Opatija is a popular summer and winter seaside resort on the Kvarner Gulf, known for its Mediterranean climate and its historic buildings. Once a winter retreat for the Hapsburg elite, today it is a pleasant seaside resort favoured by an older crowd. Opatija is surrounded by beautiful woods and overlooked by the Učka mountain ridge on the Istrian peninsula. Left over from its ‘golden age’ are the elegant buildings, lovely parks and a long beachfront promenade. There are also a number of excellent restaurants, fine hotels and spa resorts here. Opatija is located about 13km southwest of the port city of Rijeka and is central to the Opatija Riviera.
The coast to the north and south of Opatija is rugged and picturesque, and contains several smaller winter resorts. Sailing in the Kvarner Bay and around the Kvarner islands: Cres, Losinj and Krk, is possible from here. For yachtsmen, Opatija offers two full-service marinas and is a charming place to be based and take shelter from the wind.
Opatija is serviced by both the Rijeka International Airport which is 40 km away and Pula Airport which is 100 km away.
Regular buses run to Rijeka which is well-connected with the rest of Croatia. Buses also serve Pula and Rovinj from where there are ferries to and from Italy.
Chartering a boat from Opatija and sailing the Kvarner Gulf is one of the best ways to explore the region. There are many bays around the Gulf of Kvarner between Opatija and Rijeka where anchorage is possible in settled weather. It is advised to seek shelter in the marinas or at Rijeka or Cres in unsettled conditions. Strong gusts of wind are fairly common in the Kvarner area, although the summer months usually offer easy sailing conditions.