A long, mountainous Adriatic island with ancient stone villages, a colony of rare griffon vultures, and one of Croatia's deepest freshwater lakes, Vrana.
On the northern Adriatic island of Cres, you can watch griffon vultures soar above 300-meter cliffs, walk through streets lined with 15th-century Venetian buildings, and swim at beaches beneath medieval hill towns. In Cres Town's harbor, local fishermen sell their morning catch to waterfront restaurants, while farmers bring honey and olive oil to the historic Municipal Loggia.
Getting to Cres Island
You can reach Cres by taking a 20-minute ferry from Brestova on the mainland to Porozina on the northern tip of the island. Another ferry connects Merag to Valbiska on Krk island, making it easy to include Cres in your island-hopping journey. The ferries run several times daily, with increased frequency during summer months. You'll need a car to explore the island properly, as public transportation is limited.
Walking Through Cres Town
In Cres Town, stone streets wind between 15th-century houses with green shutters and flower-filled balconies. Each morning, local farmers gather at the 15th-century Municipal Loggia to sell olive oil, honey, and vegetables. As you walk through the old town, you'll pass under the 16th-century Venetian Tower and through the original city gate, part of the medieval walls that once protected the town.
Mountain Villages and Viewpoints
In Lubenice, 378 meters above the sea, centuries-old stone houses line a single street along the cliff edge. A marked trail leads down to Sveti Ivan beach - the descent takes about 45 minutes, while the return climb typically takes 90 minutes. In northern Cres, the village of Beli contains stone walls from Roman times, and marked paths lead through the Tramontana forest where you can spot local wildlife.
Wildlife and Nature
Griffon vultures nest in the northern cliffs of Cres, and you can often see them gliding along the coastline on their 2.8-meter wingspans. At the island's center, Vransko Lake drops to depths of 76 meters. The lake supplies fresh water to both Cres and Lošinj islands and contains several freshwater fish species. Local guides lead birdwatching tours along the cliffs from April to October.
Local Food and Drinks
In Cres Town's restaurants, you'll find fish and octopus caught that morning by local boats. The island's lambs graze on wild herbs growing between limestone rocks, giving their meat a specific flavor. Small family wineries make white wine from indigenous grapes, and you can taste olive oil pressed from trees that have grown on the island's terraced hillsides for centuries.
