Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
#17 Opatija
Opatija is a small seaside town in the west of Croatia, around 15 minutes drive southwest of
Rijeka. Once the destination of choice for the Viennese elite under Austro-Hungarian rule,
it has a number of luxury Belle Epoque hotels and villas. Today it is a popular resort des-
tination in both summer and winter for its picturesque forest setting and mild climate. The
town gets its name from the 15
th
century Abbey of St. James, now St James's Church (in
Croatian 'opatija' means 'abbey'). Although the town is short on actual beaches, there is the
famous coastal promenade Lungomare to get your fix of sea views and many sheltered bays
all along the coast if you wish to cool off.
