Region in Croatia
Kvarner
- Best time to go
- May, June, Sept, Oct
- Part of
- Croatia
Kvarner is the bay between Istria and the mainland, centred on Rijeka, Croatia's biggest port and third-largest city.
On the coast, Opatija and Lovran have been elegant seaside resorts since Austro-Hungarian times, and out in the bay lie the islands of Krk, Cres, Lošinj and Rab. Mountains rise straight from the sea here, so you can swim in the morning and hike in the forests of Učka or Gorski kotar in the afternoon.
Things to do
Don't miss in Kvarner
- Walk the Lungomare, the seaside promenade that runs for about 12 km from Volosko through Opatija to Lovran.
- Climb the steps to Trsat Castle above Rijeka, and visit in January or February for the Rijeka Carnival, one of the biggest in Europe.
- Taste Žlahtina wine in Vrbnik, a village on a cliff on the island of Krk.
- Visit the hilltop village of Lubenice on Cres, high above one of the island's most beautiful beaches.
- Look for dolphins around Lošinj and stroll the harbours of Mali and Veli Lošinj.
- See the four bell towers of Rab town and swim at the sandy beaches near Lopar.
- Hike to Vojak, the highest peak of Učka, for views over the whole bay and the islands.
Getting there
How to get to Kvarner
Rijeka Airport is on the island of Krk, which is linked to the mainland by the Krk Bridge. The A6 motorway reaches Rijeka from Zagreb in about two hours. Car ferries run from Valbiska on Krk and from Brestova in Istria to Cres, and from Stinica to Rab, and catamarans connect Rijeka with Cres, Mali Lošinj and Rab. Cres and Lošinj are joined by a small bridge at Osor.