Top Things to do in Opatija

The Lungomare is a seaside promenade following the Opatija Riviera for 7.4 miles between Volosko and Lovran, including a stretch in central Opatija. It’s the perfect place for a stroll, popular among visitors and locals alike. Along the way, enjoy beautiful views of the sea on one side and opulent villas and mansions on the other. You’ll also find beaches ideal for stopping to relax and savor the scenery, and the Croatian Walk of Fame. Similar to the Hollywood stars in Southern California, it’s filled with legendary Croatian names like tennis great Goran Ivanišević and inventor Nikola Tesla, providing a symbolic tribute to those with cultural, sporting, scientific, and artistic endeavors who have contributed significantly to the promotion of the country.

A stroll along the winding paths in Angiolina Park, which we’ll outline below, will bring you to Villa Angiolina. This 19th-century mansion was once a hub for high society but today it hosts the Museum of Croatian Tourism. Aimed at preserving memories of Opatija’s past there is a wide range of memorabilia that traces the history of tourism here, including postcards, posters, old photographs, brochures, and more. Various exhibitions, workshops, and projects are focused on demonstrating why the town was such a popular destination for many historical figures. A reconstruction of an even older building, Villa Angiolina is the perfect place to host the museum as it’s the very same structure that marked the start of the tourism epoch in Opatija.

We mentioned Angiolina Park as the place to go to reach the renowned villa, but it offers plenty of its own as one of the most beautiful and lush parks in Opatija. It serves as its green heart, a garden with 124 different plant species from across the globe. The basis of the garden is a laurel grove, while the camellias, a symbol of the town, are a definite highlight. You’ll also see Ginkgo biloba, Californian cedar, giant sequoia, American pine, Himalayan cypress, eucalyptus trees, and glossy-leaf paper plants, among others, all of which thrive in the Mediterranean climate. Margarita Park offers an especially tranquil oasis further uphill from the sea with flowers, oak trees, and colorful strawberry trees.

As a glamourous town by the sea, many visitors come to Opatija to take advantage of the idyllic beaches for sunbathing and swimming. Right off the Lungomare, Slatina is a Blue Flag stretch and one of the most popular, thanks to the easy entry into the clear blue sea. Plus, cafes, restaurants, and sports facilities are all within close proximity. Tomaševac Beach is a favorite among families with children. There are lots of entertainment options for all ages, including a playground, slides, pedal boats, and a trampoline. You’ll find umbrellas and loungers for rent along with plenty of eateries nearby. Škrbići Beach near Hotel Miramar is ideal for those who want to relax in the shade and not worry about burning.

Thanks to Opatija’s location along the brilliant blue waters of the Adriatic, access to fresh local fish and seafood is a given. It’s often the main focus alongside fresh vegetables or served in dishes like risotto, soups, and stews. Caught daily by local fishermen, they deliver it to the town’s konobas and restaurants. Many hotels host eateries where you can sample it like the five-star Hotel Nevis. This gourmet hotspot has a stellar reputation that comes thanks at least in part to its fresh seafood, including sushi, which can be enjoyed with incredible views of Kvarner Bay. The marina is another great place to go, popular for its scampi and fine white fish that can be cooked in wine, baked, or grilled.

Enchanting Volosko is just a few minutes’ drive or a 25-minute walk along the Lungomare from Opatija. A charming fishing village, you can watch the fishermen bring in their daily catch while relaxing at the harbor that serves as the heart of town while enjoying the spectacular sea views. Live jazz music and klapa vocal groups sometimes perform here while the colorful historic center and its narrow streets hide a number of art galleries and ateliers. If you’re a foodie, be sure to enjoy a meal in Volosko, it’s particularly famous for its seafood eateries offering fresh fish and various local specialties, including scampi.

Učka Nature Park is less than a 30-minute drive away, providing a great place to play while surrounded by picturesque scenery. Covering 62 square miles, it includes multiple mountain peaks and has a stone lookout tower at the highest, the nearly 4,600-foot summit of Vojak. If you aren’t up for the ascent, you can drive to the tower. Either way, it’s worth the effort as you’ll enjoy an awe-inspiring view of Istria, the Kvarner Bay islands, the Italian Alps, and even Venice on a clear day too. Popular activities include hiking, climbing, mountain biking, and paragliding, with treks that primarily wind through the forest providing much-needed shade on a hot summer’s day. It’s possible to discover ponds, waterfalls, and hundreds of caves.

The Maiden with the Seagull is Opatija’s most famous statue. As you stroll the Lungomare promenade, be sure and watch for it, located in front of the Juraj Šporer art pavilion overlooking Kvarner Bay – it’s a great spot for a selfie with plenty of other photo ops thanks to the magnificent surroundings. But she’s a tragic symbol here, erected in remembrance of a local count who died in an 1891 storm. Created by sculptor Zvonko Car in 1956, it replaced a statue of Madonna that was destroyed by communists following the Second World War. This one is not the original, however. The original Maiden with the Seagull is displayed at the Croatian Museum of Tourism in Villa Angiolina.