7 Best Things to Do in Rijeka, Croatia

Tip: To find the best accommodation, compare Hostelbookers.com and HotelTravel.com and to find the cheapest flights use CheapOair.com

Discover the 7 best things to do in Rijeka, Croatia. This post is also a one day itinerary in Rijeka, Croatia and includes cheap accommodation, directions in and around Rijeka, Croatia and lots of other useful information on how to survive travel in Rijeka, Croatia

Getting From Osijek to Rijeka, Croatia

We arrived in Rijeka from Osijek. It was a 8-9 hour train/bus ride and cost 240kuna. Rijeka is near the ocean and quite hilly so be prepared for a winding mountain road.

The Captain Peter.. Stairs to Trsat

Cheap Accommodation in Rijeka, Croatia

If you need cheap accommodation in Rijeka, Croatia, we stayed at the Youth Hostel Association YHA.

We arrived on a Saturday night. Apparently everyone comes on the weekends to go out so every hostel we went to was fully booked.

From the train station you can walk ESE along the waterfront to find hostels. Most are well signed.

If that fails go further along the waterfront along Riva and there’s 2 or 3 hostels along that road. On the way you pass the bus station. Over the road there is another hostel you can try.

If all of them fail, go can walk a couple of km to the Youth Hostel, which is where we ended up staying.

YHA are usually a bit out of the way but there standard is always good and are reasonably priced. They also include a light breakfast cereal, bread and some spreads. You have to buy their membership (10 euros). It was 145Kuna for a dorm. Bus #1 will take you there.

Map to get to the Youth Hostel

7 Best Things to Do in Rijeka, Croatia

Ok, here it is. My list of 7 best things to do in Rijeka, Croatia, as well as my one day itinerary Rijeka, Croatia.

We stayed for 2 nights in Rijeka. We arrived late on Saturday night, spent Sunday exploring and left Monday morning. I guess if you were rushed you could arrive early morning, spend the day sightseeing and leave in the evening.

Trsat Castle in the distance

1. Rijeka Market

The first thing on my list of best things to do in Rijeka, Croatia was to go to the market, because it closes at midday (1400 on week days), at least that is what the girl at the hostel told us.

It is a decent sized fruit and veg market with a few other things. Better than the one in Zagreb.

Sign to the underpass.

2. Walk the Pier

Next we walked along the pier. The girl at the hostel said is was good to look back at the city. It was a ‘long’ hot walk and I’m not sure if it was worth it.

3. Old Town

After that we got some lunch (sandwich from one of the many bakeries) and walked through the old town. Most of the shops were closed because it was Sunday. All through the town there are good maps showing you where all the points of interest are. Just see what you want.

In Old Town

Get the Latest Survive Travel Books FREE! Click Here to Get Them.4. Captain Petar Kruzic Staircase

After Old Town, we made our way to the Captain Petar Kruzic staircase to climb up the *561 stairs to Trsat Castle.

Climbing these stairs was my favorite of my best things to do in Rijeka, Croatia. I can see how actually climbing them may not appeal to lots of people, but I really enjoyed it.

*I didn’t count the stairs. I found this information on the internet.

Captain Petar Kruzic stairs to Trsat Castle. Click to enlarge.

5. Trsat Castle

Once we had climbed to the top, we went to see the Trsat Castle. The whole area there is very pleasant with more to see than just the castle.

Trsat Castle itself was free entry, but they had signs to pay, so maybe it was just the season. It’s interesting to walk around, with spectacular views of Rijeka (featured picture).

Getting to Trsat Castle, Rijeka

Getting to Trsat Castle by foot involves climbing the Captain Petar Kruzic Stairs (see #4 of the best things to do in Rijika).

Alternatively, take bus 8 or 2 which will take you there.

Once in Trsat, walk down this street to get to Trsat Castle. Click to enlarge.

6. Hit the Beach

After the castle we went back to the hostel for a rest, then went to the beach in the afternoon.

It was nothing like I expected. I’m used to large stretches of sand. This was a small pebble beach and was packed with people. The water is nice.

To get to the beach from the youth hostel, head east. You’ll see it.

7. Shopping Center

I was reluctant to put this on this list of best things to do in Rijeka, but we did do it and it is close to the beach. Also, some people really like shoppping centers.

Walk North from the beach, up the stairs. You’ll see it.

There’s a small food court on the 3rd floor. Watch out for the buffet, we got charged much more than expected.

Beware the Money Changing Scam in Rijeka

Watch out for people on the street wanting to change money with you. Make sure you are the last one to count it BEFORE you hand over your money. They have great magician hands and will ‘fake’ count it, palming some notes back into their hands.

Next Stop… Pula, Croatia

The next day we headed to Pula. to see the Colosseum amongst other things.

Tip: To find the best accommodation, compare Hostelbookers.com and HotelTravel.com and to find the cheapest flights use CheapOair.com

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