Cres island travel guide
Unspoilt very relaxing island in North Adriatic with small exquisite towns and villages nestling among the olive groves and pristine beaches
Cres is one of the least visited and yet most stunningly beautiful Croatian islands. A long narrow island with mountains down its central spine and often inaccessible coastline and beaches below. There are a handful of towns and a few remote villages with mile after mile of rugged landscape offering spectacular views. The road from Cres town to Beli provides breath taking views looking out over the Istrian peninsula to the west and the Velebit mountains on the mainland coast to the east. The town of Cres is an elegant harbour town with narrow alleyways leading down to the delightful harbour area surrounded by classical stone buildings and restaurants and cafes on the water front.
Beli is a remote an unspoilt fishing community on the inaccessible east side of the island and the drive there is an experience in itself. The seaside village of Valun has two of the prettiest beaches we know in Croatia and a charming harbour front with cafes and restaurants. High above the steep cliffs on the western side of the island is the spectacularly located village of Lubenice where you feel that you can almost step out to dive into the sea 370 metres (1200 feet) below.
Getting there. Cross to Cres by ferry from Brestova on the mainland to Porozina or to Merag from the
island of Krk. All ferry details can be found on the
Jadrolinija website. Or take a ferry to
Mali Losinj and drive up the island from the south.