Veli Lošinj is a small seaside town situated in the south of the island of Lošinj in the bay of Kvarner. It’s beautiful old stone houses, surrounded by parks and exotic vegetation, speak of the town's rich seafaring tradition. Thanks to its favourable climatic conditions Veli Lošinj has long been a well-known health resort.
There are so many opportunities for lovely sunbathing and swimming. You can also see the so-called "good" dolphin, a permanent resident of the sea here. The area's mild climate, its crystal-clear sea, green pine-trees and Mediterranean vegetation, provide ideal conditions for the total relaxation of body and mind and attract a large number of tourists. Its long tourist tradition and the hospitality offered by the local people, make the relaxation and enjoyment of your holiday in a romantic atmosphere possible.
One of the more popular of the Croatian islands, Losinj is famous for its lush green vegetation. Like Cres, this island was also under Venetian rule until 1797, although it was overshadowed by its neighbour. It rose to more prominence under Austro-Hungarian rule when it became an important base for shipbuilding, and was already becoming popular for tourism.
The main resort is the town of Mali Losinj, whose harbour is said to be the most beautiful in the entire Adriatic. The tourist area is centred around Cikat bay, which is well known for its beach and good windsurfing. The town of Veli Losinj is quieter and there is easy access to it from Mali Losinj.
In the Cres-Losinj archipelago, one of the strangest islands is Susak. This island has a small population of less than 200 who speak their own dialect, which is not easily understood by other Croats. It is also distinct because the women often dress in a colourful costume, comprising of a short, multicoloured dress, white blouse and red leggings.
There are daily ferries from Rijeka to Mali Losinj (journey time 4 hours), and also between Mali Losinj and the surrounding islands. See the Jadrolinija website for details. There is also a bridge connecting the nearby island of Cres to Losinj - the channel there is only 11m wide!
In July and August there is a catamaran service from Venice (with a stop at Pula) - it is run by Venezia Lines.
There are daily buses from Zagreb to Mali Losinj & Veli Losinj, with a journey time of about 6 hours. See the Autotrans website for timetables.
There are a number of hotels (1 to 4 star) in Mali Losinj, Veli Losinj and Nerezine. Private accommodation is also available. See our Accommodation on Losinj section for more.
The tourist office in Mali Losinj is at Riva losinjskih kapetana 29, 51550 Mali Lošinj, Tel/Fax: 051 231 884 or 051 231 547 Email: tzg-mali-losinj@ri.hinet.hr
