The city is one of the oldest European tourist destinations, and one of the most famous Croatian tourist destinations due to easily accessible location, mild Mediterranean climate and lush vegetation.
Opatija is situated in the Kvarner Bay and it’s the centre of the Riviera which stretches west from Rijeka, till Moščenička Draga and Brseč and includes the Nature Park Učka.
Tourism in Opatija was introduced by Austro-Hungarian leading aristocrats, who, due to the mild climate, built their villas here in the 19th century. Today, these villas are converted into hotels along the famous Opatija Lungomare promenade, stretching along the 11 km long coastline. Opatija is known for good restaurants and excellent gastronomic offers based on fish dishes some of which are prepared according to recipes from the 19th century.
Also, entertainment is not lacking in Opatija. There are many concerts and movie screenings on the summer stage, a week of flowers, the Liburnia Jazz Festival etc. Nightlife takes place in a number of lounge bars and clubs along the coast.