Crikvenica is town at coast of Adriatic Sea, near city of Rijeka. One of its advantages as a tourist resort is its closeness to Middle Europe and fact that it can be reached by road (Motorway A6), sea, railroad (Rijeka) and air (Airport Rijeka).
Crikvenica has a long history.
Town is settled from roman times when it was first mentioned as a roman village “Ad Turres”. With the fall of Roman Empire, name of Ad Turres also leaves pages of history, and name of Kotor enters historic stage. Kotor was situated upon hill overlooking place where Ad Turres used to be. As bands of Visigoths were roaming area in 5th century, citizens of Ad Turres found safety behind walls of Kotor. People of that time were farmers and fishermen, with accent on grapes from which wine was made. This was no coincidence as neighboring valley was called by Romans Vallis vinearia, or Wine Valley.
In 1412 Duke Nikola Frankopan has built, next to church of Virgin Mary, monastery for Order of Saint Paul the First Hermit. This monastery building is considered as beginning of town of Crikvenica, and that is how Crikvenica got its name, as in Croatian word for church is crkva, crikva. So translated to English, name of town would be Churchtown. Name of Crikvenica was first time mentioned in grant in which Duke Nikola Frankopan gives monastery to Order of Saint Paul. That grant was dated August 14th 1412, and that date is today celebrated as Day of Crikvenica.
Crikvenica was, like rest of Croatia, long time part of Austro Hungary and it shows in old city architecture. Known for mild climate which was especially soothing for respiratory illnesses, Crikvenica became tourist destination in late 19th century. First hotel was built in 1890, and hotel Therapia which exists today was built in 1895. In 1906 Crikvenica was officially recognized as health resort.
As a touristic resort Crikvenica continues its growth.
Hospital Thalassotherapia is renowned for treating people with respiratory problems and rheumatics, and continues tradition of health resort.
Today Crikvenica is not only health resort, but one of favorite places for spending vacation. Long beaches with clear water, beaches with aqua parks and other children friendly content, lots of sport playgrounds (tennis, football, handball), possibilities of water related sports like rowing, water skiing, sailing and wind surfing make it attractive place for romantic couples, families with children and people who want to spend active vacation.
The average winter temperature is around 9 ° C, and average summer temperature is about 23 ° C in June to 27 ° C in July and August.