In the early 2000s, Croatia was Europe’s hidden gem – untouched by crowds, it was totally off the tourist map.
But once the nation joined the EU in 2013, that changed entirely, and Croatia soon became the ‘it’ destination, with flocks of partygoers heading to Split and Hvar and holidaymakers seeking out the beautiful beaches nearby.
Nowadays, Croatia is hardly a unique travel spot, falling victim to the same fate as other overcrowded European destinations.
But that doesn’t apply to the entire country.
Located on the Northern part of the Adriatic Sea, Rijeka is the less-known seaside city of Croatia, complete with coastal views of the sea and alpine scenery of the Dinaric Alps.
The secret coastal city provides all the beauty, beach scenery and sun of the popular regions – without hordes of tourists.
Located a five-hour drive away from Split, Rijeka sits on the Kvarnar Bay in Western Croatia and is known as the ‘gateway’ to the Croatian Islands of Krk, Cres, Rab and Losinj.
When it comes to food and drinks, it is more affordable than other cities in Croatia with €2.50 (£2.20) glasses of wine.
Rijeka is Croatia’s hidden gem, a quiet spot with heaps of history to explore
For foodies looking for local delicacies, Rijeka offers a range of Croatian Peka dishes to try, which are slow cooked fish dishes, filled with octopus, garlic, olive oil and wild vegetables.
The coastal city was even awarded the ‘European Capital of Culture’ in 2020 for its range of new museums.
That includes the Rijeka City Museum, known as the ‘Sugar Palace’ which has been beautifully restored into its baroque excellence.
With low fares and short travel times, Rijeka is one of the best-value bases for island-hopping in Croatia.
Flights from London to Rijeka start from just £17 each way in June with Ryanair.
If you visit, you’ll find there’s plenty to explore nearby, too.
From Rijeka, Brits can reach some of Croatia’s best and hidden northern Adriatic islands quickly and cheaply.
Krk is the easiest, with no ferry needed, with buses costing €6–€10 (£5.20-£8.70) per person to an island full of beaches, vineyards and pastel-coloured towns.
With budget-friendly prices and all the glamour of other holiday spots, it’s a great Croatian alternative
Cres, which is reachable by ferry, can be accessed for around €6–€10 (£5.20-£8.70) per person, offering wild coves and rugged scenery, perfect for quieter escapes.
Purchasing a €10–€15 (£8.70-£13) catamaran ride will get Brits to Rab, which is famous for rare sandy beaches and a lively medieval centre.
Further south, Lošinj, known for dolphins, pine forests and wellness retreats, costs just €7–€9 (£6-£7.80) by catamaran.
For those keen to visit the Croatian city of Rijeka, Marella Cruises has started sailing back to the Croatian city for summer 2026 offering a seven-night Adriatic Affair round cruise from Dubrovnik, Croatia on Marella Explorer 2 from £1,610 per person.
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