Kvarner and Primorje The bay of Kvarner is surrounded by mountain ranges, from Učka in the west to the Velebit range that protects the islands from the harsh winters of Lika. Between the Opatija Riviera and Starigrad at the foothills of Velebit there is a series of small coastal towns that are famous for having the longest tradition of tourism in these parts. 150 000 visitors are registered in the region, in about 80 hotels, 46 campsites and 12 000 households. There are 19 ports for sailors in Kvarner, amongst which there are 8 modern marinas that offer sailors all the services they need.

Opatija, which is one of the most well known summer destinations in Europe, is located on the border between Istria and Kvarner. Rijeka is the third largest city, the largest Croatian port and the administrative and educational centre of the region. South of Rijeka, there is Crikvenica, Selce, Novi Vinodolski, all of which are pretty tourist spots that are ideal for a peaceful holiday. Further down the Adriatic coastal road (which extends all the way to southern Dalmatia) there is the town of Senj, which has been in existence since Roman times and is famous for its strong wind, ‘bura’. Zavratnica is near Starigrad, an idyllic fjord shaped bay and one of its kind in Croatia.

The islands of Kvarner are a special story. There are a total of four – Krk, Rab, as well as Cres and Lošinj with their archipelagos. The island of Krk is the largest island in the Adriatic, has an airport and is connected with the mainland by a bridge. Of all the places on the island, the most well known is probably Baška with its celebrated sandy beach. Cres is the second largest island, and known for the Vrana Lake, which is a natural phenomenon – its surface is 16 metres above sea level. and its base 74 metres under sea level. Lošinj is a centre for health tourism, because of its special climate and vegetation that makes it especially comfortable for visitors who have lung and respiratory difficulties. There are also a number of well-loved smaller islands within the Lošinj archipelago, especially Susak that has risen on layers of healthy sand, and Unije, a small island with still undiscovered natural beauty.

The entire region is extremely well connected to the rest of Croatia as a result of the motorway and the good main roads, and Krk’s airport welcomes hundreds of visitors daily. As a result of their natural beauty and different climates, every place in the region is distinct and thus guests have a great variety on offer. From sporting and recreational tourism, to family resorts and campsites everyone can find somewhere that will suit them. Outside of the main season the hotels stay open, which makes them ideal for holding conferences and business meetings. Guests who stay in Kvarner can get a real taste of the natural environment and a true holiday, which is complemented by the top quality accommodation and the professionalism of the personnel.