Camping on Cres

When camping on Cres, you will spend your holiday on one of the most beautiful islands in Croatia. With its sheltered rocky bays, dense forests and dreamy fishing villages, the island in the Kvarner Bay is the most unspoilt of the Croatian Adriatic islands. At PiNCAMP you will find the most beautiful campsites on Cres.

Popular campsites on Cres

There are a whole range of recommended campsites on Cres. The following holiday resorts receive many good reviews on PiNCAMP and are among the most popular campsites on Cres.

Camping Slatina

Camping Slatina offers large, parcelled pitches in the shade of a pine forest and with sea views. It is only a short walk to the two clean pebble beaches. Four-legged friends can go into the water on their own dog beach and the sanitary facilities are very clean. No wonder this campsite regularly receives awards from the Croatian Camping Association. However, the terraced terrain is quite hilly, which makes parking with a caravan a challenge.

Baldarin campsite

The Baldarin campsite is the oldest naturist campsite on Cres and is located in the middle of a dense pine forest by the sea. Nudists appreciate the site as an oasis of peace and seclusion - it is around 15 kilometres to the nearest larger town. There is a restaurant, snack bar, bread delivery service and a small supermarket on the site. The sanitary facilities are modern and clean.

Camp Čikat on Lošinj

Excellent campsite on the neighbouring island of Lošinj, which is separated from Cres by an artificial canal. Camp Čikat is located in a pine forest by the bay of the same name and offers direct access to the crystal-clear sea. In addition to the pitches with beautiful views, the well-kept mobile homes are particularly impressive. There is an aqua park and extensive sports and leisure facilities just 500 metres from the campsite.

Kamp Bijar

Kamp Bijar is a cosy little campsite in a wonderfully peaceful setting by the sea with wonderful views of the bay and the wildly romantic rocky coast. The pitches in the forest are slightly sloping towards the coast, alternatively you can stay in the simple but pretty mobile homes or in a hire caravan. There is a bread roll service at the campsite and other shopping facilities can be found in the nearby village of Osor.

Kovačine campsite

Beautifully situated and well-kept campsite near the small town of Cres. Thanks to the dog beaches, the campsite is ideal for dog owners and also has its own naturist area. The natural ground of the pitches is quite stony, but there are several cosy mobile homes or holiday accommodation right by the sea available as an alternative. Wi-Fi is available throughout the campsite and is free of charge.

General information about camping on Cres

The island of Cres is located off the Istrian peninsula in the picturesque Kvarner Bay. Thanks to its azure blue water, beautiful beaches and typical Mediterranean flair, Cres is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Croatia for campers. Most of the campsites on Cres are located directly on the coast and are ideal for a relaxing camping holiday by the sea. Four-legged holidaymakers are also welcome at many campsites and can let off steam at the designated dog bathing areas and dog beaches.

As is generally the case in Croatia, the facilities at the campsites are good, as many of the sites have been modernised in recent years. Electricity and fresh water are available at every pitch, and there are usually also supermarkets, mini shops with camping supplies and restaurants on the pitches. Only the WLAN is still lacking in many places. Depending on the size of the pitch, reception is often only available at reception or in the restaurant. In some cases, charges are also made by the hour.

In addition to pitches for caravans and motorhomes, many holiday resorts also offer mobile homes, bungalows and other rental accommodation - perfect if you want to save yourself the long journey with your own motorhome and still get a taste of camping. The mobile homes are usually fully furnished and, depending on their location, offer wonderful views of the Adriatic coast.

Cres is also a popular destination for campers thanks to the huge range of sports and leisure activities on offer. In the high season in summer, many campsites offer children's entertainment and other activities for young and old. Water sports are available in abundance. Alternatively, you can go on boat trips or take a beginner's course at the diving school. Many campsites also have their own beach and sun loungers for hire. Doing nothing on Cres is also very good.

Glamping accommodation and glamping in Cres

Don't want to do without luxury when camping? No problem thanks to glamping in Cres. This particularly luxurious form of camping is also becoming increasingly popular in Croatia. Many campsites on Cres offer special glamping accommodation, such as fully furnished glamping tents or cosy bungalows with loungers, air conditioning and private sanitary facilities. Especially for a family holiday, glamping in the wonderful nature of Cres is a unique experience. It's easy to overlook the fact that glamping tents and the like are usually a little more expensive than the regular pitches.

Nudist camping on Cres

Cres has also had a good reputation among naturists for a long time. Croatia has a long tradition and is generally a dream destination for fans of naturism - and this also applies to Cres. The population is very tolerant towards naturists. Some campsites also have their own nudist beaches on the island of Cres. One of the most popular naturist campsites on Cres is the Baldarin campsite, which is one of the oldest naturist campsites on the Adriatic.

Camping with a dog on Cres

Dogs are welcome at most campsites on Cres, although you may have to register your dog in advance. Dogs must always be kept on a lead on the roads and paths, on the beach or on the pitch, and they are only allowed in the sea in designated areas. You will need an EU pet passport to enter the country. The dog must also be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies.

A particularly recommended campsite for dog owners on Cres is Camping Slatina. The campsite launched the Camping cum Cane project in 2007 to provide dog owners with a comfortable holiday. The campsite has separate dog beaches, dog showers and bags for disposing of dog poo. There are also separate areas for dogs to run free and areas for walking dogs.

The best beaches on Cres

The shoreline of the island of Cres is lined with dozens of small, hidden coves with secluded beaches. Snow-white pebble beaches on the south and west coasts alternate with unspoilt rocky shores on the north and east coasts.

Note that most of the beaches on Cres - as almost everywhere in Croatia - are pebble and rocky. There are only a few sandy beaches here. However, the turquoise blue water around Cres is all the clearer, making the island a real snorkelling paradise. Many of the beaches are only accessible on foot. This keeps mass tourism at bay and ensures that you sometimes have the whole beach to yourself.

Some of the most beautiful beaches on Cres are: - Krušćica beach: pebble beach - Stara Porozina beach: pebble beach - Mali Bok beach: Pebble beach - Kovačine beach: Pebbly beach - Slatina beach: Pebbly beach - Blue Grotto beach: Pebbly beach - St. Ivan beach, Lubenice: Sandy beach - Meli beach, Ustrine: Sandy beach

How to get to Cres

A well-developed road network awaits you when travelling from Munich . During the peak season in the summer months of July and August, however, there may be traffic congestion . The distance between Munich and the island of Cres is around 600 kilometres and can easily be covered in one day. The route leads from Munich to Salzburg and then on to the Austrian province of Salzburg. From here, take the A10 motorway to Villach . Then continue to Slovenia and via Ljubljana down to the Istrian peninsula**.

If you are travelling to Cres with a motorhome or caravan, there are two ferries for the crossing to the island: one runs from Brestova in Istria to Porozina in the north of Cres. The second leaves from Valbiska on the island of Krk in Kvarner Bay and travels to Merag, near the town of Cres.

Catering

Even if you prefer to cater for yourself, you should try the local cuisine in Cres. It's worth it! You can expect a huge selection of fish, mussels, crabs and other delicacies from the sea. Istrian cuisine also pampers the palate with hearty meat dishes such as pork loin ombolo or hearty stews such as manestre.

Particular Istrian culinary specialities include the succulent prosciutto Prsut and excellent, hand-picked wines from the region. Olive oil, the liquid gold of Istria, is also a must in almost every dish. Istria is also famous for its legendary black and white truffles, which enhance many dishes.

Best time to travel for a camping holiday on Cres

The best time to visit Cres for a beach holiday is between June and August. However, the bathing season starts in May and usually lasts until October. In the high season in the summer months of July and August, average temperatures of 25 degrees Celsius and a water temperature of around 22 degrees Celsius prevail - ideal conditions for exuberant water fun with the whole family.

Active holidaymakers prefer spring and autumn to take advantage of the wide range of sports on offer on the island at milder temperatures of 14 degrees Celsius on average. This is also a great time to explore Cres on foot or by bike. The favourable Mediterranean location gives the island of Cres warm, dry summers as well as relatively mild winters. This makes Cres a year-round holiday destination for camping enthusiasts.

Top 5 sights on Cres

• Cres town: The Venetian-influenced capital of the island with its pretty historic old town and cosy taverns invites you to take long walks. The marina, which has been awarded the Blue Flag seal of quality, is particularly worth a visit.
• Osor: The tranquil museum town of Osor is the cultural centre of Cres. In ancient times, it was an important seaport. Today, the townscape is characterised by historic buildings, museums, galleries and numerous sculptures.
• Valun: With just 80 inhabitants, the small town of Valun is the perfect destination for anyone looking for peace and relaxation. The pebble beaches of the car-free municipality offer the clearest water in Croatia, while the wooded hills in the surrounding area are perfect for hiking and cycling.
• Lubenice: Lubenice is considered one of the most beautiful places on Cres. The tiny settlement on a steep cliff will enchant you with its fairy-tale idyll and beautiful beaches, offering spectacular views of the Adriatic Sea.
• Lake Vrana: The beautiful Lake Vrana is a unique natural phenomenon, as its surface is above sea level, but its deepest point is below sea level. The freshwater lake supplies the entire island with drinking water and can only be marvelled at from a distance. Hikes to the lake are best started in Martinšćica, Lubenice or Valun.

Top 2 insider tips

• Blue Grotto: The Blue Grotto of Cres in the bay of Zanja impresses with its magnificent play of colours when the sunlight sparkles over the turquoise blue water. Divers and snorkellers can admire the Croatian underwater world in all its splendour in the crystal-clear water. You can reach the Blue Grotto by boat or on foot from Martinščica or Lubenice.
• Bridge to Lošinj: Cres and the neighbouring island of Lošinj used to be a single land mass until the Romans built the Kavada Canal near Osor around 2000 years ago and artificially separated the islands. Today, a bridge about 10 metres long leads from Cres to Lošinj. The bridge is opened twice a day, at 9 am and 5 pm, to allow ships to pass.

Excursions and activities on Cres

A wide range of sports and leisure activities await you on a camping holiday on Cres. Water sports such as sailing and diving are particularly popular. There are also great hiking and cycling routes through the island's beautiful nature. Active holidaymakers and water lovers alike will get their money's worth on the island of Cres.

Snorkelling and diving

Cres is also very popular with divers and is a true snorkelling paradise thanks to its crystal-clear water. If you like diving along reefs and underwater walls, you'll get your money's worth in Cres. To the west of the islands of Cres and Losinj, there are also numerous shipwrecks on the seabed. Beginners can book taster courses at one of the many diving schools. You can get more information at the campsites. You can also usually hire snorkelling equipment here.

Hiking

Cres is criss-crossed by an extensive network of walking and hiking trails that reveal the island's diverse landscape and enchanting vegetation. Many of the routes run between olive trees and pine forests directly along the coast. In addition to beautiful bays with bathing opportunities, there are always marvellous views of the azure waters of the Adriatic. One of the most beautiful places to hike is the Tramuntana labyrinth in the north of the island.

For a greater challenge, we recommend the trails in the centre of Cres. The mountainous landscapes and unusual rock formations are perfect for hiking and climbing. Among other things, you can climb the two highest peaks on Cres, the mountains Gorice (648m) and Sis (638m). From the peaks you can enjoy a marvellous view over the Kvarner Bay.

Boat trips

Many campsites also offer boat trips around Cres. The excursions usually last a whole day: you are picked up in the morning, taken to the jetty and brought back in the evening. Lunch is served on the boat. One of the classic excursions on Cres is a visit to the Blue Grotto by boat. You can get more information directly from the campsites.