Once you moor in Cres, the question is whether to devote your time to the city or its waters. There is only one answer. Do not miss either one, so it is best to stay here a little longer and sail every day. Spend the morning at one of the cafés on the waterfront, visit the fish market, purchase some vegetables and sail to the little cove near Valun or visit the cape of Pernat and drop anchor at one of the fairytale beaches beneath the ancient fortified city of Lubenice, such as the famous one in the cove of Sveti Ivan. Return in the afternoon and spend the evening in Cres or go to eat some local lamb at the Bukaleta in Loznat, one of the cult gastronomic addresses on the island. The Renaissance urban structure typical of the Mediterranean towns on Cres has been completely preserved, with the exception of the Venetian defensive walls, of which three city gates and a cylindrical tower overlooking the city remain. Little streets with palaces, a church, private houses, a fountain, town hall, shops, fish market and inns surround the inner harbor on all sides. Although Cres is only a small town, you can spend hours and hours here. Let us mention two more addresses where we have often spent time: Blaž Stolnik’s Belona, a tavern with nearly a century-long tradition, which has changed ownership but never lost its authentic character, and Bistro Melin, an unpretentious inn where you can eat very well indeed.
The harbor of Cres is spacious and well protected, it provides shelter in any weather. There are plenty of good quality berths for the local population and passersby, and soon the number will increase. The most important contents for sailors are at the southern tip of the bay, known as Piskel, where one of the best ACI marinas is located. Cozy, very well integrated into the space, surrounded by olive trees extending nearly down to the sea, with new piers, among which there is ample space to maneuver, four hundred and sixty berths and another seventy on land, this is the choice for those who want peace and quiet. When you want to go to town, the center of Cres is only a ten-minute walk along the shore. On the way, you will pass the newly built communal harbor of Grabar, as well as the shipyard and marina in Cres, where there are another twenty berths. Right next to them is the main Cres wharf, which has been completely renovated and extended to its present length of a hundred and ten meters. Further toward the center of town are inner harbors where the locals moor their boats. The berths for sailors are on the outer side of the western pier, which protects the small harbor. Fifteen yachts can fit here. The appearance of this part of the harbor of Cres has already begun to change. The local harbor administration has approved financing from the European funds for the extension of its western part, and work has started on the construction of a hundred-fifty-meter-long breakwater that will extend from the cape of Grota toward the head of the large pier and, thereby, completely protect the harbor and add another 180 berths.
