Traveling down from Slovenia we had one thing on our minds… Getting to the Croatian islands as quickly as possible! Since we were heading to Croatia from the north we had to decide if we were going to stop in the northern islands, or skip them and go straight to the more popular Southern Dalmatia. Well we decided on visiting the north, and what we found was one of our favorite places in Mali Losinj Croatia. Known as the island of vitality, Losinj has the perfect mix of everything we loved! Hopefully you find this Mali Losinj travel guide useful for your next visit.
Mali Losinj Travel Guide Information
Location: Losinj Croatia
Official Language: Croatian
Currency: Croatian Kuna
How Long to Visit: 3 Days +
Airport: Zadar
Best Time to Visit: May-June & September-October for Shoulder Season
First Impression: Stepping onto the islands for the first time we felt like we were in a surreal state as we tried to process the bright buddings, soft blue water, and warm island air. While we were a little loopy from the anti-seasick medicine and overexcited to finally be in Croatia, there’s no debating that Mali Losinj really blew us away from the moment we arrived!
16 Tips For Mali Losinj Croatia
1. Arrive By Ferry
The large majority of travelers visiting Mali Losinj arrive and leave by ferry. Island hopping is extremely easy throughout Croatia and surprisingly affordable. You’ll see signs on Losinj for an airport, but it only caters to small private planes.
That means if you’re planning to travel to the island of vitality you’ll have to hop on a boat. For more information and routes on both the north and south islands you can learn more from our posts below!
- 5 Incredible Islands in Northern Croatia: Ferry Tips and Fun Itinerary
- 5 Best Islands in Southern Croatia: Ferry Info, Tips, & Route Guide
2. Stay Outside the Mali Losinj City Center
While you will find yourself in the heart of Mali Losinj at least once or twice a day, we found that it is best to stay outside the city center. That way you can be closer to the beach, and have a more relaxed and enjoyable stay.
Hotel and apartment prices are affordable year round and have all the comforts of the mainland with an island breeze. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Mali Losinj you can check out our hotel recommendations on the bottom of this page.
3. Eat Seafood
The island of vitality is known for its delicious Adriatic cuisine which consists of lots of yummy seafood, fresh salads, and hearty bread. You will find plenty of tasty fish at almost every restaurant on the island. If you have a kitchen and are feeling adventurous you can even visit the Mali Losinj fish market to pick up the daily catch and prepare it for yourself!
4. Drink Croatian Wine
Croatian wine is abundantly sold throughout the restaurants and stores on the island, and is a must try in general when traveling through Croatia. I mean is there a better way to end the day on the island of vitality then sipping on a cold glass of wine and watching the sun fade away? We don’t think so!
5. Get Around Mali Losinj On Foot
Leave your heals at home and put on some walking shoes. The rough cobble stone walking streets snake their way up from the harbor and into the hills of Mali Losinj. If you stay outside of town like we did this will be the way you typically go when exploring the island.
6. Relax On the Losinj Croatia Coast
There are no shortage of “beaches” in Croatia. Now like most of Croatia the beaches are not the soft white sand that you might be accustomed to. Instead what you’ll find when visiting Mali Losinj is small pebbly beaches, and large hard rocks where ladders have are built in to swim from.
So what we’re trying to say is don’t let the lack of sand deter you! We actually loved not having random sand that somehow always ends up sticking on your body, and around your clothes no matter what. It’s also super fun jumping off the rocks in the ocean! Below are some of our go to beaches that aren’t super far from the town center.
7. Embrace the Island of Vitality
The beautiful crystal clear water plays a large part in why it is named the “island of vitality.” For this reason, you will find locals of all ages swimming for hours.
From the first light of sunrise until well into the evening, there is no bad time of day to soak in the seawater. Just be warned that on many parts of the island clothing (and we mean all clothing) is optional!
8. Explore Mali Losinj by Moped
If you are up for an adventure the best way to see the island is by moped. You can travel north to the more natural part of the island, or check out the more developed area south of Mali Losinj.
We would recommend a car if you’re traveling with more then two people or looking to also visit the island of Cres, and don’t want to get beat up in the hot sun! Whatever you decide you’re sure to see an amazing landscape on your ride! For more information about renting a moped and exploring the island checkout our post below.
→ How to Rent a Scooter in Mali Losinj Croatia: One Day Adventure
9. View From the Mali Losinj Deck Tower
In the north of the island along the main dirt road there is a random wooden tower on the side of the road. From the top you can see sweeping views of the island of Losinj and also Cres!
This was our favorite outlook in Mali Losinj, and a must stop if you find yourself on this part of the island. There is also a popular bar nearby that you can visit for great views, but note that it comes with an entrance fee.
10. Hike to a Secluded Beach North of Mali Losinj
To travel to the north you will need a rental car, electric bike, or moped. This is because of the steep uneven hills that are all over Mali Losinj.
Still, know that if you make the journey it will be more then worth it! The northern beaches are extremely private and secluded because of how difficult they are to reach. Of course you can hop on a boat tour as well to see some of these incredible coves.
11. Boat Tour Around Losinj Croatia
The BEST way to see not only Mali Losinj, but the surrounding smaller islands is by boat. This is simply because hiking to each of these smaller beaches can take anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes, and these secluded paradises are where you want to be!
From the main harbor in Mali Losinj you can book everything from a day trip to private yacht rental. So make sure to hit the water for at least one day during your time on the island.
12. Avoid Rocks and Sea Urchins
Boat shoes are the single best investment you can make in Croatia! I mean really can $10 even be considered an investment? Rocks are one thing as they are uncomfortable and hard, but the sea urchins are no joke.
Nevertheless, don’t let this keep you from getting in the water. Like we said, it is crystal clear so you can see where you are stepping before you do. Just for comfort and peace of mind, we’d highly recommend spending the money on boat shoes as soon as you get to town.
13. Get Your Camera Out!
It won’t take long when visiting Mali Losinj Croatia to see that around each turn of the rocky coast hides another stunning cove. Small boats fill the harbors and little stone houses dot the waterline.
It will honestly be hard to put your camera down at times, and no matter how many photos you take there is something magical that just can’t be captured by the camera.
14. Be Careful of the Mali Losinj Weather
The ferry system takes island time to a whole other level. This is especially true in northern Croatia where there are not as many ferries running as they have in the more popular southern islands.
This is definitely something we wanted to stress in our Croatia blogs, and this Mali Losinj travel guide! If the weather is bad the ferry company will simply stop selling tickets and cancel the boat for that day. Now this might not seem like a problem, but when the next ferry out isn’t for 3 days and your hotels or flights are already booked it can be!
15. Day Trip from Mali Losinj To Cres
The best part about visiting Cres from Mali Losinj is that you don’t need to take a ferry or boat. There is actually a small bridge that connects the two islands. We loved exploring the island by moped, but it’s actually a far drive to explore both. If you can swing it, renting a car for a day (or two) is awesome so you can really explore the whole of both islands.
16. Continue On to Another Croatian Island
Unless you’re arriving by private plane or boat (boat being the ultimate way to see the islands) then you’ll be taking a ferry to and from Mali Losinj. This means it only makes sense to spend some time exploring another island!
You can pick from the many in the north, or head to Zadar and start making your way down to Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. We particularly loved Split Old Town, Trogir, Makarska, and Sibenik.
Have any questions about our Mali Losinj travel guide or want to share your own Croatia tips? Please let us know in the comments below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where To Stay In Mali Losinj Croatia
Ultra Luxury – Boutique Hotel Alhambra – Just out of the hustle and bustle and main town of Mali Losinj Croatia is a world class resort is right on the water, with all the luxury you could want on the island of vitality.
Fun Vacation – Vitality Hotel Punta –When visiting Mali Losinj Croatia why not stay at the vitality hotel for the ultimate vacation? Outside of the main town you can spend your afternoon swimming in the epic swimming pool overlooking the Adriatic.
Travel Couple – Apartment Nada – We stayed here for 3 nights, but I wish we stayed for 3 weeks! Just outside of town and close to a beautiful swimming beach, this is the PERFECT large apartment to feel at home on the island.
For more places to stay in Mali Losinj Croatia you can check the latest prices here!
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Croatia Travel Planning
Croatia Guides: 15 Dubrovnik Tips – Golden Horn Beach – 13 Hvar Tips – Dubrovnik to Montenegro
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for hundreds of activities around the country. You can book a blue cave 5 islands tour from Split, go sea kayaking in Dubrovnik, or take a day trip to the famous Krka National Park.
Flights: We always find great flight deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. This way you can plan your trip around the cheapest and most direct routes.
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Rental Car: We use Discover Cars to rent vehicles on our travels. In Croatia, you can even take your car on the ferries so you have wheels for the different islands!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered! We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
Hey youu!
This seems like a perfect trip! I wanted to know more about Mali Losinj fish market and woow! This tip is super cool. I would love to experience Croatia, especially on yacht!
V.
It would be so fun on a yacht! We loved Mali Losinj. Thanks for reading (-: