Opatija

Opatija, Travel Guide with travel tips for holidays in Opatija, Croatia

Opatija is an attractive tourist destination, lies at the centre of the Kvarner Riviera with the longest tradition in tourism in Croatia. Because of the favourable geographic position, Opatija has very good trafic connections with many cities in Central Europe, from Milan, Vienna and Münich and back to Croatia. Beutiful beaches, clean warm see and pleasant climate were good reasons for the start and  quick development of tourism in the 19th century.

The tourist offer in Opatija includes many attractive programs like swimming pools, wellness programmes, casinos, discotheques, a summer theatre, carnivals, festivals, and also well developed congress centres.

Here you have the opportunity for shorter trips to beutiful surroundings or to the Plitvice Lakes, Risnjak National Park ...

Opatija is famous for beutiful nature with well maintained public gardens, long coastal promenade known as the "Lungomare", well aranged beaches arounded with villas and hotels that has capacity for up to 6,000 guests.

This “pearl of Kvarner” has a lot of contrasts that are visible in contrast of sea and mountains, green parks and blue sea, old buildings and modern accomodatoins, interesting places for entertaiment and quiet destinations for the rest. So Opatija and her surroundings are well known as a very attractive resorts at any time of the year.

History

In history the space what we called today Opatija was consisted of several villages that were placed by the sea. Its name got from the Benedictine monastery, abbey (opatija), situated beside the sea. In 19th century Opatija didn't have good road connections so it didn't develope as other towns did. Finally, in 1938 was built the road that led to Volosko and after to Opatija. Opatija didn't get without a reason the name an "Old Lady". When other places were turning into a industrial towns, Opatija decided to stay calm and peacefull, modestly hiding all of its natural beauties. So soon people descovered her, and it seemed that they liked what they found there. The tourism began in 1844 when the patrician from Rijeka Iginio Scarpa build here a mansion villa  "Angiolina ". Villa soon became very famous and many popular business partner of Mr. Scarpa came from all parts of world to his house. 

When the natural beauties of Opatija were discovered it started the touristic developement. First hotels, roads, villas, restaurants and promenades started to built here. After that Opatija got the statut of a spa. World'd most popular and most important people were coming here to relax or for holidays. The "Old Lady" was also an inspiration for many artists.

After World Wars the reconstruction of the town had started. Parts of the city were riuned but soon Old Lady has recovered and it became more beautiful than ever before.

The statue Madonna del Mare was made by Hans Rathauskya in memory of two lovers who tragically died. The Girl With a Seagull  made by Zvonko Car is a simbol of Opatija, and it is placed on the rocks where Madonna del Mare statue used to be.

In Opatija on promenade Slatina you can find Croatian walk of fame. There is 24 strars built-in a walk way for 24 croatian famous people that improved Croatia in any respect.

Opatija's climate is particularly suitable for treating diseases of air passages (bronchial catarrh and asthma), anemia, conditions after acute myocardial infarction and other cardiac diseases, and skin diseases. Tradition of health tourism in Opatija continues Thalassoterapia - a special hospital for rehabilitation and treatment of heart and lung diseases and rheumatism.

Culture

Art

Opatija is certainly an unique place in the world. It possesses an old historical heriatage and keeps it carefully for its visitors. There are few galleries that you can visit: Art Pavilion “Juraj Šporer”, Gallery-Studio Bonačić Giulio, Gallery Gal, Studio Artlan.

There is no many festivals or happenings for youth in Opatija. Rock/punk festival "Opatijske Barufe" is held for 5 years and and it was placed in its first years on the beach Slatina and the last year in Summer Theatre. Opatija is a plece where you can find Jazz concerts and on the terraces of the hoteles are almost every evening during the summer hired animators, who entertaine tourists by singing and dancing.

Museums

The Croatian Museum of Tourism is a national musem of tourism and keeps collections of items of tourist content. The museum is located in Villa Angiolina. On the first floor is set permanent exhibition "Opatija - a golden start of Croatian tourism," which presents Opatija and the types of items collected by the museum. 

Things to do

Nightlife

During the summer, tourists give life to Opatija. Everyone who stayed in Rijeka instead going somewhere on vications, go out in clubs in Opatija. Hemyngway is the most popular, but there are also Disco Seven and Colosseum, and many casinos. Opatija has a  Summer Theater which, with 2 000 seats, hosts opera performances, ballet, symphony orchestra, performances of folk, rock and pop concerts, theatrical performances, movies. The distinctiveness are Fishing Nights, traditional folk celebrations with dance till dawn, and in winter there's a famous Carnival.

Daytime

During the sunny days you should take time for walking, since there is 12 km long promenade that strats in Volosko, and passing through Opatija, finishes in Lovran. It is a unique feeling! In Opatija you can find 12 winter pools with warm sea water and hotels in Opatija offers you activities such as swimming, body-building, recreational gymnastics... There are also tennis and other sports courts or grounds for the traditional Mediterranean sport - bowling. Of sea sports the most attractive are windsurfing, sailing in a small boat or on yachts that can accommodate in two marinas in Opatija, water-skiing, deep sea diving and fishing.

How to reach us

Opatija can be reached: by bus which connects all the mains cities and other settlements along Croatia; by train to the railway station in Rijeka; by plane to the airport on the Island of Krk; by boat or by personal car from any part of Europe.

View Larger Map