Opatija riviera is set out in an almost unbroken line along the narrow coastal belt under the Učka. Lovran, Ika, Ičići, Mošćenička Draga, Volosko, Matulji, Kastav, Mošćenice, Medveja, Park prirode Učka, Lovranska Draga, Veprinac. The line begins in Matulji, which is located on the coast near Rijeka and which is called "the gate to Kvarner", given that from the 19th century tourists from Vienna would be brought there by train. Volosko is a small fishing village around 1.5 km away from Opatija's walkway towards Rijeka. Because of favourable winds it is a popular destination for windsurferes. Until Ičići you can also come with the walkway from Opatija towards Lovran. This is also a place of elite tourism where there are, apart from excellent marinas, a large number of villas and holiday homes, which because of their architecture demand attention. It also has a large beautiful beach, equipped with every facility. Apart from hotel and private accomodation, there is also an auto-camp. For a peaceful family holiday there is Ika, and one of the most beautiful and oldest places in the riviera is Lovran. There is mention of it even in the 7th century, and it got its name from the Bay leaf trees that grow here. Lovran has preserved its old town centre with its central square, Romanesque bell tower, baroque houses and buildings that date back to the 13th century. Here a large number of villas and holiday homes were built, which today entice you with their attractiveness. Around 2 km from Lovran can be found the small tourist resort of Medveja with its auto-camp and beautiful shingle beach, where you can enjoy beach service services, and Mošćenička Draga has as many as seven shingle beaches, to which people come from far afield.
Opatija is often called the Adriatic Nice and with the reason, because that it is the place with the longest and most exclusive tourist tradition on the eastern coast of the Adriatic. In 1844, the big trader Iginio Scarpa built here the villa Angiolina, creating around it a delightful park. Because of its relaxed atmosphere, the aristocracy gladly visited his villa. As there were more and more hotels, Opatija turned into an elite summer resort with crystal chandeliers, dance halls, cafes and other luxurious delights and elegance. In 1885 it got a 12 km long walkway beside the sea (lungomare) in direction of Volosko-Opatja-Lovran. Besides a comfortable climate and well-groomed ambience, Opatija is not only a resort for the summer months, but on the contrary, this elite place will delight you in the spring and autumn months.
Gourmet food is prepared in a few excellent restaurants, which are included in some of the most respected food guides. There are also a large number of konoba (fish restaurants) or village farms which can be found behind Opatija's riviera. The night life is mainly centred on Opatija, where you can find entertainment to suit every taste, but in the summer months you can have a good time in other parts. Sports activities are also diverse, at your disposal are tennis courts, water sports are popular and for the more adventurous the Učka mountain is ideal.
