Things to see and do on your trip to Opatija?

A city of eternal summer, with an enviable Mediterranean climate and beaches always buzzing with the local heat. Opatija has long been the summer resort of choice for Croatian high society on the coast of Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula. Read on to find out why and what to see and do in Opatija.

Best things to see in Opatija

Opatija is a city of contrasts, typical of the eccentricity brought by the nobles who turned its streets into a place to summer and relax.

Amid its sea-breezy streets, you’ll also find religious monuments from long ago, as well as parks with orchards full of plants from all over the world. In this short list of sites we’ve put together, you’ll see that there’s plenty to see in Opatija.

1. Villa Angiolina

Built around 1844, Villa Angiolina is a complex of beautiful gardens, built by two noblemen from Rijeka.

It was used as a holiday residence for the family, as well as for friends and relatives of the nobles, and was one of the focal points of luxury tourism in the city of Opatija for a long time.

In 1875, the villa was bought by Count Viktor Chorinsky, who later sold it to the Vienna Railway Company. Today, as well as boasting beautiful gardens that are not to be missed, the villa serves as home to the Croatian Museum of Tourism.

If you decide to visit, you can do so from 9am to 1pm and then from 4.30pm to 9.30pm. We recommend you to visit it, because in the village you can find more than 150 species of plants.

2. The Church of St. James and the Church of the Annunciation

In addition to the wonders of Opatija’s tourist paradise, its historical and cultural heritage is not to be outdone

The Church of St. James is one of these architectural must-sees. Built in the 15th century, it has retained that charm that characterized it over the years.

Another church to admire in Opatija is the Church of the Annunciation, built in the 20th century, but just as memorable.

It has a unique architectural style that arouses the curiosity of visitors and locals alike, as well as having its own unique landmark, the statue of the maiden with the seagull, which makes it one of the must-see sights in Opatija.

Its green dome catches the eye of everyone who passes by, as well as the murals that decorate its silhouette, created by Slovenian artist Tone Král.

3. The Church of St. James

Another religious building you can’t miss in Opatija is the well-known church of St. James, hidden in the narrow streets of the town and with more than 500 years of history.

This medieval-style monument contains many valuable pieces of historical heritage, but classical music often reigns within its walls, as concerts of this style of music are frequently organized.

Nearby you will also find the park of San Jaime, a beautiful enclave in which the flora is the protagonist and there are such exotic species as the Camellia Japonica, which is now a feature of the city.

4. Lungo Mare: Opatija’s unforgettable seaside promenade

Opatija’s greatest attractions are undoubtedly its beaches and the beautiful scenery that adorns the town’s coastline.

Walking along the promenade is one of the must-do things to do in Opatija. Not only to take a dip in the crystal clear waters, but also for the non-stop activity that characterizes this area, full of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy the local gastronomy.

This sculpture is none other than that of the Young Woman with the Seagull. There is a story about her that explains that the young woman is still waiting for her beloved to return from the high seas.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Opatija, Croatia?

1. Rijeka

Located about 12 km from the city of Opatija, Rijeka is one of the most important cities on the Kvarner Bay, as well as its port is essential for the whole of Croatia.

Rijeka has been through a lot, as many peoples have passed through the land, including the Venetians, the Yugoslavs and, of course, the Italians. Its name means “river” in Croatian, due to the importance of its waters for the local people.

We recommend a stroll through the idyllic streets of the historic centre, along the Korzo promenade and a visit to Rijeka Cathedral. The whole area is lively and there’s always something to do.

Of course, its Clock Tower, erected in the 17th century, is another must-see, not only for its beauty but also for the beautiful stone arch at its foot, through which people pass to get to Ivana Koblera Square.

We recommend that you take a bus to Rijeka from Opatija, which will cost around €2 at the exchange rate, and takes about half an hour to get to Rijeka.

What to see in Opatija in 1 day?

And so that you don’t miss out on anything, with this itinerary we’ve prepared you’ll be able to choose what to see and do in Opatija more easily:

• La Villa Angiolina
• Lungomare
• The Church of St. James
• The Church of St James and the Church of the Annunciation

If you have more time, a visit to Rijeka is highly recommended, as it’s a city with a lot of history, and you can still enjoy the region’s coastline, as well as being one of the most important cities in the region.

Where to eat in Opatija?

If you are one of those who enjoy tasting what the local gastronomy has to offer, don’t worry, below is a list of must-visit places for you to do so:

• Valle Losca: A restaurant that does not go unnoticed. Valle Losca combines to perfection a complete menu, with excellent attention and a decorated with attention to detail. The price range is between €15 and €30.
• Kaokakao: For those with a sweet tooth, this is heaven on earth. There’s a range of delicious cakes and pastries on offer, complemented to perfection by the coffees they make.
• Roko: Given the influence left by the Italians and Venetians in Opatija, there are restaurants where this type of cuisine is the star. This is the case of Roko, where delicious pizzas and all kinds of pasta dishes are prepared. The price range is between €10 and €20.

Best accommodations in Opatija

We have prepared a short list of places to stay, so you won’t have any problems choosing accommodation on your trip to Opatija:

• Hotel Ambasador – Liburnia: One of the most luxurious accommodations you will find in Opatija. This five-star hotel is located on the beach front and its facilities are very complete: spa, swimming pool, massage parlour… The price for two nights is €460 for adults.
• Apartment “Carmen”: Comfortable and charming flats located just 500 metres from the beach, with sea views and plenty of space. The price is around €360 for two nights for four adults.
• Apartments Green Garden: A few metres from the beach, these flats offer great views of the entire Opatija coastline. The whitewashed style of its décor, with the perfect facilities, are only surpassed by the attractive price of €165 for two nights it offers.

How to get to Opatija in Croatia?

As it does not have its own airport, the best way to get there is to take a flight from one of the main cities in Spain to the city of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia

These flights cost around €200 at times like June, although at the moment they have at least one stopover, so the journey time is around five hours from Madrid.

After landing, one of the most affordable options to conclude your journey is to take a bus, which will get you there in about 3 hours, or hire your own vehicle, which can get you there in about two hours.

Travel tips to Opatija

• The official currency of Croatia is the Kuna.
• If you are travelling by car, the lights must always be switched on.
• We recommend that you exchange money before you set off on your trip, as this will be cheaper for you.
• As European citizens, we don’t need a visa to enter the country either, just your ID card or passport is enough.
• The best time to travel to Opatija is in spring and autumn, as there are not as many tourists and temperatures are more pleasant than in winter or summer.
• Buy museum tickets in advance to avoid queues.
• The city is safe, but as with any tourist destination, it’s best to be careful with your belongings.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.

How to organize your trip to Opatija, Croatia?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post).
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need to make, and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Opatija, Croatia.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Opatija