Rijeka Shopping and Districts

(Rijeka, Primorje Gorski Kotar, Kvarner, Croatia)

Rijeka is well-supplied with shopping centres and malls, serving locals, out-of-towners and tourists alike. The favourite, the Rijeka Tower ranks amongst the biggest malls in Eastern Europe. This is a popular day trip destination for locals, with its massive supermarket, multi-screen cinema, eateries, fast-food outlets and every international high-street brand you've ever heard of. The Rijeka Tower is also one of the only shopping destinations here open on Sundays.

In addition to the malls there are many interesting small stores scattered around the tourist area, including a number of commercial galleries and antiques shops. Croatian fashion design is unique, with a good choice of boutiques supporting local talented designers. Most of the smaller shops are located in the city centre, within easy walking distance of each other and the major hotels.

When to Shop and Where

Shopaholics will have fun in Rijeka, since there is a variety of goodies to tempt the wallet. The city is a good place for fashion shopping, with plenty of choice in terms of price, style and venue.

The little designer boutiques are the most interesting, with unusual and unique takes on what's hot, while the malls and markets provide bargains as well as more upscale items. For an original pictorial souvenir of your holiday, local art galleries display works by up-and-coming painters, together with more established artists.

The local cheese, wines and fruit or herb liqueurs are a good buy here, with the markets being the best bet for an authentic Croatian shopping experience. Traditional Moretto jewellery is indigenous to Rijeka, influenced by the fashion in Venice for Moorish head and shoulder figures worked as decorative pins. The Rijeka Moretto version soon became a traditional jewellery form here and is still worn.

Ceramics, woodcarvings and the fine traditional hand-made lace work and embroidery are all good souvenirs. Visitors should note that hardly any shops are open on Sunday, with Saturday being a particularly busy day in the city centre.