Rijeka is the third biggest city in Croatia, after Zagreb and Split. However, this city is not one of the most touristic places in the country. I always feel like the city is a little bit underestimated but that doesn't mean it doesn't have many interesting things to see and do.
I always feel attracted to this type of places, it's like finding a hidden gem that only you know about and Rijeka is like that.
The first time I have visited this town was during the Carnival and even though I was only there for 1 day, the magic of the Carnival made me fall in love with this place. There was something in the air that gave a feeling of happiness and that sensation was one of the reasons why I have decided to come back.
During this last summer trip I ended up staying in Rijeka for almost two weeks, I know that may seem like a lot of time but to me it was perfect! I'm going to explain a little bit more about this in another post but today I wanted to tell you everything about my favorite place in this town: Trsat Castle.
The entrance to the Castle
The view over Rijeka
Trsat Castle is an antique fortress that is located on top of a hill and it overlooks the entire city of Rijeka. This castle was built in the 13th century and during the 19th century it was completely reconstructed and renovated. Also, it is one of the most well preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. Nowadays, outside of the castle, there is a very nice bar where you can enjoy some drinks or have a cup of coffee like I did. And apart from that, on the inside, you can find some exhibitions, when I visited it there were images of the old Rijeka, which were very cool and interesting.
The gallery on the inside part
A great thing about this place is that the entrance to the castle is completely free and once you are up there you can enjoy one of the most stunning views of the city and the Adriatic Sea.
The best time of the day to visit Trsat Castle is, without a doubt, when the sun sets because the colors of the sky are to die for and you will get amazing pictures! However, anytime is great to visit this place, I have actually been there 3 times during my visit to Rijeka, and each one was different. First I went around 3pm, then the second time I went during the night to have some drinks at the bar, and finally, I went to the castle for the sunset and that one was definitely my favorite!
Isn't this sunset magical?
Coffee with a view ;)
How to get there?
Well, if you like to walk or you if like to stay in shape during your trips I recommend taking the stairs. There are 400 steps that connect you directly from the city center to the castle. But if 400 steps sound like a lot, you can take the bus or go by car and it's very easy to get there. In my case, I took the stairs and I did some stops along the way to appreciate the view and take some pictures.
The beginning of the 400 steps
So if you ever happen to go to Rijeka, this is one of the must-visit places you have to see in this city, it's totally worth it and if you love medieval constructions you are going to love it! If you don't then you can just go there to relax, have a cup of coffee and enjoy the amazing view! Hope you like this post and I would love to know what do you think of this place! :)
