The Natural History Museum Rijeka is the first regional museum in the Rijeka area, tucked away in the leafy Nikola Host Park right next to the Governor's Palace. It's a great stop for anyone exploring the wider region who wants to understand the geology, sea life and wildlife behind the landscapes they're hiking through.

Housed in the historic family building of Count Negroni, the museum has a charming, old-world atmosphere that contrasts nicely with its modern multimedia exhibits. A visit here pairs well with a stroll through the surrounding park and botanical garden, making it an easy, relaxed addition to a day when you want a break from the trails or when weather keeps you off the peaks.

• Rijeka city centre — on foot, approx. 10-15 minutes, easy walk, located in Nikola Host Park next to the Governor's Palace

• The museum holds 26 collections with around 90,000 items, including notable collections of minerals, sponges and algae
• A botanical garden was added to the museum grounds, along with permanent exhibits on birds, mammals, reptiles and insects of the Rijeka area
• A branch of the museum is located in the Zrinski Castle in Brod na Kupi in Gorski Kotar, with collections on hunting, forestry and fishing

Founded back in 1876 and modeled on Vienna's Naturhistorisches Museum, this museum has been quietly documenting the natural world of the Adriatic coast for well over a century.