Opatija: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

A prominent introduction to Opatija’s history and landscape is provided by the American Gardens. The historic park in Opatija has been under preventive protection since 11 April 2016. The grounds are designed in terraces and offer views of Kvarner Bay. The plants include camphor trees, eucalyptus trees, camellias, gardenias, magnolias, Australian agaves, roses, grapevines and pepper plants.

When travelling to Opatija, your accommodation choice may be to find or rent a holiday apartment.

Culture

The Church of the Annunciation is a Neo-Romanesque church with a striking green dome that occupies a recognisable place in Opatija’s skyline. The Juraj Šporer Art Pavilion remains an exhibition pavilion for cultural and artistic events. Another well-known landmark is the sculpture Maiden with the Seagull, created by Zvonko Car and one of Opatija’s most famous symbols.

Hotel Kvarner was built in 1884 as the first hotel on the eastern Adriatic coast. Villa Angiolina was built in 1844 by Iginio Scarpa as a summer residence and houses the Croatian Museum of Tourism. In St. James’ Park, next to St. James’s Church, there is a Neo-Baroque fountain depicting Helios and Selene.

Nature

Angiolina Park is home to more than 120 plant species, including camellias, which are associated with Opatija. Another historic green space can be accessed via the Carmen Sylva Walkway: the path runs beneath centuries-old trees, passes the Vrutki spring and a stone bench carved into the rock, and is designed as a one-and-a-half-hour walk.

Things to do

The Franz Joseph I Promenade, known as the Lungomare, runs for ten uninterrupted kilometres through Opatija and neighbouring villages. Along the way, it offers views of beaches, the Maiden with the Seagull sculpture and Art Nouveau villas. The themed Top Attractions Walking Tour connects Opatija’s most important sights into a visitor route.

Slatina is the city’s main beach. Slatina Beach has paved and sandy sections, sports facilities nearby and a children’s playground. Lipovica lies just outside the centre of Opatija; another playground is located nearby. The Gervais Centre has a disco hall and also hosts films, theatre performances and congresses. The Open Air Theatre, also called the Summer Stage, is located by the sea in Angiolina Park and serves as a venue for concerts, operas and contemporary music.

Food and drink

At Opatija Market, fresh local fruit and vegetables, honey, cheese and Adriatic fish are offered. Opatija’s cuisine is associated with Kvarner scampi prepared buzara-style, Adriatic fish, wild asparagus, shellfish and seafood. It also includes Kamelija cake made from fig, almond, carob and marzipan, as well as locally produced olive oils, wines and honey.

Additional local pages: Icici, Ika, Oprič, Dobreć, Veprinac, Poljane, Pobri, Mala Učka.

For the higher-level travel overview: Općina Opatija.