There’s a lot to discover in Opatija’s immediate surroundings, too. The nature reserves in the Ucka mountain range, the Brijuni Islands and Plitvice Lakes National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) offer an exciting glimpse of the local flora and fauna. 

For visitors who are interested in culture, the Istrian peninsula harbours a wealth of historical places: Hum, the smallest town in the world, for example, or the Euphrasian Basilica in Porec and St. Euphemia’s Church in Rovinj, both of which form part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.

For guests interested in taking a small boat tour, the Kvarner Gulf offers the chance to visit the islands of Krk, Cres, Lošinj and Susak. Susak is especially worth the trip if you love wine, Krk is home to one of the oldest preserved texts written in Croatian, and Cres and Lošinj are a veritable paradise for nature lovers. Off the coast of Lošinj, dolphins are a regular sight.

The surrounding area also holds plenty in store for the city tourist. Besides Rijeka, which is the economic centre of the region, the Croatian capital of Zagreb with its rich cultural and intellectual life is not far away either. Take advantage of the opportunity to buy regional products directly from the small, family-run businesses!