Opatija (Croatia) is a small town located in the north of the Istrian peninsula, with a population of just under 12.7 thousand people. During its more than 500-year existence, it was a holiday destination for the Venetian and Italian nobility, the only official resort of Austria-Hungary and the city where the first casinos and yacht clubs of Eastern Europe were opened.
Modern Opatija combines the charm of the Middle Ages and the luxury of our days. Located in the Kvarner Bay at the foot of the mountain, it is considered one of the best resorts in Croatia, as the water and air temperature here is usually 2-3 degrees higher. Opatija is also called the Museum of Central Europe, Croatian Nice because of the large number of attractions and beaches.
Interesting fact! Opatija was a favorite vacation spot of Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria. In addition, Anton Chekhov, Vladimir Nabokov, E. M. Remarque, Jozef Pilsudski and Gustav Mahler have vacationed here at various times.
Opatija Beaches
Slatina
Like a large saltwater pool, the beach is located in the heart of Opatija. It is equipped with all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay, including umbrellas, sun beds, showers and toilets, changing rooms.
Slatina has a lot of entertainment for both children (free playground, paid water park, various attractions) and adults (cafe and restaurant, volleyball and football court, table tennis, water slides, boat rental). There is also a shop with beach accessories, a newsstand and a grocery supermarket.
Slatina was awarded the Blue Flag of the FEO for the cleanliness of the water and coast. The entrance to the sea is gentle and convenient, and metal stairs are installed on the beach for safe descent from concrete slabs. Near the shore is shallow, the water is warm, there are no rocks or sea urchins-Slatina is great for families with children.
Tomasevac
The beach, located 800 m from the center of Opatija, is conventionally divided into three parts with different surfaces: large-pebble, concrete and sand. Tomasevac is surrounded on one side by hotels, the most famous of which is “Ambassador”, and on the other – a dense pine grove that creates a natural shade.
Tomaševac is a good place for a family holiday in Opatija (Croatia). There is a clean and calm sea, convenient access to the water, a children’s playground and a trampoline park, several fast food cafes, a supermarket and a souvenir shop. You can also play volleyball on the beach or rent a catamaran.
Lido
Not far from Opatija’s famous landmark, Villa Angeolini, is Lido Beach, awarded the Blue Flag of the FAE. The main city road leads directly to the sandy coast, and for those who come by car, there is a public paved parking lot.
The water on the Lido is warm and very clean, access to the water is safe – by metal stairs. The beach offers a view of Mount Uchka, and a pine forest is planted behind the sandy strip.
The Lido has several cafes and a restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine. Active entertainment lovers can apply to the rental area and go on a boat or catamaran trip. In summer, the beach hosts theatrical performances or open-air movies every evening.
The lido is not quite suitable for small travelers, as the sea here is quite deep and it is better for children not to swim without special devices.
Porec — what is interesting about the ancient city of Istria
Lovran
The small town of Lovran is 7 km from Opatija. It is widely known among tourists for its pebble-sand beaches with turquoise waters. The main ones are Pegarovo and Kvarner, they are marked with Blue flags and equipped with all the necessary amenities, including sun beds and umbrellas, changing cabins, showers and toilets.
Lovran is a health resort. All vacationers can relax in the SPA centers of hotels located on the beaches. In addition, there are several excellent restaurants and pizzerias with a wide range of dishes at reasonable prices, for example, Stari Grad and Lovranska Vrata.
Medvezha
Just 8 km from Opatija (Croatia) is the picturesque Medveja Beach. Located at the foot of Mount Ukka on the blue Kvarner Bay, it immerses you in the natural beauty of Croatia from the first minute.
A two-kilometer pebble beach will provide you with everything you need for a comfortable stay. There are two cafes, a bar and a restaurant with delicious seafood dishes, a children’s playground, water attractions, comfortable sun beds, large umbrellas and much more.
Medvezha has a small water park and sports area where you can play volleyball, water polo, and rent a boat and diving equipment. At nightfall, the beach turns into an open-air club with rousing dances and refreshing drinks.
Moschanichka dredge
Moschanichka draga is a small town 13 km south of Opatija. Across the entire coast of the resort stretches a 2-kilometer beach of the same name, strewn with small pebbles. Moschanichka dredge is surrounded by a mountain and a dense pine grove, there is clear water, a convenient gradual approach and a small depth – many families with children come here.
Various amenities and entertainment venues are located throughout the beach. There are sun beds and umbrellas, changing rooms and showers, two restaurants, a fast food cafe, a bar, a sports complex, windsurfing and diving centers, a small playground, benches and a water equipment rental area. Paid parking is available right next to the beach – 50 kuna per hour. There are facilities for disabled guests.
Rovinj-holidays, beaches and sights of the Croatian city
Opatija sights and attractions
Sea embankment
The twelve-kilometer coast of Opatija and five nearby villages is decorated with a thin and winding Lungo Mare embankment. This is a favorite place for walking all tourists of the city, it is here that luxury hotels, the most expensive restaurants and beautiful sights are located.
The sea embankment changes its appearance during the day. At first, it is an excellent platform for meeting the rising sun, at lunch-a road filled with vacationers in wet swimsuits, in the evening-a kind of red carpet for travelers, and at night – an open-air club. Do not go for a walk on the Lungo Mare – do not visit Opatija. Do not allow yourself this luxury!
Girl with a seagull
The landmark, built in 1956, is still the main symbol of the city of Opatija. A sad legend about the love of a sailor and a girl waiting for his return inspired the creation of this stone image by one of the most famous sculptors in Croatia – Zvonko Tsar. With his own hands, he returned the girl of his beloved, putting a seagull on her hand, because these birds, according to local residents, are the souls of sailors.
The romantic statue is located at the end of the Sea Promenade, not far from the Kvarner Hotel. There, among the rocks and boulders, a fragile girl is still waiting for the return of her beloved.
A tip! Come to this landmark late at night. When the setting sun turns its red rays to the sculpture, it seems that she is about to step down from the stone pedestal to meet her love. It is at this time and place that you can take the most beautiful photos from Opatija.
Angiolina Park and Villa
Since 1844, Opatija has been decorated with another attraction – a luxury villa built by the Roman aristocrat X. Scarp. A great lover of nature, Sir Scarp has ordered all the exotic plants that can be obtained to be planted on the 3.64 hectares of land surrounding the villa. For more than 150 years of existence, the number of trees, shrubs and flowers in the park has reached several hundred and exceeded 160 species. There are palm trees, bamboos, magnolias, begonias and other plants that are almost impossible to find in other parts of Croatia. The park is decorated with benches, fountains and sculptures, it is pleasant to spend time here at any time of the day.
In the late 19th century, the villa was converted into a health resort, and in the early 2000s, the Croatian Museum of Tourism was opened here. In the summer, concerts and theatrical performances are organized on the outdoor stage in the park. The property is located at Park Angiolina 1.
On a note! From Opatija, you can easily reach the island of Krk in Croatia. What you can see there and what it is interesting to tell you on this page.
St. James ‘ Church
The Cathedral of St. James was built in the early 15th century. It is built in a restrained Romanesque style, with its brick walls and sharp domes attracting with their combination of charm and simplicity. It is a quiet place for a relaxing holiday, and from the hill where the church is built, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Opatija. Address: Park Sv. Jakova 2.
A tip! Many weddings are held in the church on Saturday, if you want to witness a beautiful act of marriage-come here from 10 am to 5 pm.
Annunciation Church
Another beautiful Opatija temple is located at Joakima Rakovca 22, near Slatina Beach. It was built of brick and granite, and its unusual altar, decorated with satin fabrics and a figure of St. Mary, has been striking tourists with its beauty for many years.
Interesting fact! The Annunciation Church is one of the few unrecorded churches in all of Croatia. Despite the fact that the landmark was built more than a century ago, it still retains its original appearance.
Voloshko
Voloshko is one of the towns that the Sea Embankment passes through. Homely, simple and cozy – this is how Opatija tourists speak about it. Narrow and small streets are often ennobled with convenient shops, beautiful shrubs, flowers and trees.
Please note that this is not a pedestrian zone and cars can pass through here, although we advise travelers to leave their cars in the parking lot and not take risks on steep descents and narrow turns. In the village, you can have a delicious meal in one of the inexpensive restaurants.
Accommodation
Like other resorts in Croatia, Opatija is not distinguished by low housing prices. For each night spent in a double room, you need to pay a minimum of 60 euros, accommodation in a four-star hotel will cost at least 80 euros, in a five-star hotel-130 euros.
The best hotels in Opatija, according to travelers, are:
- Remisens Premium Hotel Ambassador, 5 stars. One minute to the beach, breakfast is included in the price. From 212 € for a double room.
- Hotel Villa Kapetanovic, a four-star hotel. The beach is an 8-minute walk away, the daily fee is 150€, breakfast is included in the price.
- Amadria Park Royal, 4 stars, with its own beach. The cost of a holiday is at least 249 € without meals.
Travelers who want to save money on their accommodation can contact the residents of Croatia for help. So, rent a studio 5 minutes walk from the sea costs from 35€, and a separate room can be rented for only 20 -25 €.
Cafes and restaurants in Opatija
Compared to other resort towns in Croatia, food prices in Opatija are within the normal range. For example, for a full meal, each vacationer will have to pay about 9-10 € in an inexpensive cafe or from 20 € in high-class restaurants. The best food establishments in Opatija are:
- Restaurant Roko Opatja. Buying natural products from farmers, representatives of this family-run establishment prepare absolutely everything that is served in their restaurant, including bread. High prices, excellent service level. Average cost of dishes: 10 for salad, pasta-11-13€, 13-16 € for meat or fish, 3.5 € for desserts.
- Ružmarin. The restaurant has been operating since 1986 and has earned the trust of visitors, is located somewhat in the depths of Opatija, has a nice terrace. The menu here is quite extensive — from pizza and burgers to seafood and grilled meat, Salads cost 8,5-13 €, pasta and risotto-10-12 €, burgers-11-15 €, main dish of meat with side dish-13-22 €.
- Kavana Marijana. Opatija’s best Italian pizzeria in its price range. Friendly and fast staff, cozy atmosphere and delicious pizza for 9-13 € – what else is needed for a good dinner! It also serves hot dishes and desserts.
How to get to Opatija
From Russia, Ukraine and other CIS countries, the city can only be reached by connecting in historical Pula or the Croatian capital Zagreb.
From the Croatian capital
The distance between Opatija and Zagreb is 175 km, which can be covered by bus or car (taxi):
- At the central metropolitan bus station, take the Autotrans Zagreb-Opatija bus. The price of tickets is 130-137 kuna per person, you can order on the carrier’s website (www.autotrans.hr). The journey time is 3 hours and 5 minutes. The timetable changes depending on demand and season, so check it out in advance on the specified website. There are no flights after 15: 00.
- If you want to arrive in Opatija in the evening, drive from the central bus station to Rijeka in 71-110 kuna (2.5 hours on the road), and then change to the Rijeka-Opatja bus. The cost of the trip is 30 kuna, less than half an hour on the way.
- Traveling between cities by car will take only 2 hours, and you will need about 18-22 euros for gas. The cost of such a taxi ride starts from 200 €.
How to get there from Pula
There is a well-established bus service between the cities, and it will take you about two hours and 94-99 kuna per person to cover 100 km. The first car on a given route leaves at 5 am, the last-at 20: 00 (in low season — less often). Find out the exact schedule and ticket prices at www.balkanviator.com.
An independent trip by car will take only 1 hour and 10 minutes, and you will need 10-15 euros for gasoline. A similar taxi ride will cost around 90-120 euros.
Opatija (Croatia) is a beautiful city, ready to give you hundreds of positive impressions. Come here to enjoy the fresh air, warm sea and beautiful sights. Have a good trip!
