One of Croatia’s best kept secrets Kvarner Bay lies in the northern half of the Adriatic Sea between the beautiful Istrian peninsula and the Croatian mainland. With a mild climate, Kvarner Bay makes the perfect holiday destination to explore an array of Croatian islands and coastal towns and cities.
Whilst the majority of tourists flock to Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian island of Hvar, the northern region of Croatia is perfect if you want to enjoy the delights of Croatia without the hustle and bustle of the tourist crowds. From long golden beaches and tranquil areas of outstanding natural beauty to bustling little ports and towns rich for exploring, you’ll have the holiday of a lifetime in the Kvarner Gulf region. Some the region’s delights include:
Opatija - No trip to Croatia’s Kvarner region would be complete without a trip to Opatija. Known both as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ and the ‘Nice of the Adriatic’, it is famed for both its stunning architecture as well as its breathtaking views of the Adriatic from its 12 km long seafront.
Rijeka - A major Croatian port that lies at the very heart of the region, it is a real crossroads, connecting the Kvarner Gulf region to the rest of the world by air, bus, train and ferry. Often overlooked as a tourist destination in itself, the old parts of the city are full of beautiful buildings as well as being home to the fantastic Rijeka Natural History Museum.
Krk - The largest island in the Kvarner Bay region as well as the Adriatic Ocean itself. Krk is a fantastic place to visit. Krk has a wide range of accommodation available to suit all tastes and budgets. There’s lots to do too, from swimming off the beautiful Baska beach to enjoying its fantastic Aquarium or simply spending the afternoon shopping down its beautiful picturesque streets.
Mošćenice - Nestled on a steep cliff under the towering Učka mountain range, A fortified medieval town, if you want to be surrounded by history this is the place to go. Its narrow streets of stone and its ancient walls have witnessed a turbulent history yet remained beautifully preserved for its lucky visitors. If your tastes are a little bit more modern, the nearby Mošćenička Draga is an elegant seaside resort with a host of beautiful accommodation and activities to suit all ages and tastes.
Pag - Pag is situated in the North Dalmatian group of islands and is an island of contrasts. On Page, you can experience traditional Croatian agriculture and farming and see the delicious Pag cheese being made or enjoy one of Zrce beach’s famous day and night parties.
Rab - Rab is a beautiful island that is perfect for those people who aren’t keen on stepping foot on a boat… it’s just a quick 15 minute boat ride from the mainland, it will be over before you know it. It’s definitely worth it, the island is scenic full of idyllic little towns and villages for you to explore.
Cres - Alongside Krk, Cres is the largest island in the Adriatic and sits in the northern part of Kvarner Bay, Linked in the south to the island of Lošinj by a drawbridge, the island is perfect if you love to explore wild coastal areas, as it is full of pebble beaches, secret coves as well as dramatic rocks. It is also home to the amazing freshwater lake Vransko Jezero, one of Europe’s cleanest lakes.
Losinj
One of the smaller islands in Kvarner Bay and connected to the much larger Cres by a drawbridge, Losinj is a popular place to stay with host of small villages and bays, many of which have quaint villas and campsites for tourists to stay in.
Wherever you stay in the Kvarner Bay region, you’ll find a range of places to stay that suit all lifestyles and budgets, from exclusive hotels to stunning villas which you can use as a base to explore this most beautiful region of Croatia.