The Croatian Monaco is situated ten kilometres away from Rijeka and looks over the bay of Kvarner. Although it officially has 9000 inhabitants, Opatija has an enviable number of guests visiting throughout the entire year. Thanks to its gentle Mediterranean climate and excellent accommodation this town has already been one of the world’s most famous summer holiday destinations for more than a hundred years.
By being located at the foot of Učka, it is protected from the cold winds, and at the same time offers a very wide range of recreational pursuits. Consequently, Opatija is just as suitable for a holiday in the winter months as it is in the summer.
It is 200km from Zagreb and Venice, and about 500 kilometres from Munich, Vienna and Milan. Like all larger towns, Opatija is connected by fast road links, railways and airlines. There is one marina in the town itself, and one more in nearby Ičići, which the guests of Opatija can use.
The town is full of greenery, parks and gardens that are home to rare plants, and gives its visitors a unique taste of the natural world. The old buildings, which were built under the influence of Austrian architects, are well preserved, and loyally show how Opatija looked a hundred years ago. Already in the 19th century the town was a favourite destination of the Austrians and Germans, and out of affection it was nicknamed the ‘Austrian Nice’. In terms of important buildings it is necessary to make mention of the church of St Jakov from the 15th century, the Villa Angiolina (the first hotel in the town), as well as the gardens of Opatija – an impressive walkway filled with the scents of rare Mediterranean flowers. The Lungomare is a promenade that is 12km long and connects Opatija with the nearby villages of Volosko, Ičići, Ika and Lovran.
Veprinac is located above the town – a settlement from the Middle Ages surrounded by walls. The mountain of Učka, which is a Nature Park, is the right place for those who want a break in mountain air. In the Nature Park there are tidy cycling and hiking paths, and it is possible to explore caves, do some bird watching, hang gliding and other similar extreme sports. In terms of accommodation, Opatija offers only the best to its guests. Asides from private accommodation, there are 34 hotels and luxury villas available, and for those who want to be in natural surroundings there is an auto camp with 300 pitches. In addition to tourism, Opatija is famous for being one of the largest congress centres in the region, where almost daily experts from various disciplines meet in order to debate today’s problems in a comfortable atmosphere.
You should absolutely not miss the chance to visit Opatija on your travels in Croatia! Alongside a wide range of night life, beautiful beaches and top quality accommodation all that is left to be said is that you should come and see why Opatija has for already three centuries in a row been a favourite destination for thousands of tourists.
