July the 18th, 2026 – There’s a place in Kvarner that many refer to as the Croatian Portofino, and it’s not far from the Austro-Hungarian grandeur of Opatija.
With colourful waterfront houses, grand Austro-Hungarian era villas and quaint pebble beaches, the picturesque village of Mošćenička Draga on the Opatija Riviera has earned an affectionate nickname among visitors – the Croatian Portofino.
Nestled beneath the steep slopes of Mount Učka, around fifteen kilometres south of Opatija, Putni kofer writes that this small coastal destination combines traditional fishing heritage with some of Kvarner’s most beautiful beaches. Naturally, that makes it one of the entire region’s most attractive summer escapes, but it still isn’t well known among foreign visitors.
the fishing village with aristocratic roots
While Mošćenička Draga is now a well known and fairly popular tourist destination, its origins are that of the majority of Croatian coastal settlements – fishing. This old settlement expanded along the coastline back during the late 19th century as residents from nearby hilltop villages moved closer to the sea to make their living from fishing.
At around the same time, wealthy visitors from neighbouring Opatija (which was then one of Europe’s leading seaside resorts, frequented by the Vienna elite) began arriving by carriage to spend their holidays in the village. Their presence led to the construction of elegant villas that still define much of the waterfront today, including historic properties such as Villa Zagreb, Villa Istra and Villa Rubin.
Mošćenička Draga is best known for Sipar Beach, a long pebble beach widely regarded as one of the finest on the Kvarner coast. The seaside promenade continues to the equally scenic St. Ivan Beach, while the exceptionally clear Adriatic waters make the area a favourite for swimming, snorkelling and family holidays.
Beyond the coastline, visitors can explore the historic fishing heritage at the “House of the Sea” interpretation centre, stroll through the century-old Contovo Park or head inland onto hiking trails leading into the Učka Nature Park. One of the area’s most distinctive attractions by far is the interesting Trebišća–Perun educational trail, which introduces visitors to ancient Slavic mythology and the archaeological landscape hidden on the slopes above the village.
a little opatija outside of opatija itself
Although often overshadowed by nearby Opatija, Mošćenička Draga offers a quieter alternative while remaining firmly connected to the history of the famous riviera. With colourful houses clustered around a small harbour, grand historic villas and spectacular scenery framed by both the Adriatic Sea and Mount Učka, it’s easy to understand why many visitors compare it to Italy’s iconic Portofino, even if very many would argue that this somewhat still unsung Kvarner gem is even more beautiful.
