Things To Do in Opatija Riviera
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Opatija Riviera Attractions
Operetta -- To some it's just a shopping mall in a fixed-up old building, but the Operetta is really a cleverly restored and partitioned 19th-century villa at Sv. Florijana 1, next to the Bristol Hotel. It houses several upscale stores including Benetton as well as a pizza-by-the-slice fast-food emporium. If nothing else, you'll be able to marvel at the clever interior architecture. Tip: The mall is open for browsing until 11pm, but the stores inside set their own hours.
Setaliste Franza Josefa (aka Lungomare) -- Promenading in the evening is an art form in Croatia in general and in Opatija in particular, and this 12km (7 1/4 miles) flagstone walkway along the shore from Volosko (4.8km/3 miles north of Opatija) to Lovran (9.6km/6 miles south of Opatija) is the granddaddy of them all. Along the way you can observe street theater, check out what people are having for dinner in the seaside restaurants that flank the path, take a dip from a rocky outcrop, or simply enjoy the stroll along the shore.
Volosko -- This Mediterranean fishing village is a 20-minute walk north of Opatija along the promenade, but it is free of the Hapsburg bling that characterizes its sprawling neighbor. Volosko is also known for outstanding restaurants, which include Amfora and Le Mandrac, two of the area's best. There aren't any important monuments or museums there, but Volosko's winding streets, modest vintage buildings, and decent beach are good places to explore when you are in the mood for some quiet time or a fabulous meal.
Royal Trend Setter
Croatia was the first country in the world to offer nudist vacations. It's common to find naked people on beaches all over the coast, not just in nudist camps. The Croatians say the British royals started the whole thing off when King Edward VIII and his mistress, Wallis Simpson, vacationed there in the 1930s to enjoy the view from the island of Rab and she took a nude swim in the Bay of Kanda.
Opatija Riviera Nightlife
Croatia's strict blood alcohol limits for drivers toned-down Opatija's nightlife scene as would-be revelers from Rijeka figured that they could no longer go there to party and risk driving home. But even without Rijeka traffic, the town still rocks until around 11pm, which is closing hour for most Opatija restaurants and bars. Until then, you can sip a glass of wine, have a beer, or get rowdy at Hemingway's on the promenade or at any restaurant or cafe along the way.
However, the most nighttime action in Opatija is on the Lungomare and Marsala Tita -- and it is alcohol-free. It seems that on any given evening all of Croatia is out taking a stroll, in-line skating, or pausing to watch break dancers and mimes. An ice-cream cone is the party treat of choice.
