Even in winter, Rijeka plays the experience card – with a clear message that the Kvarner metropolis is much more than a transient port. This season, the city's Tourist Board has once again activated one of its strongest assets, a benefit that attracts an increasing number of travelers each year: the Winter Pass. It is a practical winter pass intended for guests staying in the city for at least two nights between the beginning of October and the end of March, which opens the door to a series of key attractions without additional ticket payments. This offers visitors a clear reason to spend the winter right in accommodation in Rijeka and plan a city escape that combines culture, history, natural science, and architecture.

The concept is simple: once you have decided to book accommodation in Rijeka for at least two nights, the Winter Pass gives you the opportunity to visit representative museums and landmarks that define Rijeka's identity for free. Experience has shown that this synergy – accommodation + tickets included in the offer – makes a difference during the colder part of the year, when travelers are looking for indoor activities as well as outdoor experiences that are not weather-sensitive. The idea has been expanded to multiple locations in different city districts, so you will discover the city in layers, from the historical core to accommodation in Trsat or by the sea in accommodation in Kantrida.

How to get the Winter Pass: a step-by-step guide

The Winter Pass is issued upon request by the accommodation provider where the guests are staying. The host – whether a hotel, hostel, campsite, or private renter – activates the "Winter Pass" option through the city portal Rijeka CityCard (RCC), generates vouchers, and sends them to the guest via email. The voucher contains a unique QR code that functions as a valid ticket: at the entrance of an included museum or attraction, you simply scan the code and enter without payment. The process is fast, digital, and tailored for travelers who like to prepare everything in advance – as soon as you confirm your accommodation in Rijeka, ask your host to issue the Winter Pass so you can start using the benefits on your very first day.

It is important to emphasize that the pass is linked to your stay in the destination. If you are planning a long weekend or a mini-vacation, consider an itinerary that makes the most of the pass's activation days: for example, set aside one day for city museums and the Rijeka Tunnel, a second for Trsat and the view from the castle, and a third for exploring the coastline and architecture in Kantrida. Additionally, during the period between autumn and early spring, the city hosts numerous holiday and carnival programs, so you can easily fit the Winter Pass into the festive rhythm of events.

What the winter pass includes: attractions you shouldn't miss

The Rijeka City Museum – Sugar Palace chronologically follows the urban and industrial development of the city through an impressive display housed in a representative Baroque building. A separate visit to the "Kockica" (The Cube), an additional location of the City Museum, will give you a broader picture of everyday life and transformations in Rijeka during the 19th and 20th centuries. For a complete impression, combine the tour with a walk along the coastal belt and a coffee in the center, and if you are staying closer to the old core – look for accommodation in Rijeka that allows you to reach the museum on foot.

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMSU) offers current exhibitions by local and international artists. On cold days, it is precisely these kinds of spaces – from galleries to independent cultural centers – where you will experience the vibrant, contemporary Rijeka.

The Natural History Museum Rijeka invites you to an encounter with the geological and biological heritage of Kvarner. The exhibitions are designed to interest both children and adults, making a visit particularly suitable for families who have chosen accommodation in Rijeka during school holidays or holiday weekends.

The JGL Museum of Pharmacy interprets the history of pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry through original artifacts and interactive displays that reveal how knowledge and the profession developed alongside this city.

Trsat Castle is one of the most recognizable symbols of Rijeka. With the Winter Pass, entry is free, and it's up to you to choose whether you want to first peek into the historic walls or enjoy the panorama of the city and the Kvarner Bay. It is particularly convenient to book accommodation in Trsat – that way you can reach the castle in the early morning before the crowds, and later easily descend towards the center.

Peek&Poke – The Museum of Childhood and The Museum of Informatics are a real time machine into the world of toys and early computers; they are ideal for nostalgics, but also for new generations who are just discovering what technology looked like before smartphones.

The Astronomical Centre Rijeka – unique in Croatia for its combination of a planetarium and an observatory – often offers popular science programs in the afternoon and evening hours during the winter. If you are staying by the sea, this location is easiest to reach by public transport, and it is worth checking the schedule of projections to fit the visit into your plan.

The Kantrida Swimming Pools offer a different type of experience: an architecturally award-winning complex by the sea, suitable for both recreational swimming and a short break between sightseeing tours. In that case, choosing accommodation in Kantrida makes sense – the proximity to the coast and sports facilities will be an added bonus.

The Rijeka Tunnel offers a short but impressive walk through a historic military passage beneath the old town. In winter, it is a pleasantly sheltered space that connects several city points, so you can easily incorporate it into your daily museum tour.

Digital approach: QR codes instead of paper

When you receive an email from your host with the vouchers, each included location will be represented by a separate QR code. At the entrance, you show and scan it – there is no need for printing or additional confirmations. The advantage of this system is its speed, capacity control, and the fact that the guest carries all confirmations on their phone. If you are with a larger group or traveling with family, ask the host to provide each guest with their own set of codes so you can split up and visit different locations if needed.

Planning your winter stay: combining events and museums

The period of the Winter Pass's validity coincides with the most attractive winter programs in the city. First comes the holiday magic: "Rijeka Advent" in the 2025 season begins on November 29th and lasts until January 7th, 2026, with lavish scenery, an ice rink, and a music program at multiple locations in the center. If you choose accommodation in Rijeka during this period, your mornings can be reserved for museums with the Winter Pass, and evenings for strolls along the Korzo and advent stalls.

At the beginning of the new year, the city transforms into a carnival scene. In 2026, the International Carnival Parade is held on February 15th, the Children's Parade on January 31st, and the election of the carnival queen and the handover of the city key on January 23rd. If you plan to return to accommodation in Rijeka at that time, the Winter Pass becomes the perfect addition: use the day before the parade to visit museums, and on the day of the event, surrender to the color and rhythm of the streets.

Suggested routes for 48, 72, or 96 hours

48 hours: Day 1 – arrival and check-in at your accommodation in Rijeka. A walk through the Rijeka Tunnel, a visit to the Sugar Palace, and a stroll through the city center with coffee overlooking the harbor. Day 2 – morning at the Natural History Museum, afternoon at the MMSU, evening at the Astronomical Centre. If it rains, the plan doesn't change: all locations are indoors, and they can be reached by public transport.

72 hours: In addition to the route above, add an ascent to your accommodation in Trsat and a tour of Trsat Castle, plus a relaxing swim at the Kantrida Swimming Pools. A nighttime shot of the city from the fortress will result in photos worth every step.

96 hours: Include Peek&Poke and the JGL Museum of Pharmacy, plan a thematic walk through industrial heritage and architecture, and set aside part of the evening for advent stalls or, in January and February, for carnival programs. This way, you will turn the Winter Pass into a content-rich yet relaxed pace where every stop has its place.

Tips for maximizing the benefits

• Check opening hours: During holidays and carnival, special opening hours or program changes are possible. Plan museum visits for the morning and early afternoon, and leave the evenings for events.


• Combine districts: One day for the "lower city" (Sugar Palace, Rijeka Tunnel, MMSU), the next day for Trsat and Kantrida (castle + pools). You will move through different micro-locations and get a complete impression of the city.


• Request vouchers on time: Contact your host as soon as you book your accommodation in Rijeka and check if the Winter Pass is already included in the property's communication materials. The digital access via the RCC portal saves time on site.


• Take advantage of bad weather: Winter is ideal for museums – smaller queues, pleasant temperatures, and a focus on the content. After the tours, a short break in Kantrida or a walk along the Korzo will round off the experience.

Why Rijeka is a great choice specifically in the winter months

In cities that are alive all year round, the greatest value lies precisely in the continuity of programs and the availability of the cultural scene even outside the main season. The Winter Pass makes this tangible: anyone who books accommodation in Rijeka for at least two nights gets a framework for a rich and structured stay, with free entries that realistically mean concrete savings. In parallel, the city is strongly developing its holiday events and carnival, so between November 29th, 2025, and January 7th, 2026, you will experience the advent scenery, and in January and February 2026, you will catch the peak of the carnival parades.

An additional incentive are the districts, each offering a different rhythm: the historical core for museums and cafes, Trsat for panoramas and history, and Kantrida for a combination of sports, architecture, and the sea. That is precisely why the text repeatedly highlights links to accommodation in Rijeka, accommodation in Trsat, and accommodation in Kantrida, to make it easier for you to choose a base from which to most easily embark on daily excursions around the city.

Practical information for hosts and visitors

For hosts: If you are an accommodation provider, the procedure is clear – log in to the RCC portal, activate the Winter Pass service, generate and download the vouchers, and then forward them to your guests via email. It is recommended to briefly explain in the message what the Winter Pass includes and to note that the QR codes are to be shown at the entrance. Including this step in the standard pre-check-in process increases guest satisfaction and the likelihood that visitors will recommend your property to their friends.

For visitors: If you are planning a trip and have chosen accommodation in Rijeka for a minimum of two nights, be sure to check if your host is a partner in the Winter Pass program. It is advisable to save the vouchers on your phone and check that all QR codes are readable. For popular attractions, plan to arrive earlier in the day, especially during advent weekends and carnival week.

Inspiration for themed days

Industrial Heritage Day: Start from the Sugar Palace, continue towards the Rijeka port and nearby architectural points, then round it off with a visit to the MMSU. In the evening, relax in the cafes near Korzo and consider another night in accommodation in Rijeka so you can dedicate the next day to Trsat.

Science and Technology Day: Natural History Museum + Astronomical Centre + Peek&Poke. A perfect choice for families and the curious, especially if a rainy front hits. If you choose accommodation in Kantrida, pop over to the swimming pool complex in the evening for a light workout.

Views and Panoramas Day: Trsat Castle in the early morning or before sunset, then a walk along the paths around Nugent's Park. If you desire a cultural addition afterwards, head down to the center and choose between the JGL Museum of Pharmacy or the City Museum. In this scenario, the most practical option is accommodation in Trsat due to its proximity to the fortress.

Holiday rhythm and carnival backdrop

In recent years, Advent in Rijeka has been profiled as one of the most attractive holiday stories in Kvarner, with a clear schedule for the 2025/26 season (Nov 29, 2025 – Jan 7, 2026) and a program spread across multiple points, from Korzo to the ice rink. Such distribution is conducive to planning: during the day, you can carefree use the Winter Pass for museums, and in the evening, join the festive atmosphere. If you stay until January, the carnival heats up: in 2026, the children's parade is held on Jan 31, the election of the queen and the handover of the key on Jan 23, and the grand international parade on Feb 15 – dates worth noting in your calendar and combining with the advantages of the pass.

Short checklist before your trip

• Book accommodation in Rijeka or, according to your plan, accommodation in Trsat / accommodation in Kantrida – for two or more nights.


• Request the Winter Pass from your host and confirm that the vouchers with QR codes have been sent via email.


• Download and check all QR codes on your phone; save them offline as well.


• Make a rough daily plan: museums in the morning and afternoon, Advent/carnival in the evening.


• Follow official event announcements for any changes in schedules and programs.

Where to look for additional information

The central place for rules of use, a list of included attractions, and practical details is the official website dedicated to the Winter Pass, as well as the city portal for digital services. Everything essential for visitors and hosts is updated there: from the conditions for eligibility to the methods of issuing and using the vouchers. In parallel, the websites dedicated to Advent and the Rijeka Carnival publish exact dates and program news for the current season, which helps in planning your trip and configuring an itinerary according to your own interests. For a longer stay in the city, it is always a good idea to later extend your stay and find additional accommodation in Rijeka that suits your pace of exploration.