In this article we’ll tell you best things to do in Rijeka and its surroundings in 1 or 2 days, although if you visit in summer, it’s worth staying a couple more days. In our case, we wanted to see Rijeka and use it as our starting point to explore the Istrian Peninsula.
Since we were visiting Zagreb, we left ourselves a couple of extra days to explore a part of Croatia we had missed on our previous trip: Rijeka, Opatija, and the Istrian Peninsula.
In this article we’ll share what to see in Rijeka in one or two days.
A bit of history about Rijeka
Rijeka is a city that has been under the rule of many different kingdoms, empires, and states throughout its history: Venetians, Austro-Hungarians, Italians, Yugoslavs, among others, fought over it until it became part of Croatia.
It was even a free state at the beginning of the last century, although that didn’t last long. That’s why Rijeka is also known as Fiume, its Italian name. Fiume, Rijeka and their variations all mean “river” in their respective languages.
Located on Kvarner Bay at the mouth of the Rječina River, Rijeka has the main port of Croatia, and its economy relies on shipbuilding, with many shipyards located there.
Things to do in Rijeka in one day
If you have little time, make sure to visit the main attractions you can see in Rijeka in just one day.
1) Historic center: the Korzo, the Clock Tower, and the Cathedral
In the old town, its main street stands out: the Korzo promenade. This is the most important pedestrian avenue where locals gather throughout the year. When we were in Zagreb, “Advent” had already begun, so everything was decorated with Christmas ornaments.
Along the pedestrian street you’ll find restaurants, bars, and clothing shops, and during our visit also Christmas stalls where many young people were enjoying mulled wine.
We walked past the Town Hall and then found the famous 17th-century Clock Tower, one of the best places to see in Rijeka in a day. The gate or arch beneath it was once one of the entrances to the fortified city.
We passed through it and came across Ivana Koblera Square, probably one of the livelest in Rijeka, with trendy bars and restaurants. We had dinner at one of them, Maslina, a beautiful and cozy place we highly recommend if you’re looking for where to eat in Rijeka.
If you continue up the street, you’ll be surprised by the Cathedral of St. Vitus, the patron saint and protector of Rijeka. It has an octagonal shape, built in the Baroque style in the 17th century.
Heading back toward the coast, you’ll find the Placa Market, a beautiful building where locals shop.
It’s also worth going to the port for a stroll along the Molo Longo, the long pier, which offers the chance to see the city from the sea. On the way back, along the Riva, is the Boonker restaurant, where we had a delicious giant pizza for lunch one day. Another recommended place to eat in Rijeka.
2) Trsat, the fortress and church watching from the hill
Finally, we went up to Trsat Hill, only 138 meters above sea level, now part of Rijeka. We drove up and passed through a luxurious neighborhood with large mansions dating back to the time when Rijeka belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Once at the top, we visited Trsat Castle, an ancient Roman fortress from the 13th century that today houses a café/restaurant and various art exhibitions. Admission is free, so there’s no excuse not to visit one of Rijeka’s top sights.
We then visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Trsat, built on the site where, at the end of the 13th century, the House of Mary was moved from Nazareth out of fear it would be destroyed during the Crusades or by Muslim advances.
It only remained there for a few years before being transferred to Loreto, Italy, where it can be found today. This is a Christian pilgrimage site because it is believed that humans could not have carried it, and legend says that angels were responsible for the feat.
At the entrance, we also found a statue of Pope John Paul II, commemorating his visit in 2003.
From Trsat Hill, you can go down the 561-step staircase, originally built for pilgrims heading to the shrine. Since we’re not pilgrims, we only walked down, not up 😅.
Things to do in Rijeka in two days
If you have an extra day, the best idea is to visit Rijeka’s surroundings, enjoy some of the best beaches in Rijeka to sunbathe or swim, or take a day trip to Krk Island.
3) Things to do in Opatija, one of the top places near Rijeka
We visited Opatija from Rijeka, our first stop on the Istrian Peninsula. Although geographically part of Istria, politically it doesn’t belong to the province.
Opatija is a seaside resort town, popularly known as the “Nice of the Austrians”, because the Austro-Hungarian elite had their large and beautiful houses here. Even Emperor Franz Joseph I, husband of Empress Sisi, chose this place to spend the winter.
Opatija’s “beach” is artificial, made of concrete. It’s not the best to justify its popularity, but you can clearly see the luxury of the place and the reason why it is still chosen by tourists in summer.
Walking along the coast you’ll find the statue of a woman holding a bird, known as the “Lady with the Seagull”, which has become one of the most representative symbols of Opatija.
Before leaving, we went into Angiolina Park, which contains plant species from all over the world.
4) The best beaches in Rijeka
If you’re in beach mode or visiting Rijeka in summer, here are the best beaches to enjoy in and around the city.
- Sablićevo: the closest to Rijeka’s center. A small cove with crystal-clear water accessed by stairs from above. The downside is that in summer it gets overcrowded.
- Glavanovo: a bit larger than the previous one, slightly less crowded in summer. Ideal for a swim. You can easily reach it with bus number 1 from Rijeka’s center.
- Kantrida: heading west from Rijeka, this is the first beach you’ll find. For us, not as pretty as the first two since it’s small and has lots of concrete. The upside is that it has a restaurant, showers, and easy parking nearby.
- Ploče: very close to Kantrida, this pebble beach is not very big but has inflatables in the water for fun. Plus, there’s a great choice of bars and restaurants around.
5) Excursion to Krk Island, one of the best things to do from Rijeka in 2 days
Just 25 km away by road, Krk Island is one of the top destinations to visit around Rijeka. Less crowded than Hvar and others, it offers beautiful turquoise-water beaches such as Vela Plaža Baška, Vela Luka, and Golden Beach.
You can also enjoy activities like visiting underground caves.
📷 Book here the excursion from Rijeka to Krk Island with guide and transfers.
Where to stay in Rijeka?
If you’re looking for places to stay in Rijeka and Opatija, check out these recommendations:
- Teatro Suite & Rooms: located next to the long pier, this hotel features exquisite décor and spacious, modern rooms.
- Amadria Park Hotel Royal: located in Opatija right by the sea, this designer hotel offers rooms with views, a restaurant with excellent Croatian dishes, and sun loungers facing the horizon.
🏨 Want more options? Find the best accommodation in Rijeka here.
How to get to Rijeka?
We arrived in Rijeka by bus from Zagreb. We traveled with Autotrans in a 2-hour journey. There are also buses from Pula on the Istrian Peninsula and from Zadar.
The Rijeka train station is currently being renovated and mostly receives trains from the Croatian capital.
Finally, Rijeka’s port receives catamarans from Krk, Zadar, Rab, Novalja, and others.
How to get from Rijeka to Opatija?
You can easily visit Opatija from Rijeka in a day. Bus 32 from Jelacicev Square takes you right into the center of Opatija.
What you need for your trips to Europe
Plan your journey easily with these trusted resources:
