Discover Croatia: LOŠINJ

Mali Lošinj
Mali Lošinj town

I hope that this post brings some sunshine into your cold November day. I’m taking you to another beautiful Croatian island in this blog series Discover Croatia. I had opportunity to visit Lošinj island this summer when I joined my husband on his semi-business trip. I haven’t been on Lošinj for years so I really enjoyed my day wandering around two charming towns : Mali Lošinj and Veli Lošinj. Despite their names (mali means small and veli means big) these two towns are actually quite the opposite: Veli Lošinj is rather small and picturesque while Mali Lošinj is the biggest town on the island (7 000 ppl) and it’s full of life.

About Lošinj island

In the distant past island Lošinj and island Cres in the northern Adriatic Sea were just one big island but they were separated into two islands by an artificial channel and later connected again by a small bridge. There are several smaller islands and uninhabited isles that belong to Lošinj-Cres archipelago. The Romans called this archipelago Apsirtides because of a legend about Argonauts-the band of heroes in Greek mythology who accompanied Jason in his search for the Golden Fleece. Jason eventually managed to steal the Golden Fleece from the king with the help of the kings’s daughter and sorcerer Medea but the king’s son followed Jason to retrieve his father’s treasured possession. Jason managed to kill the kings’s son  Apsyrtus while Apsyrtus’s own sister Medea dismembered him and threw his remains into the sea-thus the islands Apsirtides were made. Interesting legend, right?

Today Lošinj island is famous as the Island of Vitality due to its specific and beneficial climate suitable for treating different respiratory diseases and allergies. The beginnings of the health tourism date back to 19th century. Apart from great wellness programmes in almost all hotels on the island there are also excellent rehabilitation centers that attract many international sportsmen.

Another curiosity about the island Lošinj: there are no poisonous snakes. It can be said that Lošinj island has  two animal symbols: dolphins and geckos (small lizards). There’s a big bottlenose dolphin colony in Lošinj-Cres archipelago which is researched and protected by the law.

The newest attraction of the island is the new museum in Mali Lošinj which displays the ancient Greek statute of Apoxyomenos which was found in the sea at the depth of 45 m.

Veli Lošinj

Veli Lošinj, Croatia

Veli Lošinj
Venetian defense tower

Veli Lošinj, Croatia

Mali Lošinj

Mali Lošinj, Croatia

Mali Lošinj
the museum with the ancient Greek statue

Museum of Lošinj
Museum of Lošinj

What can you do at Lošinj?

Visit the Marine Education Center run by the Blue World Institute and learn about the dolphins (Veli Lošinj)

Visit the  Apoxyomenos Museum (Mali Lošinj) and marvel at the ancient bronze statue of a Greek athlete. To learn more click here

Stroll around Čikat Forest Park

Fun for children and adults: Aquapark Čikat

Visit the Lošinj Aromatic Garden

Go to the beach

Walk around the town Mali Lošinj and indulge in some people-watching from one of the cafes at the promenade

Try local food

Try out one of the water sports such as windsurfing and kite surfing

Go on a boat trip and maybe spot some dolphins

Rent a yacht and explore smaller islands around Lošinj

Mali Lošinj

How to reach Lošinj island

The nearest airport is Rijeka airport (on Krk island). There’s also a hydroplane connection with Split and Pula.

You can reach it by ferry from island Krk or by catamaran from Rijeka. As I said before Lošinj is connected to island Cres so you can visit both islands by car after you’ve crossed the sea by ferry.

Have you visited Lošinj? Would you like to? For more info click here

Have you read my post about Rab island ? 

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This post is also available for offline reading and free download as a travel article app. If you choose to upgrade (to get GPS navigation) I’ll receive a small commission. Thank You! To get the app click here. 

66 thoughts

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  5. We almost booked a flight to Croatia today as its been on list for a while (we went for a mini break in Palma in the end!) but I am desperate to go, it just looks so pretty and I love the venetian connections. #citytripping

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  6. Not a place you hear about very often so it was a real pleasure to read. I haven’t ever been to Croatia but this really made me want to go, beautiful and so much to do. If i went the dolphin boat trip and harbour restaurants look like must dos.
    thanks for sharing
    #citytripping

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  14. I hadn’t heard of Losinj before, so its nice to hear of another spot on the Croatian coast to check out. It looks quite scenic and quiet which I love. Its funny that their names are reversed. #TheWeeklyPostcard

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  15. We took our teenagers on holiday to Croatia last year and apart from stops on the mainland took in some islands too but not Losinj. We loved Croatia on so many levels and would love to go back to explore some different areas. Will add this to our list. #MondayEscapes

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  18. This really brings some sunshine rays (even though Los Angeles will be 85 – 90 F today and tomorrow). I do not remember seeing pictures of this island. It looks so beautiful and diverse. Like the photo featuring the Mark Twain’s quote. #TheWeeklyPostcard

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  19. We had the pleasure of visiting Croatia this summer on a cruise. It certainly is a beautiful country and really enjoyed our time there. We had not heard of Losinj, great post with useful information. Croatia is definitely on our must go back to list!! #TheWeeklyPostacrd

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  21. I really want to visit Croatia and see as much of it as possible. Losinj looks absolutely lovely. And how neat they have dolphins. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.

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  27. Thank you for sharing! We didn’t get to Losinj when we were just in Croatia – but there is so much I know I didn’t see – I’m dying to go back! I definitely think I’m an “aquaholic”! Thanks for sharing this lovely corner of the world for #FarawayFiles – cheers from Copenhagen, Erin

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  28. So nice, I had never heard of this archipelago. On this dreary November day in Dublin I’m dreaming about living somewhere like this….It looks and sounds so colourful and laid back. You’re lucky to get to see these ‘hidden’ jewels! #FarawayFiles

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  30. I’m really enjoying your Croatia series, Tanja. Losinj looks beautiful and I love reading the stories behind the names. Love that Mark Twain quote too – one I pretty much live by 🙂 Thanks for linking up with #FarawayFiles

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