Croatia's prettiest beaches and most stunning coastline. Opatija Riviera, from Lovran to Volosko.

In this video we're going to take you to one of the most dramatic and gorgeous stretches of coastline in Croatia. And apparently one of the best kept secrets too. The Opatija Riviera which stretches from Brseč to Volosko on the eastern most end of the Istria Peninsula. Turquoise blue waters, steep cliffs, hidden coves, gnarly curves and one of the best coastal walking paths we've ever come across. Join us in exploring a true hidden gem.

THE DRIVE BETWEEN BRSEC AND LOVRAN IS FUN. NOT TOO DICEY BUT STILL OFFERING DRAMATIC VIEWS. THERE ARE LOTS OF LOOKOUT POINTS OR BEACH RESORTS WHERE YOU CAN STOP FOR FOTOS OR A SHORT BREAK. BUT YOU WILL LIKELY GET STUCK BEHIND A CAMPER, SO DONT BE IN A HURRY.

ONCE IN LOVRAN, WE DECIDED TO PARK AND CHECKOUT THE MARINA. THIS IS WHERE WE STUMBLED ON THE MOST AMAZING COASTAL WALK.

THE PROMENADE STARTS IN LOVRAN, GOES PAST OPATIJA AND ENDS IN VOLOSKO. IT’S ABOUT 8KM LONG AND IS A VERY PLEASANT WALK ALONG THE COAST. IT’S RIGHT ON THE WATER, AWAY FROM CARS AND BICYCLES, AND DOTTED WITH PICTURESQUE MARINAS, CAFES AND RESTAURANTS ALONG THE WAY.

The Promenade was completed in 1911 and is named after Austria’s former Emperor - Kaiser Franz Joseph.

His frequent visits to Opatija helped establish it as a posh seaside resort for the Elite of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, during their reign over this part of Croatia.

KAISER FRANZ WAS THE LONGEST SERVING AUSTRIAN EMPEROR AND HIS MARRIAGE TO THE BAVARIAN PRINCESS SISI HAS, OVER THE YEARS, INSPIRED MANY NOVELS, MOVIES AND TV SERIES INCLUDING THE FAIRLY RECENT AND EXTREMELY WELL PRODUCED NETFLIX SHOW CALLED ‘THE EMPRESS’.

RUMOR HAS IT THAT FRANZ WOULD COME HERE SECRETLY TO MEET HIS MISTRESS IN ONE OF THE VILLAS RIGHT HERE ON THE COASTAL PROMENADE.

THEY SAY THAT EACH VILLA HERE HAS ITS OWN SECRET STORY. AND WHILE WE DIDN”T SUCCEED AT FINDING FRANZ’ LOVE NEST, WE DID FIND A VERY COOL BAR - THE APTLY NAMED TABU CAFE.

SO, WE DECIDE TO GO ALL THE WAY TO THE END OF THE PATH - TO VOLOSKO AND THEN BACKTRACK FROM THERE TOWARD OPATIJA. WE LOVED VOLOSKO. IT REMINDED US OF SMALL FISHING VILLAGES WE”D SEEN ON THE ITALIAN RIVIERA, IN LIGURIA.

THE LITTLE MARINA LINED WITH SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS AND PIZZERIAS WAS SUPER CUTE.

BUT IT STILL HAD A VERY AUTHENTIC,NEIGHBORHOODY FEEL TO IT. A PLACE WHERE REAL PEOPLE LIVE, NOT JUST TOURISTS.

TIRED AND HUNGRY, WE DECIDED TO TRY ONE OF THE RESTAURANTS. OSTARIA VERNADA RIGHT ON THE MARINA HAS A CHARMING GARDEN SHADED BY GRAPE VINE, SUPER FRIENDLY SERVICE AND EXCELLENT FOOD.

Lungomare Opatija.
Franz Joseph Promenade.
Coastal Walk.
Istria
Kvarner

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About Us
We’re Emre and Maia. Our videos feature local, authentic, and immersive experiences in Europe. We love to engage with people in their own language, while we spend a gap year being curious about everything! We’re passionate about travel and food and have been to 44 countries with five passports between us! Longing for simplicity and freedom, we put our remaining possessions in storage, and set out with a suitcase and carry-on each. Guess what. Slow travel mindset works whether you have a few days or a whole year!

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