Holidays in Opatija - how to get there and where to stay, beaches and prices

Opatija travel guide: how to get to and where to stay, what to see and where to sunbathe. The most interesting things to do in Opatija: places to see, signature attractions and beaches.

Undoubtedly one of Croatia's most popular tourist resorts is Opatija, a town in the northern Adriatic, on the shores of the Kvarner Bay. It has been a popular resort since the 19th century. The rare combination of the mild climate, the beauty of the natural surroundings and the historical and cultural richness of the region attracted many to the resort. It is difficult to believe that until the 19th century, the area was rather deserted, despite its favourable climatic conditions: it is protected from the cold winds by the Uchka mountain.

A bit of history

Benedictine monks settled here in the 16th century. The abbey was the origin of the town's name. The town only became popular after a great aristocrat from Rijeka, Higinio Scarpa, decided to make use of the local climate and built his villa 'Angelina'. Here, amidst olive and oleander trees, Isadora Duncan, Gustav Mahler, Wilhelm II and Anton Chekhov loved spending time in the villa.

It was Opatija that Vladimir Nabokov usrd as a prototype city in the story "Spring in Fialte". Opatija became popular not only among tourists: various scientific congresses and symposiums were held here systematically. In general, by the end of the 19th century practically every house in the town, every villa in its vicinity could boast at least one distinguished guest. Thanks to this Opatija today is interesting not only to those seeking a seaside holiday, but also to fans of the history of culture and science.

Opatija Hotels and restaurants

Opatija has a well-developed tourist infrastructure. There are hotels of varying standards, as well as private apartments, villas and campsites. Of course it is better to book accommodation in advance so you can choose among more options. The town can cater for up to 8000 tourists at a time, and there are more or less as many inhabitants. There are no problems with eating out either. Restaurants range from the posh, offering elegant surroundings and gourmet menus, to folkloric, where you can sample the local specialities. After seeing the sights and enjoying a delicious lunch, one can try their luck at a local casino, or visit a theatre, an exhibition or a concert - there are plenty of options.

The most expensive meal is the deep-fried whole fish, which you can choose for yourself. The rest of the food (pizza, meat or seafood) and drinks are reasonably priced.

Opatija is a town on the Adriatic Sea in Croatia. It is located in the region of Lika-Senj and has about 12,000 inhabitants. Opatija is one of the oldest tourist destinations in Europe and has been a popular seaside resort since the late 19th century. There are several good Hotels in Opatija. The ones I recommend are the Hotel Milenij Opatija, the Hotel Bonvino, the Hotel Lone and the Villa Salona. These hotels offer great accommodation and service, and are ideally located close to the town centre and the beaches. The Hotel Adriatic is a particularly good choice. It is a large and elegant hotel located right on the seafront. It has a swimming pool, a fitness centre, a spa, a restaurant and a bar. The Hotel Bonvino is also a great option. It is a stylish and luxurious hotel located in a quiet part of Opatija. It has a beautiful garden, a swimming pool, a fitness centre and a spa. The Hotel Lone is a new hotel that has quickly become a favourite with guests. It is a modern and stylish hotel with plenty of amenities, including a swimming pool, a fitness centre and a spa. The Hotel Kvarner is another good choice. It is a large and traditional hotel with a great location close to the town centre and the beaches.

Beaches

The beach in Opatija is stony, equipped with concrete slabs and walkways into the sea, which is not uncommon in Croatia. There is a 12-kilometre-long promenade, the Opatija Lungomar, along the coast which offers not only a walk in the sea air but also magnificent panoramic views, a variety of cafes and restaurants, souvenirs, local food and products with symbols of the town.

Opatija activities and attractions

Opatija is also rich in architectural sights. Several picturesque cathedrals, among which the most famous are the churches of St. James and the Annunciation, picturesque streets which are influenced by many different eras and styles, squares and boulevards, the famous 'Girl with a Seagull' - a modern sculpture that has become a symbol of the town - all this is in perfect harmony with the surrounding landscape and the local vegetation. The Villa Angelina (or Agnolina) and Villa Amalia, recently restored and accessible to tourists, stand out amongst the sights. Both villas have retained a look characteristic of their era and elements of decoration that are authentic to what they were originally. And now, in the midst of the 21st century, anyone can admire the surroundings from the same vantage point that the great ballerina Isadora Duncan admired them. You can pretend she was wrapping herself in her favourite two-metre-long white scarf while doing so.

Numerous hotels and villas from the late 19th and early 20th centuries give the town a special charm.

Opatija often hosts classical music concerts, folklore festivals, film festivals and sporting events. In the evenings there is live music everywhere. The pedestrian promenade runs along the entire Opatija Riviera for 25 km. All discos are indoors, so those who like to go to bed early will not fall asleep in Opatija. Every twenty meters there are cafes, restaurants, casinos and nightclubs.

Active recreation

Holidays in Opatija have a health bias. The reasons for this are many. Firstly, the mild climate and excellent environmental conditions contribute to the removal of toxins from the body. The second is the city's thalasso and spa centres, which offer a variety of procedures. Opatija's sporting orientation is evident. Opatija is rich in various swimming pools and tennis courts of all types, which attract not only sports enthusiasts, but also renowned professionals to spend their holidays here. There are facilities for rock climbing, windsurfing and yachting, among others. Fans of the car racing know very well that there is a famous race track 15 km from Opatija.

The weather in Opatija

Opatija is located 70 kilometers from Pula in the vast bay of the Kvarner Bay at the connection of the Istrian peninsula with the mainland and is surrounded by low, rocky mountains. It has a special microclimate that is conducive to recovery and rejuvenation. Thanks to this and the work of renowned doctors, Opatija is rapidly developing health tourism.

The mountainous landscape strongly protects the town from the harsh sea winds, and keeps it cool on hot summer days. It is warmer than other areas, so the parks and gardens are home to exotic plants, such as camellias, magnolias, palm trees and bamboos, which are not to be found in other Istrian cities. The weak point of the resort is the stony beaches, but this is made up for by the abundance of seawater pools.

There are indoor pools in most hotels, even in the two-bedroom apartments.