Opatija, Croatia: Travel Guide & Things to Do!
Opatija in Croatia is a real highlight on the Adriatic coast and, certainly, one of the places most worth seeing in Kvarner Bay. Already a trendy resort back in the 19th century, this pretty coastal town near Rijeka is once again in vogue today. Every year, tourists from all over the world come to spend their vacations in this historically so important seaside resort. During a visit to Opatija you will enjoy a wonderful nostalgic ambience with beautiful buildings and villas, whose history goes back to the Habsburg period. Unique and probably one of the most beautiful attractions in Opatija is the Lungomare, the picturesque waterfront promenade, where numerous stunning beaches invite to sunbathe, swim and relax.
In this travel guide, we provide all the essential info and tips about Opatija in Croatia. In addition, we show you the best things to do in Opatija, the most beautiful beaches, lovely pictures, excursion & day trips and where to find recommended accommodations.
Good to know!
A jewel of the resort are the historic hotels in Opatija. Highly recommended is the wonderful Hotel Milenij at the promenade or the 4-star Hotel Miramar with private beach.
Opatija is perfect for a summer vacation in Croatia thanks to the beautiful coast and the many bathing places. Click here for an overview of the most beautiful beaches in Opatija!
Although the town of Opatija is part of the “Kvarner Bay” in Croatia, you can also go on breathtaking day trips from there to the charming region of Istria.
The surroundings of Opatija are also worth seeing. The nature park Ucka, the old town of Rijeka, the coastal pearls Moscenicka Draga and Lovran are among the most popular places.
General information about Opatija
Opatija is located in Kvarner Bay, about 14 kilometers from Rijeka and 7 kilometers from Lovran. The coastal town is famous mainly for its historical charm and unique ambience, which is truly unique in Croatia. Often called the Nice of Croatia, Vienna by the Sea, the Pearl of the Adriatic or the Old Lady, Opatija already bears countless affectionate nicknames. During a walk through the center and along the Franz-Josef Promenade, the so-called Lungomare, you will enjoy enchanting coastal scenery with fairy-tale villas and at the same time explore the most beautiful attractions of Opatija on foot.
Opatija in Croatia had its beginnings as a tourist resort in the 19th century, when the first villa was founded almost 180 years ago. At that time, the architecture of the many beautiful villas was created, which can still be admired along the coast, well renovated. Most of these historic buildings are now B&Bs, apartment houses or hotels, where you can spend dreamlike vacations. Above all, the offer of upscale hotels is magnificent, the density of which can hardly be found anywhere else in Croatia.
Best Things to Do in Opatija
During a vacation in Opatija you can enjoy a whole range of attractions worth seeing. Most of the sights are located directly along the promenade, which can be explored on foot. However, there are also many highlights to discover in the immediate vicinity. So that you don’t lose the overview, we have summarized the best things to do in Opatija at a glance:
The Center of Opatija
The must-see in Opatija is definitely the historic town center. Together with the main beach Slatina, it forms the lively tourist center of the resort. Slatina Street is always very lively because the motto is: see and be seen. Strolling along the lively promenade you will discover some of the most magnificent buildings from the imperial period and, moreover, you will enjoy a terrific selection of restaurants, cafés and ice cream parlors in addition to beautiful boutiques to do some shopping.
Below the promenade is beach Slatina, a long bay with concrete sunbathing areas and a small sandy beach. This beach comes with the blue flag, the seal for the best beach and sea quality.
Franz-Josef Promenade
Beautiful is the dreamlike Franz-Josef promenade. On a length of about 12 kilometers, you can visit numerous attractions of Opatija just passing by. Walking by the sea, you will explore beautiful gardens and parks, picturesque harbors and dreamy bathing bays that invite to jump into the cool water. The most important landmark of Opatija, the statue “Girl with a Seagull“, is located directly on this picturesque waterfront. The sculpture was created in 1956 by the sculptor Zvonko Car, and today it is probably the most popular photo motif along the entire Riviera!
Tip: There are some stunning hotels along the Franz-Josef Promenade, such as the Amadria Park Hotel Milenij with its beautiful spa area and fantastic culinary offerings.
Walk of Fame
The Walk of Fame is one of the coolest attractions in Opatija. It is located right in the center of the city and is part of the beautiful promenade. Created only in 2015, this Croatian street of fame resembles the famous Walk of Fame in L.A. This art project honored Croatian celebrities who had made a name for themselves in the past, especially in sports, science, art or culture. Currently, there are 32 marble stars on this enchanting street, which, in any case, should not be missed during a visit to Opatija.
Villa Angiolina & Botanical Garden
The beautiful Villa Angiolina is one of the main attractions in the seaside resort. Built as a summer resort house in 1844 by the merchant Iginio Scarpa from Rijeka, he laid the foundation for tourism in Opatija at that time. Today, this historic mansion houses the Croatian Tourism Museum, which was founded in 2007. In the big saloon, various exhibitions take place regularly. Also worth seeing is the rear part on the first floor, where the restored original of the “Madonna del Mare” can be seen. Until 1951, this work of art could be found on the spot by the sea where the “Girl with the Seagull” is now located.
Next to Villa Angiolina there is the stunning Botanical Garden. It is now the central city park and open to the public free of charge. On an area of about 3.7 hectares, one discovers over 150 different, partly exotic flowers and plant species, which come from different continents. Just nearby is the attraction Wall of Fame, a graffiti artwork worth seeing, where celebrities who have visited Opatija have been immortalized.
Beach Clubs
The numerous hip beach clubs as well as the partly really nostalgic beach pools are guaranteed a reason why Opatija has become so popular again as a vacation destination. Highly recommend is the exclusive Lido Beach Club, which spoils its visitors with a beautiful infinity pool and delicious drinks. Although this belongs to the Hotel Bevanda, it is also freely accessible to non-hotel guests. Another really fantastic beach club is the Angiolina Beach Club, which is located right next to the glamorous Hotel Kvarner and still exudes a lot of historical flair.
Tip: A real gem for a very special vacation in Opatija is definitely the absolutely chic Hotel Bevanda, which also includes the famous Lido Beach Club.
Restaurants & Cafés
A highlight that you can enjoy during your vacation in Opatija is the terrific gastronomic offer. The coastal town on the Kvarner Bay is well-known for its exquisite restaurants, hip bars and cozy cafés that invite guests to enjoy and linger. Whether along the promenade overlooking the sea or in the center, the culinary selection is unbeatable. In addition, much emphasis is placed on regional ingredients and good wines, and so you will find truffles, wild asparagus and the Kvarner scampi on almost every menu.
The Beaches in Opatija
The beautiful beaches in Opatija are unique in Kvarner Bay. Above all, the many nostalgic villas and buildings from the imperial era that line the entire Riviera add an extra dose of charm to the magnificent bays. From the center to the north of Volosko, countless beaches and small bathing places are lined up, all of which can be easily reached on foot along the coastal promenade. Most of the beaches are well-kept concrete, rocky or pebble beaches. The main beach is Slatina beach in the center. This is definitely the busiest. Especially worth visiting are Lipovica beach and Tomasevac beach.
Volosko
Hidden in the northern part of Opatija is picturesque Volosko, a small romantic fishing village that has now become a popular vacation destination over the years. Here you can expect an exceptional charm because the dreamy little town is still a bit quieter and cozier than the center of Opatija. Along the harbor promenade there are some typical traditional konobas and small cafés where you can enjoy the stunning old town scenery. Beautiful and a landmark is the Church of St. Ana with its two towers built in 1708.
American Garden
A real insider tip in Opatija is the beautiful American Garden, an oasis of peace and relaxation. It is one of the few attractions that are not located directly on the coast, but a little above the town. Perhaps that is why only a few visitors find their way to the garden. It’s a pity, really, because on a tour through the almost 100-year-old area, there are many beautiful things and a magnificent plant splendor to discover. Unique is also the enchanting view over Kvarner Bay, which can be enjoyed from the terraces of the garden.
Beste Day Trips from Opatija
Not only Opatija is worth seeing, but also in the surrounding area there are many possibilities for excursions and activities. So, you can discover many beautiful places during your vacation. Here are the best destinations for day trips from Opatija:
Only 7 kilometers away from Opatija is Lovran, a small nostalgic coastal town, which you can even reach on foot via the wonderful long Lungomare.
Worth seeing is the Ucka Nature Park, through which countless hiking trails lead. The view from the peak of Vodjak is absolutely stunning and should not be missed!
Don’t miss visiting the old town of Rijeka, which is located about 13 kilometers north of Opatija and invites you to stroll, shopping and sightseeing.
Thanks to its good location, Opatija is the perfect starting point for excursions to Istria and also to the offshore Krk Island, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge.
Where to Stay in Opatija
For a vacation in Opatija you can find a phenomenal offer of different accommodations. These are mainly 4-5 star hotels, but also vacation apartments and small B&Bs. If you are looking for a lovely place to stay in Opatija, then we can give you these accommodation tips on the way…It’s worth a look!
- 5-star Hotel: The exclusive Amadria Park Hotel Milenij is one of the best 5-star hotels in Opatija. Here you can enjoy a great wellness area and a noble ambience.
- Apartment with Flair: The Apartment Kamelija is a large, beautiful apartment in Opatija with free parking. Good is also the location to center and beach.
- Nice Guesthouse: The Guesthouse Katarina scores with beautiful, clean apartments. The beach, the center, but also the pretty Volosko neighborhood are not far away.
- 4-Star Hotel: The Hotel Miramar is a dream hotel in Opatija. Guests love the private beach, beautiful spa area and fantastic culinary offer.
Find the best accommodation in Opatija:
More about Kvarner Bay:
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Crikvenica, Croatia: The Complete Travel Guide
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Selce: The Costal Pearl of Kvarner Bay
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Jadranovo, Croatia: All About a Perfect Visit
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Krk Island, Croatia: The Golden Island Travel Guide
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Rab Island: The Happy Island in Croatia
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