Visit Tematski Vidikovac Providenca Viewpoint in Mali Lošinj.
One of the most spectacular places to walk to in Mali Lošinj is Tematski Vidikovac Providenca. Tematski Vidikovac Providenca is a fantastic viewpoint above the town of Mali Lošinj in Croatia.
It is near the top of a peak called Umpiljak, which overlooks the town, the nearby sea, and other islands in the archipelago.
Where is Tematski Vidikovac Providenca?
The viewpoint and restaurant are near the top of Umpiljak Hill, which overlooks Mali Losinj. You can access it by walking, cycling or driving. Following Google Maps takes you to the roadway; however, things get interesting if you use the hiking app Komoot.com. Depending on your pace and start point, it takes about 45 minutes to walk to the top of Umpiljak.
Walking The Scenic Route to the Viewpoint
Rather than follow the road to the viewpoint, I put the destination on Komoot.com. This took me on a challenging route through some of the island’s lesser-used hiking trails.
First, I headed to Agrotourism, a fascinating place at the top of the town. From there, the route took me to Valdarke Beach. Next up was a coastal path to the island’s main road.
After a short walk along the main road, the hike got tricky. The trail was marked, but it looked like the last 1000 people who passed through were goats. The ground was hard underfoot and steep in places. The uphill trail finally finished a few hundred metres from the entrance.
After recharging, I continued onwards on the island to complete the circular walk above.
Entry to Tematski Vidikovac Providenca
Tematski Vidikovac Providenca is only open during the peak holiday season on the island. This is roughly from early June until early September. When I visited towards the end of September, the site was all locked up, and nobody was answering enquiries. However, in June, it was pretty straightforward.
In the daytime, you can just turn up and enter the site. For meals at the viewpoint restaurant, you can book online via their website. It gets busy at sunset o’clock, so it’s best to book a table in advance.
It is dog-friendly on the condition that you keep your dog on the lead. They have a few other rules on their signage, most of which are common sense.
Bar & Restaurant At The Viewpoint
A feature of the viewpoint is the hilltop restaurant terrace, which also serves as a bar depending on the time of day. During the daytime, you can pop in and purchase drinks only. However, after 5 pm, you need to book a table.
For drinks, they serve hot drinks and local Croatian beer, including Karlovačko, one of my favourites. Enjoying a few beers on the terrace after the climb to the top, taking in the views, is a must.
Tematski Vidikovac Providenca Educational
Another feature of the site is the educational trail, which tells the story of the local area and the other islands visible from the viewpoint. These were in English, German and Croatian, thus making them easy for me to follow.
Views Of Mali Losinj & Adriatic Sea
The views from the site are special on a clear day, and in the online photos I’ve seen at sunset. You can see the town from above and the nearby islands, including Cres and Susak. The other beaches at the Mali Losinj end of the island are also visible.
Is It Worth Visiting?
I really enjoyed my visits to the viewpoint because of the views. The drinks were a bit pricey, but you pay for the location. I think it’s a shame they only have a small season when open and should be open for more of the year. If the viewpoint is open, it’s definitely a must-see place when staying on the island.