The Opatija Riviera is located under the slopes of one of the largest and most beautiful mountains in Croatia – Uchka Mountain. This scenic natural Park provides an opportunity for active leisure lovers to walk along the well-maintained pathways. They go through the Park of nature and picturesque villages. There is a pathway Ika – Poklon – Poljane passing near Villa Flora.
Opatija is situated in the centre of Opatija Riviera, which consists of three cities: from the third biggest one in the country – Rijeka on the east to villages – Medveija and Moshchenichka draga on the west.
There is a comfortable bus at scheduled times during the day which allows you to travel among villages and beaches (scheduled times change according to seasons and are available at each bus stop).
The bus №32 runs between Rijeka and Moshchenichka draga.
Tickets can be bought from a driver on the bus entrance or from a newsstand called Tisak. In Tisak there are tickets for return trip that are cheaper than one-way trip. It is possible to buy only one-way ticket from a driver.
The cost of tickets varies across different zones and depends on how far you need to travel: within one zone or for example from zone 1 to zone 4. It is best to clarify that when buying tickets in Tisak or from a driver.
You can often meet a controller on the bus; they either check tickets on the entrance or directly on the bus.
Lungomare
Lungomare is a walking path stretched along Opatija Riviera coast.
It is stretched across 12 km from Lovran to Volosko.
It is a picturesque promenade that has descents to beaches, to abandoned or equipped spots for swimming, exits to town, playgrounds, cafes, restaurants and just absolutely breathtaking views.
Lungomare is a nice place for walks along the sea at any time of the day: in the afternoons you can hide in the shadows from oaks, laurels, cypresses, in the evenings the promenade in illuminated.
Lungomare begins on the west in a village called Lovran.
Lovran is a nice village with developed infrastructure and well-preserved historical heritage.
In the Old village castle walls and ancient churches with frescos and bas-relieves can be seen.
Besides, there is a supermarket, a market where you can buy fresh local vegetables, fruits, and seafood. Many ice cream- cafes; hotels and restaurants can be found. There are tourist’s attractions of any kind such as SPA – centres and tennis courts, an information centre for tourists, cash machines and souvenir stores.
If you walk along Lungomare to the east, you get to Ika.
Ika is located on the east of Lungomare. It is a village between Lovran and Opatija. There are very few hotels; generally the private sector ones is available for rent here so it is reasonably sparsely populated.
There is a supermarket called Konzum, cafes, restaurants and an amazing pebble beach with a flat descent to the sea.
The part of the promenade between Lovran and Opatija is considered not to be very lively due to a lack of big hotels.
Flocks of geese often rest on cliffs or swim in the sea here, sometimes dolphins can be seen.
Most of the hotels and guesthouses are located on the east of Opatija and the beach Slatina, beaches in this direction are more crowded.
A coast in a beautiful ancient village Volosko terminates Lungomare.
Besides ancient churches and colourful houses with tiled roofs there are many cafes and restaurants located just along the sea offering a great view and lunches for any budget.
Lonely Planet considers Volosko as Mecca for gourmans.
