Opatija is an elegant resort on the eastern coast of Istria in the Kvarner Gulf that developed in the nineteenth century as a spa town for the Austrian aristocracy. The coast is lined with the twelve-kilometre Lungomare promenade linking Volosko and Lovran, and above it stand Art Nouveau villas, parks with camellias and hotels from the days of Emperor Franz Joseph. Mount Učka, 1,396 metres high, shelters the town from northern winds and gives it a mild climate. Opatija is calmer and more stylish than other Croatian resorts, but its beaches are rocky and concrete, so it suits mainly those who look for walks, culture and food. From the Czech Republic it is about eight hundred and fifty kilometres by car through Austria and Slovenia, one long day, and the nearest airport is Rijeka on Krk. In season it is full, but in spring and autumn the atmosphere is calm. Rijeka is twenty minutes by car and Pula an hour and a half.
The places worth your time in Opatija, and what to expect at each
coast
A twelve-kilometre coastal promenade from Volosko through Opatija to Lovran, built in 1889. It runs along the sea on stone paths between villas, parks and rocky beaches. It is the best way to get to know the coast.
Tip: Walking the whole route takes three to four hours; it is best in the morning and evening. Stop at a café on the little beaches and swim from the concrete platforms.
Opatija
A summer villa from 1844 built by Iginio Scarpa that became the symbol of Opatija. Around it is a park with camellias, palms and exotic trees, containing the Museum of Tourism. It is the loveliest garden in the resort.
Tip: The park is free and open all day. In February and March the camellias bloom, which is the nicest time to visit.
Opatija
A bronze statue of a young woman with a seagull on a rock by the sea, a symbol of Opatija from 1956. From the statue there is a view of the bay and the promenade. It is a popular spot for photos and sunset.
Tip: The statue is free and five minutes from Villa Angiolina. The best light is in the evening, when the sun sets behind the Kvarner.
Opatija
Opatija's most popular town beach, with pebbles and concrete platforms and access to the sea by ladders. In summer it is full and there are bars in the bay. The water is clean and deep right from the shore.
Tip: The beach is rocky, so bring water shoes. It is calmest in the morning, while there is still shade.
Volosko
A small fishing village at the northern end of the promenade, with narrow lanes and seafood restaurants. It is the best place to taste fresh fish and scampi. The atmosphere is calm and authentic.
Tip: Dinner in Volosko costs a fifth more than in Opatija, but the fish is fresher. Book a table in advance.
Lovran
A small town at the southern end of the promenade, famed for marasca cherries and chestnuts. Old lanes and a Romanesque church give a medieval atmosphere. In October the Marunada chestnut festival is held here.
Tip: You can walk to Lovran from Opatija along the promenade in an hour. In October there is a festival, so book accommodation in advance.
above Opatija
A mountain range above Opatija with the highest summit, Vojak, at 1,396 metres. At the top is a lookout tower with a view of the Kvarner, Istria and, in good weather, the Alps. The road winds up and takes an hour.
Tip: Bring a jacket, as it is fifteen degrees cooler at the top. Go in the morning, when the view is clearer, and bring hiking boots.
south of Opatija
An old town on a cliff above the sea, fifteen kilometres from Opatija, with narrow lanes and a church. A road leads down to Mošćenička Draga beach. It is a calm place with no crowds.
Tip: Park below and walk up; the town is small. You drive to the beach at the bottom.
Rijeka
A thirteenth-century fortress above Rijeka, with a view of the harbour and the Kvarner. A stairway of 538 steps leads up from Rijeka, and in the castle are a café and a gallery. It is the best viewpoint in the area.
Tip: You can drive up to Trsat, but the steps are more fun. From Opatija bus no. 32 takes half an hour to Rijeka.
Photos: Villa Angiolina and Park — Enric (CC BY-SA 4.0) · The Maiden with the Seagull — Jeronimo Alcala (CC BY 3.0) · Slatina Beach — Elekes Andor (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Volosko — Marin Kirinčić (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Trsat Castle in Rijeka — nepoznat (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking
Best for: hotels, restaurants and the promenade
The liveliest part with hotels, restaurants and shops near the Lungomare. It has the widest range of services. In season it is noisy.
Best for: fish and calm
A fishing village in the north with small hotels and restaurants. It is calmer and more authentic. You walk to Opatija along the promenade in half an hour.
Best for: beaches south of Opatija
Resorts with rocky beaches and apartments. Prices are lower than in Opatija. A good choice for families with a car.
Best for: calm in the south
A small town with chestnuts and cherries, hotels and beaches. It is calm and authentic. Suits a longer stay.
The nearest airport is Rijeka (RJK) on Krk, about thirty kilometres from Opatija. From the airport a bus runs to Rijeka and from there to Opatija. From the Czech Republic it is about eight hundred and fifty kilometres by car through Austria and Slovenia. Coaches run from Prague and Brno. From Pula airport it is eighty kilometres.
Rijeka – airport on Krk (RJK) · 30 km
Pula Airport (PUY) · 80 km
Opatija can be walked, especially along the Lungomare promenade. To Rijeka, Volosko and Lovran buses no. 32 and 33 run often and cheaply. Taxis and Bolt work. Parking in the centre is pricey and limited.
Useful apps: Google Maps, Bolt, Maps.me, Autotrans
Opatija has a humid subtropical climate with a mild winter and warm summer. In July and August it is around twenty-eight degrees and the sea twenty-five. The best months are May to June and September. In winter it is milder than inland and camellias bloom.
Best time
May to June and September
What to avoid
November to January (rain and bora)
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 8° | 9° | 12° | 16° | 21° | 25° | 28° | 28° | 23° | 18° | 13° | 9° |
| Night | 2° | 2° | 5° | 9° | 13° | 17° | 20° | 20° | 16° | 12° | 8° | 4° |
| Rainy days | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 |
| Sea | 11° | 11° | 12° | 15° | 19° | 23° | 25° | 25° | 23° | 19° | 16° | 13° |
Cooking in Opatija blends Kvarner and Istria: fish, scampi, truffles and pasta. The speciality is Lovran marasca and chestnuts. A restaurant lunch costs twenty to forty euros and prices are higher than in other resorts.
Kvarner scampi
Scampi from the Kvarner, grilled or stewed with wine and garlic. Regarded as the best in Croatia.
Šurlice and fuži
Hand-made pasta with a chicken or truffle sauce. Typical of the Kvarner and Istria.
Grilled fish
Fresh Kvarner fish, grilled with olive oil and garlic. The price is by weight.
Lovran chestnuts
Roasted or boiled chestnuts, the basis of the autumn menu. At the Marunada festival they are sold on every corner.
Maraska
Sour cherries and a liqueur from them, made in Lovran. Offered as a dessert or souvenir.
Malvazija wine
White wine from Istrian vineyards, fresh and aromatic. Suits fish.
Opatija cake
A cake of nuts and chocolate that originated in local pastry shops. Sold in most cafés.
Espresso
€1.8–2.5
Lunch in a restaurant
€20–40
Scampi
€25–40
A beer
€3.5–4.5
Bus
€3
Trsat
€3
3★ hotel (night)
€90–180
Taxi from the airport
€50
Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.
1 day
2 days
3 days
Rijeka
15 km · 20 min by car
Croatia's third-largest city with Trsat castle, a market and a museum of modern art. Bus no. 32 runs from Opatija and the trip takes half a day.
Krk
60 km · 1 hr by car
Croatia's largest island with the town of Krk, Baška and Vrbnik. It is linked to the mainland by a bridge and suits a full day.
Pula
85 km · 1 hr 15 min by car
A city with a Roman arena and wild beaches at Kamenjak. It suits a full-day trip.
Yes, the promenade is calm and safe, but the beaches are rocky and concrete, so they are not ideal for the youngest. Older children enjoy swimming from the platforms. For small children the sandier coves near Pula are better.
By car it is about eight hundred and fifty kilometres through Austria and Slovenia, eight to nine hours. You need a Slovenian vignette. The nearest airport is Rijeka on Krk.
May to June and September, when it is warm and less crowded. In February and March camellias bloom. July and August are full and pricey.
Twelve kilometres take three to four hours on foot. It is advisable to walk it in parts: Opatija–Volosko or Opatija–Lovran. You return by bus.
It is dearer than other Croatian resorts: lunch costs twenty to forty euros, a hotel ninety to a hundred and eighty euros a night. Cheapest are lunches in small konobas and apartments in Ika and Ičići.
By bus no. 32 in about half an hour for three euros, or by taxi for twenty-five euros. By car it is twenty minutes. Buses run every twenty minutes.
Kvarner scampi, šurlice, grilled fish and Lovran chestnuts. With them Malvazija wine and marasca liqueur. Dinner in Volosko is the best experience.
Yes, Croatia adopted the euro in January 2023. Cards are accepted nearly everywhere, and cash is useful at markets and in smaller konobas.
Check the latest visa requirements for entering this country. Some nationalities may need to apply for a visa or e-visa before travel.
Check visa requirementsLanguage
Croatian
Currency
EUR
Timezone
Europe/Zagreb
Dial Code
+385
Population
3.9M
Area
56,594 km²
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Driving Side
Right
