What to Expect

We spent two weeks on Mali Lošinj and managed to do everything below without ever feeling rushed. The island is small, and you naturally slip into the relaxed rhythm locals call fjaka—a kind of blissed-out stillness. This isn’t the place for a packed itinerary. It’s the place where an unplanned swim or a slow coffee becomes the day’s highlight.

I won’t go into accommodations here—there are plenty of good options on Booking.com, especially if you’re open to small apartments or houses tucked into the alleys around town. Just pick something central and walkable, and you’ll be fine. That said, I did walk through Hotel Bellevue, and it looked absolutely immaculate—if that's your thing. It even has the island’s only sushi bar.

Why Mali Lošinj?

Back in 1892 Habsburg physicians declared Mali Lošinj a climatic health resort after measuring its unusually pure air. Modern studies still rank the island in Croatia’s highest air‑quality tier, thanks to low pollen counts, on‑shore breezes and forests of Aleppo pine that release lung‑soothing essential oils.

How to Get There in 2025

• Fast ferry from Italy: Liberty Lines hydrofoils now sail Trieste → Piran → Rovinj → Mali Lošinj twice weekly (late Jun–early Sep).

• Jadrolinija catamarans from Croatia: Year‑round daily Rijeka–Mali Lošinj service, plus seasonal boats from Zadar and Pula.

• Drive & hop inside Croatia: Follow the A7 coast road, take the Jadrolinija Brestova–Cres car ferry, then cross the tiny Osor swing‑bridge onto Lošinj.

Tip: Book the evening sailing if you can—sunset over the Kvarner Gulf turns the sky molten coral.

Sunrise Swim: Čikat Bay

A crescent of turquoise framed by pines and 19th‑century villas. Slip in at dawn—visibility often tops 20 m—and watch the rare dolphin skirt the headland. Afterwards refuel with a cappuccino at Moby Dick Gelateria on the promenade (yes, the coffee earns its hype).

Insider hint: Flat white rocks on the bay’s western rim absorb heat fast—nature’s towel warmer.

Budget‑Friendly Lunch: Papa Bepi

A ten‑minute stroll inland saves euros and crowds. Papa Bepi plates wood‑fired pizzas, grilled daily catch and hearty bowls of pasta—solid quality, genuinely reasonable prices, and fast enough to get you back in the sea before the afternoon heat. We paid €35 for two well-portioned main courses, a bottle of mineral water, and a side salad.

Siesta & Snorkel: Krivica Bay

Follow the goat path south‑west of town for thirty minutes and drop into an emerald inlet lined with pines and sailboats. Bring reef shoes, shade and water; there are no facilities—just gin‑clear sea, cicadas and the slow creak of masts.

Day Trip: Sandy Escape to Susak

Just off the coast lies Susak, a tiny island unlike any other in Croatia—blanketed in bamboo and wild grasses, with long sandy beaches you can stroll for nearly a kilometer. It’s one of the few places in the Adriatic where your feet sink into soft sand instead of stone. A small catamaran sails from Mali Lošinj to Susak a few times a day in summer—easy to reach, hard to forget.

Sunset & Sound: Café Bar Triton

Evenings belong to the riva. Café Bar Triton pours local craft beer and spritzes while live sets roll on—acoustic pop, klapa harmonies, even the odd jazz trio—under a canopy of fairy lights.

Open‑Air Concerts at the Parish Church

Just uphill from the harbour, the parish church turns its stone steps into a summer stage. We caught a free orchestral programme with an opera soprano, sponsored by Croatia’s national broadcaster HRT. Performances change weekly, so browse what’s on before you go: Lošinj Events Guide →

Grab‑and‑Go Goodness: Piccolo Paradiso

Need fuel between swims? Family‑run Fast Food Piccolo Paradiso turns out golden fries and pljeskavica that beat most sit‑down burgers. Perfect when you’re sandy and hungry. I have to say, it's probably the only time I've ever received proactive customer service in Croatia—and that was a delight. They even handed me napkins unprompted when it looked like I needed one.

Dinner on the Island

Restaurant Za Kantuni

Tucked in a stone alley, Za Kantuni specialises in domestic Kvarner Gulf cooking—think seafood risotti, hand‑rolled pasta with scampi, and brudet‑style stews loaded with mussels, shrimp, garden veg and arborio rice that drinks up all that briny broth. We spent about €50 for two main courses, a tall bottle of mineral water, and focaccia bread with olive oil to start. It was very quiet in the middle of the day. A peaceful, unhurried lunch spot.

Konoba Cigale

If you’re chasing an upscale finish, book a table at Cigale, the island’s best‑known fish restaurant. Tables line the boardwalk just above Čikat’s rocky edge, with views that stretch out across the bay. We had the paccheri—crab-filled pasta—and I went for the tuna steak with a side of mahuna salad. While I’d still rate Kantuni higher for overall value and flavor, Cigale stood out for its immaculate customer service and stunning setting. Just be prepared: it’s a lot pricier. We spent around €100 between the two of us—no drinks.

Grocery Game Plan

• Lidl – Consistent prices on sparkling water, ice cream and Croatian craft beer.

• Jadranka – Island’s widest produce: peaches, melons, plums, pears—and the bagels + veggie spreads we carried to the beach every day.

Bring Dalmatia Home – SELO Croatian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Every sit‑down meal arrives with peppery, emerald oil pressed just up the coast. When you’re craving that herb‑salt bite back home, reach for our Authentic Croatian Olive Oil—milled outside Zadar from the same limestone terraces and sea‑spray terroir that flavor Lošinj’s cuisine.

Shop Selo Authentic Croatian Olive Oil →

Quick‑Hit Checklist

• Čikat Bay – sunrise swims & rare dolphin sightings

• Papa Bepi – high‑value pizza & pasta lunch

• Krivica Bay – untouched jade lagoon for snorkelling

• Café Bar Tritoaradiso – fast, family‑run fries & pljeskavica

• Restaurant Za Kantuni – authentic Kvarner brudet and risotti

• Cigale – upscale waterfront seafood splurge

• Lidl & Jadranka – live music with sea breeze on the riva

• Piccolo Paradiso remains one of the best stops for beach snacks. When the pine scent finally fades from your suitcase, a drizzle of real Dalmatian EVOO will bring the island rushing back.