Opatija has been following the same recipe for success for the last hundred years: if you have a charming town full of Art Nouveau beauties, a stunning promenade curving along the shore, and breathtaking views at every point, you’ve already won the game. The only thing left to do was to build hotel patios and café terraces to overlook the vast Kvarner bay, and it’s no wonder why people have been flocking to the Pearl of the Adriatic like flies to honey for decades.
The tourist offer in Opatija only keeps improving with a palette of summer events that gets richer with each passing year. This refined destination resembles an oasis filled with lush gardens and seaside outdoor venues, providing a perfect setting for an attractive cultural programme composed of music, arts and theatre manifestations taking place throughout the season. From the open air summer stage in Angiolina park to tiny charming corners hidden around town, it’s fair to say Opatija offers an incredible range of events for the visitors’ entertainment.
The terrace of Hotel Royal housed the crown jewel of this summer’s entertaining events: the Great Gatsby Night, a spectacular party that revived the roaring 20s and transported the visitors back in time to an age of glitz and glamour. Ladies clad in short flapper dresses, feathers and pearls; elbow-high gloves, sparkling rings, crystal headbands, red lips… and a faint trace of mesmerising perfumes in the air. Let’s not forget the dapper gentlemen, sporting their best tuxedos and top hats, having a glass of champagne before they took their partners to the dance floor. The evening kicked off with a display of polished oldtimers everyone wanted to take for a ride, later turning into an unforgettable bash booming with jazz and swing; there were Gatsby-themed cocktails, rounds of Blackjack in ‘Casino Corleone’…
Word has it the party was visited by a couple of familiar faces, such as Charlie Chaplin and Al Capone, together with the ultimate host, the Great Gatsby himself. Immersed in sensual lighting and sounds of charleston throughout the night, the terrace transformed into a glamorous stage that more than lived up to the hype.
A bit further below, there’s a dreamy deck waiting for those who come to Opatija to relax and forget about their daily troubles. Located right next to Hotel Royal and Grand Hotel 4 Opatijska Cvijeta, the Royal Beach was opened at the beginning of the season to provide guests with their own little piece of paradise. Soft, comfortable loungers set in the shade offer an opportunity to unwind; imagine listening to the gentle lounge music playing in the background and overlooking the tranquil waters of Opatija with a refreshing drink in your hand.
To further enjoy the experience, you can get a relaxing massage or enjoy a beauty treatment of your choice in the unique ambiance of the Royal Beach. If you’re visiting with kids, you’re all set – there’s a special part of the beach that’s reserved for children and equipped with a kiddy pool, so the youngest guests can have fun in a safe environment.
After an afternoon at the pool or the beach, what better way is there to end your day than having a few cocktails at an open terrace by the sea? In a line of wonderful bars and bistros in Opatija, the cult terrace of Hotel Milenij stands out with an impressive summer programme called ‘Music by the sea’. Following the philosophy that every experience is made better by a good music background, Milenij makes sure to provide the guests with fantastic live performances every single evening, making for a total of more than 100 music events from June to September. Their efforts don’t go unnoticed, as their terrace, located at one of the most gorgeous spots on the promenade, remains well-visited both by locals and the tourists throughout the year.
This summer, they organised a delightful programme covering everything from baroque to rock, to borrow the name of the first event held in July. A quick glance at the schedule shows an incredibly versatile offer, ranging from old Spanish melodies and fado to klapa music and French Chanson classics… and the highlight of the season, the gala concert ‘Best of A.L. Webber and musicals’, composed exclusively for the music summer at Milenij. In case you come across a full terrace, which is not a rare occasion, don’t give up hope and just head to some of the other gems of Opatija like Hotel Royal or Hotel Continental, where live music awaits every night from 19 to 23:30. Order an Aperol and kick back with the sounds of jazz, pop, swing or soft lounge – whatever your taste, you’ll find something to your liking.
With such an incredible programme thought out to the last detail, exceptional hotel facilities and a booming gastronomy scene, it’s no wonder Opatija keeps luring an growing number of visitors to the riviera. Compared with last year, the town has seen a 26% increase in overnight stays in June, and the trend followed in July as well. More people are coming, but they’re also staying longer, and it’s worth noting Opatija remains a destination that people of all ages find appealing. Once you spend an evening on a terrace at the lungomare, enjoying the vibrant atmopshere and feeling a gentle summer breeze on your face, you’ll understand why. Luckily, summer isn’t over yet – check out the schedules here, pick the time and place, and have fun!
