There is a reason why beautiful Croatia is such a popular destination. Not only Central Europeans, who appreciate the geographical proximity, appreciate the charms of the Mediterranean state; visitors flock here from all over the world. We have already introduced you to Istria, or more precisely to Rovinj. Now we venture eastwards and pursue the question: Where to go in the Kvarner Bay?
Geography of Kvarner Bay
The Kvarner Bay is bordered on the one hand by the Istrian peninsula in the west and on the other hand by the Croatian coastal land in the east and extends south to Dalmatia. It is a multifaceted region that is highly developed for tourism and boasts up to 2500 hours of sunshine a year. Among the countless beaches, rocky and pebble beaches are the typical representatives. Occasionally there are also sandy beaches, such as on the island of Rab or in Crikvenica.
Food and Drinks
The gourmet cuisine of the Kvarner Bay has a long tradition and dates back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. You should try the result. Namely a combination of Austro-Bohemian and Italian cuisine based on Croatian ingredients and essences. The range of dishes is varied and diverse. Whether seafood, Istrian truffles, asparagus or tasty olives as well as sheep’s cheese, raw ham or oysters, everything is available in selected quality. Both authentic, down-to-earth konobas and more upscale fine dining restaurants serve exciting creations.
We were particularly taken with some of them. One is the Kukuriku in Kastav. Situated on an enchanting, quiet medieval square. Here, the chef decides the menu and guests choose between meat/fish/vegetarian – slow food at its best. You won’t go wrong with the very regional wine accompaniment, only the dessert wine is very sweet (but that’s in the eye of the beholder). On the other hand, there is Navis Restaurant in Opatija. In a unique location in the Preluk Bay, visitors can enjoy the fantastic view over the islands of the Kvarner Bay, if they can get a seat on the terrace. Fresh fish, traditional Croatian dishes and homemade bread accompanied by the restaurant’s own rosé sparkling wine – what more could you want? Top tip: Fresh oysters from the Limski, a rare delicacy.
Hotels in the Kvarner Bay
The County of Primorje-Gorski Kotar (the slightly extended administrative region of the Kvarner Bay) recorded 5.7 million overnight stays in August 2021 alone. The corresponding range of accommodation options is therefore available. We would like to recommend the four-star Hotel Kvarner Palace in Crikvenica. Here you will stay in a wonderfully nostalgic K.u.K. ambience, with private beach access and a nice pool bar included. The hosts are cordial and the balconies spacious with sea view, which makes up for the partly smaller rooms. A little to the northwest, more precisely between Rijeka and Opatija, is the very modern Hilton Rijeka Costabella. The variety of offers, the breakfast buffet, in the huge but noisy dining room and the location directly by the sea as well as the different pool facilities make it the perfect place for families.
The Islands
Krk, Cres and Rab were already popular destinations in our childhood and second home in many a seemingly endless summer holiday. Swimming, boating, snorkelling and simply enjoying the beach life were the order of the day then as now. Each island is a paradise in its own right and has its own attractions, which would go beyond the scope of this article. If you don’t come for island hopping, we would still recommend a trip to one of the islands.