The Kvarner bay is
located in the northern Adriatic, between the Istrian peninsula and the northern Croatian Littoral mainland. The bay
consists of numerous islands, the biggest of which are Cres, Krk, Losinj, Pag and Rab. The islands of the Kvarner bay are famous for their
unspoilt nature, crystal clear sea, and numerous charming little villages with views indescribable with words.
Since it is impossible to name all the incredible hilltop sights worth visiting, we narrowed the list down to the islands of Krk, Cres and Losinj, to make it easier for you.
VRBNIK
Vrbnik is a
small town on the island of Krk, with a 900 year-old history. It is located
about 50 meters above sea level, and has incredible panoramic views of the surrounding area. When arriving from the mainland, the first thing you will notice are
vineyards of the well-known Zlahtina grapevine, one of the best Croatian wine sorts.
Other than Zlahtina, the residents are also proud of the fact that Vrbnik has
the narrowest street in the world, which is only about 40 cm wide. Vrbnik is definitely a town worth exploring, due to its authentic tradition, rich history, beautiful nature and the fine gastronomic offer.
BELI
Moving on to
Cres, our first stop is Beli, which is
located on a hilltop about a 130 meters above sea level. It is one of the oldest and historically most important settlements on the island of Cres. Many cultural and historic landmarks dating back to the 13th century can be found in Beli.
Romanesque churches and chapels, the old Roman bridge, and the stone head of King Abel, after whom Beli got its name, are only some of the landmarks worth seeing. Beli is also
home to the griffon vultures, a globally endangered species. The Eco-center Beli is in charge of taking care of the vultures, and the entire cultural heritage of Cres.
LUBENICE
Another place
on the island Cres we must not forget is Lubenice from where you will have
one of the most magical views of the Adriatic. This little medieval village is
set 378 meters above sea level. The road driving up is narrow and a little bit tricky, but we promise, you will forget all about it the moment you get to enjoy the breathtaking view.
Below Lubenice you will find
one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Also, during the summer many concerts, events and performances are taking place in Lubenice, meaning it never gets boring there!
PROVIDENCA
If you are
visiting Losinj, this is definitely a sight you must see. The
viewpoint Providenca is located at the very top of Mali Losinj, and offers unforgettable views of the Losinj archipelago. There is a bar/restaurant where you can enjoy a drink or some of the local delicacies. There is even an educational trail, where you can take a nice walk through the karst ambiance and listen to interesting stories about Losinj.
Other than the viewpoint Providenca, Losinj is also famous for its 20 km long mountain Televrin, also known as Osorcica. The extraordinary view from the top goes all the way from the Losinj archipelago, to the coast of Istria, the surrounding islands, and even the mountain Velebit, which is located on the mainland.
Stay in
one of our villas in Kvarner bay and visit these beautiful panorama points!
Lucija Butigan
31.01.2020
MY ISTRIA GUIDE
