Posted by Losinj (Lošinj in Croatian) is an island with a lot of tourism in the north of Croatia. The two islands of Lošinj and Cres are connected by a bridge. However, you can only leave the island pair by ferry, there is no road connection with the mainland. The main town of the island is called Mali Losinj and is a small town with a beautiful harbour, pedestrian zones and an old town.
The centre of the beautiful town of Mali Losinj is undoubtedly the promenade by the sea at the harbour. Here are the many restaurants, cafés and shops.
Directly behind the promenade is the old town with its narrow streets and colourful houses typical of the northern Adriatic. The church is also worth seeing.
The capital of the island is worth seeing. Many holidaymakers are regulars and come back every year. There are some beaches outside the city centre.
Those who come by car. There is a barrier at the entrance to the centre of Mali Losinj. You take a parking ticket and pay when you leave the area. We paid about 3 euros for 2 hours of parking.
Another larger town on the island is the idyllic Veli Losinj a few kilometres south of the island’s capital, Mali Losinj. It was once the largest town on the island, but today Mali Losinj is much larger.
In the north, not far from the bridge to the island of Cres, is the village of Nerezine. Here, too, there are some hotels and restaurants.
The channel between Cres and Losinj is only a few metres wide. There is only one narrow bridge (picture below), watch out for oncoming traffic. The bridge can be folded up when a ship is passing through the channel.
Caution: Usually the bridge between Cres and Losinj is only open to car traffic between 8 am and 5 pm!
On the other side of the bridge on Cres is a small place called Osor. There are also a few restaurants and cafés here.
The island of Losinj has about 8000 inhabitants, the majority living in and around the small town of Mali Losinj. The island of Losinj has a size of 76 km². The highest mountain is just under 600 metres high.
The distances on the islands are often underestimated. On the road between the main towns of Cres and Mali Losinj it is about 55 km. To the ferry from Porozine to the mainland in Istria, it is then another 30 km from Cres town, so from Mali Losinj it is almost 90 km by road.
Losinj Island Sights and Attractions
Sangre Losinj. This charming town is the largest town on the island and is known for its historic buildings and impressive harbour. Visitors can stroll through the narrow streets of the town and visit the many shops and restaurants. There are also many historic buildings and churches in the town, including the 18th century St. Peter’s Church.
Veli Losinj: This charming town is located on the southern coast of the island and is known for its beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters. Guests can swim, sunbathe and enjoy a variety of water sports here. There are also many historic buildings and churches in the town, including St. Peter’s Church from the 15th century Church of Antonio.
Osor: This historic town is located on a narrow strait that connects the island of Losnj with the nearby island of Cres. Visitors can visit the town’s many shops and restaurants and stroll through its charming streets and squares. The town also has historic buildings and churches, including the Church of St Michael.
Losinj Maritime Education Centre: The centre is located in the town of Veli Lošinj and serves to protect the island’s marine environment. Visitors can learn about the island’s diverse underwater world and take part in a range of educational programmes and activities. The centre also has a large aquarium and a sea turtle rescue centre.
Cikat Forest Park: This park is located on the south coast of the island and is known for its beautiful forests and hiking trails. Visitors can walk through the park and enjoy the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. The park is also home to many rare species of flora and fauna. The fragrant garden of Losinj. This garden is located in Mali Losinj and is home to many aromatic plants and herbs. Visitors can tour the garden and learn about the traditional uses of these plants in cooking and medicine. There is also a small shop in the garden where you can buy tea and local herbs.
Losinj Fortress: This historic site is located in the town of Mali Losinj and includes several historic castles and defensive walls. Visitors can explore the area and learn more about the island’s long history of war and defence. There are also several spectacular views of the sea from here.
Dolphin watching: Losinj is known for its population of bottlenose dolphins, which can often be seen swimming and playing in the waters around the island. Visitors can join a guided boat trip to observe these amazing creatures in their natural habitat.
