Winter in Rijeka

Rijeka, the European Capital of Culture in 2020, is the perfect destination to visit this winter. In the winter, just like in any other season, Rijeka offers you a multitude of activities, but the holiday season is even more beautiful thanks to the Christmas fairs and various festive events.

The list below contains the best places to see and things to do in Rijeka, including accommodations, landmarks to see and visit, places to get the best food, as well as reasons to take a day trip, or an overnight trip, to the neighbouring town of Opatija.

Visit the Rijeka Christmas fair

The Rijeka Christmas fair or the Rijeka Advent is held at the Korzo promenade during the holiday season (November, December, and the first half of January). There are concerts and fun, cultural activities, plus food and drinks – sample delicacies such as chocolate or codfish.

Visit the Trsat Fortress

The Trsat Fortress is brimming with history, and it used to be the place of ancient Illyrian and Roman fortresses, in the 13th Century. The castle was fully reconstructed in the 19th Century, and it has become a must-see landmark for tourists.

Our Lady of Trsat

Our Lady of Trsat, the oldest shrine consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the country, is located next to the fortress. It is a place where many pilgrims come from all over Croatia, but also from abroad, especially during religious holidays.

Dinner at the Trsat Fortress

The Restaurant Trsatica is in the castle’s courtyard. The menu is focused on pizza and grill meat, and the house specialties include lamb cutlets with homemade noodles, ragout with pasta, and tuna steak with polenta and salsa. The view from the terrace is beautiful.

Take a walk on the beach.

Winter may not be the sunbathing season in Rijeka, but the city beaches are still beautiful at any time of year, and the mild Mediterranean climate makes a walk on the sand or along the seafront an enjoyable pastime. Some of the best beaches are Preluk, Koštanj cove, Glavanovo i Bivio.

Take a walk through the Old town Rijeka

Passing through the old city door, you enter the medieval Rijeka, better known as the Old Town.
The Ivan Kobler square
This square used to be the municipal town centre, where town heralds came to give notices, and citizens came to buy groceries at the market. Today, surrounded by impressive architecture from all sides, the Ivan Kobler square is still a focal point, and its fountain, based on the town’s historical paper-making industry, is a famous landmark.

The Clock Tower

Built in medieval times, the Rijeka Clock Tower is an impressive symbol of the city. The yellow tower survived even the devastating earthquake in 1750, after which Baroque details, the portal, the coat of arms, and the emperors’ busts were added. The clock was installed in 1873, and it is still functioning.

Outdoor adventures

The mountains of Učka, Risnjak and Velebit attract lovers of outdoor adventures the whole year round, and the skiers to Platak.
Easily reachable from Rijeka, the Northern Velebit National Park is a spectacular hiking area but be prepared for sudden storms and icy winds. The visitor centre is in Krasno, a mountain village on the other side of Senj. Hiking possibilities include three peaks of over 1,600 metres. Afterwards, reward yourself with a warm beverage or a nip of warming rakija.
Finally, few people understand just how close to Rijeka they can find a ski resort. Located next to Risnjak, the Platak ski resort contains seven ski slopes for different levels of skill. You can also do night skiing there. There is a cableway, and those who don’t ski can rent sleds. Kids will love the 160-metre-long tubing track open year-round.
Hikers can follow three marked trails that lead from the car park, and all of them can be hiked in two to three hours over slight slopes and with a mountain hut along the way or at the end of the trail.