Situated below the mountain and Nature Park Ucka, with a population of about 10,000 and lying about 9 miles (14km) west of Rijeka, Opatija is the grand dame of Croatian tourism. It was the most fashionable seaside resort during the Austro-Hungarian Empire and many fine hotels, residences and houses were built there during that period. Opatija was declared the first climatic seaside resort on the Adriatic, which strengthened its position as the most fashionable tourist resort. It was so attractive that the late 19th and early 20th st. visiting trendy names - Princess Luisa von Sachsen Coburg, the Romanian king Charles I, the Swedish-Norwegian king Oscar, etc. It is a place with the longest tourist tradition on the eastern coast of the Adriatic and the leading tourist destination in Croatia for the organization of conventions.

Tourist offer of Opatija

Today's tourism infrastructure to meet all kinds of needs, a strong convention center, superb restaurants, modern Opatija hotels, interesting shops and equipped, decorated inns, villas, country houses, paviliones, different types of beaches, promenades and parks, providing an excellent choice for vacation in summer and winter in an enviroment with a special charm of past times. Particulary interesting are the parks with beautiful examples of indigenous plants which cover a large area of its Riviera. Also, here you'll find many discos, clubs, nightclubs and you can even try your chance in the Casino.

The main tourist attractions in the area are picturesque Volosko with it's excellent restaurants, the old fishing villages Icici and Ika, Lovran with its old center and modern hotels, Meveja and Moscenicka Draga with large sandy beaches, Kraj and Brsec high above the sea, and last but not least the medieval towns on the nearby hills - Kastav, Veprinac and Moscenice.

Sightseeing

St Jacob's Church is built on the site of the abbey from which Opatija grew. Parts of the church stem from the early 16th century, but the majority of its current structure was was reconstructed in 1937.

Villa Angiolina, the first major building to be built in modern-day history - in 1844 - and still exists today in good condition. It is surrounded by a beautiful nature park, with plants brought (at that time) from India, China, Japan, South America and Australia.

The lungomare is the 12-km seaside promenade that was initially constructed in 1889, which stretches all the way to Lovran. Originally intended for use in physiotherapy (as mentioned, it was a health resort) the path winds past many of it's attractions and is a wonderful along the sea.

Opatija is all about relaxation. Though it has few major sights, there is plenty to do in this coastal city. Enjoy nightlife, nature, food, and weather.

How to Get to Opatija

From any part of Europe, reaching Opatija is very easy by car, plane or train. Rijeka Airport is the nearest airport. From there you can get one of the buses that wait outside the terminal building to the main bus station in Rijeka. From here, you can take another bus (it's legendary number 32) and journey lasts about 20 minutes. If you travel from that direction than you'll notice town is at the most beautiful microspot of this part of north Adriatic shore, hidden of the strong winds and with warm sea (in the Season, sea temperature goes 'till 26 C). It's unvoidable to mention that in Ičići village (which is few kilometers far away and you can get there just by walking the promenade) is a modern ACI Marina for yacht tourism. Many tourists all over the world comes here with their vessels and spending time here before they go to the south.

See also

The main tourist destinations in Croatia