Croatian Islands, 9 Unique Islands

Croatia, Croatia Day Trips, Croatia General Information, Croatia Travel Guide, Zadar

Croatia’s overlooked island jewels

The number of Croatian Islands, islet or reefs that make up the Croatian archipelago is well over 1000 with 89 being part of the Zadar archipelago. They are accessed from various launch points or harbors from the mainland. The Zadar archipelago has approximately 20 islands that can easily be accessed from Zadar port and some of those are described here. While most of the islands are not inhabited, you can rent at a boat with or without a captain or take a ferry on a daytrip from Zadar to visit them. You will find lively islands like Pag or very quiet ones like Cres, but all of them are worthy of a visit. So here we will provide information to help you plan your trip to these hidden gems. Download INTERACTIVE or PDF map and follow attractions guide below

Download INTERACTIVE map HERE

Croatian Islands
9 Croatian Islands to visit, most can be reached easily from Zadar as a day trip

Download Croatian Island PDF Map HERE

Croatian Island 1: Ugljan

https://youtu.be/dL8LuYOEipQ

Ugljan Island is the closest to Zadar and is easily accessible by ferryboat. With a population of about a 7500, it is known for its greenery. The island which lies across the channel in front of Zadar is referred to as the Zadar Garden.  Ugljan (Croatian for olives) is covered with brush pine tree, vineyards, fig trees and olive trees. The locals are fishermen and farmers although today many of them are involved with tourism

Due to its closeness to Zadar and its accessibility by ferry, it is not only a popular tourist destination but an exceptionally beautiful island.  For visitors it offers beautiful beaches, biking routes and wonderful hiking trails.  The eastern end of the island has several coastal villages including Preko, Kali, Kukljica, Ugljan, , Lukosan, and Sutoniscica facing Zadar. The other end of the island has steep terrain and is mostly uninhabited

The Island is steeped in history dating back to the Stone Age and there is evidence in caves of habitation even before that time. More recently the island was occupied during the height of the Roman Empire and there are many ancient Roman ruins to visit

Villages and Beaches

The island is dotted with fishing villages ie: Kukljica, Kali, Preko, Lukosan, and Sutoniscica.  Visiting these little fishing ports is like taking a step back in time, each of these have their own beaches and coves

Preko

The Jardrolinija ferry from Zadar docks at Preko. The promenade has a variety of cafes and restaurants and a real Mediterranean atmosphere. Preko is the administrative center of the island

A path from Preko will lead you to St Michael’s Church also known as fortress of St. Mihovil. It is located on the hill, 265 meters up, and with phenomenal views of the island and the Zadar Archipelago. This is a must see if you are on the island. Disembark from the ferry, enjoy a snack or coffee on the promenade and head for the path to the fortress

The coastal path from Preko will lead you to the Preko Beach with showers, chairs and a café

Kali

Southeast of Preko, Kali has a little port and is crammed with boats as the mainstay of the village is fishing. You will find yourself walking the network of alleys that eventually lead to the top of the hill

Kukljica

Kukljica is southeast of Kali and includes several beautiful sandy beaches including Zelena Punta

Ugljan

Located 11km northwest of Preko, it is the largest village and oldest settlement on the island. The Monastery of St Jerome was built in 1430 and the accompanying gothic church was built in 1447. You may notice stone houses surrounding this area that belonged to the noblemen of Zadar

Beaches

  • Mostir Beach – Located right in the village of Ugljan, it is a shallow beach that is suitable for children
  • The Beach at Ugljan Hotel – Located in Ugljan, has amenities including rentals for chairs, umbrellas, pedal boats and kayaks

Muline

A hamlet of Ugljan.  The most famous attraction is the Villa Rustica which is the oldest Roman building with ruins of an ancient Roman Olive mill

Things to Do on Ugljan Island

  • The island is great for hiking, biking or snorkeling. 
  • You can rent a bike and ride along the coastal path from Preko to Kukjica or stop by the tourist center in Ugljan and get to bike paths for other areas on the island
  • Visit the beaches and hidden coves

Getting to Ugljan

You can take a short ferry trip from Zadar to the island. The trip is about 25 min and fairly inexpensive

  • By ferry to Ugljan: Take the Jadrolinija from the Zadar which docks at port in Preko. The journey time is approximately 25min. Check out the ferry schedule.
  • If you are on a cruise ship that docks at Zadar, you can head over to the ferry port in Zadar and take the Jadrolinija to Ugljan
  • If you happen to be on Pašman Island (next to Ugljan), you will see that it is connected to Ugljan via the Ždrelac Bridge which spans over the Ždrelac Straight

Ugljan Tourist Board

23275 Ugljan, tel: +385 23 288 011  email: [email protected] or [email protected]/eng/

Croatian Island 2: Pašman

Pronounced Pash-man. It is the island next to Uglijan and was once connected to Ugljan as one big island but over time the sea rose and the island was separated at the Ždrelac Village. To reconnect the two now separated islands, Ždrelac bridge was built in 1979. The island is described in tourist pamphlets as “The island of joy and happiness, of little people and big hearts”

Orientaion

Pašman has been inhabited since the roman times as evidenced by roman stone inscriptions, roman architecture, and roman coins that have been excavated throughout the island. Pašman covers 60 sqkm and it is 70km long.  The sea currents in the area are known to change every 6 hours and as such the seas surrounding Pašman are pristine and clear

There are 11 settlements on the island with a population of about 2000, all on the north side of the island including Tkon, Kraj, Pašman and Ždrelac.  The north side of the island is populated with small villages that provide a relaxing vacation. It is said that Aristotle Onassis took Jacki O here for their honeymoon. Their main economy is agriculture, fishing or the production of olive oil. Most recently it is tourism though it does not have any hotels and accommodation is provided by private houses or apartments. The island is a great place for diving, hiking or cycling

Geography

The north side of the island is the only one populated. While the settlements are small and typically Mediterranean, it is ideal for a quiet and relaxing vacation. The south side of the island abounds in beautiful intact nature, beautiful coves and old fishermen houses overlooking one of the most beautiful group of islands in the Adriatic. These will fascinate nature and culture lovers

The trails are a unique experience for walking and cycling on mountain bikes and lead to the highest peak of the island on Bokolj where the view extends from the peaks of Mount Velebit to the hundreds of islands and islets and the Channel from Zadar to the Kornati islands. The Pašman Channel is a natural phenomenon with its green islands. It is an ideal area for sailing and other nautical activities

The southern part of the island is accessible by narrow roads with rustic houses which are today partly intended for tourism. The entire island will give you a unique Robinson Crusoe type atmosphere and unspoiled beaches

Monastery

The history of the island is well preserved in the Benedictine monastery on the hill of Ćokovac and in the Franciscan monetary near Kraj

Tkon Village

Tkon is rapidly developing a tourism industry due to the harbor and connection to the mainland. From Zadar, you can catch the local bus to the ferry port of Biograd na Moru  The Jadrolinija ferry from Biograd na Moru will drop you off at the marina harbor of the village of Tkon on Pašman Island. Tkon village is west of the largest village on the island of Pašman also called Pašman

Ćokovac Benedictine Monastery of Saint Cosmas and Damian, near Tkon

Located on the Ćokovac hill near Tkon, it is about a 25 minute walk from Tkon

Built in the 12th century, the monks who were driven out by the venetians from the mainland arrived on the island. They built their Roman Church and fortified the monastery in the 12th century where the existing Chapel of St Cosmos and Damian was located on Ćokovac hill. The Venetians destroyed it in 1345 and imprisoned the monks. Once released, the monastery was reconstructed in 1418. The monastery holds relics including the gothic style crucifix attributed to Venetian painter Menegelo, and a portrait of the Virgin Mary. The monastery was closed in 1808 and reopened in 1961

Franciscan monastery of St. Dominus near Kraj

About 30 min walk northwest of the Ćokovac Benedictine Monastery, the Franciscans chose to build their own Monastery in the 14th century near the village of Kraj and named it after Saint Dominus. The church which dates back to 130 AD has three marble alters where the main alter has the picture of the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary, St Dujam, St Francis of Assisi and St Bonaventure. Attached to the monastery is a museum with works of art and cultural and historical significance including a church bell from 1503. Kraj is located halfway between the villages of Tkon and Pašman

Bokolj (identified as Vidikovac Veli Bokolj on google maps)

Bokolj is Pašman Islands highest peak at about 272 meters (about 1000 feet). It offers spectacular views of the Kornati archipelago. There is a path to walk up to the peak and at the peak you will find an old partially demolished stone house and a circular stone wall resembling an old fortress which is used as an observation point

Pašman Village

The village is 6 km northwest of Tkon along the coastal route, located near the center of the island with 3 sandy beaches:

Barotul beach is a mostly sandy beach about 400 meters east from the Pašman town, with some areas that have concrete slabs. It is the largest sandy beach on the island with shallow water for wading. To get to knee deep water you will have to wade out to at least 50 meters. There are cafes, showers, and beach activities like volleyball

Jasenica Beach, located in the center of Pašman village is also mostly sandy with some concrete areas. There are numerous beach activities including vollyball and bocce ball. Due to its location in the town center, it has a variety of amenities including cafes and washrooms

Lučina Beach, is 200 meters west of the Pašman village center in the bay. It too is mostly sandy with some concrete areas. It is also shallow for tens of meters and perfect for children or non-swimmers, It has a variety of amenities including cafes and washrooms. Not well developed for tourists, it is a very natural and unspoiled and ideal for a quiet and restful time

Things to do on Pašman Island

  • Rent a bike and visit the villages of Tkon, Kraj and Pašman
  • Ćokovac Benedictine Monastery of Saint Cosmas and Damian near Tkon
  • Franciscan monastery of St. Dominus near Kraj
  • Pašmanvillage and  Beaches
  • Bokolj Viewpoint, near the village of Banj
  • Hiking Routes and Trails

Getting to Pašman Island

  • By ferry to Tkon Village: Take a bus from Zadar to Biograd where there are frequent ferries by Jadrolinija between Biograd (ferry port Biograd na Moru on the mainland) and Tkon (ferry port on Pašman Island). The journey takes 20 minutes
  • By ferry to Pašman Village: from Zadar you have to go to Ugljan by ferry, disembark at Preko (in Ugljan) then continue to Tkon on Pašman Island by bus as the islands of Ugljan and Pašman are connected by the  Ždrelac bridge. This is a longer route if you are coming from Zadar and the transfers are not smooth. I would only use this route if you are already on Ugljan

Pašman Tourist Board

Turistička zajednica općine Pašman 34, 23262 Pašman, tel: +385(0)23 260 155, www.pasman.hr, [email protected]

Croatian Island 3: Dugi Otok

https://youtu.be/SB0dlW2MSDA

Dugi Otok which means “long island” in Croatian, is 45 km long and 1 – 4 kms wide with an area of 114 sq km. While its name translates to “long island” it is not the longest island in the archipelago. There are 12 small villages on the island. The island has a population of 1500 people, most of whom live in the main villages of Sali and Božava.  Described as one of Croatia’s hidden gems, the island is more peaceful and unspoiled as other destinations.  It is known for its old style villages, vineyards, Sandy Sakarun beach, and the beautiful Telašćica Nature Park

Sali

Sali, the largest settlement on Dugi Otok is located on the southern part of the island and is the administrative and municipal center of the island. Although quite small it boasts restaurants, shops, hotel, medical building, an ATM, a pasteria, post office and municipal building.  The town is steeped in history going back a thousand years. In the fields surrounding Sali you will find remnants of ancient life including remains of layouts of churches.  Cultural and religious heritage is evident. These can be found in the Churches of St Mary, St Rocco and St Nicholas. For the more active tourist there is snorkeling, scuba diving, cycling, hiking, basketball, soccer, volleyball and bocca ball. The cuisine in the local restaurants is excellent

Božava 

Božava is located on the northwest part of the island and during the summer a tourist train runs from Božava to the famous Sakarun beach

Sakarun Beach

Dugi Otok has what is described as the most beautiful beach in all of Croatia, namely Sakarun Beach. It is close to the northern most point on the island. It is a spectacular sandy beach with an indescribable array of colors that change throughout the day. 

Accessed using a gravel road between the villages of Božava and Veli Rat, it has a variety of amenities including chair rentals, umbrellas, loungers. It is really secluded and beyond the beach there is little evidence of people or buildings

It is a shallow beach with cafes and bars. It has gained a reputation as one of the finest beaches due to its white sand, pristine sea and pine trees used as shade. At a depth of about 3.5 meters deep as far out as 250 meters from shore, it is a great beach for children. You can get a tourist train from Božava to Sakarun beach. It runs every two hours

The island has many other unspoiled beaches and caves that although not all are sandy, they are quiet beautiful in their own way

Veli Rat

Veli Rat is a village located on the most northern point on the island in Cuna bay. 3km northwest of the village is the lighthouse Punta Bjanca, housing the biggest lantern in the Adriatic at 42 meter high. The lighthouse, dated back to 1849, it is the tallest in Croatia at 138 ft. You will need to get permission from the lighthouse keeper to climb the 200 spiral steps to the top. Interestingly, accommodations are provided at the lighthouse and must be arranged well in advance due to its popularity

Telašćica Nature Park

Located on the south part of the island, this nature park is actually a bay with small islands in it. The park occupies the southern uninhabited part of the island and includes 13 inlets, and it is a paradise for bird watchers. You may be able to see falcons nesting on the cliffs or dolphins swimming off the coast. The park also has a donkey sanctuary. Telašćica can only be reached by boat or by organized tourist trips from Zadar

Getting around

There is no local bus connecting the northern part of the island ie: Božava with the southern part which is Sali but if you do not have a car, you can walk (it’s far), rent a scooter or mountain bike

Tourist Board

In Sali at Obala Petra Lorinja, right on the port, tel 023-377 094) [email protected] and Dugiotok.hr

Things To Do on Dugi Otok

  • Rent a mountain bike and explore the island
  • Walk the Promenade at Sali and enjoy the outdoor cafes
  • Scuba diving and fishing opportunites
  • Visit Sakarun Beach – take the tourist train from Božava
  • Arrange a tour to Telašćica Nature Park

To reach Dugi Otok and visit its spectacular beach, you have two options from Zadar:

  • By catamaran: from Zadar old town city centre, take the catamaran to Božava or Sali (depending on which part of the island are you going, Božava  is at the northern end and Sali is the southern end of the island). The ride is 1 hour long. Bikes can be rented in Božava (Hotel Božava ) or in Sali (check with the Tourist Board)
  • By Ferry:

Croation Island 4: Island of Iž

Located in the Zadar Archipelago, Iž is a short ferry ride from Zadar. With a population of 615, it covers just over 17 sq km. It is well situated between Dugi Otok and Uglljan. It has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was once owned by the Zadar nobility in more recent ancient times and has a population of about 500

A quiet island for a holiday that involves traditional idyllic village life and water sports such as surfing, water skiing, sailing and diving. It is a mecca for those who enjoy water sports. The locals are farmers (mostly olives) fishermen, maritime traders, and artisan pottery makers’, though the artisan pottery making tradition is slowly dying out.   There are two villages on the island, Vel Iž and Mali Iž which are surrounded by fig, olive and vegetable fields. Visiting Iž will take you back in history as time has stood still for many of the villagers living on the island

Mali Iž

Mali Iź is pronounced as marlee-esh. It is located to the south of the island and really consist of several hamlets; including Porovac, Knez, makovac, Kemoseda, and Muce.  A traditional way of life still exists here, sustained by fishing and agriculture. Visit the 11th century round church or the village funded olive mill on Mali Iž which is used by all. It is a traditional mill while the one in Veli Iž is more modern.  Accommodation for tourist vary from apartments, rooms and boarding houses

Veli Iž

Smaller than Mali Iž, it has a hotel, marina, restaurants and cafes with some accommodations. In Veli Iž center, next to the Church and Cultural center is the local factory that grind olives to make high quality olive oil. Veli Iž was the hub of artisan pottery making that was dominated by about 70 families who at one time supplied clay pots along the Adriatic coast. They were assigned territory marked by casting lots on the pottery. Often unsold pottery would be thrown into the sea on their return journey due to the disgrace of not selling all their goods. You will also find a ceramic factory with traditional pottery products for sale

Getting to Iž Island

The island of Iž is served by ferry from Zadar to Mali Iž. There are two trips per day or 14 from Zadar at the height of the season. The trip takes 40 min to 1 hour and 20 min depending on the ferry route

Croatian Island 5: Silba

Silba is a small island of 15 sq km.  It has only one small village, Silba, and the population is 292 residents. There are no roads on the island and no traffic (cars or motorcycles or bicycles in the summer) are not allowed. The postman is the only one with a vehicle and license on the island to be able to deliver mail to the furthest homes on the island.  The stone homes have courtyards with indigenous plants such as lavender and rosemary. It is perfect for a quiet restful holiday with amenities such as a small grocery store, post office, doctor’s office, church, pastry shop and coffee bars and restaurants.

The Toreta is a tower with a spiral staircase in the center of town and is the visual symbol of Silba and offers great views of the island. The Gallery of Marija Ujević-Galetović near the church of St. Mary, is designed as a park. It displays the works of the famous Croatian sculpture whose roots are from Silba.  Because of its size it is easy to walk everywhere especially along the coastline to explore the beaches and bay

Beaches

There are a lot of beaches and bays accessible by boat or walking paths. The main beach is a sandy beach, Šotorišće. Located close to the Mul Marina, it offers beach volleyball courts. There is an underwater archeological site in the Mul marina featuring a 1500 year old Sarcophagus. It is only several meters underwater and is accessible to everybody

What To Do on Silba Island

  • Explore the village, climb the tower and visit the gallery of Marija Ujević-Galetović 
  • Hike up the hill from the town center and explore the old stone houses
  • Visit the underwater sarcophagus at Mul Marina
  • Spend time at the sandy beach Šotorišće
  • Enjoy the culinary delights

Getting to Silba

The ferry route from Zadar to Silba is currently served by 3 companies: Miatrade, Jadrolinija and Catamaran Line d.o.o. It takes anywhere from 1.5 hours to 4.5 hours depending on the route

Croatian Island 6: Pag (Party Island)

https://youtu.be/2uJcKi9tVtQ

Video of overview of Pag Island

Recently Pag Island has become a very popular tourist destination where the main resorts on the islands are Pag Town and Novalja which is the largest resort on the island and is associated with Zrce beach. It has become known as the Croatian Ibiza hence the name party island.  Zrce beach has huts and cabanas for rent and several nightclubs. The beach is popular with young tourist who go there for parties and the vibrant nightlife. This is the scene of Pag’s several summer music festivals which have become widely known throughout Europe draws thousands of visitors

The island is renowned for: its barren, rocky moonlike landscape, its lacework dating back to medieval times, its famous Pag cheese made from sheep’s milk and its’ lamb is considered to be the best in Croatia all due to the salt fields of Pag. Pag’s history and economy revolved around salt and the salt trade. Its cheese and meat are infused with the salt giving it that distinct “sought after” flavor

Pag Town

Pag has a population of about 9000 and a long coastline of about 269 km.  The Island appears to have two totally different cultures; the party atmosphere of Novalja and the quieter traditional island life of Pag Town. Pag Town was designed by Dalmatian architect Juraj Dalmatmac and erected in medieval times.  Throughout the island there are ruins of fortification, churches, and archaeological ruins thousands of years old and in 2015 a sunken city dating back 2500 years was discovered. It is currently being excavated and explored

Sights to visit

The lace museum. Lace has been weaved on Pag since ancient times and it continues today. A visit to the museum will be an eye-opener for the finery of the lace on display

Sirona Glicora Cheese factory. Pag is famous for its Pag cheese made in the traditional way from sheep’s milk.  It is a hard flaky cheese with a distinct salty flavor. It certainly goes down well with a glass of locally made wine

Getting to Pag from Zadar

Pag is connected to Zadar via a bridge so it is very easy to visit the island from Zadar:

Croatian Island 7: Vir

https://youtu.be/tYoLWc3NDcc

Video of overview of Vir Island

Vir is another beautiful Croatian islands that is part of the Zadar archipelago, with a landscape that includes craggy rocky areas, olive and fig orchards separated by pine groves. The island has three villages; Vir, Lozice, and Torovi, all of which are on the 32 km long coastline. The sea around Vir is deeper than the other islands and is perfect for snorkeling, diving and other water activities. Its rolling hills, fields, gardens, and cultivated vineyards makes it ideal for cycling or hiking

Then main town of Vir is popular, catering to tens of thousands of tourists during the peak season especially from neighboring countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina and so it has developed facilities that cater to tourists. The island has a cafes, konoba, shops, markets, and well-developed nightlife with a variety of clubs and bars where during summertime there are regular concerts with local Croatian bands

Vir Town

There are a variety of places to visit to cater to the avid sightseers; the Kaštelina, a 16th century fort built by the Venetians as a defense against the marauding Turks, prehistoric ruins on the hills of St George Gradina, as well as the ancient churches of St George (Sv. Juraj) of the Banner and St John the Baptist

Lozice

Much smaller and quieter than Vir, it is 1 km from Vir. There are secluded bays with unspoiled beaches and hidden coves. The town itself has a few shops and restaurants however most of the tourist type amenities are found in Vir Town

Beaches

There are numerous beautiful beaches and coves in Vir. With deeper water, they are attractive to divers and snorkelers. The most beautiful beach is Duboka draga (deep cove|) in the northwest of the island although it is remote and away from any settlements. It has unique red bricks, which combined with pristine crystal clear waters make for an unusually beautiful sight

Jadro Beach is located near the center of Vir town. It is the center for events and has a promenade with open air cafes and entertainment for all ages.  Amenities include sun loungers, a water park, entertainers, pedal boat and jet ski rentals. There is a parking lot for cars near the beach

How to get to Vir

Vir, like Pag Island, is connected to the mainland by road so it is accessible by vehicle. It can also be reached by bus from Zadar and the journey takes about 25 min. In high season there is also a ferry from Zadar

Croatian Island 8: Lošinj

Lošinj is one of the larger islands in the Adriatic and is 33 km long and 5 km wide with a coastline of 112km.  It is not part of the Zadar Archipelago, however it is a beautiful, serene island. It is truly a Mediterranean paradise with lush green hills, lovely beaches and spectacular scenery.  Known as the “spa” island, it has over a thousand varieties of aromatic and therapeutic herbs that are locally grown. Hotels on the island have spas providing aromatherapy, body scrubs, exfoliation, pilates and yoga. It is truly a place for a healthy relaxing spa holiday and is known as the land of vitality

For the more active there is diving, snorkeling and 250 km of bike paths some of which lead to nudist colonies.  The island is generally unspoiled and has two postcard perfect Venetian villages of Veli Lošinj and Mali Lošinj. Both have the status of health resorts and was the holiday destination of the Austrio-Hungarian emperor Franz-Josef and the Austrian Noblemen of the 19th century.  The population is about 9500, most of who live in Mali Lošinj which has a large natural harbor.  Lošinj does not get large crowds like Split, Zadar, and Dubrovnik, mainly because it is not as readily accessible as they are

Beaches

Lošinj has many beautiful beaches of which Veli Zal is the best known and most beautiful.  It is only a 20 min walk from Veli Lošinj and has been recognized for its clean water and quality service. The beach is well equipped with showers, changing rooms, toilets, chairs, umbrellas and also has boat rentals. Other beaches include silver bay, beach Zabodarski, Valdarke, Pojane and Cikat bay which is shaped like a starfish where the Romans used to hide their fleet of ships

Getting to Lošinj

Lošinj can be reached by ferry from Zadar, Cres and Kvk. It can be reached in three hours by Jadrolinija and Catamaran Line d.o.o. or 7 hours by ferry from Zadar. It’s a little further from Zadar then the other islands and can be reached quicker from the Northern coastal cities

Croatian Island 9: Cres – Stress free Cres

Another truly beautiful Croatian island and well worth a visit.  The island that is 65 km long is quiet narrow and has a population of about 3000 who live mostly in Cres City or in tiny cliffside hamlets. The island is unspoiled and has retained its beautiful green rugged landscape of pine trees picturesque cliffs, and the clearest cleanest sea water you will ever sea.  There are 80 breeding pairs of rave Griffon vultures on this island. A real treat for bird watchers!

Cres does not draw many tourists compared with other islands or Croatian destination, but it has something for everyone. In the summer there are festivals: Summer Nights, Summer Carnivals, Summer Festivals, and Days of Tramuntana. For the active tourists there are great trails for hiking leading to caves, cycling as well as snorkeling and diving. There are boats for hire to explore the coves, the blue grotto and the nearby islands. The restaurants on the island are known for their excellent seafood dishes

Cres Live Web Cam:

Live Web Camera of Cres Central Square

Cres City

Cres City reflects the influence of the Venetians and Romans. You can visit the Old Roman Bridge at the entrance of the city, the Venetian Tower along the remnants of the city wall, Municipal Loggia, the Church of St Mary and the Beli Oilve Mill. The old town of Cres can only be reached by foot and it is a maze of narrow streets and alleys that open up to a piazza surrounded by fishing boats. It is like walking back in history

Lubenice

This fort city village is located 378 m above sea level and is at least 4000 years old with a population of 25 and five churches and old stone houses. The views from here are spectacular. It is a 45 min walk down to the beach (St. John or Sv. Ivan) with its clear water and aquatic life. The walk up the hill to the village will take about an hour

Beli

Home to the Griffon Vulture sanctuary and the oldest place on the island

Blue Cave

Hire a boat or visit the tourist office for a tour of the Blue Cave. It is located close to the Zanja beach near/under the village of Lubenice. It is a great lunch spot! There is a wide cave entrance that can be accessed by good swimmers and there is a narrow entrance that can be accessed by divers. If you decide to rent a boat, please review the boat rental advice HERE

Getting around Cres

Rent a mountain bike, use a rented car from the mainland or use the limited public transportation. Tickets Public bus service is available. There is a bus station in Cres City, at Martinšćica , Merag, Porozina, Sveti Petar (Cres), Vodice (Cres) and Punta Kriza (Cres) which is walking distance to the ferry port. Tickets can be bought online or from the bus driver. Make sure the bus driver knows where you are going and issues you a printed ticket. They are very helpful. You can also book online at Arriva

Things To Do On Cres Island

  • Hire a boat and explore the many hidden coves and beaches
  • Cycle around the island; it is becoming well known for its cycling routes
  • Visit the Blue Cave (Plava Grote or Blue Cavern),
  • Explore the 4000 year old village of Lubenice and the St. John Beach
  • Bird watching and visit the Griffon Vulture Sanctuary
  • Walk the Bay of Cres City for a great seaside stroll

Cres Tourist Office

Tourist Board of Cres, Cons 10, 51557 Cres tel +385 (0)51 571 535, email [email protected]

How to get to Cres

Cres is linked to the island of Lošinj by a swing bridge that is located near the town of Osar on the southern end of the island. There is bus service between the two islands

Croatia Travel Destinations and Guides

  • Dubrovnik
    • Dubrovnik Game of Thrones and Old Town Self Guided Tour – Follow the Map and Guide to visit the film locations for Game of Thrones, beaches and churches. The self guided tour will take you a full day if you also visit the beaches. Use the map and attractions guide to visit the attractions of Old Town Dubrovnik and the locations of the Games of Thrones Scenes. The map has picture of the sites and how they looked for the film scenes.  The walking tour will take you ½ a day. If you visit Lokrum island and spend time at the beach/monastery/fort on the island, this will take you another ½ day to full day. Lokrum Island is the location of the City of Qarth in GoT and is a 10 min water taxi ride from the Dubrovnik Port
    • Dubrovnik Day Trips. Spend a day at each of the villages of Ston and Cavtat a short distance from Dubrovnik. Cavtat is a charming village that was invaded by the Slavs. The inhabitants fled and were the original settlers of Dubrovnik. Visit the historical beaches and spend time on the beach or hike the Ronald Brown Pathway.  Ston is a small village on a hill surrounded by a 7 km wall that is second in size to the Great Wall of China. It is famous for its defensive walls, its salt “mines” and its oyster bays. The oysters from Ston are well renowned
  • Zagreb
    • Upper Town, Old Town Zagreb – 15 must see attractions of Old Town Zagreb. Walk the attractions of Upper Town Zagreb, the self-guided walking tour will take you to the various attractions in ½ a day. You may want to explore some of these attractions in greater depth such as the Museum of Broken Relationships or climb the Lotrščak Tower. In that case the self guided tour will take more than half a day
    • Zagreb Lower Town, Lenuci Horseshoe – Visit the 7 Squares and Botanical gardens in the shape of a horseshoe, including the under ground 31,000 sq meter shopping mall. A ½ day tour of the U-shaped system of 7 parks and Zagreb botanical gardens. The Lenuci horseshoe in Lower Town Zagreb is a short walking distance from Zagreb’s main Ban Jelačić Square and facing the main train station Glavni Kolodvor. The Square include pavilions, theater, museums, state archives and an underground mall amongst its many historical buildings dotted throughout the horseshoe
    • Walking tour Zagreb Lower town and Grič Tunnels – A 2 hour tour of the tunnels under Zagreb old town; they were built as shelter during the war and are now used by the locals to cross Old Town or to go between upper town and lower town. Not only are they a short cut, they are cool in the summer and a welcome relief from the searing sun. Explore the old world war tunnels and visit the sights of lower town
    • Unique and Fun things to do in Zagreb – Explore activities and places to visit such as Jarun Lake, the Antiques Fair or discover current events in Zagreb
  • Split
    • Old Town Split and Marjan Hill – Explore the Old Town Square, then head over to Marjan Hill. This self guided tour can take a whole day as the walking portion of the tour will guide you to attractions in the Old Town and then on to Marjan Hill. This part of the tour will take ½ a day. The tour will end at the beach where you can spend the rest of the day, take the local bus back or walk along the promenade back to Old Town
    • Split, Salona ancient Roman Ruins – On the outskirts of Split, don’t miss the roman ruins of Salona, the birthplace of Emperor Diocletian. Step outside of the Old Town of Split and visit the nearby city of Solin (which is the ancient city of Salona, Diocletian’s birthplace). Then continue onto the town of Trogir. This self guided tour has instructions for local buses to take you on a route for a full day trip from Split to Salona (stop in Salona, then continue onto Trojir. Then catch the local bus back to Split
    • Trogir, UNESCO World Heritage Site – This attraction is often overlooked. It is a charming, authentic village, a heritage city where the Old Town is on an Island. It is an easy bus ride from Split to Trogir, with a stopover in Salona (Solin)
    • Split, Diocletian’s Palace – Not to be missed, the10 must see attractions in the palace to stop and take pictures. The Palace tour is a ½ day self-guided tour through the palace that will end at the market which you can explore
  • Zadar
    • Zadar Western Half – The old town is located on an island; explore the attractions on the westerns side of the island in this  ½ day self guided walking tour.  Attractions include popular attractions such as the Sea Organ, Greetings to the Sun and the Roman Forum / Ruins
    • Zadar Eastern Half – Take a ½ day to visit the churches, parks and other attractions on the eastern side of Zadar Island. Visit the fish markets and green markets for fresh food and explore the cobblestone alleyways for a touch of ambiance and potential souvenir shopping
    • Zadar islands – The Zadar Archipelago has around a 100 islands off its coast, many of them uninhabited. Visit all or any of the 9 popular islands in this map and use the attractions guide to the islands. You can rent a boat rent a boat with or without a captain, get a water taxi, take the ferry/ to visit the islands and swim in the Adriatic or anchor at hidden beach/cove
  • Island Visit
  • Croatia Islands – Rent or hire a boat to visit the 9 popular islands off the mainland. Visit 1 or 2 or all 9 islands for a fabulous day out to sea
  • Hvar Island
    • Hvar old town attractions and Španjola fortress (Fortica) – Use the self guided tour map and attractions to visit the popular sites in Hvar Old Town. The tour will take ½ a day to the major attractions in Hvar Town, including climbing to the Spanjola fortress that has been protecting Hvar for hundreds of years. However it could be longer if you want to spend time visiting the museums or spending an afternoon enjoying the magnificent views from the Fortress
    • Hvar Island driving tour – Take the local bus, rent a car / scooter for the day to visit the numerous attractions on the island.  This can take two days as there is a lot to see and do. It includes: wine tasting, visiting a cave monastery high on the hills, quaint fishing villages, popular beaches, hidden coves and harbours A great tour that will take you across the island
    • Hvar Islands and Lavendar Fields Tour – You can rent a boat (with or without a captain) and visit the islands off Hvar Island. The Pakleni Islands are an archipelago of 20 islands off the coat of Hvar. They are known for beautiful beaches, charming village towns and secluded coves.  You can take the bus to visit the abandoned villages of Velo Grabjle and Malo Grabjle,. It is a short bus ride or scooter/car trip from Hvar Town. Explore the fields of lavender and Olive Grove farms
  • Getting around Croatia – Information on Croatian buses and ferries

Airport Transfers

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