Its long tradition of health tourism began at the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, primarily due to its favourable climate and ease of access, and is continued today by numerous wellness and thalassotherapy treatment centres.
The Kvarner region, well-known to campers, comes up trumps with very successful all-season tourism. This much is evident across the whole area: from the Opatija Riviera where, according to historical sources, Croatian tourism began to develop in the mid-19th century, through Rijeka, the third largest city in Croatia and capital city of Primorje-Gorski Kotar county, to Krk and Cres, the largest Croatian islands. Likewise, the islands of Lošinj and Rab have been prominent on the tourist map for a long time, as has the Gorski Kotar region – the ‘green heart of Croatia’, a region of woods and mountains, linking continental and Mediterranean Croatia, encompassing Risnjak National Park and the highest peak, Bjelolasica. Most of the campsites are situated on the islands, where the ecological focus and biodiversity of the Kvarner region come to the fore.
