The best beaches around Rijeka
Rijeka is a port city, but swimming here is great. The tourist board lists around 20 city beaches, mostly pebbles, rocks and concrete terraces. There are no sandy beaches.
The west – Kantrida and Preluk:
• Ploče by the Kantrida pools is large, family-friendly and wheelchair accessible.
• Bivio and Lungomare have bars and food, Lungomare even grassy areas.
• Kostanj is also accessible.
• Furthest west is Preluk Bay, a windsurfing spot thanks to the tramontana.
The east – Pećine:
Below the villa district of Pećine there is a string of small bathing spots such as Grčevo, Glavanovo and Park hotel.
For dogs:
Two official dog beaches: Brajdica in the east and Igralište in Kantrida.
Kostrena:
Drive a few kilometres east to the Kostrena peninsula with many coves such as Žurkovo, Smokvina or Perilo. Freshwater springs keep the sea a degree or two cooler.
Tip: park for the western beaches in the Kantrida pools garage. Water shoes are worth their weight in gold on rocks and pebbles.