Beaches in Rijeka
Rijeka and its surroundings offer a wide selection of beaches, from city beaches in Pećine to more arranged and spacious areas on the western side of the city. We have selected some of the better known beaches that can be a good choice during your stay in Rijeka, whether you are looking for a quick swim or a longer summer day by the coast.
Pećine
Pećine is one of the best known coastal parts of Rijeka and a great choice for guests who want to stay close to the centre while still enjoying the sea and swimming. This part of the city includes several well known beaches and bathing spots, including Sablićevo, Glavanovo and Grčevo.
This area of Rijeka is especially attractive because it combines an urban setting, historic villas and a number of different swimming locations. If you want to feel the classic Rijeka summer atmosphere and explore several beaches without going far from the city, Pećine is an excellent place to start.
Sablićevo
Sablićevo is one of the most famous city beaches on the eastern side of Rijeka and a good choice for guests who want to stay relatively close to the centre. It is especially suitable for those who want a quick and simple trip to the sea without planning a full-day excursion.
The atmosphere is urban yet relaxed enough for a short swim and a break by the sea during warmer days. It is a good option for couples, solo travellers and guests who want to combine sightseeing with a beach visit.
Glavanovo
Glavanovo is very popular with guests who are looking for a quieter sea experience while still staying in the Rijeka area. It is often recommended for families and for those who prefer a more comfortable entrance to the sea and a more relaxed pace.
If you want a city beach that feels a little calmer than the busiest spots, Glavanovo is an excellent option. Combined with a stay in the centre of Rijeka, it offers a nice balance between city life and summer relaxation.
Grčevo
Grčevo is another well known beach on the eastern side of Rijeka and is often chosen by guests who want to stay in the Pećine area. Compared with some other city beaches, it feels a little simpler and more casual, which gives it a special local character.
It is a good choice for those who enjoy a more authentic Rijeka beach experience and do not necessarily look for the most arranged bathing areas, but rather a local city beach atmosphere. It suits guests who prefer spontaneous sea visits over full-day planning.
Ploče and Kantrida Pools
Ploče is among the most famous and most arranged beaches in Rijeka, while the area near the Kantrida Pools is especially attractive for guests who enjoy the combination of sea, organised bathing areas and additional facilities. This is one of the best choices for a more complete summer day on Rijeka's coast.
If you want more space, better infrastructure and a well known location on the western side of the city, this area is a very safe choice. It suits families as well as guests who like to spend longer periods at the beach.
Kantrida by the stadium
The Kantrida area by the stadium has a special atmosphere that many people remember for its mix of rocks, sea and one of the most distinctive stadiums on the Croatian coast. It is a good choice for guests who want a different experience from a classic city beach.
This area is especially interesting for those who enjoy seaside walks, photography and places with a strong local identity. Kantrida has a clear character and is often remembered as one of the most visually interesting coastal parts of Rijeka.
Kostanj
Kostanj is known as a well arranged beach on the western side of Rijeka and is often listed among the best options for guests who want a quieter, high quality stay by the sea. This part of the coast is especially attractive to those who prefer a more organised and open beach area.
It is a good option for guests who want to go a little further from the centre and spend more time by the sea without leaving the city area completely. If you are looking for a western Rijeka beach with a pleasant summer rhythm, Kostanj is a very good choice.
Preluk
Preluk is one of the most recognisable places on the Rijeka coast, especially among surfers and guests who like a more active relationship with the sea. Its open location and wind give it a different character from most classic city beaches.
It is a good choice for guests who enjoy a sense of openness, a sports atmosphere and a different view of Kvarner. If you like a more dynamic coastal landscape and places with a strong identity, Preluk is worth including in your stay plan.
Better known beaches nearby
If you want to explore the wider Kvarner area during your stay, there are many beautiful beaches near Rijeka that are suitable for a half-day or full-day trip. Below we have highlighted some of the best known and most loved locations that can be reached fairly easily by car from Rijeka.
Kostrena
Kostrena is one of the best choices for guests who want to go to the sea during their stay in Rijeka while still remaining very close to the city. Along the Kostrena coast there is a series of well known beaches and coves, including Žurkovo, Svežanj, Šodići, Podrajić, Nova voda and Perilo.
This part of the coast is especially attractive because of its clean sea, pleasant promenade and more relaxed pace than the city beaches in Rijeka itself. Kostrena is excellent for a half-day or full-day trip, especially for guests who want to combine swimming, walking by the coast and a calmer summer atmosphere.
Opatija
Opatija is an excellent choice for guests who want a combination of swimming, seaside walks and an elegant coastal atmosphere. Along the famous Lungomare you will find various arranged beaches and bathing spots, and among the best known are often Tomaševac, Slatina, Škrbići and Lipovica.
Compared with some other Kvarner beaches, Opatija offers a more urban and Riviera-like feel, which makes it especially attractive for guests who want to combine the sea with coffee, lunch and a relaxed walk by the coast. Thanks to its proximity to Rijeka, it is very practical for a half-day or full-day trip.
Ičići
Ičići is a great choice for guests looking for a well arranged and well known beach on the Opatija Riviera, with a pleasant promenade and a comfortable summer atmosphere. The place is especially known for its attractive beach and ACI marina, and the beach has carried the Blue Flag for many years as a sign of clean sea and quality facilities.
Thanks to the combination of pebble and arranged sunbathing areas, easy access and good facilities, Ičići is a very good choice for families with children, couples and guests who want a comfortable day by the sea without too much planning. From Rijeka it is close enough for an easy half-day or full-day trip.
Mošćenička Draga
Mošćenička Draga is one of the most famous beach locations on the Kvarner coast and an excellent choice for guests who want a full-day trip from Rijeka. This destination combines a beautiful coastline, a well known bathing area and an attractive coastal atmosphere that feels different from the city beaches in Rijeka.
It is especially good for guests who want a more impressive seaside setting, a walk by the sea and a full summer outing. If you plan to dedicate a whole day to swimming and the coast, Mošćenička Draga is among the best options.
Medveja
Medveja is a very well known beach on the Opatija area and is often chosen when guests want a wider, more impressive beach for swimming. Compared with the city beaches in Rijeka, the experience here is more excursion-like and more focused on spending a longer time by the sea.
If you want to spend almost the whole day in one place while enjoying a different landscape, Medveja is an excellent option. It is especially attractive for guests who want to step outside the city framework and feel a more pronounced Kvarner summer atmosphere.
Crikvenica
Crikvenica is one of the best known seaside destinations on Kvarner and an excellent choice for guests who want a combination of beach, promenade and a more developed tourist town. Here the atmosphere is more Riviera-like, with more facilities and a stronger summer feel than on most city beaches in Rijeka.
It is a good option for guests who like to combine swimming, coffee, lunch and a walk by the sea in one place. If you want an excursion to a livelier and well known coast, Crikvenica is a very safe choice.
Baška
Baška is among the best known beach destinations on the island of Krk and a very popular choice for guests who want an impressive full-day trip from Rijeka. It is known for its open landscape, recognisable coastal view and strong sense of space.
If you want one of the classic Kvarner locations that many people remember for its beach, Baška is an excellent choice. It suits guests who want a more complete excursion and are happy to spend more time travelling and staying there.
Punat and Punta Debij
Punat is a very pleasant place for a summer outing, and Punta Debij is a good option for guests looking for a more arranged and accessible beach on the island of Krk. This location suits those who prefer a calmer pace, fewer crowds and a more relaxed stay by the sea.
If you are looking for a Krk option that is ideal for a leisurely day by the sea and does not have to be the loudest or most famous beach, Punat is a very good alternative. It is well suited to couples, families and guests who like neat coastal towns.
Malinska
Malinska is very popular with guests who want a pleasant combination of beach, walking areas and an easy summer rhythm on the island of Krk. As a trip from Rijeka, it is a good option for those who want a different coastal setting without a long journey.
It feels friendly and accessible, so it suits guests who like to combine swimming with a longer walk along the coast or a short break in town. If you are planning a more relaxed day on Krk, Malinska is a very nice choice.
Rijeka as an excellent base for sea and day trips
Staying at Apartments Budin lets you choose a different seaside experience every day, from a short swim at the city beaches in Rijeka to a full-day trip towards the Opatija Riviera, Crikvenica or the island of Krk. That is why Rijeka is an excellent choice for guests who want more than one location during their holiday.