Travel guide Cres
Take the ferry to the island paradise of Cres
The island of Cres, with its eponymous main town, is located in the northern part of the Kvarner Bay, south of the Istrian Peninsula in Croatia. You can reach your private holiday apartment on Cres via the airports in
Pula and
Rijeka. From the mainland, you take the ferry from Brestova to Porozina. The car journey to the ferry terminal in Brestova takes about seven hours from Munich. In the south, the island of Cres is connected to the island of
Lošinj by a swing bridge. Book an accommodation or an apartment with internet or a holiday home with a sea view and garden for your holiday in Croatia by the sea now, and spend a relaxing holiday full of excursions in the holiday village amid idyllic landscapes. Spend unforgettable moments in the beautiful Croatian region.
Mediterranean feel-good climate all year round
The climate on Cres is Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers and cool but never cold winters. During the summer months, temperatures rise to a pleasant 29 °C, with Adriatic water temperatures around 23 °C – perfect for a
beach holiday in Cres. The winter months are reserved for individualists. January and February are the coldest months, with average maximum temperatures of around 10 °C.
Istria's cuisine — only the best of everything
Istria's culinary tradition has been marked by the region's turbulent history – the Venetians have been here, the Habsburgs, the Italians, and finally, Istria became Croatian. The Habsburg cuisine has left recipes for sausages and hams. A good starter plate includes air-dried ham (pršut), sheep's cheese from the island of
Pag, and fine salami made from boškarin beef. The Venetians and Italians have brought a variety of pasta dishes (ravioli, fuži, pljukanci, njoki) and risottos. A delicacy is black risotto with squid. Try the aromatic sweet Kvarner scampi, which can only be caught with traps. The region's forests provide truffles, porcini mushrooms, and game. A special way of cooking is the peka – an iron pan with a bell-like lid. Meat from lamb, kid, firm fish, or octopus with vegetables and sauce is placed in the peka. The whole dish is then cooked for several hours with a closed lid in hot embers. Be sure to pre-order the day before! The regional wines make an excellent accompaniment. Try the white Malvazija Istriana with fish or seafood – dry, fresh, fruity, and sometimes with delicate floral notes. For red wines, you should try Vrbnička Žlahtina from the neighboring island of
Krk. Also, visit the fishing port of Valun, which is an incorporated village.
By boat to the Blue Grotto
Take the whole family, including your four-legged family members, to one of the most beautiful islands in the Adriatic, Croatia, which offers perfect conditions for hiking and swimming. Most beaches on Cres are fine or coarse pebble beaches. One of the most beautiful beaches is located near the village of Porozina. The (only) hiking trail that leads to the beach runs downhill through a pine forest. Even in summer, you will hardly encounter other bathers here. Cres may not be a classic beach destination, but it offers numerous small bays with beautiful beaches. In Cres town, there is a marina. From here, you can take boat trips and sailing tours, for example, to the Blue Grotto. You can swim into the grotto to enjoy the play of colors of the sunlight falling on the sea. Numerous excursions into the beautiful landscapes of the island village are possible with your holiday accommodation as the starting point. A trip to the inland or a visit to the island of Losinj is also a great opportunity for exploration during your stay.
Visit the vultures in Beli and the lofty heights of Lubenice
A highlight of Cres as a holiday destination is a visit to the vulture rescue and breeding station in Beli. The village is situated in the mountains in the northeast of the island. Here, a colony of the last European griffon vultures lives. The station takes care of injured animals and tries to maintain the population. There are numerous hiking options around Beli. The village also hosts an ancient Roman bridge. Within walking distance of your holiday home in Cres town, you can explore some sightseeing attractions directly in the area. There is the Gothic monastery church Samostana Sv. Frane, dating back to the 16th century, with its adjoining museum, which exhibits numerous sacred objects from several centuries. The island is very rich in churches and monasteries. A real experience is a trip to the mountain village of Lubenice. Those who are fit can hike down from here to the island's most beautiful beach. Once you have climbed back up, a rustic tavern awaits you with the best local cuisine and wine. From Lubenice, you can enjoy the perfect sunset over the Adriatic Sea. Book a holiday accommodation, for example, in Osor or Miholascica, with internet, or an apartment, property, or holiday home with garden and sea view for your vacation in the resort in Croatia full of experiences and relaxation with your family and pet.