Opatija Things to Do

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Lovran is a seaside resort situated on the coast of the Opatija Riviera.

This village has a nice old core; narrow paved streets; several accomodations (hotels, private rooms and apartments); restaurants, cafes and shops.

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Opatija's seafront promenade is the perfect place for a stroll. you can wander off to the beautiful and exotic gardens, bamboo groves and parks, or drop into one of the numerous cafes and restaurants.

taking a stroll through Opatija twisted streets you will notice a lot of villas bulit on the turn of the century. many of them were being renovated in 2004, and I would be not surprised that some of them are currently are turned into B&B. would love to come back and stay there.

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Marsala Tito is the main street in Opatija and, if you come in from Rijeka, it can seem like a very congested doppelganger of any street in any package destination in Mallorca or Florida. You have to walk down towards the opposite direction from Rijeka in order to absorb more of the historical aspects of this long street and the juxtaposition of the natural beauty and the manmade splendour of the Hapsburg-era buildings. On a more practical note, Marsala Tito is also where you can buy whatever you need in terms of supplies, as there is a Konzum supermarket at about 100 on the side opposite the sea.

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The Lido or Beach is hardly what you'd expect for a country that is fast becoming Europe's hottest summer destination. Tje beach in Opatija proper has, in fact, been paved over. That is, don't bring your bathing suit and expect to be able to swim on the Istrian Riviera. The lido does have a few cafés and bistros, and its a very beautiful setting against which you can enjoy a promenade down the more historic part of Marsal Tito.

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Rather than walk along the busy sidewalks, you may choose to stroll along the famous beachside promenade - Lungo Mare, a beautiful cobblestone walkway that start in Volosko and extends on to Opatija, Icici, Ika and Lovran, all together 12 km. Construction of the promenade began in 1885 (at the same time as Opatija's first two hotels, Kvarner and Imperial, were being opened) and was completed in 1889 when Opatija was declared a climatic health resort.

You can walk the whole way along the sea side. It's lovely! You pass by several spectacular old villas surrounded with beautiful gardens. On the way there are beaches, bars and a small marina. The walking path is undisturbed by traffic and offers enjoyable moments of tranquility. I walked from Volosko to Opatija and back, all together 24 km, without even noticing how quickly time passed by. I really enjoyed it!

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Opatija and the Kvarner Riviera, once the stylish seaside retreat of the Austro-Hungarian aristocracy, are a unique combination of climate, culture and flora. The symbol of Opatija, the camelia, as well as palms and many varieties of exotic tropical plants abound in the town’s well-kept parks, set amid the stylish 19th century villas and palaces. In addition to the unique seaside promenade known as “Lungomare” stretching for over 12kms, the slopes of Mount Ucka provide some breathtaking scenery for the more energetic walker rising up dramatically from the water’s edge almost alpine in character in contrast to the Mediterranean ambience of Opatija. Nearby Lovran is well worth a visit and you’ll find interesting traditional villages overlooking this most picturesque of coastlines. Enjoy the civilized ambience of this lively resort and its many diverse attractions.

Location: 45°19,0’ N 14°17,7’ E
The marina has 302 berths and 35 boat places on land. All berths have water and power supply. Opatija can be quickly and easily reached from all major European cities by car or rail. Sea depth at the entrance to the marina is 7 m. Maximum speed in the marina is 2 knots.