We checked out from Pula appartment, packed our luggage and we were on our way to Zagreb, but we were planning to stop on the way in Opatija and Samobor Castle. We did make a stop to make this amazing picture of Croatia’s coastline.
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Quick Stop at Opatija Town
On the journey to Samobor, a short stop at the coastal town of Opatija feels like a perfect contrast. We took a long walk along the Lungomare, a famous twelve-kilometre promenade that stretches right by the sparkling Adriatic Sea. Well we walked maybe just 2-3 kilometers to be honest as we had to return back to the car. Also, we passed Angiolina Park, which is filled with exotic plants and elegant paths. Moreover, the architecture in Opatija reflects a grand imperial past, with many historic villas and hotels lining the shore. In addition, the Maiden with the Seagull statue serves as an iconic spot for photographs while enjoying the sea breeze.
Angiolina Park
Angiolina Park stands as one of the most stunning garden estates in the entire region, boasting an impressive collection of over 150 diverse plant species gathered from all corners of the globe. Furthermore, this verdant oasis gracefully surrounds the historic Villa Angiolina, a building that represents the architectural elegance of the town’s past. Nowadays, the villa serves as the home for the Croatian Museum of Tourism, where visitors can gain deeper insights into the development of the local holiday industry. Consequently, the park offers a perfect blend of botanical beauty and cultural heritage for those wandering through its shaded paths. Thus, it remains an essential destination for anyone wishing to experience the tranquil and refined atmosphere of the area.
St. James’s Park
St. James’s Park, known locally as Park Svetog Jakova, serves as a peaceful and elegant oasis situated in the heart of Opatija. Furthermore, this beautifully landscaped area is home to the Helios and Selene fountain, which portrays the mythological figures of the Sun god and the Moon goddess. Moreover, this artistic structure was crafted by the sculptor Hans Rathautsky, who is also known for his contributions to other iconic statues in the region.
Arts in Opatija
These strange art installations are often placed along the town’s famous parks and promenades to provide an evolving cultural experience for visitors. If you are exploring the area, you will find that these artistic interventions are designed to harmonize with the “raw nature” and exotic flora—such as palms, camellias, and cedars—that have defined Opatija’s park aesthetic since the mid-19th century. Consequently, finding such unique, organic-looking sculptures is a common delight for those walking the paths between the Juraj Šporer Arts Pavilion and the shoreline.
The sculpture below is a tribute to the “Balinjerada,” which is a unique carnival race in Opatija involving vehicles built on ball bearings. The artwork was created by the artist Tatjana Kostanjević. Furthermore, the installation was set up in February 2021. The initial concept for the Balinjerada event originated in 1983, thanks to Duško Jeličić, the group Bonaca, and the carnival group D.S.&P.D..
Make sure not to miss the Madonna del Mare statue and the bronze Barkajol (boatman) statue by Tatjana Kostanjević while exploring the area. These landmarks are important because they serve as vital symbols of Opatija’s history and character. Specifically, the Madonna del Mare stands as a poignant memorial that marks the town’s somber history regarding the sea. Likewise, the Barkajol represents a tribute to the ordinary people who played an essential role in transforming Opatija into a renowned European tourist destination.
Hotel Kvarner
Hotel Kvarner holds a special place in history as the very first hotel on the Croatian Adriatic, an establishment that served as the primary catalyst for the town’s remarkable tourism boom during the 19th century. Furthermore, this grand building remains a symbol of elegance and architectural beauty that defines the coastal region. Its famous Crystal Hall continues to attract attention today for hosting sophisticated events and grand gatherings. In addition, the hotel retains an aura of imperial charm that transports visitors back to an era of refined travel and luxury. Thus, it stands not merely as a place to stay, but as a landmark that perfectly captures the enduring spirit of Opatija.
Small harbour of Opatija
The small harbour of Opatija serves as a quiet and picturesque spot that captures the town’s enduring connection to the Adriatic Sea. Furthermore, this marina is filled with various small vessels and boats, creating a scene that reflects the local maritime tradition. Moreover, the backdrop of the harbour features the town’s characteristic architecture, with buildings nestled against the verdant slopes that rise from the coastline. I love looking at the boats! Also, you can see the coast of Rijeka in the distance!
The last thing we saw in Opatija was this wedding decorations. It must be some people do get married here and then sail the world in one of those yachts.
Samobor Castle
The castle, currently standing in ruins on Tepec Hill, was commissioned by supporters of Czech King Ottokar II of Bohemia during his conflict with the Hungarian King Stephen V. Constructed on the site of an even older structure, its primary purpose was to function as a strategic defensive stronghold, safeguarding vital trade routes and controlling the Sava valley.
Over the following centuries, the fortress passed through the hands of numerous influential noble families, including the Babonić, Celje, and Frankopan dynasties. Each era brought architectural changes, transitioning the site from its initial Romanesque-Gothic design to incorporate late Gothic, Renaissance, and eventually Baroque features by the 18th century. Nevertheless, the castle was abandoned by its last residents in the late 18th century and subsequently fell into a state of disrepair. In 1902, the town of Samobor purchased the site, intending to preserve it as a historical attraction.
Today, the ruins remain in a state of “picturesque decay.” Visitors can walk through the remains of the moat, explore the massive entrance, and observe the crumbling walls and towers. While the site is accessible to the public at no cost, it is technically maintained as a ruin, and visitors are advised to enter at their own risk due to the instability of the masonry. It is quite easy to reach the castle by a short, scenic hike of approximately 20 to 30 minutes from the town centre leads to the ruins. The trail follows the Gradna River and winds through forest paths, making it a popular nature walk for day-trippers from Zagreb.
We struggled to find the trail that led to Samobor Castle, and parking proved equally difficult. We managed to squeeze our car into a small space next to some containers, and we hoped we would not receive a fine. We started our journey at the Church of St. Michael, which marked the beginning of our trail to the castle. The trail initially resembled unused train or tram tracks. Suddenly, we took a detour onto a small, unpaved, and steep path, which we found quite difficult to climb. We believed a nicer path existed from the other side, as we saw people coming from another direction. The path was full of tree roots, and we thought that if it had been even a little bit wet, it would have been too slippery to climb. Finally, we reached a nicer, more maintained path, which we followed to the first gate of the castle and a wall. We did not have to pay a ticket, but we saw a warning to be aware of falling stones and mortar. We took a quick look around. There was not much to see inside and also the castle was in ruins and not maintained, so it can be potentially dangerous if you go to close to the walls and some brick will fall on you. Finally, I flew a drone and took aerial pictures, so you can enjoy them and after that we went down to the car and drove to Zagreb.
Feeling Hot in the Hotel in Zagreb
It would like to share some feedback regarding a our stay at Hotel Residence in Zagreb. The experience unfortunately did not meet expectations, particularly as the room temperature remained stuck at 27°C throughout the night and it was a tripple room, so during the night there was no air to breathe. There were multiple conversations with the staff members who promised to send assistance, yet no one ever arrived to resolve the issue. I guess it is just one of those old hotels, where air conditioning is centralised and barely works.
It is rather surprising that the hotel maintains such high ratings on both hotels.com and Google Maps, as the lack of functional air conditioning was quite disappointing. Furthermore, the overall level of customer service fell short of what one might hope for. In addition, the windows appeared somewhat worn, and the beds were not particularly comfortable.
Moreover, there was a promotion listed on hotels.com that included a complimentary bottle of wine, but this was not provided, and subsequent requests for it were unsuccessful. Consequently, a decision was made to shift future bookings to booking.com.
We went for the dinner in a nearby restaurant. The foods was good, though the only thing I could eat after food poisoning last night (or some viral bug most likely) was just tomatoe soup.
In the morning we had our breakfast and headed to Zagreb airport. I was suprised how modern it looked!
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