Ustrine sits on the edge of a cliff that drops about 180 metres to the sea; the view stretches across the Kvarner to the outlines of Istria. This distinctive coastal setting is complemented by a nearby Romanesque building and a named path down to the sea. When choosing accommodation, it is therefore important to consider whether you want to plan your stay around the landscape, local history, or routes to the coast.

Historic Site and Routes to the Coast

Ustrine is considered a settlement of Roman origin. The Romanesque Chapel of St Martin stands near the village and served as a parish church until 1887. These two connections point to different aspects of the village’s history: the attribution of Roman origins concerns the settlement, while the date marks the former ecclesiastical role of the building. The village’s origins and a specific religious building thus offer two distinct historical points of interest.

On 7 August 2026, the summer Pučka Fešta in Ustrine brought together sports competitions, music, and culinary offerings.

The “351 Embark on the paths of Ustrine” route leads from Ustrine down a scenic footpath to Porat Bay, then continues along the coast to Veli Žal. Veli Žal is a sandy bay below Ustrine. An asphalt road also descends from the Romanesque Chapel of St Martin towards a sheltered bay with a sandy beach. The practical difference: the footpath runs via Porat Bay to Veli Žal, while the road leads from the chapel towards the sheltered bay.

Culture Across the Wider Mali Lošinj Destination

If you plan the cultural part of your stay beyond Ustrine, the wider destination of Mali Lošinj offers several distinct points of interest. In the centre of Mali Lošinj, the Apoxyomenos Museum opened in May 2016 in the Kvarner Palace; it is dedicated to a single artefact. The Fritzi Palace displays two of Mali Lošinj’s most important art collections: the Piperata collection of Old Masters and Andro Vid Mihičić’s collection of Croatian Masters. The latter comprises about 360 works of art. While the Apoxyomenos focuses on a single artefact, the Fritzi presents two collections.

In Osor, the Archaeological Collection is housed in a Renaissance building constructed in the first half of the 15th century. The building was protected as a cultural monument in 1964. Here, the collection and the history of the building are both central to the cultural site.

In Veli Lošinj, a historic building is also paired with a wide-ranging exhibition theme. The freestanding Kula round tower stands in the centre of Veli Lošinj and was built in the 15th century. Its permanent exhibition covers the history of Veli Lošinj, its immediate surroundings, and the southern part of the island of Lošinj, from prehistory to the present day. Maritime and tourism traditions are given particular emphasis. Unlike the Apoxyomenos Museum, which focuses on a single artefact, the Kula exhibition spans a long period and takes in a wider geographical area.

Discover more destinations: Unije, Susak, Punta Križa, Ilovik, Vele Srakane, Veli Losinj, Sveti Jakov, Belej.

See the wider travel overview: Mali Lošinj.