Mali LošinjLošinj · Croatia

All About Mali Lošinj

Influenced by its past as it looks ahead into becoming a modern-day tourism hotspot, Mali Lošinj is the biggest town on the island of Lošinj. A shipping hub in the 19th-century, the island soon became a favored holiday destination for Austro-Hungarian royalty. Thus, it gained recognition as an exotic escape in the Adriatic Sea. Today, you’ll come across baroque houses and extravagant villas dotted around the region, highlighting Mali Lošinj’s opulent history. Known for its spa treatments and medicinal plants, Lošinj is an award-winning eco-friendly retreat known as the ‘Island of Vitality’. Taking a ferry to Mali Lošinj is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets.

Routes and Ferries to Mali Lošinj

Reaching Mali Lošinj takes a little effort. That’s why the island is still an underrated vacation treasure that attracts only a limited number of tourists every year. A quick way to get on the island is a flight on Silver Air Travel, which connects Lugano, Venice, and Zagreb with Lošinj Airport. Unfortunately, the airline has limited connections, that too, only run from June to September.

Rijeka Airport is a better choice with regular flights landing from various European cities. Upon arrival, either take a ferry to Mali Lošinj or a 4-hour bus that passes through Cres along the way. Bus service from Zagreb, on the other hand, takes 6 hours to reach Mali Lošinj.

International travelers can also book a three-hour-long ferry from Pesaro to Mali Lošinj via Ferryscanner. The vessels are operated by Gomo Viaggi but cover the route, which costs roughly €70 per passenger, only during the summer. Jadrolinija handles domestic ferry journeys linking Mali Lošinj with Cres, Zadar, Premuda, and Susak.
 

Ports of Mali Lošinj

The port of Mali Lošinj is an eventful harbor with a protected natural bay situated handily next to the city center. Since several travelers enter Croatia through this route, a customs office and arrival services can be found on the port. Having 150 berths for different sized vessels, the harbor remains active all day, accepting leisure yachts, fishing boats, and ferries. Due to the port’s nearness to the old town, you are never far from cafés and shops. All of which are within walking distance.

Capital & Villages

From the coastal beauty of Mali Losinj‘s Old Town to the unique atmosphere of the island villages, there’s a captivating quality here. As a result, a holiday along the Kvarner Gulf coast is an adventure packed with exciting finds and unbelievable wonders.

Old Town

The Old Town is the city center of Mali Lošinj and is a forever cheerful destination, no matter the time of the day. Waterfront cafes here serve the most delectable seafood, while the colored houses around the marina act as the perfect background for jealousy-inducing Instagrammable snaps. During the day, visit the Lošinj Museum and the Museum of Apoxyomenos to see the absolutely stunning statue of an athlete salvaged from under the sea. Come evening, and animated sounds of laughter and joy begin to trickle out of the tavernas that regularly host live music events. Moreover, with several guesthouses in the Old Town, it is the recommended place to stay in Mali Lošinj for first-time visitors.

Čikat Bay

Besides Old Town, the other prominent neighborhood worth a visit in Mali Lošinj is Čikat Bay. Consisting of a dense pine forest, Čikat is a protected region famous for its camping site having different accommodation types to sojourn surrounded by nature. The beaches in the bay attract hundreds of visitors every day during summer. Same goes for the Aquapark with its thrilling rides, pools, slides, and ramps. When residing in Čikat, hike up to Monte Baston for spectacular bay views.

Veli Lošinj

The sister town of Mali Lošinj is only 5km from the city center and is a must-visit for the entire family. In Veli Lošinj, you’ll find a mixed bag of attractions, from sunny beaches and historical sites to museums and the chance to just sit on a bench by the water and observe boats go in and out of the harbor. Do make it a point to step inside the Blue World Institute, a research center keeping track of the 180 dolphins that call the surrounding waters their home. It’s an educational excursion, particularly for children who are sure to be fascinated by all the dolphin and turtle trivia.

Ćunski

Acquaint yourself with Lošinj’s traditions by taking a day off from the beach and heading to the hilltop village of Ćunski. Situated just 10 minutes away from the center via a bus that costs €1.50. Once home to an ancient fort, this quaint hamlet is now an agricultural unit, famous for the olive trees that blotch the slopes around it. Your time in Ćunski is incomplete without a visit to torać, an old-fashioned olive mill where olive oil is produced using a century-old press.

Cres

Why tick off just one island from your bucket list when you can quickly strike off two. Cres is the adjoining island reachable within an hour from Mali Lošinj. During your day-trip, first, stop by the 15^th-century Venetian Tower and the Church of St. Mary in Cres Town. Then, head to the village of Beli, famous for its griffon vultures. On your way back, make a culinary stop at Loznati. There you’ll find Konoba Bukaleta, a family restaurant that serves the most delicious roast lamb.
 

Best Beaches

You’ll come across plenty of lovely pebble beaches within the confines of Mali Lošinj. However, to really appreciate all that the island of Lošinj has to offer, do set aside a few days for trips to neighboring beaches, which will surprise you with their rustic sincerity.

Plieski Beach

What makes Plieski unique and among the best beaches in Mali Lošinj is the fact that you cannot reach it by car, even though it is only 20 minutes away from the center. Visitors either have to walk 45 minutes from the parking, or better take a boat that drops you at this secluded and wild pebble beach. There aren’t any amenities here, so bring water and a hat. Local entrepreneurs often come to Plieski in their boats to sell snacks and drinks during peak tourist season. Besides being a quiet coastal spot, Plieski is famous because the ground turns sandy under the water once you go a few meters into the sea. A pleasant rarity that makes it an unmissable hidden gem.

Veli Žal Beach

From the pretty to the popular, Veli Žal is the most frequented beach in Mali Lošinj, loved equally by singles, couples, and families. Awarded the coveted Blue Flag award, Veli Žal is an environmentally friendly area with crystal clear shallow waters, a bordering pine forest, and the very best facilities. Here you will find changing cabins and toilets to lifeguards, disability access, and sun lounger rentals. When planning a day on this pebble stretch, be ready to have an active time playing volleyball, basketball, and various water games.

Zabodarski Beach

Zabodarski is a remote rocky and pebble beach with bare minimum conveniences situated near Lošinj Airport. While you can reach this gorgeous spot by car, the road leading to the beach isn’t in the best of conditions. There is parking, though, and toilets. The water has a beautiful blue shade, and because it doesn’t get deep quickly, the beach is perfect for families. There are trees all around to provide shade from the hot afternoon sun.

Čikat Bay

Čikat Bay has an uber-contemporary look thanks to a major refurbishment in 2014. A part of Čikat forest, the bay is now the classiest spot to be in Mali Lošinj. That is due to its boardwalk, hotels, shops, and restaurants. Moreover, there are three beaches here to enjoy. One sandy and two having pebbles and concrete sunbathing spaces. You can visit Čikat Bay to simply sunbathe by the calm waters or partake in numerous fun activities. For example diving, windsurfing, tennis, and cycling.

Valdarke Beach

Valdarke Beach is one of those cozy seaside nooks you either learn about from the locals or discover entirely by chance. Situated on the eastern coast, the beach is a favorite with dog owners. While there are showers and toilets, the only other facility is an ice-cream stand that opens from June to September. Even with its small size, the beach is ideal for children. When at Valdarke, try and include the two kilometer walk on the ‘Promenade of Vitality’, a pathway connecting Mali with Veli Lošinj, in your day’s itinerary.
 

Transportation Around Mali Lošinj

The winding hilly roads and whimsically enchanting cobblestone streets of the Old Town make walking the best way to discover the secrets of Mali Lošinj. Most events occur around the center, and you can easily manage a couple of days in the city without using any public transport. However, if the plan is to spread your wings and visit hard-to-reach beaches and picturesque villages, go rent a moped. In case you are uncomfortable about riding a scooter or are traveling in a group with children, a car rental is your next best option.

Bus service exists between the villages of Lošinj and is cheap, even though a little slow. Taxis are readily available but will undoubtedly add to your budget if used frequently. Taking a ferry to Mali Lošinj is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets.