The Gulf of Kvarner is at the northern end of the Croatian Adriatic. The area extends from Rijeka in the North and 100 km along the coast to Jabanac.
The region is particularly well-known for its many islands, which all have their own distinctive characteristics. Because of its geographical location, the Gulf of Kvarner has always been a gathering point for many peoples and cultures, which have all put their mark from former civilisations. The region is the ideal holiday destination, with plenty of possibilities of filling your holiday with relaxing trips to the beach and cultural elements.

The landscape in the Gulf of Kvarner

The landscape in the Gulf of Kvarner is characterised by a rich archipelago, a beautiful stretch of coast and a mountain landscape in the hinterland.
The nature is unspoiled and green, with idyllic villages and nature parks that are worth a visit. The rocky beaches and the azure Adriatic, which surrounds the many cosy bathing coves, encourage you to have the perfect bathing experience.

Large cities in the Gulf of Kvarner: Rijeka and Krk

Rijeka- Is a really good starting point, if you want to explore the many islands. From here, there are ferries to practically all of the islands along the coast and down to Dubrovik. Rijeka is Croatia’s largest port town and the third-largest town measured by population. An exciting town with many excursion points – the lively and varied harbour environment, many interesting shops, where you can shop all you want and still have the possibility of admiring the medieval architecture that is everywhere in town.

Krk- also known as "the golden island", is the largest island in the Adriatic and is a paradise of long and nice pebble beaches. Medieval times have left their mark on the island, with its many small and windy roads, picturesque squares and city walls. The infrastructure on Krk is well-developed, with a good road network, supermarkets and several specialty shops. The island is known for its hillsides with wild herbs and its large olive groves, and it is a popular rendezvous for artists and authors.
It was on this island that the Croatian language was founded more than 1000 years ago.

Tourist attractions in the Gulf of Kvarner

If you want a holiday with cultural experiences, there are plenty of possibilities – for instance a visit to Opatija, which is also known as “the queen of tourism on the Adriatic”.
In Rijeka, you can experience the view of the harbour and the town from the castle Trsat. The castle was built by the Romans as a fortification and was the home of the Croatian noble family the Frankopans during the Middle Ages.

Another popular excursion possibility when you are in the Gulf of Kvarner is “island hopping”, where you sail from island to island and experience the distinctive characteristics of the many different islands. You are in total control of the pace!

Sports activities in the Gulf of Kvarner

The Gulf of Kvarner offers several leisure activities. Here, you can for example play tennis, sail around on the crystal-clear Adriatic or dive and experience underwater discoveries from Roman times all over the ocean floor from Paula to Cavar.

Gastronomic characteristics of the Gulf of Kvarner

The cuisine of the Gulf of Kvarner is, just as in the rest of Croatia, put together by various food cultures. For instance from Italy and Greece, and on the mainland rather Austrian, Hungarian and South German cooking.
The cuisine is very varied, with meat dishes, fish specialties, soups, bacon, cheese, ham and wine and Travarica (the country’s herb schnapps), which can be enjoyed with wine produced on Krk.

The climate in the Gulf of Kvarner

The area is known for its mild and sunny climate, with temperatures above 20 °C between April and November. The Maestral wind provides a fresh breeze during the warm summer weather. It is often windy at night, but the wind subsides during the morning hours. During the winter season, the wind rips through the area for a longer time and often lasts a few days at a time. There is a typical Mediterranean climate, with warm, sunny summers and mild and humid winters. The average temperature during the summer is 24 °C, and it is 4° C during the winter. On average, there are 2,600 hours of sunshine a year at the Adriatic coast.