Cres

Unspoiled nature, idyllic coves, an emerald-green sea, the lush green of olive trees, the scent of rosemary, juniper, sage, and oregano, and the chirping of crickets - the island of Cres offers all this and more.

The long, narrow island of Cres (66 km x 12 km) is the first island in Kvarner Bay. It is accessible only by boat or ferry. Cres is a natural paradise and a habitat for rare bird species, with numerous pristine coves and picturesque pebble beaches. Among them is Sveti Ivan - one of the most beautiful in Croatia.

Malerische Bucht auf Cres — Bays of all sizes and shapes

Cres is the most karstic of the Croatian islands. The eastern and northern coasts are rocky, while the pebble beaches and swimming coves are located in the southern and western parts of the island. Among them is Sveti Ivan near Lubenice, one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia.

As with all the islands in Kvarner Bay (including Krk, Lošinj, Rab, and Cres), tourism here is concentrated in just a few centers - the rest is sparsely populated or untouched nature - and this beautiful island has plenty of that.

The island’s capital, Cres, charms visitors with its Venetian flair, including a city gate, clock tower, and town hall with a loggia (featuring a fruit and vegetable market).

What the...

vulture!

If you happen to spot griffon vultures in the area, consider yourself lucky! Beli is home to the last remaining natural habitat of these majestic birds (which have an impressive wingspan of up to 2.80 meters).
The Vulture Visitor Center in Beli is open daily during the high season, from May 1 to August 31.

Ferry

routes to Cres

Although the island has a general aviation airport, the best way to reach it is by water.
In the north, a ferry runs from the mainland town of Brestova to Porozina, and in the west, a ferry operates between Merag and Valbiska (Krk).

During the holiday season, ferries run every hour (the crossing takes about an hour, including loading and unloading). Nevertheless, it’s best to arrive at the port early rather than late.

The best way to get around for day trips (if you're already staying on Cres).

This is usually the preferred option because it’s faster. During the high season, the ferry runs every 1–2 hours.
The crossing takes about 20 minutes.
Fares range from €1 (for children) and €2 for adults to €12.80 for standard cars and €41.30 for large motorhomes.

Coat of Arms of Cres — Coat of arms of Cres at the Imperial and Royal War Ministry at Marxergasse 2 in Vienna

The fact that the island of Cres has many names (Cherso in Italian, Kersch in German) is due to its eventful history.

From the 16th to the 17th century, the island was under Venetian rule, which was replaced by the Habsburgs after the fall of Venice. After that, between 1805 and 1814, Cres was briefly under French rule, and then became part of Italy following the Treaty of Rapallo.

During World War II, the Germans occupied the island, after which it was assigned to the Republic of Croatia within Yugoslavia. It has remained part of Croatia ever since its independence in 1991.