Rijeka

Start your holiday in Rijeka with discounted car hire using Online Car Hire. We offer fast online booking with discounted car hire at Rijeka airport.

All of our car hire suppliers employ dedicated staff at the end of the telephone ready to answer any further questions that you may have before or after completing your rental car booking.

Incidentally the airport at Rijeka is situated about 30 km from the centre of Rijeka if travelling by road.

 

Not one of Croatia’s most sought after culture spots, Rijeka tends to be a city that tourist buses pass through on the way to somewhere else. With an overbearing sea port, an absence of beaches and a distinct lack of beauty spots, it often comes as a surprise that there are one or two attractions worth visiting here.

You can’t miss it, the city is located to the south of the Zagreb-Rijeka highway. Advance warning in the form of stunning views out to sea comes as your coach transcends the hill towards the harbour. Don’t waste your time looking out for pretty beaches, there aren’t any! The shipyards and the port take over the city’s coastal areas and fail to offer anything of interest to passing tourists.

Rijeka, the third largest city in the country is found at Kvarner Bay off the Adriatic Sea. The foundation of Rijeka’s economy relies heavily upon shipbuilding, sea transportation and tourism and is the main sea port in Croatia.

Rijeka’s history could go as far back as Neolithic times while it has been discovered that early Celtic settlers decided upon the spot on the hill that they were to call Tarsatica (today known as Trsat). The location attracted seafarers and mariners who settled here also.

With Trsat nearby to Rijeka out in the city’s suburbs, you haven’t far to go for some pretty spots, a number of attractions and a church that marks the spot of Jesus’ childhood home. As you would imagine, this little church is the object of many a pilgrimage and has succeeded in getting Rijeka on the map.

From the pier, the Square of the Republic of Croatia unfolds which is the heart and soul of the city. The Stari Grad, Rijeka’s Old Town doesn’t reveal very much of how things used to look. Much of the city was flattened to allow for modern building work to be carried out. If you look hard enough, there are a few remnants of days long gone by, in particular that of centrally situated Tarsatica.

In the middle of the city, the pedestrian street Main Street or Korzo takes the path of the original city walls. As well as making navigation much more of a simple affair, this is where to enjoy a spot of shopping, a good cup of coffee and a bite to eat. One problem though, don’t visit the city during the weekend for everything on the Korzo is closed till Monday.

The City Tower, one of the few buildings having survived the great earthquake of 1750, has earned the right to catch the eye and attention of all who pass by. Bright yellow, the tower, locally known as Gradski Toranj, was originally the city’s principle entrance. Today people arrangement to rendezvous here for lunch and an hour or two of retail therapy.

The Roman Gate or Stara Vrata is the oldest feature in the whole of Rijeka. Once the gateway to the roman Praetorium, expect to find further exciting findings from recent excavations.

The city is also well situated for a number of interesting attractions. Upon the top of the hill in nearby Trsat sits a castle. Built during the Middle Ages, Trsat Castle was at one time reduced to ruins but then was brought back to life and transformed into a Gothic masterpiece by a nineteenth century occupant. Today, the castle offers more besides as a popular music and theatre venue and art gallery. This is where to visit for local tourist information too.

The seventeenth century Gothic church complete with a stunning rotunda is that of St Vitrus, Rijeka’s patron saint. Lovers of the baroque style will adore this church, so ensure that it is added to your short and to the point Rijeka sights itinerary.

Last but not least, a brief mention of the stunning Our Lady of Trsat Church complete with adjacent seventeenth century monastery. The beautifully crafted church, complete with the powerful painting of the Virgin Mary (as painted by Luke the Apostle according to legend) was constructed by Franciscan monks in the fifteenth century. The shrine is discovered after a climb that totals 561 steps and a climb that many have failed to be put off by. Over the years the site has attracted a significant pilgrimage following and is visited by thousands of people every year.

Established in 1876, the Marine and Historical Museum is the oldest museum in Rijeka. Here you will find interesting collections of armoury, furniture and maritime antiques. The Modern Gallery brings you up to date on art from the nineteenth century and supports young and new artists. There is the Museum of Natural Sciences to cover all that is botanical and mineralogical in Rijeka including the Land Snails Collection.

If you are a fan of lively community based entertainment, you can’t afford to miss Rijeka’s 36 day carnival. It normally runs from mid-January to mid-February.

Rijeka Airport

Rijeka Airport is situated 15 kilometres from the city centre on the island of Krk. If travelling by road, the journey is 30 kilometres.

From the airport a bus service operates to the city centre’s bus station and train station. The Autotrolej Bus Company services are timed to coincide with aeroplane arrivals. Rijeka Railway Station is an enchanting experience offering transport that is both slow and relaxing.

If travelling by taxi, the duration is 45 minutes into the city centre and single fares are 4 euros.