Port of Mali Lošinj

Mali Lošinj sits at the head of a deep, sheltered bay on the island of Lošinj in the Kvarner Gulf, and the harbour is the reason the town exists. For centuries it was a seafaring community, and in the 19th century its shipowners and captains built a large merchant fleet that sailed far beyond the Adriatic. That prosperity left behind the tall, elegant houses that line the waterfront today, painted in warm shades of ochre, pink and cream, and their windows look directly onto the quay.

The Port of Mali Lošinj is the busiest part of town. Fishing boats unload in the early morning, yachts and sailing boats tie up along the quay in summer, and excursion boats leave for the nearby islets and coves. The promenade along the water is lined with cafés, restaurants and a few small shops, and in the evening it fills with residents out for a stroll, which makes it one of the best places on the island to sit and watch the daily rhythm. The nearby Fritzi Palace houses the Museum of Lošinj, while the Apoxyomenos Museum shows a famous ancient bronze statue of an athlete found on the seabed near the island in the 1990s.

The setting is gentle. The island has a mild climate, pine forests and fragrant plants, and from the late 19th century it became a health resort, when doctors recommended its sea air for patients, and wealthy families built villas among the pines. The Historic Villas in Čikat Bay, a short walk from the port, are a relic of that era, and the Footpath of Vitality follows trails through the woods along the coast. The Narrow Streets above the quay lead into quieter residential lanes with views back down onto the harbour.

The port also connects the island to the rest of the region. Ferries and catamarans link Lošinj with neighbouring islands, and sailing charters use it as a base for exploring the Kvarner and northern Dalmatian coast. For visitors who arrive by car, Lošinj is joined to the island of Cres by a short bridge at Osor.

It suits couples, families and sailors who like a lively working harbour that has kept a human scale. Sunset is the best time for a walk along the quay, and a meal of grilled fish near the water is the classic way to end the day.