11 Best Hotels In Rijeka Croatia

At the starting point of the stunning Dalmatian Coast in Croatia sits Rijeka, its vibrant port city. Overlooking the Adriatic Sea, specifically the Kvarner Gulf, this lovely city uniquely blends culture, history, and stunning Adriatic views, making it a very popular destination. Hotels in Rijeka, Croatia, are much the same, unfolding like chapters in a riveting fairytale. Whether you’re looking for serene, calm coastal retreats, quaint boutique stays, or hotels smack dab in the heart of all the action, the city has something for every traveler. Not only do they range in amenities and style, but many of them also have breathtaking Adriatic views. So, what are you waiting for? Here’s a guide to the best stays in Rijeka, which is popularly known as the “Gateway to the Balkans.”

Did you know that one of the must-visit hidden gems in Croatia, the island of Krk, lies right across from Rijeka? Yes! Interestingly, Rijeka is also where Croatia’s Coastal Road, one of the world’s most dangerous roads, begins, going all the way up to the southern city of Dubrovnik.

Mila Apartments

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We begin this list with the wonderful Mila Apartments, which are highly rated for their comfort, convenience, affordability, and design. Sitting right in the heart of Rijeka Old Town, these apartments were the best base for exploring the many sights to see and things to do in the town. If that wasn’t enough, the seafront was less than a five-minute walk from here.

We had the choice of multiple, similarly decked out studios here, all of which were air-conditioned, soundproofed, and well-equipped with all modern conveniences. Notwithstanding whether you chose a queen studio, a deluxe queen studio, or a larger apartment, they all had sleek private bathrooms and kitchenettes with ovens, dishwashers, fridges, microwaves, and stovetops. You were actually able to whip up meals whenever you wanted, even saving money for when we didn’t feel like stepping out.

Despite being apartments, there were many common amenities as well. Firstly, there was paid off-site parking, which was very useful since we had a rental car. If that wasn’t enough, the place even had an electric vehicle charging station, an elevator that allowed us to lug our luggage up the higher floors, and free wi-fi everywhere.

Boutique & Design Hotel Navis

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Most luxurious. If you want to stay away from the bustle of the town and yet be close to Rijeka, but also in abject luxury, then Boutique & Design Hotel Navis is perfect. Part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, this striking and luxurious boutique hotel sits in a modernist structure on a cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea.

“Staying in a cliffside hotel overlooking the Adriatic Sea close to Rijeka? Now that’s what we call a dream come true!”

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We loved the ultra-hip rooms and suites, all of which featured glass doors and private balconies with mesmerizing sea views. Decked out in artwork and contemporary Croatian design furnishings, they all also come with mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, private, sleek bathrooms with bespoke bath products, slippers, and bathrobes, and Wi-Fi. We loved the seating areas, which were perfect for enjoying coffee in the mornings. Do you want more space? The suites even add separate living rooms.

However, the real luxury at this hotel lies outside the rooms in the form of its amenities. The standout was the gorgeous outdoor pool. It sat right next to a sundeck peppered with sun loungers, daybeds, and parasols, allowing us to soak in the Adriatic sun and the views of the Adriatic Sea. Afternoons were reserved for unwinding sessions at the spa and hammam, which also had an indoor pool and a Finnish sauna. When the hunger pangs came calling, the upscale, colorfully decorated Mediterranean restaurant was ideal, as it also had alfresco seating and bay views of the bay. Rounding things up were the lobby bar, 24-hour front desk, and free parking on the property. Did we mention that we could enjoy various water sports and activities around, including diving, windsurfing, and snorkeling? Yep.

Tre Re Inn

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Sitting right next to a bunch of Rijeka’s historical landmarks in the heart of Old Town is the charming Tre Re Inn. In fact, even the Lukobran, the scenic spot of Mololongo, and the picturesque Sablićevo Beach were within walking distance.

We had the choice of many rooms and suites, all of which were air-conditioned and came with free Wi-Fi and eye-catching views of Rijeka. What’s more, they all came with comfy beds and linens, private bathrooms with baths or showers, electric kettles, and flat screen TVs.

Despite it the city center hotel, we had a lot of comforts to enjoy here. We were surrounded by some of the best restaurants and bars around, so we didn’t have to worry about meals. Besides luggage storage, the hotel also had an electric vehicle charging station and an express check-in and check-out counter. Finally, additional features also included a comfy lounge where we could wait before our tours picked us up in the mornings.

Old Town Inn

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One of the highest-rated hotels in Rijeka’s Old Town is the aptly named Old Town Inn. Tucked right in the heart of Rijeka’s Old Town’s lively neighborhood, it was the perfect location to explore the town’s best sights and landmarks, which were very close by. The best bit? Rijeka’s best restaurants and bars were all within walking distance, allowing us to explore this lovely little town’s nightlife as well.

There were a lot of things we loved about this relaced B&B inn. Firstly, free Wi-Fi was available all across the hotel. So, we could not only stay connected but also plan our itineraries for the days ahead in Rijeka. Even though the hotel didn’t have a restaurant or cafe, the receptionist was more than happy to tell us the best places to eat around. If that wasn’t enough, the hotel even welcomes pets for an extra charge. The best bit was that the hotel was right next to a parking lot, so we didn’t have to worry about where to park our rental car.

Choose from just five cozy and laidback rooms and suites, all of which have smart TVs, tea and coffee-making facilities, and ensuite bathrooms. Ours even had a lovely exposed-brick ceiling, a sitting area, city views, and a small kitchenette where we could whip up simple meals.

HI Hostel Rijeka

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You know you’re in for a good time when there’s a HI Hostel outpost involved, right? Welcome to HI Hostel Rijeka, which opened in 2006 as the Youth Hostel Rijeka in the former Villa Kozulić. At that time, the 61-bed youth hostel was the very first hostel in town. The location is excellent: it sits right opposite a park in the lovely seaside neighborhood of Pećine, which is just east of town and sits right on the No.2 bus route.

We loved the vibe at this informal hostel, which offered a bunch of low-key, mixed-gender dorms as well as laidback private rooms. While the dorm rooms had standard but comfy dorm/bunk beds, in-room lockers, and shared bathrooms, the private ones added en-suite, shower-only bathrooms. Nevertheless, all of them had soft linens and free Wi-Fi, so what more could we ask for?

What was excellent about booking with HI Hostel was that no matter which room or bed we booked, they all came with breakfast included for the price. We’d enjoy them in the relaxed dining room and mingle with fellow travelers in the communal lounge area, which also had a TV. Did we mention that the hostel had a 24-hour reception, a garden, and a terrace? Yes!

Botel Marina

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Most unique. How would you like to live on a boat moored in Rijeka’s city center waterfront, and that too for a lot less than the other hotels in the town? Behold Botel Marina, a funky hostel-hotel sitting in a 1930s-built boat docked right in the Port of Rijeka. This boat hostel surely has a fantastic back story: this Danish-built ship is the Kronprinsessan Ingrid (Crown Princess Ingrid, who was also her godmother when she was launched). She started out by ferrying Swedes from Stockholm to the Kvarner islands. Later on, it even saw action in the 1990s during the Siege of Dubrovnik. After her sailing days were over, she was moved from the town of Mali Lošinj to Rijeka, where she was converted into the 35-room lodging we are staying at today!

On the inside, the boat hardly feels like it’s more than a century old. There are colorful accents throughout, whether it’s the chic, wood-paneled restaurant or the gorgeous, relaxed bar, where we’d enjoy drinks as the sun went down. What’s more, we had a lovely choice of simply furnished but upscale chic rooms and suites, all of which came with private modern bathrooms and free Wi-Fi. In fact, there are even options for dorms; this is a hostel, after all. The best bit? All rooms feature portholes! Our favorite place to relax on the property, though, was the sun deck, which had sun loungers and even a trendy lounge with beanbags, as well as a fitness center.

Hotel Jadran

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What if we were to tell you that you could stay right by the very first stretch of swimmable sea in Rijeka? Welcome to Hotel Jadran, which sits just east of the town right on the coast, with sweeping views of Kvarner Bay and the Adriatic Sea. In fact, ‘Jadran’ translates to ‘Adriatic’ in Croatian, and the hotel even has its very own bus stop on the No.1 bus route. Ever since it opened in 1914, the Jadran has been an extremely popular bathing spot, so we knew we had to stay at this enviable seaside location.

Sitting within the unique transparent structure are 66 rooms, suites, and apartments, all of which are tastefully furnished and boast stunning, open views of the sea. What’s more, they have comforts such as free Wi-Fi, minibars, plush beds, and luxe bathrooms. If you’re looking for more space or something special, upgraded rooms even have balconies, again with sea views.

Since the entire hotel has glass walls, the captivating Adriatic Sea is visible from just about everywhere in the hotel. For instance, the casual restaurant, which served all meals including complimentary breakfasts, boasted floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sea. Aside from free parking, the hotel also had a lobby bar as well as a cafe with sea views. However, our favorite bit was the beach out front, which came with parasols and sun loungers, allowing us to unwind to the hilt.

Hotel Neboder

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Best value for money. Are you looking for an affordable place in the heart of the town? Look no further than Hotel Neboder, which literally translates to ‘Skyscraper’ in Croatian. The aptly named 14th-floor hotel underwent renovations to become a modern yet cheap option for those who want to stay on a budget right in the heart of Rijeka.

The hotel might not have its wonderful socialist era lobby anymore, but we weren’t complaining about the modern update. Not only did the renovation add an underground car park with free parking, but we also now had access to a café where we indulged in lovely breakfasts and even snacks during the day. Besides free Wi-Fi access, we loved the superb views of Rijeka, the island of Krk, and the Učka Mountain.

We had the choice of 54 tastefully furnished rooms and suites, all of which came with patios and balconies with stunning views of the city and Kvarner Bay. What’s more, all rooms had free Wi-Fi, phones, TVs, and modern bathrooms.

Hotel Continental

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Hotel Continental sits near the Rječina bridge in Rijeka’s city center, overlooking the canal. However, its claim to fame is that it’s the oldest hotel in all of Rijeka! Not surprisingly, the bulky 100-year-old structure radiated unparalleled grandeur and historic charm, especially since the structure dates back to the late 19th century.

Choose from 77 rooms and suites, which include 4 opulent suites and 2 family rooms. Nevertheless, all air-conditioned rooms featured warm décor, dark wood furniture, satellite TVs, and modern bathrooms. The best feature, though, was that a majority of the rooms offered captivating views of the Rječina River, the busy square, and the rest of the city.

What we loved about this hotel was that we could enjoy meals at the restaurant and snacks at the cafe, both of which had views of the river. In fact, it’s also where we’d enjoy complimentary buffet breakfasts every day. Did we mention that the in-house Cont bar even had its own range of craft beers? Yep.

Grand Hotel Bonavia

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Best location. Grand Hotel Bonavia has, hands down, the best location of any hotel in Rijeka – and for a good reason. It sits right in the heart of Rijeka, just off the Korzo, and is within walking distance of all sights and landmarks in the town.

This 1906-opened hotel sits in an interesting L-shaped structure with a shiny modern façade. Besides outstanding service, the staff are consistently polite, friendly, and helpful. We particularly loved the detailing at this hotel, especially how the former spaces were repurposed. For instance, the former nightclub on the lower ground floor now holds the lovely wellness center, which retains several original touches, including the colored glass ceiling. A small fitness center and an ice dispenser on every floor aside, the hotel also has 10 paid parking spaces right out front, as well as 15 more reserved in a public car park nearby. Finally, the a la carte restaurant and the small but lovely bar, complete with a nice summer terrace, wrapped up the amenities here.

Choose from 121 rooms and suites across 7 floors, with those on the 5th floor and above offering excellent views of the town and the sea. While the décor varies across rooms, they all have plush, comfy beds, mod-cons, and luxe bathrooms. Our double deluxe room came with a balcony, a marble bathroom, and – the best of all – a lovely glass-roofed conservatory that led to a corner terrace with stunning views of the Kvarner islands.

Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa

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Best overall. There’s nothing better than coastal luxury, as the Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa showcases. This luxury resort sits amidst the pristine splendor of Učka and Risnjak National Parks, just a few miles west of the city center in scenic Costabella. Needless to say, it offered us an unparalleled staying experience on Croatia’s untouched Dalmatian Coast.

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There were many things we loved about this peaceful sanctuary of a Hilton outpost, starting with the fact that it boasts exclusive private beach access. That’s because the shoreline is such that the part that sits right out front of the hotel is closed off to the rest of the shoreline, ensuring private beach access. Plus, we had access to a bevy of exciting watersports as well. Back at the resort, we could enjoy the Eforea Spa & Health Club and its world-class spa, as well as the multiple stunning pools, including the seafront infinity one. Rounding things up are six bars and restaurants and, of course, the stunning azure Kvarner Bay views.

Since this is a beachside sanctuary, we had the choice of rooms, suites, and villa apartments. What’s more, most of them had terraces and balconies, and yet each and every one boasted direct sea views over the Kvarner Bay! Sleek bathrooms with bespoke bath products and a bevy of mod-cons sure made our stay as memorable as luxurious.

Our Verdict!

We were delighted to find so many amazing choices for stays in Rijeka, so much so that choosing one was daunting! So, here’s a specialized list that will help you make a choice that you love.

• Best overall: Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa
• Most luxurious: Boutique & Design Hotel Navis
• Most unique: Botel Marina
• Best value for money: Hotel Neboder
• Best location: Grand Hotel Bonavia

Where to Stay in Rijeka?

Despite being smaller than other major Croatian cities such as Zagreb, Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik, Rijeka still boasts many distinct neighborhoods. What’s more, they cater to different travel preferences and have unique atmospheres. So, it’s important to choose the right neighborhood during your stay in the city.

We begin with the Old Town, also known as Korzo or the City Center. The name comes from the eponymous iconic pedestrian promenade, Korzo, which is the vibrant heart of Rijeka. Staying here not only put us close to all the major landmarks and sites in the city, but we also had access to a plethora of restaurants and bars, shops and boutiques, and ancient markets. Moreover, we found a dynamic mix of cozy guesthouses, modern apartments, and traditional hotels, some even nestled within historic structures.

Secondly, there’s Trsat, which is perched magnificently on a hill overlooking Rijeka. So, it offered a distinctly serene ambience as well as breathtaking panoramic views of the entire city and the gorgeous Kvarner Bay. Perhaps its most iconic landmark is the historic fortress of Trsat Castle and the revered pilgrimage site of Our Lady of Trsat Sanctuary. Thirdly, there’s Costabella/Kantrida is famed for its relaxed coastal vibe. Not only do these areas have gorgeous pebble beaches, but they also add inviting seaside promenades, perfect for soaking in the seaside vibe. Despite being a bit further from the city center, getting here was easy thanks to the efficient public transport network.

Finally, there are the authentic, quieter residential neighborhoods of Zamet/Brajdica. Not only did they offer us a slice of local Croatian life, but they also had accommodation options that were more affordable than the city center. Hence, staying here allowed us to experience Rijeka like a local.

Does Rijeka have a beach?

Yes, Rijeka has many city-accessible beaches, of which the most popular are Ploče and Bivio beaches. In fact, Ploče beach even has a Blue Flag status for cleanliness. However, do note that most of Croatia’s beaches are rocky or pebbly. 

Does Rijeka have hotels with private beaches?

Since Croatia doesn’t have private beaches by law, Rijeka is much the same, but it has hotels right in front of lovely public beaches. However, the areas on the coast outside the city might end up having resorts with private beaches due to the shape and topography of the coastline.

What is Rijeka known for?

Situated along the Adriatic coast, right at the start of the Dalmatian Coast, Rijeka is a mishmash of modernity and history, heritage, culture, gastronomy, and coastal beauty.