SUN, sea and a hint of Vienna, that’s what you get when you visit this coastal town in Croatia.
The pretty town of Opatija sits by the Adriatic Sea and has beautiful colourful buildings with terracotta roofs set around the water, which has earned it a comparison to the Austrian capital.
Conde Nast Traveller said that Opatija is nicknamed ‘Vienna by the Sea’ because of its “Belle Époque architecture” and of course, proximity to the ocean.
The publication added that the city “boasts a number of grand cafes, well-maintained public gardens, tidy beaches, fine hotels, and excellent restaurants“.
It’s a great location for exploring other destinations in Croatia too like Istria, the green mountains of Risnjak National Park, or the Island of Krk.
The town was a favourite winter escape for royal families from the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.
In 1889 the Habsburgs, a German-Austrian family that ruled a vast European empire for centuries, even declared Opatija an official climatic health resort.
Most activities around Opatija as you can imagine are on or around the water.
From walking the Lungomare promenade to visiting the statue called ‘Girl with the Seagull’ which was made in 1956 by sculptor Zvonko Car.
Another popular spot is Villa Angiolina, a summer residence turned museum and gardens – on the grounds are exotic plants from all over the world.
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Then of course there are the beaches, and some of the most popular beaches are Slatina Beach, Medveja Beach and St. Ivan Beach – but don’t be expecting sand as these are mostly rocky.
Exploring outside of the main town, you’ll reach the charming fishing village of Ika, which has art nouveau architecture and a pebble beach.
From the UK, the fastest way to get to Opatija is to fly into Pula which is just over an hour away by car.
Brits can fly directly from London Stansted, Luton, Gatwick and Bristol to Pula in two hours and 15 minutes.
The Croatian peninsula of Istria, has also been compared to looking like Italy.
Heart-shaped Istria has been compared to the Italian capital, Rome, thanks to the number of Roman buildings.
Pula’s Roman amphitheatre is the sixth largest in the world, drawing further comparisons between Istria and Italy.
There’s also the Triumphal Arch, the Door of Hercules, the Temple of the Emperor Augustus and a second small Roman theatre dotted about throughout the city for visitors to explore.
However, it’s the giant amphitheatre that people flock to visit, with gladiator reconstructions performed there in the summer.
One TripAdvisor reviewer wrote: “Like the Colosseum in Rome, the amphitheatre dominates the landscape. It’s a must-see destination.”
Here’s more on Croatia’s largest island, Krk, which has hilltop towns, sandy beaches and it’s own airport.
Plus, here’s another Croatian town that Brits always skip is named one of the cheapest beach resorts in Europe.