This calm fishing port on Croatia's Lošinj island has 19th-century sea captains' villas and a dolphin research center along its pine-fringed bay.
On the southeastern coast of Lošinj Island in Croatia’s Kvarner Bay, Veli Lošinj sits between pine-covered slopes and clear Adriatic waters. The village grew around a 15th-century Venetian tower built to guard against pirates, and today you can explore this tower-turned-museum, St. Anthony’s Church with its Baroque art, and gardens filled with rosemary and citrus trees. A stone pathway shaded by Aleppo pines connects the village to Mali Lošinj, passing small rocky beaches and viewpoints. Pastel-colored houses line the harbor, where fishing boats dock near cafes serving espresso and konoba restaurants grilling fresh fish. This is a place where maritime history meets daily life—watch locals mend nets in the morning or gather for evening strolls along the waterfront.
Visit the Venetian Tower and Maritime Museum
Begin at the 15th-century Venetian Tower, a stone fortress that once protected the village from pirate raids. Today, the tower holds a museum displaying models of historic ships, compasses, and maps used by Lošinj sailors. Climb the narrow spiral stairs to the rooftop for views of red-tiled rooftops and the harbor below. One exhibit explains how sailors funded the rebuilding of St. Anthony’s Church after returning from successful voyages. Admission costs about $5, and the museum opens daily from 9 AM to 3 PM except Sundays.
St. Anthony’s Church Art and Architecture
The pink stone Church of St. Anthony the Abbot stands at the edge of the harbor, its Baroque facade decorated with carved stone columns. Inside, you’ll find oil paintings by 18th-century Venetian artists and a gold-leaf altarpiece depicting the church’s patron saint. Local sailors donated funds to rebuild the church in 1774, and many commissioned artworks to celebrate safe journeys. Notice the wooden pews carved with nautical motifs like anchors and waves. The church hosts an annual festival every January, where villagers carry a statue of St. Anthony through the streets.
Walk the Pine-Shaded Path to Mali Lošinj
A 3-kilometer stone path connects Veli Lošinj to Mali Lošinj, winding along the coast under tall Aleppo pines. You’ll pass small coves with smooth rocks for sunbathing and wooden benches facing the sea. The walk takes about 45 minutes at a leisurely pace, ending near Mali Lošinj’s marina and the Apoxyomenos Museum, which displays a 2,000-year-old bronze statue found nearby. Go early to avoid the midday sun, and bring a towel—several spots along the path let you swim in clear, shallow water.
Hike St. John’s Hill for Island Views
A steep but well-marked trail leads up St. John’s Hill behind the village, taking roughly 30 minutes to reach the summit. From the small chapel at the top, you can see Veli Lošinj’s harbor, the Adriatic Sea, and neighboring Cres Island. The path cuts through terraced gardens where lavender and lemon trees grow, remnants of 19th-century estates built by Austrian aristocrats. Wear sturdy shoes, as the trail has loose gravel in sections. Many visitors time their hike to reach the summit at sunset, when the light turns the island’s western slopes golden.
Swim at Rocky Beaches and Spot Dolphins
Veli Lošinj’s beaches have smooth rocks and pebbles, with clear water ideal for snorkeling. Rova Bay, a 10-minute walk from the village center, has a gentle slope into the sea and a few shaded areas under pine trees. For more privacy, follow footpaths to smaller coves like Borik, where you’ll often have the water to yourself. Boat tours from nearby Mali Lošinj take visitors to see bottlenose dolphins that live in the area—around 180 dolphins feed near the island’s southeastern coast. Tours last three hours and run multiple times a day from April to October.
Explore Gardens and Aromatic Plant Trails
In the late 1800s, Austrian nobles planted palm trees and exotic flowers around their Veli Lošinj villas, creating gardens that still thrive today. Walk through the village to see agaves, cacti, and olive trees growing in front of pastel-colored homes. Follow the marked Fragrant Paths route to learn about local herbs like sage and myrtle, used for centuries in cooking and medicine. Over 1,200 plant species grow on Lošinj due to its mild climate, and many are labeled with informational signs. Guided tours of the Apothecary Garden near the Venetian Tower explain traditional uses for these plants.
Getting to Veli Lošinj and Where to Stay
Ferries to Mali Lošinj run daily from Rijeka, Pula, and Zadar; from there, take a 10-minute bus or taxi ride to Veli Lošinj. July and August bring the most visitors, but May and September offer warm weather with fewer crowds. Stay at Hotel Aurora for easy access to the waterfront, or book a room in a family-owned guesthouse in the village center. Rent a bike to explore trails leading to hidden coves, or take a day trip to Cres Island via the rotating bridge at Osor. Bring comfortable walking shoes for hikes and a refillable water bottle—the tap water here is clean and drinkable.
