Rijeka travel guide

Background

Founded as the Roman Tarsatica, Rijeka only really began to develop in 1466, when it came under Austrian rule. It fast became a major trading centre, with iron, oil, wood, wool, cattle and leather passing through the port by the 16th century. In 1723 it was awarded the status of a free port and, during the latter half of the 18th century, it expanded, spreading beyond the old town walls when a large strip of land was reclaimed from the sea, extending the seafront by several hundred metres. In 1779 it passed to Hungary and so, while other coastal towns came under Venice and were filled with Venetian-style architecture, Rijeka’s buildings were being designed by architects from Budapest.

The world’s first self-propelled torpedoes were produced here in 1866, though they are now on display in Split, Maritime Museum , not in Rijeka. In the 1960s Rijeka became Yugoslavia’s largest port, with a thriving shipyard and new heavy industries offering large-scale employment. Families moved in from rural areas of the country to find work here and the modern high-rise suburbs came into being. During the Croatian war of independence Rijeka was noted for its tolerance and many non-Croats were able to remain here safely. Today it is Croatia’s largest seaport, but due to a national economic crisis, traditional industries such as shipbuilding, oil refining, paper milling and engine building are only just managing to continue functioning.

Best time to visit

Like all the coastal towns, Rijeka is at its busiest from June to September. However, the town’s Carnival celebrations (in late February or early March, depending when Easter falls) also pull in the crowds, notably on the Sunday before Shrove Tuesday, when the International Carnival Parade takes place.

Getting around

The centre can be explored entirely on foot. It’s possible to walk up to Trsat, using the pilgrimage path, though bus No 1 will also get you there. If you’re staying in Opatija and visiting Rijeka, the two town centres are connected by bus No 32 which runs every 20 minutes. In addition, there’s a double-decker sightseeing bus, with a guide, which runs several times daily between Rijeka and Opatija. Tickets cost 70Kn and are available from tourist information centres in both towns.

Air

Through summer, there are regular flights to and from London Heathrow. Through winter there are no flights, but Croatia Airlines operate a daily bus connecting Rijeka to Zagreb airport. Rijeka airport, T051-842132, http://www.rijeka-airport.hr.

Airline offices

Croatia Airlines, Jelačićev trg 5, T051-330207.

Bus

For information about buses to and from Rijeka, T060-302010. Left luggage 0530-1030, 10Kn per piece per day.

Internal services include 26 buses daily to Zagreb (3 hrs); 17 to Pula in Istria (2½ hrs); 11 to Zadar in North Dalmatia (4½ hrs); 12 to Split in Central Dalmatia (8 hrs) and 5 to Dubrovnik in South Dalmatia (12 hrs). Also regular international bus lines to Trieste (Italy), Ljubljana (Slovenia), Berlin (Germany) and Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Car

Budget, Trg Republike Hrvatske 8a, T051-214742, http://www.budget.hr; Dollar & Thrifty, Riva 22, T051-325900, http://www.subrosa.hr; Hertz, Riva 6, T051-311098, http://www.hertz.hr.

Ferry

Jadrolinija, T051-211444, run a twice-weekly overnight coastal service between Rijeka and Dubrovnik in South Dalmatia, stopping at Split, Stari Grad (island of Hvar), Korčula and Sobra (island of Mljet) en route. The same company run daily catamaran services to Rab Town (island of Rab) and Novalja (island of Pag), and to Cres Town (island of Cres), Unije, Susak and Mali Lošinj (island of Lošinj) .

Taxi

There are taxi ranks at both the train station, T051-332893, and bus station, T051-335138.

Train

Rijeka train station, T051-213333. Left luggage 0900-2100, 10Kn per piece per day.

Internal services include 5 trains daily to Zagreb (3½ hrs) and 1 train to Osijek (7½ hrs). Daily international trains run direct to Budapest (Hungary) and Ljubljana (Slovenia).

Consulates

Austria, Stipana Konzula Istranina 2, T051-338554. Denmark, Splitska 2, T051-212522. Hungary, Riva Boduli 1/IV, T051-213494. Italy, Riva 16, T051-355200. Netherlands, Veslarska 1b, T051-213126. Norway, Žrtava fašizma 2/II, T051-335827. Sweden, Riva 16, T051-212287. Serbia , Erazma Barčića 9, T051-337420/1.

Emergencies

Ambulance: 94; Fire: 93; Police: 92.

Internet

Internet Club Cont, Šetalište A. Kačića Miošića 1, T051-371630, http://www.internet-cont.com; Jan, MMC Palach, Kružna 6, T051-215063, http://www.mmc.hr .

Medical services

Rijeka Hospital, Krešimirova 42, beyond the train station, T051-658111 (24-hr casualty). Pharmacies: are marked by a glowing green cross. Ljekarna Centar, Jadranski Trg 1 (T051-213101) and Ljekarna Korzo, Korzo 22 (T051-211036) are open 24 hrs.

Post offices

The main post office is at Korzo 13, and is open Mon-Sat 0700-2100, Sun 0700-1400.

Telephones

If you prefer to telephone from a peaceful phone booth, rather than calling on the street, go to one of the post offices. Otherwise, you’ll find phone kiosks in town.