September the 19th, 2025 – Gorgeous Angiolina Park in Opatija is home to countless exotic plants, perfectly maintained gardens and romantic walkways reminiscent of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
As Putni kofer/Antonio Ivcevic writes, Opatija, rightly called the “Queen of the Adriatic”, has been enchanting travellers with its elegance, architectural gems and unique Mediterranean atmosphere for more than a century and a half. Situated at the foot of the mighty Učka mountain, overlooking the endless blue of the Kvarner Bay, it has grown into a symbol of luxury and has a very unique, refined atmosphere. Among the villas and hotels that bear witness to the glorious days of Austro-Hungarian aristocracy, a special place is occupied by Angiolina Park, the most exotic and famous gardens in Kvarner. It’s a beautiful place where nature and history create the perfect backdrop for an authentic experience of Opatija – the First Lady of Croatian Tourism.
angiolina park, the most exotic gardens in kvarner
Nel Pavletic/PIXSELL
Walking along the shady paths of Angiolina Park, it’s quite easy to imagine how ladies donned luxurious dresses and gentlemen wearing top hats once roamed this area, seeking a break from the summer heat or for an opportunity to be seen. The fairy-tale Angiolina Park is closely connected to the Angiolina Villa, a representative summer house from 1844 that quickly became the very heart of social life for the elite of the time.
Angiolina Park as we know it today is an exotic luxurious set of gardens, and it slowly took shape around the villa. In its atmosphere, guests from high circles enjoyed festive receptions, while exotic plants arrived from distant parts of the world. It was precisely this diversity and openness to new influences that breathed the spirit of Angiolina Park’s stunning botanical garden and made it one of the most recognisable symbols in all of Opatija.
The end of the 19th century was a period in which Opatija was transforming into a fashionable centre of Europe, and Angiolina Park acquired an appearance worthy of this beautiful coastal city’s reputation. Instead of a modest garden around the villa, the space grew into a luxurious park in which every path and every flower bed was lovingly shaped with a special intention.
viennese class comes to opatija
Goran Kovacic/PIXSELL
A crucial role in the development of the gardens was played by Carl Schubert, a man whose Viennese school of park design brought European splendour to Opatija. With his work, beautiful Angiolina Park acquired elegant roundel compositions, flowerbeds that emphasised exotic trees, and the atmosphere of harmoniously arranged gardens. This thoughtful architecture of nature still delights visitors today, because the park has maintained that fine balance between the landscaped and the natural that gives it a timeless charm.
Almost three hectares of lush greenery are home to a wealth of flora, more than 120 different plant species. Among them, the ginkgo biloba, the giant sequoia, the California cedar and the unusual Japanese banana stand out, while the fragrant laurel groves give the park a recognisable Mediterranean atmosphere. Camellias, flowers that have become the trademark of Opatija, also all provide a special charm. Their luxurious flowering every year turns the park into a scene worthy of a postcard and attracts walkers, nature lovers and photographers who seek and find perfect shots here.
lungomare
Goran Kovacic/PIXSELL
The Franz Joseph I coastal promenade, better known by the romantic name Lungomare, winds right through Angiolina Park, offering visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy the scent of the sea and the splendour of greenery in the same walk. This popular promenade, almost 12 kilometres long, connects Volosko, Opatija and Lovran.
Despite all the modifications and historical changes, Opatija’s beautiful Angiolina Park has remained faithful to its original concept of exotic gardens. For almost two centuries now, it has preserved its beauty and now stands out as a protected monument of park architecture, as well as a space in which history, nature and the spirit of Opatija harmoniously intertwine. Every walk along its shady paths is a reminder of the glorious days of the city, and at the same time an opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle, a moment of peace in the greenery and a touch of elegance that gives Opatija its truly royal splendour.
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