Things to Do in Opatija, Croatia: Beaches, Coast Path & Travel Guide

Opatija is a picturesque town on the Adriatic coast of Croatia that we’ve visited twice for short breaks. We chose it because it is near Rijeka, a ferry port serving the islands of the North Adriatic Sea.

On our visits, we explored Opatija’s coast, beaches, parks, markets and nearby Volosko.

Is Opatija Worth Visiting?

Opatija is one of the most attractive towns on this part of the Croatian coast, with Habsburg architecture, coastal paths, small beaches and resort hotels.

Opatija is ideal for shopping and has some of the shops we required. This included DM for dog supplies, a big Plodine supermarket and the local fish market. The food market in the town had seafood, cheeses and vegetables. The only issue for me was purchasing just before the bus left to ensure the fresh fish didn’t cook in my bag.

We found lots of bars and restaurants in Opatija, including some with sea views and others which were more budget-friendly. One of my favourite features of the stay was the coastal paths and small beaches in Opatija.

Things to Do in Opatija

The Austrian Villas

Opatija is the oldest Croatian holiday resort and was popular with the Austrians. This led to many Habsburg-era villas being built here. The architecture of these is great to see when exploring the town. We also saw similar villas in Čikat Bay on the island of Lošinj, another popular holiday destination for the Austrian aristocracy. Many of these buildings also have information boards that tell the story of the site.

Another colourful building to see in the town centre is Operetta. Operetta is a lovely place dating back to 1897. On researching, it was found to be currently owned by a bank, which explains why it was temporarily closed.

Walk the coast path.

One of my favourite things to do was to walk along the coast path from Plaža Črnikovica to the town centre. There are lots of small bays to see, with beaches and coastal features. You can also see various small fishing harbours and all the paraphernalia that goes along with that.

On our walks, we saw many good places to access the Adriatic Sea for a paddle or swim. We spent time on a few of the beaches on this stretch. To make it more interesting, there are various Habsburg-era villas along the coastal walk.

Škrbići Beach

My favourite public beach on the coastal walk in Opatija was Škrbići Beach. Škrbići Beach is a shale beach with lots of shade in the mornings, which was great for avoiding the heat. We found places to sit at the edges, and access to the water was via swimming-pool-style steps. The water was clear and nice; however, it’s best to wear rock shoes to paddle out to the deeper water. There are free public toilets at Škrbići beach, which is ideal for changing.

Volosko Lučica

Volosko Lučica is a small and picturesque fishing harbour and a pleasant spot to spend time. There are seafront restaurants, narrow lanes and stone steps in the old town. Volosko Lučica also has two quays, art galleries, and the coastal promenade. It is the birthplace of several famous Croatians, whose stories you can learn about from information boards in the area.

Photo Point

Above Opatija, there is a place marked on Google Maps as Photo Point. This is a viewpoint of the coast and the town of Opatija from above. I walked here to watch the sunrise early one morning. The only downside was its proximity to the main road.

Church of St James

While walking along the coast, you’ll see a cool-looking church, the Church of St James. You can also visit inside or relax in the tranquil gardens by the entrance.

They built this church on the site of a Benedictine monastery, after which the town was named. The site has a history dating back to the 15th century; however, it has been added to since then.

Opatija Markets

The markets in Opatija are fantastic to visit; you can purchase locally produced food, including cheese, cured meats, and vegetables. They also have a fish market featuring locally caught seafood. The market hall is a rather nice building, which dates back to 1898.

They have an extensive range of seafood available. I enjoyed the ray wings from here, and they were delicious. The nearby vegetable and cheese market made it a handy place to shop for locally produced food while staying in Matulji. They are open from 6 am until 1 pm on weekdays and 7 am until midday on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays. Directions.

Rijeka Day Trip

Rijeka is the largest nearby city and is easy to reach by bus. There are many interesting things to do in Rijeka, including seeing a range of architecture, museums and a colourful old town. You can also visit Trsat Castle on the hill overlooking the city and the nearby pilgrimage-site church. I particularly like the seafood restaurants in the city, including Feral and Fiume.

Sunrise Walk

One of my favourite things to do is to take a sunrise walk, and Opatija delivered. The town is scenic during the early sun, and the views are splendid. It was really quiet except for the occasional runner or dog walker. I walked down via the scenic point of Volosko, then onwards to the town centre of Opatija.

Plaža Črnikovica

Plaža Črnikovica is a beach on the coast path away from the city centre. It is an ideal place for a swim, and the steps into the water make it easy to get in and out. They have a pavilion which serves drinks too.

Plaža Tomaševac

Plaža Tomaševac is a coarse-sand beach with facilities, including changing rooms. The water here is ideal for paddling, and there are a few pretty buildings to see from the water. This one is geared for children, and there are many fun things to do at the beach, including boat and inflatable hire. You can also rent parasols here too. This was one of the busier beaches in the town during my visit.

Park Angiolina

Park Angiolina is well manicured and features many flower beds, trees, and shaded benches. Also, in the park is Villa Angiolina, which is currently a museum.

While exploring the park, you can also see the Wall of Fame, an art installation. This features many famous people who were either born in or visited the town. This includes John Lennon, Robert De Niro and Franz Joseph I.

Volosko Beach

Another place for fun by the sea is Volosko Beach, which is perfect for a paddle or a sit-down. The beach has some colourful buildings behind it, too. I took a quick dip here to cool down while walking along the coast path. This beach has a public toilet, which was handy for changing out of wet clothes.

Opatija Bars and Cafes

Opatija had some cool bars to spend time in.

Caffe Bar Surf

Caffe Bar Surf is one of my favourite bars on the coast in Opatija. They have a lovely outdoor seating area with views of the fishing port. I sat on the quay and enjoyed the views while drinking a pint or two of lager.

Kon-Tiki Bar

Kon-Tiki Bar has a view of a small fishing dock from its outdoor seating area. I had a Croatian beer here; however, they seemed to be most popular for their early-morning coffee.

Staying Near Opatija

There are many hotel options near the sea in Opatija; you can find them on Booking.com. We stayed in the small town of Matulji, a 20-minute uphill walk from Opatija, and thoroughly enjoyed its simplicity. Popular hotels in the town include the Bristol Hotel, Hotel Kvarner and Hotel Miramar, which has a private beach.