Kvarner
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Kvarner - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Beli Visitor Centre and Rescue Centre for Griffon Vultures
The northern end of Cres is mountainous and forested, harboring wildlife such as the rare griffin vulture. This rescue center helps protect and rescue these beasts, as well as preserve the environment and heritage of the island. The center houses rescued vultures before they are released back into the wild and includes educational info on the biodiversity and history of northern Cres, bird-watching, eco-trails, and volunteer opportunities. The naturalists that run the center are full of passion about their work and are excited teachers. Visit this center with your kids to learn more about these protected birds, then try to spot the griffins flying in their natural habitat around the cliffs of the island. From November to April, the center is open by appointment only, so call in advance during this period.
Beli 4, Beli, Primorsko-Goranska, Croatia095-506–1116Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free (donations accepted), Closed Sept.–May -
2. Čikat Bay
The road that runs along the Mali Lošinj Harbor leads to Čikat Bay, a pine-covered area dotted with impressive Habsburg-era villas and pebbled beach coves. Nearby hotels and campsites, plus good parking, lots of cafés, and ice-cream stands make these beaches popular. There's a gracious promenade along the bay that's perfect for strolling, a windsurfing school for the adventurous, and paddleboat rentals.
Mali Lošinj, Primorsko-Goranska, Croatia -
3. Cres Town
Tucked into a well-protected bay midway down the island, Cres Town is set around a lovely little fishing harbor, small but perfectly formed, with numerous Gothic and Renaissance churches, monasteries, and palaces. For the most part these are in the Old Town, which sits protected by winged Venetian lions atop three 16th-century gates, the only remains of a defensive wall. A small harbor (Mandrać), as well as a municipal loggia built in the 15th-century, remain the soul of the town. The town beach, at Camp Kovačine, holds a Blue Flag award for cleanliness. To get there, follow the path around the harbor from the main road and keep going for at least 15 minutes along the promenade, where you'll find spots to jump into the water and the odd café or restaurant to keep you fueled. Although the seaside here is man-made, it somehow doesn't detract too much from the experience.
Cres Town, Primorsko-Goranska, Croatia -
4. Kastav
A fine spot from which to admire the splendors of the Kvarner Bay, the Kastav—11 km (7 miles) northwest of Rijeka—was originally a medieval fortress comprising nine defensive towers. The old hilltop village sits at 1,200 feet and is still home to some 900 residents. The backside of the hilltop village is blanketed by a forest area with biking, hiking, and horseback riding trails leading from the loggia to the woods. The town is a popular venue for regular events throughout the year, from the monthly Zeleni Kastav organic green market to the summer Kastav Blues and Cultural Festival, the Bela Nedeja young white wine festival in October, and the traditional bell ringers during the Carnival season in February. Having been home to wealthy and powerful clans in the past, the tiny town has many splendid buildings from throughout the ages. E-bike rentals are available at the forest entrance.
Kastav, Primorsko-Goranska, 51215, Croatia -
5. Krk Town
In terms of its importance and the pride of the 4,000 locals, the island's capital could perhaps even be called a city. It's not completely clear when the old city walls were first built, but the oldest mention of the walls dates back to the 1st century BC. The present-day walls, however, date mainly to the Middle Ages and have four gates. The seafront has a pleasant green area that takes you past cafés and a fish market, while the main square, Vela Placa, sits just behind the first row of houses. There's a beach underneath the town walls with a lovely view of the town. The old town hall on Vela Placa was built in the 15th century. Its clock shows all 24 hours: daytime on the upper part, nighttime on the lower. Krk Town has two well-known visual anchors. The first is the imposing citadel that sits on Trg Kamplin. The bell tower of St. Quirinus is the other, with its angular onion dome typical of Krk.
Krk Town, Primorsko-Goranska, Croatia -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Lošinj Marine Education Centre/Blue World Institute
A community of around 180 bottlenose dolphins makes its home just off the coast of Lošinj, and the nonprofit Lošinj Marine Education Centre has made it its mission to protect the marine environment of the Adriatic Sea. The center has a few engaging displays that use various media forms that invite visitors to take a deeper look at the amazing blue world surrounding the island. You can even "adopt" your own dolphin; you can't take it home with you, of course, but for €35 you'll receive an adoption certificate, a photo of your adopted dolphin, membership for a year, and, of course, that warm fuzzy feeling of doing something good for the world.
Kaštel 24, Veli Lošinj, Primorsko-Goranska, 51551, Croatia051-604–666Sight Details
Rate Includes: €5, Closed Sun. in May, June, and Sept. and weekends Oct.–Apr. -
7. Lovran
Just 5 km (3 miles) southwest of Opatija, the lovely town of Lovran is home to good swimming coves, Habsburg villas, and paths up to Mt. Učka Nature Park. Massive chestnut trees dot the medieval town, giving shady relief from the sun on long summer days. If the crowds of Opatija leave you no place for peace and quiet, walk along the Lungomare through Ičići and Ika (or take Bus No. 32) to Lovran, where you can take in the sea air that lured Austrian royalty to winter here. If you find yourself on the Opatija Riviera in October, don't miss Lovran's Marunada (Chestnut Festival).
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8. Lubenice
One of the most tempting beaches on the island is on the western coast of Cres at the foot of a steep cliff, at the top of which is the tiny village of Lubenice, which offers great views out to sea and up the western coast. This picturesque collection of houses that surrounds the 15th-century Church of St. Anthony the Hermit has been clinging to its outcrop for around 4,000 years. The hamlet is popular among artsy types and hosts exhibitions and music performances in the summer. From the beach below, a short walk through vineyards will bring you to Žanja Cove, which has a blue grotto, a cave at water level that fills with brilliant blue light as strong sunlight filters through the azure water.
Lubenice, Primorsko-Goranska, Croatia -
9. Lungomare
If you enjoy walking by the sea, set off along the magnificent paved waterfront Lungomare. Built in 1889, this 12-km (7½-mile) path leads from the fishing village of Volosko through Opatija—passing in front of old hotels, parks, and gardens and around yacht basins—all the way past the villages of Ičići and Ika to Lovran. In the middle you'll find the popular town beach that fronts the center of Opatija. Close to many cafés, ice cream shops, and other essentials, the beach also has a couple of protected sections of water for safe swimming.
Obalno Šetalište Franza Josefa I, Opatija, Primorsko-Goranska, 51410, Croatia -
10. Mt. Učka Nature Park
From gentle hiking to mountain biking, climbing, and paragliding, all are available in the 160 square km (62 square miles) of Mt. Učka Nature Park, a series of peaks that help shelter the Liburnia Riviera (the official name for the stretch of coast centered on Opatija) and the islands from weather systems to the north. Hiking trails leading toward the summit of the Učka range start from all the resorts along the coast. A climb up to the fine stone lookout tower at the summit of the highest peak, Vojak (4,596 feet), can be well worth it, but it is not for the faint of heart nor inexperienced, out-of-shape hiking enthusiasts. On a clear day, the view offers a distant tour of the islands of Kvarner Bay, the Italian Alps, and perhaps even an indistinct view of Venice. Most routes up to the heights lead through the forest so that you can trek in summer without overheating. Along the way, you'll find natural springs to quench your thirst, ponds, tumbling waterfalls (in the wetter months), impressive natural stone columns, and several hundred caves. The local inhabitants include deer, wild boar, and bears in the park's northernmost sections. Humans have also been living in these hills for centuries, rearing cattle, farming, and working the forest; you'll come across numerous tiny villages and historical sites if you roam far enough. If you're running short on time, many mountain-biking tracks throughout the park offer the chance to expand your lungs on the way up and test your nerve rattling back down to the coast. There is also the possibility to drive to the top and take in the views from the stone tower. There is an information point with maps and souvenirs on the road leading to the summit called Poklon. At Poklon, hikers will find two great restaurants with accommodation and a mountain-hiking hut that sleeps 18. There's also a modern educational center.
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11. Museum of Apoxyomenos
This is an entire museum dedicated to telling the amazing story of a single ancient artifact found on the bottom of the sea near Mali Losinj in 1996. After six years of restoration, the bronze statue, which is presumed to date back to the 1st or 2nd century BC, is an awesome piece of Greek work that is displayed in an artistic and mesmerizing way, making a remarkable impression of what may have happened when the statue fell into the ocean thousands of years ago (but also about the process of its restoration). The building itself is reason enough to buy a ticket and enjoy a guided tour (offered twice-daily at noon and 5 pm).
Riva Lošinjskih Kapetana 13, 51550, Croatia051-734–260Sight Details
Rate Includes: €12 Nov.–Apr.; €15 May.–Oct., Closed Mon. -
12. Muzej Grada Rijeke
In a cube-shaped building on the grounds of the Governor's Palace, the museum has more than a dozen different permanent collections that capture the history of the city and the people who have left an indelible mark on it. The collections range from music to visual art and postage stamps, as well as cultural and scientific displays representative of the heritage of this historic port city. One of the most interesting is the Rijeka Torpedo Exhibit, the first of its kind in the world.
Trg Riccardo Zanella 1/1, Rijeka, Primorsko-Goranska, 51000, Croatia051-554–270Sight Details
Rate Includes: €8, Closed Mon. -
13. Risnjak National Park
Risnjak is a popular destination year-round. In winter you'll find a healthy contingent of snow aficionados desperately trying to avoid a trip up to Austria to sample the real thing. In summer, however, as the sun and the tourists beat down upon the coast, this is perhaps the best place to be. The cool mountain air—the average temperature in the region in July is around 16°C (60°F)—is a bonus to Risnjak's virtually unpopulated landscape. You'll be free to commune with the locals, which include deer, bear, wildcat, and lynx (ris), from which the park takes its name. Geologic and botanical features are occasionally explained by English-language information points over which you may stumble on one of the more popular walking routes. Marked trails can occupy you for an hour's evening stroll to a full seven-day trek on the monstrous Rijeka Mountain Transversal from one side of Gorski Kotar to the other. Hiking huts are strung across the peaks to accommodate such ambitious expeditions. More information regarding these multiday hiking trips is available from the Croatian Mountaineering Association. The park information office is in the village of Crni Lug, at the eastern entrance to the park. Near the park entrance is a guesthouse and restaurant, Pension NP Risnjak, open year-round. You can easily explore the gentler trails from either Rijeka or Delnice on day trips. Paths from the villages of Razloge and Kupari lead up to the source of the wild Kupa River, which can then be followed down the slopes through the "Valley of the Butterflies."
Bijela Vodica 48, Crni Lug, Primorsko-Goranska, 51317, Croatia051-836–133Sight Details
Rate Includes: €8, Information office closed Oct.--Apr. -
14. Stara Baška
If you're looking for a more secluded spot, head to this town that sits just above the beaches that trim a wide cove and peninsula. The road here is a single track through the tiny village, so you may find yourself performing intricate maneuvers in your car should you be unlucky enough to meet the water truck that keeps the village's houses supplied. Unless you arrive by boat, it is best to park in the first empty spot you see and walk into town or down the hill to the beach.
Primorsko-Goranska, Croatia -
15. Trsat
The medieval castle was built on the foundations of a prehistoric fort. In the early 1800s, it was bought by an Austrian general of Irish descent, who converted it to include a Greek temple with Doric columns. Today it hosts a popular café, offering stunning views of the Kvarner Bay; throughout the summer, open-air theater performances and concerts take place. Across the street, the pilgrimage church of Sveta Marija (St. Mary) was constructed in 1453 to commemorate the Miracle of Trsat, when angels carrying the humble house of the Virgin Mary are said to have landed here. Although the angels later moved the house to Loreto in Italy, Trsat has remained a place of pilgrimage. The path up to Trsat from the city center takes you close to Titov trg, at a bridge across the Rječina. It passes through a stone gateway, then makes a long steep climb up 538 steps. Local Bus 2 will get you here, too.
Petra Zrinskog bb, Rijeka, Primorsko-Goranska, 51000, Croatia051-217–714-for the castleSight Details
Rate Includes: Church and castle admission are free; €2 for castle exhibits, No church visits during religious services -
16. Veli Lošinj
The sea captains of Veli Lošinj evidently preferred to escape the harsh working conditions of life on the sea while they were back on land, so they built their villas away from the waterfront, often surrounding themselves with gardens filled with exotic plants brought back from their travels. Archduke Karl Stephan built a winter residence in Veli Lošinj that is now a sanatorium surrounded by wonderful gardens, with a range of exotic plants and an arboretum. It's possible to spend the night in the sanatorium, even if you are healthy. A short walk beyond the main harbor is the quaint fishing cove of Rovenska. Beyond that, there's a pebble beach and several inviting restaurants. The breakwater was established by Archduke Maximilian I.
Veli Lošinj, Primorsko-Goranska, 51551, Croatia -
17. Veli Zvonik
The tallest and most beautiful of Rab's campaniles, the freestanding Veli Zvonik forms part of the former cathedral complex and dominates the southwest side of the peninsula. Built in the 12th century, it stands 85 feet high. A climb to the top is well worth the effort since it affords breathtaking views over the town and sea.
Gornja, Rab, Primorsko-Goranska, 51280, CroatiaSight Details
Rate Includes: €3, Closed Oct.–May -
18. Vrbnik
This clifftop town on the northeast coast of the island offers majestic views of the Velebit Mountains and a bird's-eye view of the crystal clear waters far below. Clustered on a hilltop 157 feet above a small harbor, it's a mass of confusing winding streets. As you traverse the town on foot you will find many corners where long staircases suddenly arise due to the steep terrain. As one of the oldest settlements on Krk, Vrbnik can feel a a little ramshackle, but this more lends to the charm than distracts from it. The fragrance of old wine barrels is ubiquitous on Vrbnik, and it is likely that they were once filled with Žlahtina, a local white wine that some claim is the best from the Kvarner region. The vineyards are just a short hop from town.
Vrbnik, Primorsko-Goranska, Croatia -
19. Baška
On the southern end of the island, this town has a great beach as well as the conveniences of civilization. However, this means that you must sometimes fight to find a spot in season. The 2-km (1-mile) beach is fronted by colorfully painted houses (and hotels at the southern end) and adorned with interesting nooks and stairways, all lending a fun and slightly eccentric air to the town. Cute backstreets behind the houses offer a selection of cozy cafés and a plethora of ice-cream shops.
Baška, Primorsko-Goranska, Croatia -
20. Church of St. Anthony the Hermit
The intimate harbor is the centerpiece of Veli Lošinj, at the entrance to which is the delightful Church of St. Anthony the Hermit, with a separate bell tower in pink and cream stone. Built on the site of a former church in 1774, the church has always had a congregation of seafarers, who have filled it with religious art and altars from spots such as Venice.
Lošinj, Primorsko-Goranska, CroatiaSight Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Sept.–July
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