3 Best Sights in Cres, Kvarner

One of the most tempting beaches on the island is on the western coast of Cres at the foot of a steep cliff, at the top of which is the tiny village of Lubenice, which offers great views out to sea and up the western coast. This picturesque collection of houses that surrounds the 15th-century Church of St. Anthony the Hermit has been clinging to its outcrop for around 4,000 years. The hamlet is popular among artsy types and hosts exhibitions and music performances in the summer. From the beach below, a short walk through vineyards will bring you to Žanja Cove, which has a blue grotto, a cave at water level that fills with brilliant blue light as strong sunlight filters through the azure water.

At the southwestern tip of Cres is the town of Osor, whose strategic position on the channel between the islands of Cres and Lošinj ensured that wealth flowed into the town from trade ships. Famous for its garden sculptures, a wander through this well-preserved medieval town makes for a pleasant afternoon in an exceptionally tranquil location. There's even a cathedral, reflecting its former status, and many important archaeological sites have been discovered in the vicinity.

Across the bay from Cres, the village of Valun has a nice beach. The town's claim to fame is the Valun Tablet, a gravestone that is one of the oldest known examples of Glagolitic script. The tablet is now kept in the parish church, right on the waterfront. Get to Valun by car or by taking the wooden boat that sits just outside the Cres Harbor wall; it's easily spotted from the main square.