Kastav was built on an isolated hill 378 metres (1,240 feet) above sea level. Its historic center, many parks and big forest are attractive to foreign visitors and hikers. The historic walled town contains a church dating from the 13th century which hosts an international music festival each summer. The Kastav Statute was written in 1400, and confirms the status of Croatian city Kastav as an administrative and political centre from the late 14th century. Because of its unusual but good position Kastav has really hot summers and very cold winters; during the summer temperatures can rise to 37 °C (99 °F), sometimes even more. In summer evenings Kastav is crowded with walkers who come for the fresh air in the forest and for sport, athletes who have their summer break but want to stay in good shape. In winter Kastav is one of the first places in the Kvarner region to become white with snow. Industry in Kastav isn't developed because citizens of Kastav are focused on work in nearby Rijeka and Opatija, but there are still private stores and companies led by well situated people. Estates in Kastav are very valuable because of its excellent position for living and views of Kvarner and the many islands in the Kvarner region. With faster access from Croatia to the European Union, interest in estates in that part of Croatia is growing.

Opatija is located 18 km (11 mi) southwest of the regional capital Rijeka, about 90 km (56 mi) from Trieste by rail and 82 km (51 mi) from Pula by road.
The city is geographically on the Istrian peninsula, though not in Istria County. The tourist resort is situated on the Kvarner Gulf, part of the Adriatic coast, in a sheltered position at the foot of Učka massif, with the Vojak peak reaching at a height of 1,401 m (4,596 ft).
As of 2011, the town had 11,659 inhabitants in total, of which 6,657 lived in the urban settlement.
The town is a popular summer and winter resort, with average high temperatures of 10 °C in winter, and 32 °C in summer.
Opatija is surrounded by beautiful woods of bay laurel. The whole sea-coast to the north and south of Opatija is rocky and picturesque, and contains several smaller winter resorts.