Holiday Villas in Kvarner Region to Rent 2025/2026

Kvarner Region travel guide

Stylish coatal resorts
National parks and mountainous interior
Ferry links to islands
Aiports: Rijeka, Pula and Zagreb
Ski in the mountains above Rijeka
Must see: Undiscovered island of Cres

Austro-Hungarian influence differentiates this region with its elegant hotels and villas and spectacular views from the mountains above

The Kvarner region encompasses the northern eastern coast of the Istrian peninsula, the coastline from Rijeka down to Jablanac and the islands of the northern Adriatic including Cres, Losinj, Krk, Rab. The principal city of the region is Rijeka, located at the head of the Gulf of Kvarner, an important commercial centre with a significant shipbuilding industry and a port from which there are ferry services down the coat to Dalmatia. To the west of Rijeka are the sumptuous resorts of Opatija and Lovran which have a different feel to the Venetian towns on the west coast of Istria.

Due to their mild and healthy climate these resorts were established by the Austro Hungarian elite in the 19th century and their style and character is defined by the original art deco hotels and grand villas built for the Austrian aristocracy. This area has many of the finest restaurants in Croatia. The resorts and nearby villages all have excellent beaches and swimming areas with views across the Kvarner bay to the island of Cres. Cres itself, which can be easily reached by car ferry from Brestova, is a magical place. It has a wonderfully rugged landscape and its towns and villages such as the town of Cres, the charming harbour village of Valun and the breath taking cliff top village of Lubenice are all quite unspoilt and special. Cres island is linked by bridge across a narrow channel to the island of Losinj and the attractive resort towns of Mali Losinj and Veli Losinj.
Cres island Lubenice Villa

Krk island is the most accessible island being linked to the mainland by a bridge. Rijeka airport is at the northern end of the island. Krk is a popular tourist destination with many fine historical towns and attractive beaches. Notable are the towns of Krk and Baska. There is a ferry service linking Krk island with Rab and with Cres.

Rab island, 21 kilometres by 7.5 kilometres and the ninth largest in the Adriatic, is reached by ferry from Jablanac. Rab town is a fine example of Venetian influence on the region.

On the mainland South from Rijeka are a number of attractive coastal resorts, notably Crikvenica and Novi Vinodolski. The Velebit mountains rise steeply from the coastline between Senj and Jablanac to a high point of 1758 metres. The Velebit National Park provides rugged walking and climbing with wonderful views over the Adriatic. In winter fierce winds from the mountains make the Velebit channel famous for its storms. 60 kilometres inland is the Plitvice National Park, perhaps the finest National Park in Croatia, with 16 emerald lakes linked by waterfalls and set within dense forest.