The geographical position of Rijeka is crucial for its tourist image. This is where a visitor in transit meets the sea for the first time, regardless of whether coming by road or rail. The access to Rijeka is extremely attractive - both from the west and from the east - and the access from the sea offers the most charming view on Rijeka.

The natural and cultural features of Rijeka, the Mediterranean climate, and the closer and broader surroundings of the mountainous landscape of the Primorsko-Goranska County add to the value of the city. The area around Rijeka represents the most developed tourist region in Croatia, with a tradition dating back to the 19th century; more than a half of the foreign tourists visiting Croatia stay in Rijeka.

The importance of industry in Rijeka does not allow the city to develop into a holiday centre. However, by being the second largest city in Croatia and an important business centre, Rijeka has developed into a strong centre of business tourism. It hosts important business events, such as: the Spring Fair (in April), Nautica, Automobile Fair (in May), the North Adriatic Fair (in October) and the Christmas Fair, so that, apart from business tourism, congress tourism increasingly gains on importance. Trsat, the centre of Marianism in this part of Croatia (10th of May, the Day of Our Lady of Trsat - and the Seafarer's Day, the Assumption on the 15th August, and the Nativity of the Virgin Mary on the 8th of August) make Rijeka the centre of religious tourism as well. Almost grown into one with Opatija - the oldest and the most renowned tourist centre in Croatia.

The name Rijeka appeared in the records in the 13th century. In the Roman times there was Tarsatica (first mentioned in 60 BC), a key fortification and settlement on the borderline of the so-called Liburnian Limes (Illyrian Liburnia stretched from Plomin to the Krka river in Dalmatia). Tarsatica was last mentioned in AD 799. From the end of the 7th century under the Croatian rule; after that changed several rulers, and in 1466 fell under the rule of the Habsburgs, which helped them to spread their property to the Adriatic coast in the 15th century, which in turn resulted in conflicts with Venice (1509, Venetians turned the town into ashes). Rijeka gained autonomy at the end of the 16th century, and in 1719 was declared a free port by Emperor Charles VI. Under the rule of Maria Theresa (1776) Rijeka and a part of Primorje formed a special territorial unit within Croatia. -After the French and Austrian administration, it was included under the Croatian civil administration in 1822. In 1848 Rijeka supported the Hungarian Revolution, upon which the Croatian Viceroy Josip Jelai became the Governor of Rijeka. In 1919 Rijeka was occupied by Gabriele d'Annunzio and his legionaries. According to the Treaty of Rapallo (1920), the State of Rijeka was established; pursuant to the Treaty of Rome, Rijeka fell to Italy (1924-43). In 1945 it was annexed to the parent country, Croatia.

Apart from quality accommodation facilities, shops, theatres and other entertainment, visitors can attend important cultural events: the Biennial of Young Artists - international exhibition of young artists - painters, sculptors, alternative artists (1st of July - 30th of September), the Rijeka Summer, concerts and theatrical performances in the Old Town, on Trsat, in the cathedral of St. Vitus (in June and July), the Melodies of Istria and Kvarner (end of June), the Assumption - Trsat (15thof August), the Days of Zajc (in November), the Day of St. Vitus, the patron saint of Rijeka (15thof June), the Rijeka Carnival, the biggest carnival event in Croatia (in February), etc.