March the 18th, 2026 – Osijek’s extensive (and expensive) Copacabana beach promises to be among Croatia’s most modern swimming areas. The revamp is going according to plan, with the situation currently looking as if it will all be open by this summer.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the ongoing works on the second phase of the comprehensive renovation of Osijek’s Copacabana beach are progressing according to plan.

“I can confirm that everything will be completed by the start of the swimming season,” revealed Osijek Mayor Ivan Radić during a tour of the Copacabana site. The contractor, Projektgradnja, is fulfilling all of its previously outlined obligations within the given deadlines, which means that Osijek’s residents and visitors alike will be able to use the new facilities as early as mid-June.

This phase builds on the first phase, worth around four and a half million euros, which provided Osijek with its first ever outdoor Olympic swimming pool and solved a crucial environmental problem by redirecting sewage and drainage. That made sure that it would no longer flow into the Drava River, according to a report from Večernji list.

osijek’s copacabana beach will be among the country’s most modern swimming areas

The centre of the second phase of the works are the recreational and children’s pools that will transform Kopika into an ultra-modern water park. Osijek’s Copacabana beach will actually be among the most modern swimming areas in all of Croatia. The installation of all of the necessary ceramics has already begun in the children’s pool, and preparations are underway for the installation of water attractions, including a small slide for the youngest kids. The slides have already been installed in the recreational pool and only the installation of a climbing platform is pending. Intensive works are also currently underway on the engine rooms, the roof is being installed, and the carpentry will be installed in the changing rooms.

The total value of the second phase of the project is worth a staggering 9.5 million euros, of which four million euros come in the form of grants provided through the ITU mechanism. “We’ve been waiting for this large renovation for decades now. Back in 2021 when I took office, the swimming pool wasn’t even in operation at all. Then we built the first two pools in just six months,” recalled Mayor Radić.

a green oasis in eastern croatia

Special attention has been paid to the greening and sustainability of the entire future Copacabana complex. The swimming pool area itself will be enriched with as many as 200 new trees, which have already been delivered and are waiting to be planted upon completion of the rough construction work.

“We want Kopika to be transformed into a proper green oasis. In addition to those 200 trees, 1,800 different shrubs and plants will be planted, and as the biggest step forward, for the first time in the history of the bathing resort, we’re introducing an automatic irrigation system that will ensure that the entire green area is always lush and tidy,” the mayor added.

In addition to the new pools, visitors this summer season can also expect a richer catering and hospitality offer. Six huts will be set up in the pool area of ​Copacabana that will offer food and drinks. The cafes located along the Drava River itself will continue to operate under the same conditions as they always have, but starting next year, the plan is to standardise their appearance so that they aesthetically fit into the newly renovated environment. This is also an introduction to the third phase of the entire project, which will include the complete renovation of the Drava riverbank.

the copacabana restaurant – a new phase

The iconic Copacabana restaurant, which has been out of operation for years now, is also awaiting its own individual renovation. It has been determined that the statics of the existing facility have been damaged, so the first step is to strengthen it and carry out the necessary work to ensure the safety of the entire complex. After the renovation is complete, the City of Osijek plans to launch a public tender for the long-term lease of the restaurant. The start of the swimming season is expected to begin on June the 15th, after the end of the school year.

“We can absolutely guarantee the beginning of June for the opening of the pool. All of the equipment has arrived, as have all of the ceramics, paving stones and so on, so there will be no delays,” assured Ivica Crnković, a representative of Projektgradnja.

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