Kostrena is a coastal settlement and municipality in Croatia, which includes 20 something settlements as well. It is located on the turn from Rijeka to Bakar, and it is bordered by the Martinšćica and Bakar Bay. The coastline is a long stretch of beaches and coves that lure numerous swimmers from the surroundings of the city of Rijeka, thus everyone is on the
beaches of Kostrena, with the most beautiful ones in the bay of Žurkovo, Svežanj, Perilo, Nova voda, Spužvina and Podražica. The most populated settlements are Vrh Martinšćica, Rožmanići, Glavni, Paveki, Dorčići and Sv. Lucia. The history of Kostrena dates back to the 15th century from when the entire area is famous for its excellent sailors and captains. The settlement was divided into Sv. Barbara and Sv. Lucija where the population gathered around two churches. Today more populated Sv. Lucija used to have fewer ships than Sv. Barbara, and among the outstanding naval captains is Paul Randić who first sailed across the Suez Canal before the opening. The sea is in the veins of Kostrenjans still so they are famous for their exceptional gastronomic offer based on dishes of the finest fish and seafood. There are 15 sports companies in Kostrena, and the athletic spirit is nurtured in recreational and active tourism.
Accommodation in Kostrena can be found in comfortable
private apartments and vacation houses. The climate is a mild Mediterranean with hits of bora wind in the winter months. The sea is perfectly clean but cooler than elsewhere because of the numerous submarine springs of fresh water, especially in the coves Žurkovo and Stara voda. By the middle of the last century, women from the surrounding villages were coming here to do their laundry with a song and a story here. The story of Kostrena is a story about the beauty and diversity of the Kvarner Bay and the love of visitors and travelers for this magical part of the Croatian coast. The place is also loved by speleologists and underground enthusiasts with a series of caves left by water streams, and the forts with the remains of life from the early Stone Age were found on the nearby hills worth visiting today. Kostrena is the path through the history and pleasures of modern life.
