Mali losinj, population: 6566

MALI LOSINJ, a town, port and tourist resort on the island of Losinj, situated on the south-eastern part of a large and well-protected bay. Chief occupations are farming, fishing, shipbuilding, seafaring and tourism. The climate is mild, with warm winters; the average air temperature in January is 7.3 °C and in July 24.7 °C; an average annual air temperature is 15 °C. The favourable climate, hotels and villas, afforestation, well-equipped and easily accessible beaches have given rise to intense development of tourism. The town itself lies in the most protected part of the bay.

The houses are arranged amphitheatrically. Along the coast, free space is left, designated for public life of the town. Much of the town lies on the eastern side, exposed to the sun. A road to Veli Losinj runs from the south-eastern part of the bay. As nautical tourism started to develop intensely, there is a marina in the port of Mali Losinj, equipped for all types of yachts and motor boats.

The long tradition in tourism dates back to the 1880s and is connected with the visitors who came to Mali Losinj for health purposes. In 1886 the Society for Beautification and Afforestation of Mali Losinj was established, thanks to whose efforts the Cikat Peninsula and the surrounding rocky ground were planted with Aleppo pines, which makes Cikat even today, along with the Sunny Coast, the major tourist zone.

Mali Losinj is today the tourist centre on the island. Its offer includes versatile, good quality accommodation facilities (hotels, boarding houses, apartments, campsites), sports and recreational facilities (yachting school, diving school, surfing, angling, tennis, miniature golf, bowling centre), specialities of domestic and international cuisine, as well as several cultural events, walks - sightseeing tours, ship excursions.

Major events: international tennis tournaments - Losinj Riviera (in June and July); Losinj Regatta (beginning of August); International Spear-Fishing Competition (in December); Assumption (15th of August); Fishermen's Nights (July to August); Brass Orchestra and the Majorettes - held every week (from 1st of July to 31st of August).

Veli Losinj, population: 994

VELI LOSINJ, a town on the eastern coast of the southern part of the island of Losinj, in the interior extension of a short valley, 4 km southeast of Mali Losinj. There are two small harbours, badly protected from the bora, one in the outer part of the valley (Veli Losinj port) and another in the neighbouring cove of Rovenska. Veli Losinj is connected by the island road (Veli Losinj - Cres - Porozine).

Due to its location in a hilly and luxuriant landscape (old, high stone houses and gardens with rare plant species) and mild climate, Veli Losinj has a years-long tradition in tourism. In 1866 Archduke Carl Stephen had a castle built, known as Morska Straza (Seewarte; Sea Observation Point), and in 1892 it was proclaimed a health resort. The castle owner had over 200 imported plant species planted in the castle park. This example was followed by numerous sea captains and others, which contributed to the beauty of Veli Losinj. Today, the castle houses a sanatorium for the treatment of respiratory diseases. It is famous for its well-maintained and luxuriant vegetation, picturesque ambience of a well-preserved Mediterranean small town, clear seawater and beautiful beaches.

Veli Losinj offers high quality accommodation (hotels, apartments), sports and recreational facilities (tennis, miniature golf, yachting, diving, sports fishing), exquisite cuisine and opportunities for very pleasant walks to Mali Losinj, as well as cruises. Numerous cultural and sports events and entertainment programs take place in Mali Losinj (4 km).

MALI LOSINJ
- The Church of St. Martin dates back to 1450, and it is found on today’s cemetery, where the history of Lošinj may be read. Priests that once served in this church where glagolitic, and next to their priestly activities they also served as notary publics and assisted the locals with drafting of the wills, agreements etc.
- The parochial church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the plaza date back to 1696-1775. The church has three naves; on the altar there are the relics of St. Romuald and the painting of the birth of Virgin Mary.
- Eikat - church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary (Annunziata). Built in 1534 and enlarged in 1858. On the spot where it was built, sail boats were coming in and leaving Lošinj. Today, if a ship passing by the cape of Annunziata sounds with a siren as a greeting, it is known that the captain is from Lošinj.
- Numerous villas of the Austrian aristocracy
- Monument to Ambroz Haraeia (1885-1916), professor of the maritime school and researcher of the island’s flora and fauna.
- Maritime school "Ambroz Haraeia" shaped as a ship with a commanding bridge..
- Andra Vida’s and Katarina Mihieia’s art collection and the collection of old painters of the Piperat, contains some 20 oil and water-colour paintings of Italian, French and Dutch painters from the 17th and 18th centuries.
- The church of St. Nicholas from 1857 dedicated to St. Nicholas the bishop patron of sailors and travellers.
- Monument to Josip Kasman (1847-1925), world-renowned opera singer born in Mali Lošinj.
- Apoksiomen – sculpture in bronze, representing a Greek athlete in its natural size, around 2000 years old, recently found in Lošinj’s submarine

VELI LOSINJ
- Parochial church of St. Anthony (The hermit) first built in 1480, while today it is in a baroque style rebuilt in 1774; inside, there are numerous art objects and the organ of the builder Callida; Vivarini; Mother of God with baby and saints; relics of St. Gregory
- The Fortress dates to 1445, built to protect the harbour against pirate attacks from the sea. The Fortress was the motif for the coat of arms of Veli Lošinj. Today the Fortress is a museum and a gallery open to all visitors of Veli Lošinj.
- Church of the Mother of Angel built in 1566, transformed by the captains of Veli Lošinj into an art gallery.
- The park "Predvorji", once with the winter house of the Hapsburg archduke Karl Stephan "Seewarte", today is a renowned climatic spa.
- Rovenska: the breakwater from 1856 built as a protection from storms and strong winds; the first stone was set down by the archduke Maximilian Hapsburg
- The church of St. Nicholas from the 15th century, it is believed that this is the starting point of the development of Veli Lošinj
- Church of St. John by which the mountain received its name; panoramic view of Veli Lošinj and Mali Lošinj; walking trail to the most southern part of the island of Lošinj