Croatia

Two weeks ago we went to the Kvarner Bay in Croatia. We stayed at a rather small town which is called Crikvenica. It was quite great for us because we only had to drive 6 hours to get there. Especially when you don't have a sea cost in your country, like we do since we're from Austria, you're very grateful when it doesn't take you long to get to your destination. Immediately after we arrived there we went swimming in the town.
We made a trip to another city in the surroundings almost everyday.

Rijeka

On the first day we went to the city Rijeka.
After a one hour drive we searched for a parking lot where we could put our car. We've found a public parking spot where you have to pay, but that was worth it.
We went through the city with a map where we've already marked the sights we wanted to see. So we went up and down in the hilly city looking at all sights. Rijeka looked quite beautiful and it didn't take us as long as we had expected till we had seen all sights because the main part of the city where the interesting sights were, is quite fast to walk through. For me the last one was the best. Although we had to walk the 600 steps upwards it was extraordinary. By the way, there is also a street which takes you there but we didn't know that beforehand. Our last destination was the castle where you can overlook the city. There we had the best view ever. We also took a few pictures of us there. But you can also just stand at the edge of the walls from the castles and enjoy the view of the city.

Main Facts

Rijeka is the principal seaport and the third-largest city in Croatia (after Zagreb and Split). It is located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 128,624 inhabitants. The metropolitan area, which includes adjacent towns and municipalities, has a population of more than 240,000.
Rijeka is located in western Croatia, 131 kilometres southwest of the capital, Zagreb, on the northern coast of Rijeka Bay, as part of a larger Kvarner Gulf of the Adriatic Sea, which is a large bay Mediterranean Sea most deeply indented to the European mainland.

Sights

Trsat Castle

Svetište Majke Božje Trsatske – the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Trsat. Built 135 m (443 ft) above sea level on the Trsat hill during the late Middle Ages, it represents the Guardian of Travellers, especially seamen, who bring offerings to her so she will guard them or help them in time of trouble or illness. It is home to the Gothic sculpture of the Madonna of Slunj and to works by the Baroque painter C. Tasce.

View over Rijeka

The Old Gateway Roman Arch

Old gate or Roman arch. At first it was thought that this was a Roman Triumphal Arch built by the Roman Emperor Claudius Gothicus but later it was discovered to be just a portal to the pretorium, the army command in late antiquity.

Palace Modello

Rijeka Cathedral, dedicated to St. Vitus.
Palace Modello designed by Buro Fellner & Helmer and built in 1885.

Shopping Street Korzo

Town Hall

Palace Of Justice

Palace Ploech

Leaning Tower

Croatia Popular Theatre

Location

The terrain configuration, with mountains rising steeply just a few kilometres inland from the shores of the Adriatic, provides for some striking climatic and landscape contrasts within a small geographic area. Beaches can be enjoyed throughout summer in a typically Mediterranean setting along the coastal areas of the city to the east (Pećine, Kostrena) and west (Kantrida, Preluk). At the same time, the ski resort of Platak, located only about 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) from the city, offers alpine skiing and abundant snow during winter months (at times until early May). The Kvarner Bay and its islands are visible from the ski slopes.

Climate

Rijeka has a Humid subtropical climate with warm summers and relatively mild and rainy winters. Snow is rare (usually three days per year, almost always occurring in patches). There are 20 days a year with a maximum of 30 °C (86 °F) or higher, while on one day a year the temperature does not exceed 0 °C (32 °F). Fog appears in about four days per year, mainly in winter. The climate is also characterized by frequent rainfall. Cold winds are common in wintertime.