We are pleased you have chosen our website to find out about island Cres’ rich historical, cultural and natural heritage, as well as everything this beautifully preserved island has to offer today to a demanding tourist.

Our main intention was to give extensive information about Cres, hoping you could find your shelter in its many coves and caves, tranquillity in its clean deep blue sea or entertainment among its friendly locals.

While Croatia is arguably Europe’s best kept secret, island Cres would definitely make it among Croatia’s best kept secrets. If you are looking for that last European unspoilt piece of paradise, then island Cres truly is Croatian eco-tourism at its best. We hope the information provided on this website indeed reflects the real picture of this beautiful island, and if this is what you are looking for, we will be very happy to host you and help create your dream holiday.

Island Cres general information

Cres is the biggest Croatian island, situated at the northern tip of Kvarner gulf. Cres is long and narrow mountainous island stretching 66 km in length and only from 2 to 12 km in width. The coast is indented with the total length of 248 km. This means plenty of coves, bays and fine mainly pebbly beaches for you to explore on its western and southern side, while northern and eastern shore is rather steep and rocky, with some spectacular scenery, inhabited only by the biggest bird in Europe, the endangered griffon vulture, which could be often seen gliding in the clear skies.

Although scarcely populated, Cres has been inhabited since later stone age. This is why Cres is reach in historical and cultural sites, including ancient cities and buildings remains, early roman-catholic churches and chapels, Glagolitic engravings in stone, Venetian heritage buildings and recent monuments and sculptures.
Cres is connected with a short narrow bridge to the smaller but much more populated island Losinj. On the way along these two islands, the scenery keeps changing dramatically, from steep shores and high peaks to low plains and lagoons. Vegetation is incredibly diverse: from scarce rocky pastures, scattered olive and fig trees, to dense shrubs, coastal forests and finally rich pine forests.
Cres is also famous for its self-sufficient water supply: a huge freshwater lake Vrana has enough water to comfortably supply both islands, Cres and Losinj with potable water of excellent quality. Immediate access to the lake is not allowed for obvious reasons, but there is plenty of scenic spots around offering breathtaking views of the lake. Numerous ancient (Iliric) remains in the area indicate the lake was important not only as a water resource, but was also used for fishing and transport.
The origin of the lake is still a mystery, attracting local and international researchers. Research results lead to the two main theories. First one, based on limestone phenomenon, indicates the water comes from underground all the way from the mainland. The second, more substantiated theory, sees this lake as being native to the island, with its whole water supply coming from the rain.

Another interesting phenomenon about Cres is the absence of poisonous snakes, even though they are common in the Kvarner area.
Besides Cres city, the island includes the following villages, some of them only accessible by dirt road and with only a few locals remaining or even uninhabited: Beli,  Dragozetići, Filozići, Grmov, Ivanje, Loznati, Lubenice, Mali Podol, Martinšćica, Merag, Miholašćica, Orlec, Pernat, Porozina, Predošćica, Stanić, Stivan, Sveti Petar, Valun, Važminež, Vidovići, Vodice, Vrana, Zbičina i Zbišina.

Important local events:

2nd January – St Isidor day (the patron saint of Cres city) : city celebrations
25th April – birthday of philosopher Franjo Petric  : school celebrations
3rd - 5th August – Cres summer festival: food fair and local produce expo, cultural celebrations, music,  sport events: open basketball and soccer tournaments (traditionally quite strong 5-a-side competition, which has seen participants from Croatian national Futsal team!), all ending with a carnival on the final night
25th September – Day of inclusion of Cres and Istra into Croatian state

Croatian tradition has every village celebrating its patron saint. These events usually turn into very cheerful music and food fairs, with great fun for both, locals and visitors:

17th January – St Anton (Orlec, Beli)
20th January – St Fabian and Sebastian (Dragozetici)
2nd February – Candle Light (Lubenice)
3rd February – St Blaz (Predoscica)
25th April – St Marko (Valun)
3rd May – St Phillip and Jakob (Vrana)
24th June – St John the Baptist (Stivan)
26th July – St Ana (Vidovici)
5th August – Virgin Marry of the Snow (Cres)
16th August – St Rocco (Belej)
11th November – St Martin (Martinscisa)

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