About Novi Vinodolski

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Historical and Tourist Center of Vinodol

From the old Frankopan fortress called Novigrad, the tourist town of Novi Vinodolski developed and expanded along the sea coast. In the central part of the northern Croatian littoral, from the old Frankopan fortress called Novigrad, the tourist town of Novi Vinodolski emerged and expanded along the sea, becoming the center of today’s Novi Vinodolski Riviera. This historical, political, and cultural center of the Vinodol Principality (“Vinodol” – “Vallis vinearia”), the cradle of a renowned literary lineage from the Mažuranić family, proudly preserves the memory of the Vinodol Code from 1288, the oldest Croatian legal monument written in cursive Glagolitic script. Thanks to its evergreen vegetation and mild Mediterranean climate, as well as its clean sea and air, Novi Vinodolski became, in 1878, shortly after Opatija, one of the first tourist destinations in the coastal region.

The physiognomy of the city is characterized by the coastal architecture of white facades and red roofs in the old town center, rising from sea level to the church and tower on the hill, towering over the city’s silhouette as if guarding this stone city by the sea. Thanks to this distinctive panorama, Novi Vinodolski was recognizable in the past, remains so today, and will likely retain this identity in its tourist future.

The soul of Novi Vinodolski lies in its rich cultural heritage: the walls of the Roman fortress “Lopsica,” the remains of the Pauline monastery, the Frankopan castle with its tower, the Cathedral Church, the churches of the Holy Trinity and St. Marin on the island of the same name, the house of the Mažuranić brothers, the Reading Room and Library from 1845, the National Museum, the “Turnac” City Gallery, the glass chapel, the historic old town core, and the preserved authentic folklore of this region.

The proverbial hospitality of the local population, crystal-clear sea, diverse beaches, a town and surroundings free from industrial pollutants, numerous vineyards, hunting areas, the flow of mountain air from the high forests of the nearby hinterland, well-maintained cycling and hiking trails, scenic viewpoints, and promenades – all of this gives the Novi Vinodolski Riviera invaluable ecological advantages, especially for the development of tourism and hospitality.

Hotels, campsites, two marinas, apartments, and rooms in private homes offer accommodation capacity for over 10,000 tourists daily. Within hotels and their immediate surroundings, sports and recreational facilities, outdoor and indoor seawater pools, saunas, diving centers, and other tourist amenities have been built. Particularly noteworthy is the 5-star “Novi Spa Hotels & Resort,” featuring one of the largest and best-equipped wellness centers in Europe, as well as the 4-star “Lišanj” hotel, ideal for a family vacation. Numerous restaurants and taverns provide exceptional gastronomic experiences for all visitors.

The harbor aquatorium, with berths for vessels, a fuel station, a crane and a ramp for launching and lifting boats, as well as a parking area for cars, trailers, and boats, is designed for nautical tourists, for whom a sea rescue and assistance service is also available. Two modern marinas place Novi Vinodolski among the best nautical destinations in the Adriatic.

The Novi Vinodolski Riviera is easily accessible from Europe and the Mediterranean via the Adriatic tourist road, the railway station in Rijeka, or the Krk-Rijeka airport, and especially by sea routes.

The Novi Vinodolski Riviera stretches along approximately 25 kilometers of coastline: besides Novi Vinodolski, the coastal towns of Povile, Klenovica, Smokvica, and Sibinj are also worth mentioning.

Thanks to its idyllic tranquility and crystal-clear sea, Povile is a true gem of the Riviera.

If you want to enjoy fishing and seafood specialties, we recommend visiting Klenovica, one of the most famous fishing villages on the Adriatic.