Mali Losinj travel guide
The deep natural harbour full of yachts and gulets and surrounded by elegant stone houses is the backdrop to this little piece of paradise.
Mali Lošinj is located at the end of a long and beautiful natural harbour on the island of Lošinj, itself one of a group of islands the largest of which is
Cres and also includes the islands of Unije, Ilovik, Susak and Vele Srakane. Mali Lošinj can trace its origin to the Neolithic era and its history is documented from the 14th century. The town expanded rapidly during the 19th century when it was one of the most important ports and shipbuilding centres in the Adriatic. The wealth created at that time is reflected in the many fine villas of the period often built for the sea captains residing in the town and Austrian nobility who holidayed there. Today the island scenery and many bays and beaches make Mali Lošinj an important tourist destination.
The town with its busy harbour, is packed with restaurants, cafés, hotels and villas and apartments for rent. Lošinj was once connected to the large island of
Cres by a narrow isthmus but is now separated by a man-made canal although still joined by a bridge. Mali Lošinj can be reached by ferry from
Pula (
Jadrolinija line 310)or by driving down the length of Cres and having first crossed onto Cres at Porozina from the mainland or at Merag from the
island of Krk. All ferry details can be found on the
Jadrolinija website.The excellent beaches around Mali Lošinj are frequently fringed with cool pine forests. Among the best beaches are those in the bay of Cikat and at Borik.
Churches. The 15th century Church of St Martin and the Baroque Church of the nativity of the Virgin.
The Piperata art collection.
Dolphins. A large school of bottle-nosed dolphins resides in the waters off Losinj. The group has been closely researched and there is a Dolphin Day celebrated every year on the first Saturday in August. visit the
Lošinj Marine Education Centre and see the website of the Blue World.
