Home NEWS RIJEKA – MTLG Destination Update 2026

RIJEKA – MTLG Destination Update 2026

Vibrant Croatian port city with maritime standing

Oct 22, 2026

NEED TO KNOW IN 2026

One story shaping Rijeka’s future is the transformation of its industrial and maritime heritage into new cultural and tourism experiences. A notable example is the historic ship Galeb, which is under development as part of a new cultural and tourism route.

Another key development is Sinergana, an incubator for creative technologies and the IT industry located in the former Paper Mill industrial complex. Its distinctive setting enhances its offering, while its facilities provide business visitors with additional opportunities for conferences, meetings, and coworking.

DID YOU KNOW?

Rijeka has a symbol all its own – the “Morčić”, one of the city’s most recognisable cultural symbols and the official symbol of the International Rijeka Carnival since 1991. Rooted in the goldsmithing traditions of Rijeka, Kvarner, and the Croatian Littoral, authentic Morčić jewellery is still handcrafted today.

Rijeka is also a city of remarkable stories and inventions. The city preserves a life vest from the “Carpathia”, the ship that rescued survivors of the Titanic disaster. Rijeka is also closely associated with the development of the modern torpedo, pioneered here in the 19th century.

These stories add another dimension to Rijeka, a destination where maritime heritage, innovation, craftsmanship, and unexpected connections to world history come together.

BEST INCENTIVE IDEA IN 2026

Exclusive evening at Trsat Castle

Host an unforgettable private event at Trsat Castle, one of Rijeka’s most iconic landmarks. With exclusive use of the historic venue, guests can enjoy panoramic views over Rijeka and the Kvarner Bay while experiencing a tailor-made evening designed around the client’s needs.

Bespoke branding and décor can transform the setting, while catering, live music, entertainment, and other event elements can be arranged to create a truly personalised experience. From an elegant dinner to a lively private party, Trsat Castle provides a unique backdrop for corporate celebrations, incentive groups, and special events.

Combining history, atmosphere, exclusivity, and spectacular views, an evening at Trsat Castle offers an experience that goes far beyond a traditional event venue.

PERFECT GIFT

If one object could tell Rijeka’s story, it would undoubtedly be the Morčić. This distinctive piece of traditional Rijeka jewellery, featuring a black face with a white turban, is one of the city’s most recognisable symbols and the official symbol of the International Rijeka Carnival.

For business guests and event participants, Morčić makes an elegant, authentic gift that connects Rijeka’s history and craftsmanship with its contemporary identity. It comes in various forms, from traditional jewellery to smaller artistic and design pieces available from local jewellers.

Rijeka’s flavours also make memorable gifts. Local Kvarner delicacies offer another way to take a taste of the region home. And while in Rijeka, don’t miss rigojanči, a traditional local cake with a fascinating love story behind its name.

TOP EVENTS

5 events to put on your calendar

1. Rijeka Carnival – January/February
One of Croatia’s most distinctive carnival celebrations, transforming the city into a spectacular stage of masks, music, creativity, and tradition.

2. Fiumanka – June
Rijeka’s signature sailing event, bringing together sailors, boats, and visitors in a vibrant celebration of the sea and the city’s maritime identity.

3. Rijeka Boat Show – September
A major nautical event showcasing boats, marine innovation, and the latest boating trends.

4. Summer on Gradina – June, July, August
Trsat Castle becomes a spectacular open-air venue for concerts, performances, and entertainment, combining culture with one of Rijeka’s most iconic settings.

5. Advent in Rijeka – December
Rijeka transforms into a festive destination with Christmas markets, music, gastronomy, and entertainment across the city.

Together, these events capture Rijeka’s distinctive mix of maritime heritage, culture, creativity, tradition, and contemporary urban energy.

RIJEKA'S FEATURES

Natural and cultural factors

In 2026, Rijeka further strengthens its identity as a city where the sea, industrial heritage, culture, and contemporary creativity come together. A key example is the revitalisation of its industrial heritage through the Benčić complex, now part of the Art Quarter (ArtKvart).

Trsat Castle, Korzo, Rijeka Port, Molo Longo, and the unique connection between the urban landscape and Kvarner Bay remain essential elements of the city’s identity. The Rijeka Carnival remains one of the city’s most recognisable symbols, while numerous cultural, gastronomic, and sporting events support a diverse year-round tourism offer.

General and transport infrastructure

Rijeka is strategically positioned between Zagreb, Istria, Slovenia, and the northern Adriatic, with excellent road, rail, maritime, and air connections. Rijeka Airport, located approximately 30 kilometres from the city on the island of Krk, is being further integrated into the wider transport system, with plans to increase capacity.

The Port of Rijeka is strengthening its role in cruise and nautical tourism. In 2026, more than 30 cruise ship calls are expected, including premium and luxury brands such as Explora Journeys, Silversea, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Rijeka also offers an extensive public bus network that connects the city with surrounding suburban areas, supporting convenient, sustainable mobility. The city is developing new tourist mobility options, including seasonal rail connections linking Warsaw, Vienna, Ljubljana, and Rijeka.

Tourist infrastructure

Rijeka continues to strengthen its tourism infrastructure by combining high-quality accommodation, gastronomy, wellness, culture, and nautical tourism. The city offers a diverse range of facilities that support leisure and business tourism year-round.

Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa is an important addition to the city’s premium accommodation and wellness offering, combining a seaside location with high-quality hospitality and dining. Grand Hotel Bonavia remains a key city hotel for leisure and business travellers, with conference and event facilities supporting meetings, corporate events, and social gatherings.

Rijeka’s tourism infrastructure is further complemented by its gastronomic offer, including the Rijeka Gastronomic Ports local quality label for hospitality establishments, as well as cultural and leisure facilities at Trsat Castle, the Rijeka Tunnel, Korzo, and Molo Longo. Together, these facilities contribute to a diverse and increasingly year-round tourism offer.

Meetings infrastructure

Rijeka offers a diverse meetings infrastructure suitable for conferences, business meetings, incentive programmes, and larger events. The city’s venues range from modern event spaces and hotels to sports and cultural facilities suitable for conferences, exhibitions, and large-scale events.

Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa offers several multifunctional event spaces, while Grand Hotel Bonavia, located in the city centre, features three conference rooms. Hotel Neboder provides a conference hall for up to 250 people. Exportdrvo, a former industrial complex transformed into a contemporary event venue, provides a distinctive setting for larger conferences, exhibitions, and corporate events.

A key advantage of Rijeka is the opportunity to combine business programmes with authentic local experiences – from seaside dinners and events aboard Botel Marina to programmes in the historic setting of Trsat Castle. Its compact urban environment, diverse venues, and distinctive experiences make Rijeka a flexible destination for business events year-round.

Marketing buzz

A lively port and university city, Rijeka offers an authentic city break with a distinctly Mediterranean feel. A city that lives year-round, it brings together culture, gastronomy, events, urban life, and a rich industrial and maritime heritage.

Explore its waterfront, historic streets, museums, the Art Quarter, lively Korzo, and Molo Longo, then pause for local flavours and a coffee by the sea. In summer, Rijeka reveals another side, with beaches and swimming spots close to the city centre.

For business travellers, Rijeka combines a strategic location and excellent transport connections with diverse meeting venues, quality hotels, and memorable experiences – from private events at Trsat Castle to seaside dinners, nautical experiences, and programmes inspired by the city’s industrial and maritime heritage.

RIJEKA FACT SHEET

Destination population:	108,000
*The number of 4 and 5* category hotel rooms:**	450
*The number of 4 and 5* category hotels:**	5
The size of the largest hall in the city (in m2):	250
Maximum hall capacity in theatre style (the largest hall in the city)	677
Banquet hall maximum capacity (the largest hall in the city):	180
Average internet speed when organising events (Mbps):	20