Events on the Opatija Riviera

Lovran
The carnival period in Lovran lasts from the Feast Day of St Anthony until Ash Wednesday. The series of carnival events begins with the traditional raising of the carnival flag and hanging of the pust (a puppet held responsible for all the ills of the year gone by) in the town’s main square, and culminates in a carnival parade with thousands of participants, who comment on contemporary social and political events with their humorous costumes and floats. The carnival season traditionally ends with the pust being set on fire, which symbolises the cleansing of all misfortunes from the past year.

Opatija
One of the most romantic destinations is ready to welcome you with its rich culinary offer, wonderful architecture, charming parks and Instagram points – experience romantic moments in Opatija! The influential magazine Forbes and the European Best Destinations platform have chosen Opatija as one of the most romantic places in Europe – and indeed, this town is the perfect destination for those looking for a romantic atmosphere!

Opatija
Visit the most exuberant event in Opatija and arguably the craziest race in the world – the Balinjerada! A costumed race of vehicles that run on ball bearings (“balinjere”) instead of wheels passes through the centre of Opatija. The Balinjerada, which has more than four decades of tradition, will be accompanied by a cheerful atmosphere and fireworks, and visitors will have the opportunity to go down the main street in fanciful karići home-made vehicles.

Rijeka
Visit one of the largest and most famous carnival events in Europe, with more than 1,000 participants and 100,000 spectators – the Rijeka Carnival, which has a 100-year-old tradition. Enjoy the carnival parade with its traditional and modern themes, say goodbye to winter and welcome spring with the Halubajski Zvončari bell ringers, whose pageant is included in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.

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Opatija

Opatija area is filled with picturesque hiking trails and walkways which are perfect for walks through the rich history of this region. The Tourist Board of Opatija is once again organizing Nordic walking with the professional guidance. The tours will take place every Saturday beginning at 10 AM. The participants can enjoy the beautiful routes such as Carmen Sylva forest path. The organizer retains the right to change the planned route due to the weather conditions.

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Lovran

Visit Lovran and enjoy dishes made with asparagus – a forest delicacy with a beneficial effect on health. During the Asparagus Festival, dishes prepared with this plant are offered in Lovran’s restaurants and konoba-taverns. Every year, this traditional event attracts a large number of visitors interested in this superb wild plant.

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