Visiting the Gulf of Kvarner

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The Kvarner gulf and coast have been a summer playstation since the Austro-Hungarian empire. From Rijeka, a motorway runs north to Zagreb and beyond, making the Kvarner the easiest coast to reach from Central Europe. With high mountains protecting the coast from the harsh northern winds, the Gulf of Kvarner has a relatively mild climate even in spring and fall. Administratively, the Kvarner is known as the Primorsko-Garanska region.

Destinations

Cres-- The least developed island in Kvarner and a paradise for nature-lovers.

Crikvenica--Spa-city on the Kvarner coast.

Krk--This dry mountainous island has Baska, one of Croatia's few sandy beaches and medieval Krk Town.

Losinj--The scenic port and coves of Mali Losinj and Veli Losinj are bustling with visitors in summer.

Lovran--A little nest of narrow streets makes this town particularly picturesque.

Novi Vinodolski--a coastal resort with a charming old town on a hill.

Opatija-- Geographically Istrian but administratively in the Kvarner region, the Austrian nobility built villas here and bathed from a 12km long seaside promenade.

Pag--Half in Kvarner and half in the Zadar region, the island has retained much of its traditional culture, notably its pungent Pag cheese and delicate Pag lace, renowned throughout Croatia.

Rab--A lush island of many coves known for the beaches of Lopar and the bell towers of historic Rab Town and the beaches of Lopar.

Rijeka--It's a busy port and the major transport hub for the region

Getting to Kvarner

By boat
There's a catamaran connecting Mali Losinj with Venice from May to October. Local Jadrolinija passenger ferries connect Rijeka with Rab and Pag and local ferries shuttle cars from the mainland to Krk, Cres and Rab.
Rijeka is where the Jadrolinija coastal ferry takes off for Split and Dubrovnik. Jadrolinija local ferries connect the islands with each other and with the mainland. The connection between Baska, Krk and Lopar, Rab is particularly useful. Rapska Plovidba connects Rab with the mainland and with Pag island.

By bus
There are very frequent buses from Zagreb's bus station to Rijeka. Buses from Rijeka run to Krk island and south as far as Dubrovnik.

By train
There are several trains a day between Rijeka and Zagreb. See the schedules and prices.

By car
The new motorway running from Zageb to Rijeka makes access easy. See my driving distance chart to plan your trip.

Tourist Information

The tourist office (051-272 988) is at Nikole Tesle 2, Opatija. Look for their helpful What's On distributed free to hotels, travel agencies and bookstores.