks promotions and hot nightlife. Business people, the jet-set, celebrities as well as the locals and tourists sit outside when there’s a free seat.

Beertija is the latest bar/club to open in Rijeka. Rijeka’s young people received it like a breath of fresh air, anxious to get the new place where they can go out. And Beertija is a great place for numerous reasons. It is, more than anything else, a place dedicated to beer. In this bar, you can choose among more than 120 types of beer, from ales, light beers, strong dark beers to fruit flavored ones, from Croatian beers to the ones imported from the UK or Belgium. Even if you are not a great beer fan, you might get excited about choosing randomly those with the strangest name, and waiting to see what you will get. The only problem might be the fact that it is so hard to choose

Nightlife in Rijeka

Rijeka is a vibrant city of Croatia with a splendid and dynamic nightlife. Rijeka is the best place for people who enjoy parties. The visitors of the city can enjoy their night at cafes, bars, restaurants, casinos, nightclubs, pubs, live music, discos, and theatres. The alcohol and beer are very cheap in Croatia in general. You can also find cocktail bars that serve mixed flavored cocktails. The clubbing scene is normally filled with young Croatians.

Rijeka is a bustling city during the daytime, but little less crowded during the night. Visitors from neighboring cities are frequented to Rijeka to enjoy the nightlife of the city.