The 7 Best Beaches in Rijeka

The port city of Rijeka in Croatia is best known for its culture and art scene. But also the uniquely beautiful beaches of Rijeka are a highlight that should not be missed on any visit! Although it’s an industrial city, the sea in this region is wonderfully clean and partly glows in fantastic shades of blue. No wonder that some of these dream beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag! But where are the most beautiful beaches in Rijeka, which places are popular for a holiday, and where in the city and around can the best sunbathing and swimming spots be found?

In this beach guide, we reveal the 7 most beautiful beaches in Rijeka. We also share our experiences with you and provide you with plenty of tips that will certainly help you plan your trip.

Plaza Ploce Beach (Fiumana Beach)

One of the largest and most popular beaches in Rijeka is Plaza Ploce, often known as Fiumana Beach. This stunning bathing bay is located in the north of the city center and thanks to its excellent quality it has been awarded the Blue Flag. This city beach is a kind of double bay with a pebble beach, which offers enough space for sunbathing and swimming even in summer. Right above the beach is the large indoor swimming pool, the Bazeni Kantrida, which attracts with large pools, diving boards, many sports facilities and even a diving school. A small beach bar and a cozy café provide catering.

Tip: Recommended for a beach holiday in Rijeka are the Apartments of Villa Nora. They are just a few steps from Fiumana beach and 5 kilometers from the city center.

Beach Plaza Ploce (Beach Fiumana)

Sablićevo Beach

For many, Sablićevo Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Rijeka. And really, this breathtaking bay is as one of the oldest city beaches and therefore unique. It is located in the city, a little east, about 2.5 kilometers from the center, just below a housing estate and can be reached via a few steep steps. On the walk down, people are already amazed by the spectacular beach scenery made of steep rocks, fine pebbles and overwhelmingly beautiful sea colors. Thanks to a small source of fresh water, the water at Sablićevo beach is wonderfully fresh and just great to cool down, especially on hot summer days.

Tip: The Apartman Prima is located just near the beach. It is very clean, modernly furnished, equipped with everything you might desire and only 50 meters from Sablicevo Beach.

Beach Sablićevo

Preluk Beach

Another beautiful place to go swimming is located north of Rijeka, about 10 kilometers from the city center, in the holiday resort Preluk. Here you will find several lovely beaches, including a nudist beach and other hidden bays. One of the most beautiful bathing spots, and at the same time a real insider tip for everyone who prefers it quiet, is the small, cozy beach at S-Bar. While relaxing in the sun, you can enjoy a clean pebble beach with incredibly beautiful turquoise blue sea colors. The water here is extremely clear and, thanks to the natural environment, is ideal for snorkeling.

Tip: The popular Apartments & Rooms Preelook offers beautiful, modern apartments and tasteful rooms in a fantastic location between Rijeka and Opatija.

Beach Preluk

Kostrena Beach

One of the best beaches around Rijeka is the picturesque bay of Kostrena Beach. This is located south of the city, around 8 kilometers from the city center. Here you will enjoy a clean, very fine pebble beach in an extraordinarily romantic setting. The sea is also crystal clear, and you can discover a variety of fish and starfish while snorkeling. Behind the Kostrena beach, there is a restaurant and a few very cozy beach bars, which provide lovely food and cool drinks. During a vacation, you can enjoy a beautiful Mediterranean backdrop. Along the coast there is a picturesque waterfront promenade, where you can discover even more lonely bathing bays on extended beach walks.

Tip: Recommended accommodation and vacation apartments nearby can be found in the nearby village of Kostrena, such as the pretty Apartment Doris or Villa Oasis Kostrena.

Kostrena Beach

Plaza Kantrida Beach

Kantrida Beach is located directly opposite the Rijeka stadium and is probably one of the most popular beaches in town. Also families with children love to come here for swimming. Mainly locals meet here, but tourists also like to mingle with the people on this city beach. Especially in the high season, it can get quite crowded here. The Kantrida beach is a pebble beach, which is also partially equipped with concrete surfaces. Right behind it there is a cozy café, a small SUP rental and there are also plenty of free parking spots.

Beach Plaza Kantrida (City Beach)

Uvala Svezanj Bay (Kostrena)

The Uvala Svezanj Bay is certainly one of the most beautiful beaches in the immediate vicinity of Rijeka. It is located a bit hidden in the south of the city, near the village of Kostrena, and can be reached via a few steps down from the parking lot. A beautiful natural bay with round stones and clear, turquoise blue sea awaits you here. Part of this bay is even part of a nature reserve. Especially at that place, you can go snorkeling and marvel at an interesting underwater world.

Tip: Truly recommended are here the Apartments Soldić with a large terrace, which are not far from the beach in a quiet location.

Uvala Svezanj Beach (Kostrena)

Glavanovo Beach

The relaxed Glavanova Beach is another recommended bathing beach in Rijeka. During a visit, you will find yourself in a wild and romantic landscape of high rocks, fine, light pebbles and picturesque sea colors. The water is very clean and always pleasantly cool thanks to underground springs, which is particularly welcome on hot days. Only food and drinks for the day at the beach should be taken to Glavanovo beach because there are no bars or restaurants on this small and quiet beach gem.

Glavanovo Beach

Beaches in Opatija

Other beautiful beaches in the area near ​​Rijeka can be found in the very famous holiday resort of Opatija, which is located only 15 kilometers away. Here you will find a variety of charming bathing bays, embedded in a nostalgic backdrop of old imperial buildings. Many tourists spend their summer holidays in Opatija and take a trip from there to Rijeka, for example by taxi boat, car or bus.

Tip: Particularly recommended for staying in Opaija is the selection of wonderful romantic prestige hotels and the many lovely apartments.

Beach Slatina

Find the best accommodation in Rijeka:

 Booking.com

More about Croatia:

• Kvarner Bay: The Most Amazing Places On The Coast

• Opatija, Croatia: Travel Guide & Things to Do

• The 10 Best Beaches in Opatija

• Crikvenica, Croatia: The Complete Travel Guide

• Lovran, Croatia: Travel Guide & Best Beaches

• Krk Island, Croatia: The Golden Island Travel Guide

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