About
Rijeka is the largest port city in Croatia and the country's maritime gateway, set on the northern Adriatic coast. Its character comes from the mix of an active harbour, an industrial past and a lively cultural life that runs through the year.
The city and its streets
The historic centre is shaped by Austro-Hungarian architecture, a reminder of the years when the city was an important outlet for the empire to the sea. Walking through the old quarters, you move between stately facades and the working waterfront that has long defined the place.
The Korzo is the city's main pedestrian street and the natural centre of everyday life. Here you will find a good choice of places to eat and drink, and in the evening it fills with people out for a meal or a night of conversation.
Culture and what to expect
Rijeka has been a European Capital of Culture, and its cultural calendar reflects that. Visitors can find museums, galleries and festivals across the year, so the city suits a trip in almost any season. Plan around the events you most want to see, as programmes vary from one period to another.
- Stroll the Korzo and the streets around it for food, drink and evening atmosphere.
- Explore the Austro-Hungarian architecture of the historic centre on foot.
- Visit the museums and galleries, and check what festivals are running during your stay.
- Spend time by the port to see the maritime side of the city.
Rijeka rewards a visit that is unhurried. Give yourself time to wander, eat well and see how the industrial and cultural sides of the city sit together.