For the past 136 years, Opatija, a ‘champion of health and wellness’, has enjoyed the reputation of being a favourite destination for active holidays and the recovery of body and mind. The town’s unique climate and position, which combine the beneficial effects of sea particles in the air and Mediterranean herbs with the influence of Mount Učka, provide ideal conditions for improving your health. In addition, the town’s renowned health institutions, wellness centres and numerous activities dedicated to a healthy lifestyle mean that Opatija’s offer is widely recognised and appreciated.

With the arrival of March, Opatija once again becomes an oasis of health and wellness. The new series of events organised by Opatija Tourist Board offers free-of-charge recreational and anti-stress programmes that will help you revitalise body and mind. This year’s edition begins on Saturday 1 March with a Nordic walking tour and Thalasso Cardio Walk.
Nordic walking tours along the various historic trails of Opatija take place every Saturday, starting at 10:00 from March to the end of May, and from mid-September to mid-December. The tours, starting in front of the Villa Angiolina, are led by professionals from Gorovo Recreational Sports Club.

Nordic walking enthusiasts will have the opportunity to participate in this year’s Opatija Nordic Walk Challenge, which will take place on 3 May, starting at 09:00 in front of the Villa Angiolina. The attractive 23.6-kilometre circular trail will pass through Opatija, Volosko, Pobri, Poljane, Dobreć, Oprič, Ika and Ičići.

In addition to Nordic walking, the Opatija – An Oasis of Health and Wellness programme also includes the Thalasso Cardio Walk, which takes place in collaboration with the Thalassotherapia Opatija special hospital. This event, led by physiotherapists, will take place on 1 March, 5 April and 10 May, starting at 10:20 on the Lungomare coastal promenade, near the Hotel Admiral.

This year, Opatija will once again host the Let’s Run for the Heart charity run, which will take place on 27 September as part of the Days of the Heart event. The run is organised by Thalassotherapia Opatija with the support of the Opatija Tourist Board and the Town of Opatija. The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of heart health and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

The 13th Croatian Recreational Sport Festival of Nordic Walking and Hiking will take place on 12 April at Opatija’s Open Air Theatre to mark World Health Day. In addition to a selection of different walking routes, the festival will include recreational group programmes, healthy lifestyle education, and a culinary programme emphasising a healthy diet.

During the summer months, Nordic walking will be replaced by one of the most popular summer activities: stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). The SUP Experience is an experiential course led by licensed instructors and conducted by the VOP SUP Team. The course will take place in Volosko on 7 and 21 June, 5 and 19 July, and 1 August, starting at 09:00.

More experienced paddleboarders can join the new SUP Sunset Tour programme – guided stand-up paddleboarding tours at sunset. This unique activity allows participants to experience a view of the Volosko and Opatija coast from a new perspective: from the sea and under a starry sky. Tours from Volosko to Opatija, all the way to the statue of the Girl with the Seagull, will take place on 18 July, 8 August and 5 September, starting at 20:00.

This year’s edition of the programme also offers a series of unique workshops and educational activities dedicated to health, beauty and natural care. The Sugar and Salt for Beauty and Health workshop reveals how these two substances can be used in skincare and body relaxation. The Natural Sun Protection workshop gives practical tips and recipes for skincare before and after sun exposure, while The Secret Connection Between Digestion and the Brain explores the influence of intestinal flora on overall health and mood. The Face Yoga workshops are intended for natural facial care enthusiasts interested in innovative techniques for natural rejuvenation and improvement of skin tone. The workshops will be held at the Zora Cultural Centre, starting at 10:00 on the following dates: 4 and 25 May, 14 June, and 6 and 14 September.

Also new to the programme are Mindfulness Exercises in Nature. Designed to strengthen mental balance and connect with the natural environment, the exercises will take place on 30 March, 27 April and 11 May in Margarita Park and on the Carmen Sylva Forest Promenade. Through exercises guided by a psychologist, participants will develop awareness of their own thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations, thereby promoting inner peace and a better quality of life.
In addition to Nordic walking, sport and anti-stress programmes, the Opatija – An Oasis of Health and Wellness project also includes special offers provided by the town’s hotels and wellness centres, which have prepared special wellness packages and a healthy culinary offer.