Discover Lovran

Lovran combines a well-preserved Old Town, the Lungomare coastal promenade and a history of architecture spanning several centuries.

Coastal promenade and gardens

Lovran’s Lungomare is a ten-kilometre coastal promenade offering sea views and historic villa architecture. Above Lovran are terraced gardens where cherries, grapevines and olives are cultivated. These create two distinct landscapes side by side: the coastline with its villa views and the terraced landscape above the town.

Old Town and its buildings

Lovran’s Old Town is a well-preserved historic centre that was once surrounded by defensive walls and bastions. The town tower is the only surviving remnant of the former fortification system. It serves as an exhibition space and offers views of the Old Town, the sea and the Kvarner islands; access to exhibitions may vary. Stubica is the only surviving original town gate and connects Lovran with its historic harbour, Mandrać.

A distinctive feature of the Old Town is its cortiles: small courtyards enclosed by stone walls, with central water cisterns, considered jewels of medieval urban architecture. They add a different dimension to the layout of the town from the visible remains of the fortifications: here, the focus is on courtyards and their cisterns rather than walls and gates.

Churches and historic details

The Church of St George was built in the 12th century in the Romanesque style. Its sanctuary contains 15th-century frescoes. The Church of St John the Baptist stands in the Old Town and was built in the 14th century on the foundations of an earlier sacred building from the 12th century. Inside, frescoes depicting scenes from the saint’s life adorn the church. The Church of the Holy Trinity is Lovran’s oldest surviving monument.

A wooden relief is also among the town’s historic works of art: the portal relief “Lunette – Relief of St George” was created by local masters in the early 19th century. Together, these examples span Romanesque architecture and medieval frescoes to a relief from the early 19th century.

Tourism history and Marunada

Lovran’s tourism history is also reflected in Villa Fernandea, now Villa Belveder. It was the first establishment on the Riviera built exclusively for tourism and opened as a guesthouse in 1873. For a trip that takes in not only the Old Town and coast but also the history of tourism, it is a distinct historical landmark.

Marunada is held every October as a food festival celebrating Lovran’s chestnuts. Offerings include roasted chestnuts, desserts, other chestnut dishes, spirits and chestnut beer; individual offerings may vary. If the festival is a deciding factor for your trip, check the specific festival dates before booking.

In the wider destination of Općina Lovran

Učka Nature Park lies inland from Lovran. Lovranska Draga is within the nature park; this is where the Slap educational trail begins, leading to a waterfall on Učka. The trail passes through a sweet chestnut forest, and information boards provide insights into an endemic plant species. The Chestnut Route runs above Liganj on the slopes of Učka and climbs from Lovran towards Vojak. As trail conditions may change, check them before planning your route.

Getting there in the regional context

In the wider destination of Općina Lovran, direct bus services connect Lovran with Rijeka, Zagreb and Pula. Travellers arriving by train in Rijeka or Matulji can continue to Lovran by car, taxi or bus. As services and timetables may change, check the latest information before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Tuliševica, Medveja, Lovranska Draga, Liganj

Back to the wider travel overview: Općina Lovran.