Cres Island

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Cres

Cres, the biggest island in the Adriatic, located in the northern part of the Kvarner gulf. Island Cres is long and narrow mountainous island with well indented coast, with the total length of 248 km. The whole island is full of coves, bays and fine pebbly beaches mainly on western and southern side, while northern and eastern shore is rather steep and rocky. This part of the island is inhabited by the biggest bird in Europe, the endangered griffon vulture.

Here on island Cres is located fresh lake Vrana Lake, which is known as a phenomena. Main places which are also very popular for tourists are: Cres city, Beli, Dragozetici, Lubenice, Martinscica, Merag, Orlec, Pernat, Porozina, Predoscica, Valun...

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Here is Cres Island located

Use the mouse and the +/- buttons to navigate the map of Cres Island.

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How to get to Cres Island

Map of Cres Island
Enlarge
Map of Cres Island

Cres is easy to get to but be prepared to wait rather long if you arrive during the peak season. If you are going with your car, you can go with the ferry.

  • The shortest crossing is from Brestova in Istria to Porozina on Cres, taking just half an hour and running a dozen times a day in winter and all night and day in summer.
  • You can also get on the islands about ten times a day from Valbiska on Krk to Merag on Cres’s eastern flank- using the road bridge on to Krk from the mainland.






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Map of Cres Island

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Picture gallery for Cres Island

Beach

Panorama Cres

Valun

Lubenice

Merag

Predoscica

Osor

Beach in Cres

Old gate in Cres

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Insight into history of Cres Island

In the past, Cres was known as "Res Publica Crepsa" in period of Roman rule and there are the most significant remains which can be seen in several structures like one on the nearby Hill of St. Bartholomew. Cres is full of important sights which are remains of periods and civilization had past over. Little piazza with a church tower and the Parochial Church of St. Mary of the Snow, built in the Gothic-Renaissance style, holds the wooden Pieta from the XVI. century, and the altar painting of St. Sebastian. The whole island is museum for itself within the valuable paintings, sculptures, ethnographic collections, many churches and typical "Villa Rustica" which was built in Roman times. Island of Cres in the past was under rule of Venice and from that period are present some cultural characteristic still visible in every day life. After the Venetian rule the island came under Austrian rule and from 1918 to 1943 belonged to Italy, before it has been assigned by Yugoslavia.

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What to see in Cres Island

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Cres town

Seems to be an over-sized fishing village, perfect to get lost in tiny streets and to eventually make your way to the harbour. Trg F. Petrića opens out on the sea and is the town centre, and is flanked by a small fifteenth-century loggia and a clock tower. Go and see St. Mary’s church, with a Gothic-Renaissance portal with a relief of the Virgin and the child. Visit the museum in the Petris Palace which holds some icons, a collection of ancient stones and coins. Porta Marcella, a Renaissance gateway from 1593, part of a wall from Venetian times. Follow the wall to the Porta Bragadina to get back into the town centre via a collection of small piazzas.

On the southern side of the town you find a Franciscan monastery, open for Sunday mass, which hosts a small museum and a shaded cloister, which you can visit by appointment (051/571-217).

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Valun

Valun is situated about eight km south of Cres town in a sparsely populated part of the island. A small fishing village, it is very pretty with its small colourful houses, ultra-clear waters and a quiet shingle beach. It is very popular with Italian weekenders, but is still quite free from development. There is only few possibilities for bus travelling so it is best to rent a car if you plan to visit Valun.

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Lubenice

Lubenice, situated about 5km southwest of Valun, is a wind-swept medieval village, situated high on the cliffs. Do not miss alfresco classical music concerts on the main square, during the Lubenice Music Nights, every Friday in July.

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Martinscica

Martiniscica is situated 9 km down a road into which you turn right (west) shortly after Lake Vrana, an emerald -green fresh water lake, with a long shingle beach. You can stay in the campsite, just west of the village.

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Beli and the Eco-Centre Caput Insulae

North of Cres Town, the island narrows into a long, high ridge, descending steeply towards the sea on either side. Do not miss the views of mainland Istria.

Also visit the Caput Insulae Ecology Centre (open daily 9am- 7pm, [www.essentialcroatia.com]. It was established in the mid-1980s to protect the community of griffon vultures indigenous to Cres. You can see an aviary with some vultures in the back, they are kept there before returned to the wild. The centre also offers ecology paths. The 'Eko-centar'(ECCIB) runs a volunteer programme. With the manpower provided it maintains the walking trails, protects and studies the endangered 'Griffon Vultures' and aims to protect and re-introduce traditional agricultural and cultural practices. for more information go to www.essentialcroatia.com or mail them on: info@essentialcroatia.com

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Places of excursions near Cres Island

If you have explored the island, it is easy from Cres to get to Krk and Losinj, also to the mainland of Istria.

In summer there are also ferries from Venice to Zadar, running up to six times a week in each direction. They are stopping in at Pula and Mali Losinj. The travel time from Venice is about 11 hours, from Pula it takes about four hours.

Busses run approximately every hours from Veli Losinj to Mali Losinj, then up to Osor and on to Cres town- to Merag and on to Krk. There are about six busses direct to Rijeka (3, 5 hours) and two a day to Zagreb (about 7 hours).

If you are driving, be aware of the bottleneck at Osor, mostly during the times the swing-bridge is opened (twice a day, morning and late afternoon) to let boats through the channel.


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Unije and Ilovik

Two islands south of Lošinj are worth a visit, as they are not overcrowded with tourists and have beautiful small harbours with a picturesque sea front.

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Accomodations in Cres Island

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Hotels in Cres Island

in the town of Cres

in small places on the island Cres

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Camping in Cres Island

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Private accomodations in Cres Island

>> More apartments in Cres Island can be found here.

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Weather in Cres Island

Below you see the current weather forecast for Cres Island. The climate table of Cres Island tells you which temperatures can be expected for each month.

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Current weather in Cres Island and a 7-day weather forecast for Cres Island

min.max.wind
Friday
04.07.2008		 23 °C
73 °F		 27 °C
81 °F
Saturday
05.07.2008		 22 °C
72 °F		 27 °C
81 °F
Sunday
06.07.2008		 23 °C
73 °F		 28 °C
82 °F
Monday
07.07.2008		 24 °C
75 °F		 28 °C
82 °F
Tuesday
08.07.2008		 22 °C
72 °F		 26 °C
79 °F
Wednesday
09.07.2008		 20 °C
68 °F		 27 °C
81 °F
Thursday
10.07.2008		 21 °C
70 °F		 27 °C
81 °F
Water temperature: 26 °C
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Climate in Cres Island

Climate in Cres Island
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Max. Temperature
8
10
12
16
21
25
29
28
24
19
14
10
Min. Temperature
2
3
5
8
12
15
18
18
15
11
7
3
Hours of Sunshine
4
4
6
7
6
10
11
10
8
6
4
3
Rainy Days
7
6
7
7
6
5
4
4
5
7
9
9
Water temperature of the Adriatic
11
10
11
13
17
21
23
24
22
19
16
13


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Sports & leisure time in Cres Island

This magnificent island has favourable climate and beautiful nature which gives you opportunity for different sports and recreational activities. For those who likes active life there are opportunity which will satisfy you. It offers all sports on land and sea such as tennis, mini golf, beach volley, table tennis, basketball and football and much more.

If you like resting and easier vacation time there are many beaches which provides a lot of facilities: pedal boats, sunshades and sunbathing and water sports facilities. If you like adrenalin and exploring go sailing, submarine fishing, or try one of various opportunities for submarine sports activities like diving.

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Where to eat in Cres Island

It is not difficult to find a place to eat around Cres harbour,

  • Slastičarnica Baccio has good pastries and excellent ice- cream,
  • Pizzeria Palada is a good value place for a decent meal, these pizzeria is perfect!!!Riva has a waterside position and is slightly pricier and is the best address for fish.


Here you will find superb local cuisine in one of the island’s restaurants and try fish and seafood, free range barbequed lamb local cheese and vine.

  • Restoran "NA MORU", Valun-The name "Na mory" means "By the sea" where you can watch fish swimming in crystal clear blue waters dinner.
  • Konoba "HIBERNICIA", Lubenice-superb local food.
  • Konoba "MALI RAJ", Vidovići-famous local lamb.
  • Gostionica "TRS", Krčina-famous homegrown Cres lamb
  • Gostionica "BUKALETA", Loznati
  • Gostionica "MARETA", Miholašćica-local cuisine and fresh seafood.
  • Restaurant "Maris",, Osor-with fresh homemade food.
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Beaches in Cres Island

Island Cres is place in Adriatic with the most beautiful beaches and lagunas in Croatia. Some of the most attractive are: Valun, Lubenice - Sv Ivan, Meli, Mali Bok and some other small beaches. They are mostly settled on the western shores, between Sveti Blaz and the Bay of Ustrine. These beaches are located in the green spruces and olive trees, in the shade of rosemary and mint. Some of them can be found by the camping sites, such as Slatina Beach and some of others can only be reached by sea.

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Nightlife and entertaining in Cres Island

On the island of Cres you will find some interesting and mostly organized entertainment, but you can also find your own unique way of entertainment. Go on a romantic walk to the beach or visit some of local festivities and meet the customs and spirit of the hosts.

For younger there are some fine places which provides pleasure and all night fun.

  • Disco “Štala”- more info on the discotheque website www.cresnet.averi.hr
  • Beach rave party on “Sveti Blaž” beach,
  • Bar "Timun" - offers open air entertainment in the camp Slatina in Martinšćica
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Cultural arrangements in Cres Island

Th tradition in here is celebration of its patron saint. These events includes music and food fairs, fun and much more.


  • St Isidor day (the patron saint of Cres city) : city celebrations on 2nd January
  • birthday of philosopher Franjo Petric  : school celebrations on 25th April
  • Cres summer festival: food fair, cultural celebrations, music, sport events: open basketball and soccer tournaments on 3rd - 5th August
  • Day of inclusion of Cres and Istra into Croatian state on 25th September
  • St Anton in Orlec and Beli on 17th January
  • St Phillip and Jakob in Vrana on 3rd May
  • St John the Baptist in Stivan on 24th June
  • Virgin Marry of the Snow in Cres on 5th August
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Videos of Cres Island

Below you can find travel videos from Cres Island. The videos from Cres Island are provided by CroVideos.com, the video portal for Croatia.

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Discussions about Cres Island

Do you have more questions about Cres Island? Have a look at the Istria.info Forum and get more tipps about Cres Island.

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Helpful links

For more Info go to Cres24.com

Retrieved from "http://www.croatia-travel-guide.com/en/Cres_Island"
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