Public Beach Dispute in Malom Lošinju, Croatia

A Norwegian tourist, Cathrine Ude, arrived on July 20 with three children at Bellevue Beach in the cove of Čikat, Malom Lošinju. She was told by a woman presenting herself as the owner of Hotel Bellevue that the central sun‑bathing platform, marked "Public Bellevue Beach," was private and that they must leave. Hotel employees and two security guards later confirmed to the tourist that the area was indeed public and that visitors could use it freely.

Ude filed a complaint with the hotel, the municipality of Malom Lošinju, the local tourism board and other authorities, alleging that she was repeatedly threatened with security personnel and that the hotel’s claim conflicted with the publicly displayed signage. The hotel responded that the beach operates under a valid concession, while the tourist maintains that the platform remains public and that she was unjustly expelled.