Things To Do In Mali Lošinj, Croatia, Including Fantastic Walks

There are options for things to do in Mali Lošinj, from enjoying the many beaches to seaside activities and boat trips, including dolphin spotting and a pirate ship. The harbour is a cool place to hang out and watch the world go by.

While exploring the island, you can visit historical sites, including the pretty Austrian villas, churches and other quirks.

Things to Do in Mali Lošinj

How to spend time when visiting Mali Lošinj and some of the interesting places to visit.

Relax And Recharge

One of the best things to do in Mali Lošinj is to check out and have some downtime. There are many ways to relax on the island, from reading on the beach to escaping to nature or having coffee on your own. Chilling is easy here and ideal for recharging.

Riva The Pretty Waterfront

‘Riva’ is a generic word for ‘waterfront’ in Croatia, and Mali Lošinj has a rather nice one. Along the seafront, cafes and restaurants line Riva, most with outdoor seating and sea views.

Riva also has a few museums and gift shops to peruse while strolling along. There are also some useful shops, including one of the few pharmacies in the town.

Ferries from the mainland also dock at the end of Riva, near the ferry ticket offices. You can also book a boat tour from vendors along Riva, including a pirate ship, a submarine and dolphin spotting.

Boat Trips

Boat trips depart from the harbour, including island hopping, party tours and a pirate boat trip.

We chose a day trip on a pirate ship that included a visit to the small island of Ilovik. The boat trip then visited a secluded bay for a dip in the calm water.

The boat trip was all-inclusive and included a meal, wine, and soft drinks. Everything was delicious and served before we departed from Ilovik. The excursion was great and offered a chance to explore the nearby islands.

Beaches

No holiday on the island is complete without spending time on the small beaches. There are pleasant beaches in Mali Lošinj, including some small, remote places. I really like sitting by the water and taking a dip to cool off.

I prefer the water on the east coast of the island. I found the water clean and crystal clear, and I have swum in it between May and October.

The Iconic Viewpoint

Visiting the viewpoint overlooking Mali Lošinj is a must-do activity when in the area. The views from above are breathtaking and well worth the trip up. You could either drive, cycle, or hike to the viewpoint. Hiking up can be rather interesting if you follow directions on Komoot.com. The hike involves a coastal walk and quite a scramble to the top.

At the viewpoint is a bar/restaurant, Tematski Vidikovac Providenca, that serves drinks during the day. Tematski Vidikovac Providenca also serves food during golden hour and late evening sun. It’s popular, so booking a table in advance is recommended. Overall, the hike to the top is fantastic, and Tematski Vidikovac Providenca is a fantastic place to spend time, even if only for a beer.

Coast Walk to Veli Lošinj

Another enjoyable activity is to take a walk along the coast to the nearby village of Veli Lošinj. Veli Lošinj is a beautiful village with a few things to see. The harbour area is colourful and has some fantastic places to eat out on the waterfront.

The path to the village is beautiful and passes through some rugged coast and picturesque bays. A round trip with refreshments takes 5 hours, so it is a great day out.

Sunrise On The East Coast

The East Coast is a fantastic place to watch the sunrise. The East Coast has a trail that roughly follows the coastline. The secluded bays and coastal rocks certainly make for great photos.

The Marina

The marina is a great place to see the boats and yachts. You can also arrange a boat trip or hire one for the day in the marina.

In the harbour are some interesting historic vessels. This includes a pirate ship that does themed excursions into the Adriatic Sea.

Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Overlooking the town is the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a lovely building. It dates back to 1696 and has an enormous square outside the front. The church has an impressive bell tower. You can also hear the church bells throughout the day, which are rather impressive.

Inside the church, you can see the relics of St Romulus and the 18th-century image of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the altar.

Walk in Park Čikat

Čikat Park has some excellent scenery for a hike. This includes some great forest trails to explore and a beautiful coastal path. It is easy to reach from the centre of town, including walking around the peninsula to reach Čikat. The island is known for its lush vegetation and parks, which have underpinned its development as a tourist destination.

Particularly important among these are the protected areas of Čikat Forest Park. Čikat Forest Park dates back to 1886, when the Society for Afforestation and Embellishment of Mali Lošinj was established. Čikat is a diverse habitat with plants, animals, and birds. The area also features interesting statues and Austrian villas to admire while exploring.

Austrian Villas

The Čikat area of Lošinj has beautiful buildings dating back to the Habsburg era. In 1892, the government in Vienna supposedly proclaimed the island as the official health resort of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Hence, the number of very large, Habsburg-style holiday villas in the area.

Villa Carolina is a historical landmark near Cikat Forest and the bay. The villa is pretty stunning; however, you cannot visit. Apparently, Franz Josef, the Emperor of Austria, built the pink villa for his mistress.

Sveti Martin Bay

A great place to hang out is Sveti Martin Bay, a short walk from the main town centre. The bay has a small fishing port, a church, cafes with views, and places to dine out. It is also a nice place to sit and enjoy the views when it is quiet too, especially early in the morning.

In summer, they offer SUP hire and a small water park. It’s a great place to use as a launchpad for a longer coastal walk on the island. There is also forest along the coastal path heading south, which is a challenging hike.

Agro Tourism

For something different, a visit to agro-tourism is worthwhile. It is basically a beautiful garden with some splendid views of the coast and the hills.

The gardens have some unique decor, such as swings and art displays. Agro Tourism also offers seats where you can enjoy homemade drinks made with plants from the Island of Vitality.

Museum of Apoxyomenos

On the seafront in town is the Museum of Apoxyomenos, a popular destination for history enthusiasts. The museum focuses on a bronze statue of the young athlete Apoxyomenos, over two thousand years old. A Belgian tourist discovered the statue back in 1997.

Nerezinac Boat Museum

In the harbour is Nerezinac, a museum on a boat that is free to enter. It has interesting exhibits about Lošinj’s maritime heritage, and it’s nice to look around the boat. The sailing boat is a replica of 19th-century Lošinj logger boats.

Onboard are some multimedia exhibits where you can learn about historical aspects of maritime life. This includes the crew, catering, shipping routes, shipbuilding, or maintenance.

Food & Drinks Out

The island gets 270 days of sunshine in an average year; as a result, bar and restaurant terraces are usually open and dog-friendly. Most restaurants serve a range of seafood options and cook them in the Croatian style.

Monte Bastion

Monte Bastion is a historical site and a fantastic place to walk to. The path takes you along the coast from the town and through some beautiful woodland. Be warned, the woodland trails are uneven, so wear good shoes or boots. Still, the result is stunning views.

It has been a significant defensive position in the island’s history. First, it was a prehistoric hill fort and was subsequently used by the Italians, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Yugoslav military. The fort’s views highlight why it was such an important defensive position. Its current name translates to ‘The Great Guard’.

Events

There is a handy ‘What’s On’ guide to help you choose what to do. Many town events take place in the Riva area on the waterfront. This includes live music and festivals.

We really enjoyed the silver band competition, which took place on the stage in the main square. This included marching bands from around Croatia and beyond. The town also hosts a food festival.

Local Art & Craft Shops

On the side streets of Mali Lošinj are cute local craft shops. They sell handmade items and art that make perfect souvenirs. You can also buy some rather cool summer clothes in some boutiques in town.

Nightlife

The town is a pretty chilled place geared for relaxation; however, it also has a pleasant nightlife scene. People promenaded in the harbour in between meals out or drinks in the bars. There are often events in the main square to keep you entertained too.

We found that a few bars stayed open late and had live music, especially on weekends. We also watched the football on the big screens in the bars. For something a bit more chilled, the west coast has a lovely path for evening strolls with a drink break.

Cikat Aquapark

Cikat Aquapark is a water park with swimming pools, splash pools and water slides. A pine forest surrounds the site, creating a beautiful setting. The water park is free for guests of the nearby campsite; you can also buy tickets at the entrance.

Shrine of the Queen of Love

The Shrine of the Queen of Love is on a hill overlooking the town centre and coast. The chapel was once a windmill. The church was founded after an apparition in 1990; nowadays, it holds a service on the 16th of each month.

Chapel of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Cikat Bay was historically the preferred mooring site on the island because it is well sheltered. They built the original Chapel of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary specifically for those sailors.

Subsequently, they converted it into a sacristy during the 1858 construction of the current church. It’s a nice church to see along the coast path, and if it’s open, you can pop inside. We’ve seen a few marching bands with wedding parties heading to the church while at the beach.

Zen Garden

I spotted the Zen Garden while walking through Camping Cikat. This is a place for yoga, meditation, and other relaxing activities. You can learn more or book a session on their website.