Opatija is one of the most popular tourist resorts in Croatia and it has very long tradition as tourist destination - all they way to 19th century, when completion of the railway Vienna - Trieste in 1857 and the branch railroad from Pivka - Sveti Petar to Rijeka in 1873 introduced easy access from wealthy Vienna to Opatija. First hotel ever on the Adriatic (Hotel Kvarner) was built in Opatija 1884 and soon after, 12 km long promenade Lungomare was built along cost of Volosko, Opatija and Lovran as well as walking path from Opatija to Ucka via Veprinac, both attracting and making Opatija cool place to visit. The climate and the specific historic and geographic features favoured Opatija's fast tourist development.
Opatija soon become one of the most fashionable tourist resort in Europe, and at the time it was visited by the then most prominent personalities: Princess Luise von Sachsen Coburg, the Romanian king Charles I, the Swedish-Norwegian king Oscar and celebrities like Isidora Dunkan and her lovers.... Nowadays, Opatija has more that 20 well established hotels, numerous catering establishments, sports and recreational facilities. Opatija has tradition of various entertainment carnival, yachting regatta, music events etc. Stunning architecture, grand villas surrounded by palm trees and old hotels lining along beautiful Lungomare promenade, makes Opatija as exclusive and mudane as it used to be century ago. It has that feeling of Centra European atmosphere.
Girl with the seagull statue
It is the most famous sight in Opatija (1956). When you see the picture of Opatija, you will see this girl. Of course there is a story.Formerly there was a statue of Madonna del mare standing at the same place, and than one night after the storm it just disappeared. So, the story was that the statue felt in to the sea..
Lungo mare - the seaside promenade
You should take walk 12 km long, from the Ičići to Lovran. It is a famous promenade. It is created to take a long walk; to enjoy the sight and breath the air from the sea.
Maybe you think know this is a boring thing, but if you are searching something to relax you and regenerate from the stress of the work and living in the city, take a walk ...
Botanical garden
Sv. James park near the Villa Angiollina with 3.64 ha of area. You can see really great examples of plant life from around the world.
It is especially nice to take a walk during the spring when everything smell heavenly. Essence of each and every plant, flower, tree, grass and mediterian herbs is mixed with the smell of the sea.
Opatija's parks contain about three hundred species of trees and plants that a legally protected as horticultural monuments. Among them, Japanese Camelia (Camelia japonica) became the symbol of Opatija.
This is giant American agava which can be seen on the the main promenade, right next to the Slatina beach.
Rijeka is major Croatian port ocated in the very heart of Kvarner Gulf and a nice place to visit as it has a great architecture in the old parts of the city, as well as some very interesting places to go .
The main market for shopping for locals is inside and outside the old iron frame buildings dating back to 1880. The builder/designer was I. Vauching, and the style was what was in demand for those times. In 2007, a fish market was added to the existing structure and it is now a popular place for locals to shop. Outside are a number of tent booths that have clothing and other attire items.