March the 28th, 2026 – This beautiful island is the picture of zen. Ilovik actually has more flowers than residents, with around 100 permanent inhabitants only on the southernmost island of the Lošinj archipelago.
As Putni kofer/Ivana Vasarevic writes, Ilovik, located in the south of the Lošinj archipelago, is a true jewel of the Adriatic. Small, yet charming and peaceful, it delights all of its visitors with its rugged coastline, peaceful coves and the idyllic atmosphere that is the trademark of its only and eponymous settlement.
Spanning an area of just 5.8 square kilometres and boasting a coastline that stretches for 15.4 kilometres, it’s relatively easy to explore every single little corner of it. Ilovik is the southernmost inhabited island in the Lošinj archipelago, administratively belonging to the town of Mali Lošinj, and lies in the north of Kvarnerić, surrounded by Susak, Unije, Cres and Premuda.
As a result of its lush Mediterranean vegetation and colourful flowers, palm trees, oleanders and 200-year-old eucalyptus trees, Ilovik is also known as the “island of flowers”. Vibrant colours and intoxicating scents will follow you throughout the entire island, from the shoreline to the depths of its forests. The flora of this little island perfectly complements that of nearby Lošinj.
ilovik – the island paradise with around 100 permanent inhabitants
With all of the above, it is no wonder that Ilovik is commonly said to have more flowers than it does actual inhabitants, of whom there are only about 100. It is separated from the neighbouring islet of Sveti Petar by a 2.5-kilometre-long and about 300-metre-wide channel, protecting it from all winds except the one from the south. That’s one of many reasons as to why Ilovik is ideal for anchoring yachts and smaller boats.
On the aforementioned Sveti Petar lies the cemetery of the people of Ilovik, surrounded by walls from the 11th century. There was once a Benedictine monastery on this site, and even earlier on, a large Byzantine fortress. The Venetians also built their fortress there in 1600, primarily to defend against the Uskoks.
As for Ilovik itself, the first Croatian settlers arrived on it at the end of the 18th century from Veli Lošinj. The island has had several different names throughout its history: Neumae Insulae, Sanctus Petrus de Nimbis and San Pietro dei Nembi, and the current one was given to it by the Croats.
However, the first inhabitants of Ilovik were the Illyrians, more specifically the old Liburnian tribe, and the later Roman legacy on the island is still visible today in the form of walls, sarcophagi, numismatic finds and an underwater archaeological site. The identity of Ilovik as an island was built on fishing, sheep farming, viticulture, vegetable growing, and today – tourism – which is deeply woven into it.
more people with origins in ilovik live in the usa than on the island
It’s also interesting to note that three times more people who can draw their origins back to Ilovik live across the pond in the USA than on their native island. The locals who did choose to remain living there very lovingly and intentionally cherish their local traditions and customs. Their most important local festival is “Petrova”, and it is celebrated on June the 28th and 29th in honour of Saints Peter and Paul, with a holy mass, procession and the lighting of a bonfire.
The settlement is dotted with beautiful old stone houses and picturesque, narrow streets. It has just one shop and several charming traditional taverns and restaurants. Ilovik is connected to Lošinj by boat, and there is also a fast line that connects it to the much larger cities of Rijeka, Zadar and Pula.
Although it is far from large, this stunning little island has several beautiful beaches. The most famous sandy one is called Paržine, located on the southeast side of Ilovik. It is about a 20-minute walk from the village, and is ideal for those looking for a combination of sea, sun and healing silence, while the southern part of the island boasts inviting coves.
