Opatija, Coastal resort town in Kvarner Gulf, Croatia
Opatija is a coastal resort town in the Kvarner Gulf, Croatia, stretching along the Adriatic Sea between Mount Učka and the water. The waterfront promenade connects parks with manicured gardens, pebble beaches with clear water, and several viewpoints overlooking the offshore islands.
A merchant villa from the mid-19th century attracted wealthy travelers from Central Europe who sought healing and rest during the Habsburg era. The coastal town quickly developed into a fashionable resort with hotels and parklands that still shape its appearance today.
The red rooftops and classical facades of the villas recall the time of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, when doctors recommended the mild coastal air to their patients. Today the cafés and restaurants in the old town fill with visitors who walk through the narrow lanes between the old manor houses.
The coastal path runs over small stone steps and through shaded sections, easy to walk even in the heat. Most access points to the sea are reached by stairs or ramps that lead down to swimming platforms or pebble beaches.
A bronze sculpture by the shore shows a girl with a seagull and recalls a nobleman who drowned during an autumn storm in the late 19th century. The figure stands on a rock directly above the water and is a quiet spot where visitors often linger.
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