13 Best Things to Do in Rijeka: Complete Travel Guide

Rijeka is a beautiful coastal city and offers visitors plenty of things to do! Beyond swimming in crystal blue waters, there are monuments and landmarks you can visit, impressive churches, ancient ruins and seaside streets full of life just waiting for you to walk them.

In this guide, we will present 13 things to do in Rijeka, so you can experience the city to its fullest. And not only that, we will also talk about Rijeka in general, why you should visit it, when is the best time to do so and how to reach the city! 

Let’s dive in!

You might be wondering if Rijeka is worth visiting. The answer is simply, yes! It’s not widely heard of as a tourist destination, which makes this city a hidden gem. For travelers wondering if Croatia is safe for travelers, Rijeka feels relaxed, welcoming, and easy to explore. And it has it all! History, culture, museums, beaches, restaurants, bars. 

Plus, Rijeka is a great launch pad to explore nearby islands or other towns as well! If you plan a Croatia vacation, then Rijeka should definitely be on your itinerary. You will quickly notice that it’s much different than the other cities in this country and also an ideal destination for senior travel, thanks to its peaceful nature.

The best time to visit Croatia and Rijeka is late April, May and September or early October. Compared to other tourist destinations in Croatia, Rijeka is much less crowded even during peak season, but you can still find plenty of tourists in July and August. Spring and autumn on other hand offer a nice balance between comfortable weather, thin crowds and fully operational venues, hotels, restaurants and activities.

February could be a good choice as well. The weather will be much cooler, but the Rijeka Carnival takes place, which also happens to be the biggest carnival in Croatia!

Planning a Croatia getaway? Get a tailor-made itinerary designed by locals. See all of our Croatia Vacation & Tours!

You might be surprised, but despite being Croatia’s third biggest city, Rijeka is a bit more challenging to reach. First of all, there are few if any direct flights to the city from the rest of Europe. Munich and Frankfurt usually offer connections to the city and there are internal flights from Zagreb, but you won’t find much more.

Still, reaching Rijeka by car is easy. Just follow the A-13 highway. Thanks to its road connections with Split and Dubrovnik, Rijeka is an excellent stop when planning a route that covers some of the best things to do in Croatia. Public transport, like buses and trains are available too, but they take more time. Two hours by train from Zagreb or Pula and 5 hours from Split! So, we recommend renting a car.

Also known as the Molo Longo, because, you guessed it, it’s long! With a length of over 1,700 meters, the Brekwater promenade also doubles as the passenger terminal and port for ferries and cruises. It was built in the late 19th century and took 16 years to complete! Besides walking it, you can also dine in the restaurants along it and enjoy the amazing views.

Built in the 13th century, like most castles, the Trsat castle acted first as a defensive installation. This is why it’s placed on a hill 1138 meters above sea level! You can walk up the hill if you feel like it, but be prepared, for it is a bit steep. A taxi or driving up there yourself would be a better alternative.

The castle today is home to an art gallery and occasionally hosts great exhibitions and regular events. You might even catch an open air concert if you visit Rijeka during summer.

Are you up for climbing 561 stone steps? Then, The Petar Kružić Stairway is waiting for you! Near the Rjecina River, the Stairway originally was a pilgrimage route for people who wanted to reach the Church of Our Lady Trsat at the top of the hill. It can be a challenging climb, not for the faint of heart, but reaching the top is more than worth it. The views of the city and the harbour are incredible!

If you don’t feel like climbing up all these stairs, you can always drive or take a taxi up to the Trsat Castle.

If you enjoy discovering tasty ingredients and fresh produce, then go to the Place market. This is Rijeka’s main market on the coast, which also includes an indoor fish market. Like most fish markets, the earlier you come, the better products you will find, including the day’s catch! It’s a big market and it can suck you in for hours, as you can also find souvenirs and dine there as well!

Right in the city center rises the Gradski Tower, a beautiful clock tower that has remained unchanged throughout the centuries. It’s a popular meeting point and from there you can branch out to explore the city center or enjoy a meal on the main street. Gradski Tower is very easy to find, since its yellow color makes it very distinguishable among other buildings. 

Separate from the Rijeka Breakwave, the Riva Promenade is a classic seafront street, lined with restaurants, cafes and historic buildings like the Adria Palace. It’s a popular spot for walking, trolling and people watching that rewards people with beautiful views back into the city.

An impressive cathedral and one of the most notable buildings of Rijeka. The St. Vitus Cathedral ranges back to the Middle Ages and was built with a Baroque-style rotunda. In fact, it’s the only building in all of Croatia to feature such an architectural style. Construction began in 1638 and as a result, it mixes modernist notes with more historic and traditional lines. It’s an impressive church all around. If you want to have rich cultural and historical experiences in your trip, you should visit the St. Vitus Cathedral.

This one is newer, only a century old and follows the neo-Gothic architectural style. Decorated with amazing stained glass windows inside, it’s Rijeka’s most notable church. Its exterior doesn’t fall behind when it comes to beauty though. It’s equally impressive, dressed as it is with red and white brick.

If you enjoy adventures and exploration, then you should definitely go down the Rijeka War Tunnels. They were built during the occupation of Croatia by Italy and acted as shelters for civilian protection and fortifications. Katarina A site is the most well-known one and acted as an underground fortress with tunnels and bunkers extending in the surrounding hills. 

There is also the Rijeka Tunnel, or TunelRi under the city center from St. Vitus Cathedral to Dolac Primary school. Today it serves as a public passage and a historic site.

This museum is a bit niche, but it has a rich and interesting collection of artefacts and paintings showcasing the city’s maritime history. Not to mention the interactive activities, like piloting your own virtual ships! Perfect for adults and kids too! A great educational and learning opportunity and an ideal addition to a family travel plan!

Rijeka used to be Roman once as we mentioned above and the Arch served as the entrance to the command compound of the Roman Tarsatica. Tarsatica used to be the ancient town upon which Rijeka was later built. The Arch is located in the center of the old city, is well maintained and stepping though it will take you back in time!

Opatija is a beautiful town, less than 14km away from Rijeka. You can make the distance in under 30 minutes by car or taxi. There’s plenty of parking too, so you can leave your car and walk through the small town with ease. A perfect romantic or honeymoon trip destination, that you can wrap up by watching the sunset and enjoying a glass of wine along the water.

Believe it or not, you can actually start your trip to Rijeka by exploring the Krk island first! How? Well, the Rijeka airport is located on Krk, so it’s easier to spend a day here first before continuing to the city. Krk is often listed among the best places to visit in Croatia thanks to its beaches, villages, and wine culture.

The island is full of charming little towns, villages and beaches. Krk is the social, economic and administrative center and the main port. The airport is 20km away, at the northern tip of the island. There is also Baska, with some of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia. Vrbnik is famous for its wine and Malinska is another popular destination for tourists.

Rijeka is a unique destination with so many things to do! It blends history, nature, sea and culture. You can stay there for only a day or two, and still leave this place full of happy memories and images of amazing landscapes. You can walk by the sea, climb hills and castles, walk in underground tunnels and take day trips to charming towns and islands, all at the same place!

If you’re dreaming of a tailor-made trip to Rijeka then book your trip through Tailored by Locals. Enjoy a vacation designed by experts that completely fit your expectations!

Planning a Croatia getaway? Get a tailor-made itinerary designed by locals. See all of our Croatia Vacation & Tours!