Video: Joshua Cirjak/Ashley Colburn/Oscar Piljek

Photo: Tourist Board of the City of Mali Lošinj

BASIC INFORMATION AND LOCATION

Lošinj belongs to the group of Kvarner islands and has about 7,500 inhabitants. It is separated from the island of Cres by a narrow artificial channel near Osor, and the most important settlements on the island are Mali Lošinj and Veli Lošinj. Mali Lošinj is the administrative center. If you arrive by car from abroad via Austria, Italy or Slovenia, there are two options: border crossing Pasjak/Rupa-Opatija-Brestova- (ferry) Porozine and border crossing Pasjak/Rupa-Rijeka-island Krk-Valbiska- (ferry) Merag. Ferries usually depart several times a day and the lines are very well organized, and there is also a line between Zadar and Mali Lošinj and some lines with Italy during the summer season. The trip is also possible by catamaran, which departs from Rijeka every afternoon and returns from Mali Lošinj every morning. The Mali Lošinj airport has a smaller capacity and is only equipped for small private planes, so Rijeka airport is an option for arriving with some of the regular flights. Railway traffic is connected to the station in Rijeka, after which you can get to Mali Lošinj by bus, which runs very often, and in the summer there is even an organized bus line with Ljubljana.

DESTINATIONS - PLACES IN THE REGION

The administrative and tourist center of the island is Mali Lošinj. Veli Lošinj is about 4 kilometers away from it and has a larger number of inhabitants compared to the other settlements on the island, which are still much smaller - Ćunski, Nerezine, Punta Križa and Belej.

CULTURE, HISTORY AND SIGHTS

In ancient times, the Cres-Lošinj archipelago was called "Apsyrtides" because Cres and Lošinj once formed a whole and only later was a channel dug near Osor due to trade needs. In ancient times, the island had primarily the role of a trading port and was almost uninhabited. Only later in the Middle Ages did the population increase. During the 19th century, Lošinj became known as a center of shipbuilding, tourism and a climatic health resort. A world attraction that everyone must visit is the Apoxyomena Museum in Mali Lošinj, where an ancient bronze statue found in 1996 in the Lošinj sea is on display. The statue is 192 centimeters tall, depicts a young athlete and is believed to have been made in the 2nd or 1st century BC. Kr. Other museum spaces on Lošinj are the Fritzi Palace and the Kula Museum Gallery. Historical sights that can be visited are the Hotel Szalay, the port of Nerezine, the Meteorological Station, the Osorsk sculpture park and many others. There are also many smaller churches that keep valuable collections and their viewing is worth attention.

BEACHES

Known for its clear sea and wonderful Mediterranean plants, Lošinj has a large number of beaches. Some of the most famous are Artatore, Bojčić, Borik, Kadin, Koromačna, Liska Slatina, Lopari, Meli, Poljana, Punta, Rovenska, Uvala Čikat and Veli žal. Some of the mentioned beaches have a blue flag because of the cleanliness of the sea and the environment, and they contain areas intended for pets.

OTHER CONTENTS

Every settlement on Lošinj has a rich gastronomic offer and the emphasis is on traditional cuisine. The center of each settlement has many coffee bars and pastry shops, of which Honey and Moby Dick in Mali Lošinj stand out. What Lošinj has been known for for many years is the spa climate and the rich variety of medicinal plants. That is why the island is often visited by many tourists who want to improve their health by enjoying the unique combination of sea aerosols with clean air and sea in the environment of medicinal Mediterranean plants. Visitors looking for activities can go cycling, hiking, diving, sailing or enjoy sport fishing.

WHAT TO DO AND EXCURSION/SIGHTSEEING OPPORTUNITIES

The natural attractions of the island of Lošinj are great places for excursions. Podjavori Forest Park and Čikat Forest Park are unique locations for enjoying nature. Some other places that can be visited are Gradina Polanža, hill Halmac and Vela jama. In addition to the possibility of renting various vehicles and boats, there are boat trips during which you can see the Lošinj archipelago or visit the neighboring islands.

ACCOMMODATION

The offer of hotels, guesthouses and apartments is of exceptional quality and almost all similar facilities are located near nature and gardens of Mediterranean plants, which gives a special charm to a stay on Lošinj. There are several camps, the most important of which are Baldarin, Čikat, Poljana Camping Village Resort and Rapoća. Marina Lošinj is designed for the arrival of vessels and provides quality nautical and tourist services.