Rijeka and Kvarner confirmed winter momentum: January 2026 brought a growth in arrivals and a strong breakthrough for family accommodation
The colder part of the year in Kvarner looks less and less like a "dead season". Data for January 2026 show that Rijeka continues to build its profile as a destination that operates all year round, and not just in summer, while Kvarner is strengthening its position in national statistics among the regions with the highest traffic even outside the peak season. In practice, this means more open facilities, more reasons for short trips, and more and more guests coming precisely when a lull is traditionally expected.
The center of this story is Rijeka – "The city that flows" – which hosted 8,839 visitors in January 2026 with a total of 22,834 overnight stays. Compared to January of the previous year, this is a growth of 11% in arrivals and 1% in overnight stays. The domestic market stands out in particular: domestic tourists accounted for 45% of total arrivals, and their number was 25% higher than last year. Such a structure is not unusual for winter months, but it is an important message for a destination that wants a more stable rhythm of visits throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions and summer crowds.
For readers planning a trip in advance, the practical side of the story is also useful: when demand is higher in winter, interest in flexible stay options also grows, especially for weekend arrangements and short city breaks. That is why diverse capacities in the center and the wider city area, from hotels to apartments, are increasingly sought after in Rijeka.
accommodation offers in Rijeka are being searched for more and more precisely in winter weeks, when travel is more spontaneous, and visits are connected with manifestations, gastronomy, and urban content.
Rijeka among the "Top 10" destinations in January: seventh place at the level of Croatia
A national overview of tourism traffic, based on data from the eVisitor system (with integrated eCrew data), gives Rijeka a clear position in the winter period. According to the total tourism traffic measured by overnight stays (commercial and non-commercial traffic) in January 2026, Rijeka took seventh place in Croatia – right behind Zagreb, Rovinj, Split, Opatija, Dubrovnik, and Zadar. Tuhelj, Poreč, and Novigrad (Istria) are also in the "Top 10" company, which further shows that January is increasingly "rewarding" destinations with year-round products: city content, health tourism, events, and short packages.
The same overview also shows the separation of domestic and foreign guest traffic by destination. For Rijeka, 7,909 overnight stays by domestic tourists were recorded, while in the category of foreign guests, Rijeka is also among the leading destinations in January. Although winter months generally reduce the share of international arrivals compared to summer, Rijeka obviously retains the interest of guests from closer emitting markets.
Such a result also has a practical consequence: greater visibility in the national "winter" ranking becomes an additional motive for arrival, especially for those who want to avoid the peak season and still experience the city with its full offer. If you are planning an arrival for events, a walk along Korzo, Trsat, or gastronomic addresses,
accommodation near events in Rijeka becomes a key part of planning, especially on weekends when programs become denser.
Family accommodation as an asset: Rijeka third in Croatia in January
One of the most interesting indicators for January 2026 comes from the segment of family accommodation (facilities in households). In this category, Rijeka took a high third place in Croatia with 7,890 overnight stays, behind Zagreb and Split, and ahead of Dubrovnik and Zadar. This is a strong signal that private accommodation in the city is adapting better and better to the winter habits of guests: shorter stays, more flexible dates, remote work, city "getaways" without seasonal crowds.
At the same time, such a result confirms that "family accommodation" in urban areas is no longer just a summer story. In Rijeka, according to available information, apartments and smaller units in the center and well-connected neighborhoods are increasingly chosen, which suits younger travelers, couples, and guests who want autonomy but also proximity to content.
accommodation for visitors to Rijeka is therefore sought more and more outside July and August, and trends suggest that this segment will continue to grow as the year-round calendar of events expands.
Who comes to Rijeka in winter: domestic guests carry a large part of the traffic, and neighboring markets also stand out
In January 2026, domestic guests still have the largest share in Rijeka's overnight stays, which is in line with the national picture for the winter period, when the domestic market often maintains traffic stability. However, along with Croatia, guests from Italy and Austria stand out among international visitors in Rijeka, which is expected given the geographical proximity, traffic connectivity, and tradition of arrivals from those markets.
The age structure of visitors, according to available information from local monitoring, shows that the most prominent group in winter is young adults (19–30), followed by middle-aged guests. Although national reports for January most often emphasize overall trends and destination rankings, this picture on the ground points to travel motives that are typical for an urban environment: weekend trips, cultural and entertainment content, a short "escape" from routine, and arrivals related to manifestations.
Kvarner third in overnight stays in January: right behind Istria and Zagreb
Growth is seen not only in Rijeka but also at the regional level. In absolute numbers, Kvarner realized 133,734 overnight stays in January 2026, which ranks it among the three strongest regions in Croatia in that month, alongside Istria and the City of Zagreb. A comparative index of Kvarner's overnight stays compared to January 2025 shows growth, with the growth of domestic overnight stays being particularly pronounced. This dynamic confirms that Primorje-Gorski Kotar County increasingly lives the idea of year-round tourism through a combination of the coast, islands, and urban centers.
In practice, Kvarner is not one destination but a mosaic: Rijeka, the Opatija Riviera, islands like Krk, Cres, Lošinj, and Rab, but also the continental parts of the county with wellness and health facilities. In winter, cities and places with a strong event calendar stand out, as well as destinations that offer peace, promenades, gastronomy, and short vacations without crowds. For some guests who visit the region for several days, it is logical to combine Rijeka with Opatija, the islands, or trips to the hinterland, so interest in
accommodation offers in Kvarner is increasingly related to the route, and not just to one place.
Why winter results are growing: events, accessibility, and changes in travel habits
The January growth of arrivals in Rijeka fits into a broader trend: travelers are increasingly choosing short trips throughout the year instead of one longer vacation. Such decisions are also encouraged by traffic connectivity, an increasing offer of year-round content, and the fact that cities in winter offer a different experience – more relaxed, more accessible, and often financially more favorable.
Rijeka has an additional advantage in this: winter is the period when the city prepares for the "fifth season" – the carnival season that traditionally attracts guests from other parts of Croatia, but also from abroad. In February 2026, the final carnival programs and a large international parade have been announced, which is the type of content that can "pull" even those who would not otherwise travel in a winter month. Such events affect not only attendance during the days of the manifestation itself but also the "preparatory" period: weekends are filled earlier, and demand spills over into different types of accommodation.
Along with events, the importance of the offer that combines the city and the region is growing: day trips, gastronomic tours, walks by the sea, museums, and cultural programs, as well as activities that do not depend on swimming and summer infrastructure. In this context, winter tourism becomes a combination of content, and not just seasonal climate.
Kvarner as European Region of Gastronomy 2026: a title that comes at a key moment
International recognition also gives an additional boost to year-round tourism in Kvarner: Kvarner is the holder of the title of European Region of Gastronomy for 2026, awarded by IGCAT (International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism). Such titles are generally not just a marketing sign, but a framework for programming events, promoting local products, connecting caterers and producers, and stronger positioning of the region in the segment of experiential tourism.
For Rijeka, as the administrative and traffic center of the region, the gastronomic year can mean an additional strengthening of the city's "food" routes, wine and craft scenes, festivals, and seasonal menus, especially in periods when motives for arrival outside of summer are sought. In practice, the title often opens up space for international collaborations, media visibility, and arrivals of guests who travel primarily for gastronomy, and only secondarily for a classic vacation.
As programs are published during 2026, the title is expected to have an effect on multiple levels: from the local economy to the perception of the region as a destination that "has something to offer" even when the sea is cold and the days are shorter. In such circumstances, Rijeka can gain an additional argument for a visit: the city as a starting point for tasting the region, but also a place where gastronomy is increasingly combined with culture, events, and urban identity.
What the numbers mean for the local economy: more stable income and greater pressure on quality
Growth in winter is not important only as nice news for statistics. It usually also means more stable income for caterers, accommodation facilities, carriers, cultural institutions, and event organizers. When traffic is distributed throughout the year, it is easier to plan jobs, investments, and service quality, and the destination gains greater resilience to weather oscillations and changes in international markets.
On the other hand, greater winter interest also increases guest expectations. If Rijeka positions itself as a year-round destination, then in winter it must offer more than "open doors": a continuous offer of content is needed, better coordination of events, clearer communication, and a level of service that will not depend on seasonal employment. That is why the data on strong family accommodation in January is particularly interesting: it suggests that the quality and professionalization of private accommodation are spreading outside the peak as well, and guests recognize this.
In this sense, Rijeka enters 2026 with a good start: growth in arrivals, stable overnight stays, a strong domestic market, and national visibility through "Top 10" rankings. If this trend continues through spring and autumn, Rijeka and Kvarner could further strengthen their position among the few Croatian destinations that successfully balance the season and pre-season. And for travelers, this means an easier decision: a good time for a visit does not have to be tied to July, but to what they are looking for – an event, gastronomy, culture, or just a more peaceful stay by the sea.
accommodation in Rijeka for a winter city break thus becomes as relevant a search as summer terms, which is perhaps the most concrete sign that tourist habits are changing.
Sources:- - Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) – “Information on statistical indicators of tourism traffic – January 2026”, eVisitor and eCrew data (link)
- - IGCAT – announcement on the awarding of the title “European Region of Gastronomy 2026” to Kvarner (link)
- - European Region of Gastronomy – profile “Kvarner 2026” and official platform of the title (link)
- - City of Rijeka – official announcement about the program and announcements of the Rijeka Carnival 2026. (link)
- - Primorje-Gorski Kotar County / Župan.hr – overview of tourism results and emphasis on year-round arrival motives (link)
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