A coastal town on Lošinj island with 19th-century seafaring roots, Mediterranean gardens, and a climate known for healing respiratory conditions.
Mali Lošinj, the largest town on Croatia's Lošinj island, centers around a deep natural harbor lined with yellow, pink, and blue 19th-century buildings. Walk to the Museum of Apoxyomenos to see a 2,000-year-old Greek bronze statue, or follow the coastal path to Čikat Bay where emperor Franz Josef's summer villa still stands among century-old pine trees. Look out for dolphins swimming in the clear waters below as you walk the island's coastal trails.
Getting to Mali Lošinj
You can reach Mali Lošinj by flying to Pula or Rijeka airports, then taking a ferry. Krilo Ferries runs daily services from Pula (2 hours, 120 HRK). From Zagreb, take the Arriva bus-ferry combination through Cres island (6 hours, 250 HRK). Book tickets in advance during July and August.
Weather and Plants
Mali Lošinj has sunshine for more than 200 days each year. The island's 1,200 plant species include myrtle, laurel, and oregano, which release essential oils into the air. A resident group of about 150 bottlenose dolphins lives in the surrounding waters year-round. Join a dolphin-watching boat trip (400 HRK per person) from the main harbor.
Čikat Bay
Walk 15 minutes west of town to reach Čikat Bay, a 500-meter inlet sheltered by Aleppo pines planted in 1886. The bay has three pebble beaches with changing rooms, showers, and beach bars. Villa Carolina, built in 1894 for Emperor Franz Josef, sits among the pines. Rent bikes from the tourist office (150 HRK per day) to explore the 5km coastal circuit.
Museums and Architecture
The Museum of Apoxyomenos (80 HRK, closed Mondays) displays a 2nd-century BC Greek athlete statue found by divers in 1999. The harbor front contains three-story captain's houses from the 1880s, when Mali Lošinj was home to 150 sea captains. Inside the Baroque Church of St. Anthony, look for paintings by Italian masters including Vivarini.
Food and Local Restaurants
Deveron restaurant serves truffle-flavored Pljukanci pasta (120 HRK) in a harborside setting. Cool off at MobyDick Gelateria with locally inspired flavors like fig and lavender. Book ahead for sunset tables at Lanterna Grill on the cape. Villa Diana bakes bread daily and ages its own steaks - try them with glasses of Croatian Plavac Mali wine.
Walking Trails
Choose from 280km of marked trails across the island. The northwestern coastal path connects several quiet beaches and takes about 3 hours to walk. In Čikat Forest Park, follow the numbered posts through pine woods on routes ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Morning herb walks with local guides (200 HRK) teach you to identify medicinal plants like sage and chamomile.
