Travel Eye on Opatija (Croatia)

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Overview:

Opatija, often called the Nice of the Adriatic, is one of the most popular tourist resorts in Croatia and a place with the longest tourist tradition on the eastern coast of the Adriatic. In 1844 the powerful merchant Higinio von Scarpa erected Villa Angiolina, with beautiful green and a lavish park around it, visited by distinguished guests - the Croatian Viceroy Josip Jelacic, the Austrian empress Maria Anna - which soon made Opatija a popular excursion destination of the inhabitants from Rijeka, then of the Italians and Austrians.

Opatija was the first in the region of the Adriatic to introduce tourist statistics already in 1884, and the first hotel on the Adriatic, called Kvarner, was built by the Society of the Southern Railways in 1884; situated on the very coast and luxuriously furnished, it attracted exclusively elite guests.

With the construction of the hotel, Opatija became an elite summer resort, so that, apart from the 12km-long promenade (Lungomare) from Volosko - Opatija - Lovran, a mountain path from Opatija to Veprinac and farther to Ucka was laid.

Already in 1889 Opatija was declared the first climatic seaside resort on the Adriatic, which strengthened its position as the most fashionable tourist resort. Numerous tourists and owners of the villas contributed by planting exotic plants to the horticultural grandeur.

Opatija was so attractive that, at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, it was visited by the then most prominent personalities of the noble rank - Princess Luise von Sachsen Coburg, the Romanian king Charles I, the Swedish-Norwegian king Oscar, etc.

This area caters for middle- and upmarket mature couples and increasing numbers of families. Livelier and more sophisticated than most resorts in Croatia, yet still not ideal for keen nightclubbers.

There are 20-odd hotels, in predominantly older, often 19th-century buildings. Many are situated on the landward side of the main road among the shops and restaurants, few are set far enough back to ensure genuine tranquillity.

Locality:

Opatija is in west Croatia, on the north east coast of the Istrian Peninsula (58 mls NE of Pula and its airport, 10 mls W of Rijeka, 4 mls N of Lovran). It is found on the broad Kvarner Bay, backed by the verdant foothills of Mount Ucka.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

There is no beach here as such but there is a a picturesque waterfront paralleled by an extensive pedestrian promenade runs the length of town and beyond with a couple of short, narrow stretches of rock and stone at either extremity.

There is a good selection of designer boutiques and jewellers, alongside the usual collection of souvenirs, handicrafts, beachwear and motley bric-a-brac stalls.

During the daytime there are water sports including windsurfing, snorkelling, water-skiing, pedalloes and sailing. Other activities include tennis, minigolf, and exploring town with its churches, statues and parks.

The nightlife here is lively and quite sophisticated with several nightclubs providing open-air dancing and live bands as well as discos. There are open-air concerts and opera. There is a small casino and most venues open until the small hours.

There is a varied choice of pavement cafes and some fine, sophisticated restaurants in addition to those in the hotels. Mediterranean-style cuisine with abundant seafood and grilled meats. Local beers and wines are good, if not award winning.