Kovačine Camp is like a pocket paradise: the sea is just steps away, pine trees and olive trees offer plentiful shade, while its cafés brew the perfect morning coffee, and everything is rounded off by that feeling of being far away from any stress whatsoever. But let’s be honest – even the most devoted fans of deck chairs and shallow water sooner or later crave a little adventure. Thankfully, Kovačine is not just a camp, it’s a camp on Cres, an island of stories, legends, picturesque places, and scenes that look like they have an Instagram filter.

So, when your curiosity gets the better of you (or when your kids start shouting ‘I’m bored!’ after the third day), here are our top 5 picks for trips that you absolutely should not miss.

1. Lubenice – a cliff-side settlement that defies gravity

Lubenice is a true gem set on a 378-meter-high cliff, so impressive that even the most stubbornly ‘unphotogenic’ guests become influencers when they arrive. Narrow stone streets, an old church and a breathtaking view – all this in a village with just 1 inhabitant!

Beneath Lubenice lies one of the most beautiful beaches on the Adriatic. The descent takes about half an hour, the return trip takes longer than you’d like to admit – but your reward is the sea as clear as glass and the feeling of having discovered a hidden paradise. Once you conquer the climb, treat yourself to a cold beer at the Lubenička loža café or as soon as you return to the camp. You’ve earned it!

Sv. Ivan beach beneath the historic settlement of Lubenice on the island of Cres

2. Valun – a place to eat, drink and live slowly

Valun is a fishing village that looks like a painting. Stone houses, boats bobbing in the harbour, and beaches inviting you to take a swim – everything radiates simplicity.

And the best part? The food. At local konoba restaurants, the fish arrives to your plate straight from the net. If you’re not a fan of fish, there is always a plate of homemade pasta around, with olive oil whose scent instantly prompts the visitors to ask: ‘Can I buy some?’ (You can. And you should.)

3. Osor – a town brimming with history

The point where the islands of Cres and Lošinj meet is home to Osor – a small town doubling as an open-air museum. Once an important trading hub, today it is a peaceful town where sculptures by contemporary artists occupy every corner, as if they were locals.

If you are interested in culture, visit it in August, and enjoy the Osor Musical Evenings, when the old squares resonate with the sounds of violins and pianos, and the sea in the background sets the rhythm. If this seems ‘too serious’ to you, you can always enjoy a cup of coffee at a café and watch the bridge connecting Cres and Lošinj. Life is art in itself, don’t you think?

Osor, a small town on the isthmus that once connected the now separate islands of Cres and Lošinj

4. Plava Grota – a touch of sea magic

If you think you’ve seen it all, wait until you swim into the Plava Grota (Blue Grotto). The sun enters through an opening in the rock and turns the sea into a shimmering blue fairy tale. There is no filter in the world that can beat that.

You can reach the Plava Grota by boat from Kovačine Camp and swim inside if you are brave enough. The water is cold, but the experience is a warm reminder that nature truly is the greatest magician. The children usually shout: ‘This looks like a fairy tale!’, while the grown-ups are busy watching and taking more photos than they would like to admit.

A boat trip to the Plava Grota beach on the island of Cres

5. Hiking and cycling trails – Cres on two wheels or two legs

Once you admit to yourself that a camping breakfast consisting of croissants and coffee requires some balance, it’s time to explore the trails that stretch across the island. Olive groves, old villages, paths by the sea – all of this is just waiting to be discovered.

Cyclists will enjoy the challenges, while hikers will enjoy peace in the pine and holm oak forests and the creak of stones underfoot. And your reward? The viewpoints from which Cres looks like a fairy tale island, a sea that shimmers in a thousand shades of blue and – of course – that selfie saying: ‘Yeah, I was there and walked for more than five minutes.’

The island of Cres with its 300 km of hiking trails

Cres is an adventure

Kovačine Camp makes you forget what day and time it is. If you take on the challenge of these trips, you’ll discover Cres for what it really is – an island of magic, simplicity and unfiltered beauty.



So, pack a towel, a bottle of water and a bit of courage, and you are good to go. Because Cres is not just a holiday. Cres is an adventure – and the best place to start is from Kovačine Camp!

Organised trips on the island of Cres