Why Autumn Might Be the Best Time to Visit Kvarner?

There’s something about the scent of roasted chestnuts in autumn that feels like a signal to slow down. On Kvarner, that scent still lingers on street corners and market stalls, where locals sell hot paper cones of chestnuts and homemade delicacies that match the season’s mood.

But autumn here has another sweet tradition: the Festival of Chocolate in Opatija. For a few days each November, the town becomes a haven for chocolate lovers. Elegant cafés serve up rich, inventive desserts, top chocolatiers present rare and luxurious treats, and even local wellness centres offer cocoa-infused spa experiences.

It’s a true celebration of comfort, creativity, and the simple joy of good flavour shared in good company. Because on Kvarner, sweetness comes in many forms!

Autumn in Kvarner brings a quieter mood to the vineyards. The harvest has passed, but the season lingers in the cellars, where new wines slowly take shape. Across the region, locals begin to open bottles of young Žlahtina, the island-grown white that’s light, fresh and easy to enjoy. In many places, you’ll also come across a glass of Malvazija or Teran, two Istrian staples that pair naturally with the earthier flavours of the season.

Served alongside wild mushrooms, grilled meats or simply with local cheese and olives, these wines feel like part of the landscape. They’re not there to surprise you, just to accompany the moment quietly and comfortably, like autumn itself.

Inland from the coast, the hills above Opatija and across Krk Island turn into quiet sanctuaries. Trails weave through chestnut groves and oak forests, carpeted with fallen leaves. The crunch under your boots is often the only sound. Every now and then, the trees part to reveal a glimpse of the sea - soft light on water, fishing boats moving slowly across the bay.

This is the time of year when you can walk for hours without meeting a soul. The coastline feels yours alone. Sit on a bench. Breathe in the salt and the forest air. There’s nowhere else you need to be.

If you're craving a few quiet days by the sea, Kvarner in autumn has just the right pace. On the island of Krk, the town of Njivice offers an easy kind of comfort close to forest trails, with the sea always in sight. It’s the kind of place where you wake up slowly, walk without a plan, and end the day over a glass of local wine.

● For a seaside escape with a gentle rhythm, Magal Maradiso Hotel by Aminess combines comfort with simplicity, just steps from the quiet shoreline.

● The newly introduced modern mobile homes at Aminess Style Camping Atea Resort let you enjoy nature with all the comforts of home, ideal for slow mornings and crisp evenings.

Whether you prefer the warmth of a hotel or the intimacy of a private villa, Njivice welcomes you to simply enjoy the season.