Plan your Travels to Opatija
This world-famous seaside town that enjoys a backdrop of the Učka Mountains mountain range in north-west Croatia along the Istrian peninsula, offers timeless elegance as a former 19th-century wellness resort. A crown jewel in a nation filled with coastal gems, it’s said to be the very place where tourism began along the Croatian coast, yet it still offers many treasures for visitors today. Enjoy the majestic mansions, monuments, picturesque parks and alluring beaches, dining on mouthwatering Istrian cuisine in between.
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.
Trip to Opatija FAQs
What is the best time to visit Opatija
The best months for good weather in Opatija are April, May, June, July, August, September and October. On average, the warmest months are July and August.
What are the essential sights to see 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 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.
From
Matilda Your Croatia Expert
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.
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!
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.
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.
