Go to Opatija, Croatia – the Charming Seaside City

Opatija, Croatia is among the most nice cities yow will discover on the Adriatic coast. Even when there are not any main issues to do in Opatija, the situation, the vibe, and the gorgeous structure positively make up for that, making the city the most effective locations to go to in Croatia.

Opatija, conveniently situated just some km away from Rijeka within the northern a part of the nation, might be simply visited on a day journey however in case you are searching for an enthralling seaside vacation spot, this can be a place for you too! For the reason that city is sheltered by mountains from the mainland, it is among the sunniest locations on the Croatian coast (but I occurred to go to Opatija when it was cloudy and a bit gloomy…).

I needed to go to Opatija ever since I’ve seen some random footage on-line. The place seemed so distinctive – even whether it is situated proper on the seaside, the structure isn’t typical for the area. As a substitute, there are quite a few grand mansions typical for the previous Austria-Hungary, that might simply be positioned in each metropolis of the previous Habsburg empire.

Since I’m an enormous fan of the buildings from that point and space, I knew I’ve to go to Opatija. And even when I lastly spent just a few hours there, I fell head over heels for this charming city and I positively plan to go to Opatija quickly once more!

A quick historical past of Opatija, Croatia

The world of Opatija was inhabited already in Roman instances however the Croatians settled on this area across the eighth century. For years Opatija was only a sleepy settlement that developed principally across the Benedictine abbey (therefore the identify, “opatija” means “abbey” in Croatian) however the actual change got here right here within the mid-Nineteenth century. That’s when the rich service provider from Rijeka constructed his manor (Villa Angiolina) right here and began inviting notable friends to spend a while on this nice space.

This single funding was an actual push within the Opatija’s growth and the city in a short time turned the favourite seaside resort within the Austria-Hungary empire. Lovely villas have been constructed, necessary friends arrived within the city incessantly and even the practice firm from Vienna opened a railway line to Rijeka that stopped close to Opatija, giving quick access to the city.

Opatija was one of many favourite vacation locations for a lot of noble and royal households, a number of the best-known guests have been emperor Franz Joseph and his spouse Sisi in addition to quite a few different kings, queens, and princes from Europe.

After World Warfare I, Opatija turned a part of Italy however was given to Yugoslavia in 1947 and since 1991 is within the unbiased Croatian state.

Henryk Sienkiewicz, the Polish author, and a Nobel prize winner, was amongst those that visited Opatija

The right way to get to Opatija

Opatija is situated within the northern a part of Croatia, 170 km away from Zagreb (the capital) and never removed from the border with Slovenia. The city is well reachable from close by Rijeka, solely 13 km away.

Bus no 32 connects these two locations (some buses proceed a visit a bit additional past Opatija). They begin in Jelačićev Trg in central Rijeka and on the best way to Opatija they cease in Rijeka subsequent to Korzo, the bus station, and the practice station. The tickets are cheaper when purchased from the kiosk (it’s potential to get them from the driving force too), and the return ought to price 32 kunas (round 4-5€).

In Opatija, buses cease in quite a few locations alongside the primary street so you may test on the map which cease is the most effective for you. The principle bus cease is within the central a part of the city, on the sq. subsequent to the Slatina seashore. You’ll find the schedule here.

Rijeka seen from Opatija

The place to remain in Opatija

Since Opatija is a well-liked vacation spot, there are many lodging choices to select from. To get the complete Opatija expertise I like to recommend staying in one of many previous villas within the central a part of the city, a few of them are value splurging on. Listed below are a number of the greatest choices:

The right way to get round Opatija

The city is ideal for strolling, particularly alongside the seaside promenade, and that’s one of the simplest ways to get round Opatija. If you want to get to the locations a bit away from the middle, you should use bus no 32.

Issues to do in Opatija

Even when there should not many Opatija sights (particularly in comparison with different standard locations in Istria, reminiscent of Pula, Rijeka, or Rovinj), the city is nice sufficient to spend at the very least a couple of strong hours right here, absorbing the ambiance and having fun with the vibe of the place.

Opatija is totally different than different seaside locations in Croatia. You received’t discover the everyday Adriatic structure right here, as an alternative, you may anticipate grand villas and accommodations constructed within the type typical for the flip of the Nineteenth and twentieth centuries within the Austria-Hungary empire. There are quite a few richly embellished homes, typically within the artwork nouveau type, and a few grand accommodations from the golden interval of Opatija. When taking a look at them it’s simple to grasp why the city is usually referred to as the “Croatian Cannes”.

Top-of-the-line issues to do in Opatija is stroll the “Lungo mare” promenade. It stretches alongside the coast for 12 kilometers, from Opatija in the direction of Lovran and alongside the best way, you’ll cross a number of the greatest Opatija sights, reminiscent of “little Vienna” structure, Maiden and the seagull sculpture (the image of the city) or Saint James’s Church (situated on the positioning of the unique Benedictine abbey that gave the identify to the city). From the promenade, you may also admire lovely views of the seaside, even so far as Rijeka.

Be sure you cease on the Villa Angiolina and the park surrounding it. The neo-renaissance mansion, in-built 1844 by Iginio Scarpa and named after his spouse, was the explanation why Opatija turned the primary seaside resort in Austria-Hungary. Right this moment the place is residence to the museum of Croatian tourism.

The park across the mansion is among the most nice locations in Opatija.

You’ll find one other pretty park not removed from Villa Angiolina, close to Saint James’s Church. That’s the place you may also see the gorgeous Fountain of Helios and Serena which dates again to the Austrian instances too and is one other instance of the extraordinary structure from that interval.

As soon as you might be achieved with Opatija sightseeing (which is usually simply wandering round and admiring the gorgeous structure), there are quite a few cafes and eating places the place you may sit down, calm down a bit and spend some high quality time making an attempt native delicacies (I’m an enormous fan of truffles from Istria, which you may get in Opatija too!).

Opatija footage

Since phrases can’t actually describe what a phenomenal and charming place this pretty city is, listed here are a couple of extra Opatija footage that can hopefully encourage you to go to Opatija too. Even within the gloomy climate, the place seemed lovely!

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