Formerly a favourite among the Hapsburgs and a popular private escape of clued-up elites, the island of Lošinj is a tricky to access haven of low-key beach glamour.
01 August, 2021
The island of Lošinj is a tricky to access haven of low-key beach glamour, formerly a favourite among the Hapsburgs and since the private escape of clued-up elites arriving by helicopter or chartered seaplane shuttling in from Venice (or committed travellers arriving by combining plane, car and ferry). But this summer the charming islet is to become more readily reachable thanks to a new direct flight from London to Pula, from where you can catch a plane straight to Lošinj with Silver Air from 24 June,
Long days of lounging in secluded bays and sailing lazily along the coast are followed by enchanted evenings in the town illuminated by a golden glow, courtesy of the area's signature pink-hued sunsets. Sit out on a terrace for an aperitif in the natural harbour of Mali Lošinj, the largest town on the island, before a seafood dinner. Cap it off with low-key bar-hopping and twirling your way down cobblestone streets into the wee hours. Come early morning, the hazy pastel hues of the villas lining the coast - custard yellow, bleached peach and powder blue - light up under the first beams of sunlight.
Lošinj has always been a go-to for improving health thanks to its abundance of local natural remedies. The hundreds of medicinal plants that grow on the island's rugged hills, paired with its fresh sea breeze make it no wonder that a number of the old villas converted into hotels on Lošinj come with top-end spas. Check out Villa Hortensia for seawater pools and outdoor massages in heavenly surroundings.
To remind you that you aren't too far away from the beach clubs of Hvar and Split, Lošinj is just as good a place to detox as it is to retox. An evening of indulging in all the octopus you can eat paired with ample local wine at Hotel Alhambra's Beach Bar Pasara is easily counterbalanced by a day of beachfront yoga and healing baths.
We can't think of anywhere better to spend five days with our best friend.
All summer long - the direct flight from London to Pula ends 16 September.
Thos in-the-know types who always seem to find the next best thing before everyone else does.
An old-school one-piece for chilling at the spa à la Grace Kelly.
Fly direct from London into Pula and then hop on the connecting flight straight to Lošinj.
