LOŠINJ & CRES

FEEL IT – THE ISLAND OF VITALITY

Lošinj has a health tourism tradition of over 125 years. Thanks to its mild Mediterranean climate, pinewoods and air, this is an ideal place to recreate your body and spirit. Learn to live with us, in harmony with nature

TAKE A LOOK

Let yourself go! Enjoy a view of dolphins dancing in a school while a griffon vulture guards the sky, wall geckos happily crawl across house walls, and the best shrimp in the world plays the beat with its claws somewhere deep down in the sea

BREATHE IN

Let yourself go! See what it’s like to be pampered by nature that has given Lošinj 1018 plant species – 939 are autochthonous and 230 are herbs

TASTE IT

Let yourself go! Have a gastro delight that will introduce you to the Lošinj cuisine, aromatic specialties and the Lošinj Cuisine Festival in spring. Take a journey through flavors you have not had the chance to try

TOUCH

Let yourself go! Dive into our world and feel the sun gently caress you, feel the rock trembling while the wave salutes it, see how pine trees catch the wind as it hides in their tops

LOŠINJ – YOUR ISLAND OASIS

Where the stars look beautiful like nowhere else, where you breathe with your full lungs, where waves of Istria, Kvarner and Dalmatia intertwine, and where the last North Adriatic school of dolphins swim happily – that’s where the Lošinj Archipelago is located. This is a magical place that will seduce you with all its attributes – scents, tastes, sounds and preserved natural beauties.

About the places

Mali Losinj

Mali Lošinj is the biggest settlement on the island, found on the southern side of the Bay of Lošinj, which thanks to this position has become a very important maritime and commercial centre, and today, also an important tourist destination. Positioned in the August Bay, the biggest closed bay of the island, and with 7000 inhabitants, today it is the biggest island town in the Adriatic. Mali Lošinj dates back to the 12th century when twelve Croatian families settled in the eastern bay St. Martin. First Croatian settlers were farmers, later they also turned to fishing, sailing and shipbuilding, and with that the settlements moved towards the coast The golden age for Mali Lošinj was the end of the 19th century when thanks to seafaring the “small village” turned into a maritime town. Because of the big changes and the maritime crisis in the region, due to passing from sail boats to steam boats, it seemed that the destiny of this and similar towns was sealed. Upon discovering the health benefits of the climate, and growing of the new economic realm, tourism, a new page in the island’s history was open. Today Mali Lošinj is one of the main tourist centres on the Adriatic known in all European tourism circles, which is proofed by an ever bigger number of guest that visit the island every year. Mali Lošinj was the recipient of the title „Champion of Tourism 2007“, and for 2009, Mali Lošinj is the Croatian candidate for the Golden Flower of Europe 2009.

Ustrine

A few km from Belej descending the beach towards the west, we come to Ustrine where the ruins of ancient villas and the remains of vast amounts of old tiles, urns and pottery testify to the origin of a Roman settlement.

Ustrine is a small settlement of sheep-farmers and fishermen situated at the edge of a rugged area. From a height of 180 metres, it falls steeply towards the sea, which with a few inlets, form an indented coastline. If Ustrine had nothing more than panoramas, it still deserves to be seen.

You will be charmed by the hospitality of the simple and friendly hosts where you can find accommodation. Seafood and fresh fish are the specialities of the small inn rights in the village itself.

From the Romanesque church of St. Martin, a paved road which runs through the village slopes down to the sea and leads you to three Ustrine coves – Porat, Veli žal and Županj.

Osor

Although small with a population of only 70 inhabitants, due to its glorious past, preserved natured beauty as well as its gastronomy, Osor is a must as a tourist destination for all those visiting the islands of Cres and Lošinj.

The millennium metropolis of the Cres-Lošinj archipelago – over such a small area, one can find traces of its glorious and distinctive past in every stone of this eternal town.

The ancient town square encompasses beautiful buildings from the XV and XVI centuries, the town hall with its roofed loggia (to-day it is The Archaeological Collection Osor- Museum of Lošinj), Bishop’s palace and magnificent cathedral and bell-tower incorporate the historical nucleus of this town.

In fact, the entire town of Osor is an open-air museum wherein artists from all eras left their legacy, from the contemporary Meštrović to the ruins of the ancient walls, fort, the first early Christian basilica; a museum town whose green gardens and parks cover traces of prehistoric ancient villas, Renaissance portals and monasteries. A town, which is simultaneously history and a museum, becomes a unique open-air stage of rich cultural events during the summer months, the most important being Osor Musical Evening. This event has been held every year in the summer since 1976.

ABOUT THE ISLAND

The boundless sea captivates me through the lapping of the waves and the silence in the sand. The sea has been gently rocking me for centuries calling me to its beloved shore. From the depths, I saw the radiant sun on the horizon, the reflection of the sky in the movement of the sea and the joy of the mischievous dolphins. Drawing closer, I spotted a small town and the full sails of a tiny boat drifting into dreamland. I will tell you a story about the islands, which encompass the Cres-Lošinj archipelago called Apsyrtides.

Geography
Climate
Flora and Fauna
History
Culture

The Island of Lošinj is part of the Cres-Lošinj island group, which constitutes the western segment of the Kvarner’s islands inside the Kvarner Bay. The Kvarner Bay together with that of Trieste forms the most inland point of the Mediterranean Sea. The Cres-Lošinj island group extends in a northwest-southeast direction for 99 kilometres with a total area of 513 km², which comprises 16% of the total area of the Adriatic islands.
The west part of the Kvarner islands consists of the following islands: Cres (409 km²), Lošinj (75 km²) and smaller islands of Unije (17 km²), Ilovik (6 km²), Susak (4 km²), Vele Srakane (1 km²), and a series of smaller uninhabited islands. The islands of this archipelago form the natural bridge between Istria and Dalmatia.
This archipelago lies in the middle of the northern hemisphere because a part of it goes through the 45th degree of the northern latitude. The biggest part of the archipelago is in the sub-tropical zone of the southern half of the northern hemisphere, which influences its climate and the way of life of its inhabitants.
Lošinj is the 11th biggest island on the Adriatic Sea, 33 km long, with the width varying from 4,75 km in the north and middle of the island, to 0,25 km near the town of Mali Lošinj. The total coastline of the island is 112,7 km. The whole coastline abounds in attractive bays and coves, ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
Lošinj’s highest hill is the wooded hill of Osoršćica (588 m), which is some 10 kilometres long and stretches along the northern part of the island. On the island of Cres, which is generally higher than Lošinj, the highest hill is Sis (650 m). Cres has a freshwater lake – Vrana, which is a natural phenomenon. It is needless to say that so much drinking water on a karst island represents a real treasure. This enormous natural tank of fresh and healthy water contains more than 200 million m³ of water and supplies all the towns and villages on the islands with fresh drinking water.
Many, many years ago the island of Cres and Lošinj were one, only after the channel of Osor was excavated, probably during the Roman period, two islands emerged. Today a bridge connects the islands and in the geographically trafficable sense they form one unit.
According to Köppen’s classification of climate, Lošinj has a moderately warm rainy climate, with the warmest month of July with the mean temperature 24.5°C and the coldest month of February with the mean temperature 7.7°C. The daily mean temperature above 20°C can be expected from early June to late September. The swimming is convenient from early June to early October when the sea temperatures are above 20°C.
Cold days with sub-zero temperatures are very rare. On the contrary, warm days with the highest daily temperature above 25 °C appear between May and October, and in July and August nearly all days are warm. During July and August the highest daily temperature often exceed 30°C (hot days), while the night temperature does not drop below 20°C (tropical nights). The mean annual cloudiness is about five tenths. There is more cloudiness in the winter when over half the sky is overcast. In the spring the amount of cloudiness decreases, and in the summer it reaches the lowest values – in July and August only three tenths of the sky are overcast.
With over 260 days of insolation a year, or an average of about 7 hours per day, Lošinj belongs to the sunniest areas of Croatia. From November to February it has an average of 4-5 hours of sunshine a day, and in the sunniest season, in the summer, the sun shines on the average over 10 hours a day. Clear days when the mean daily cloudiness is under two tenths, are more frequent than cloudy days, when over eight tenths of the sky are overcast. During July and August more than a third days in the month are clear. Most cloudy days occur between November and March, but even then there are not more than 10 cloudy days a month on average.
The mean annual precipitation in Mali Lošinj is about 918 millimetres. Most precipitation occurs in winter, which is a characteristic of the maritime precipitation regime. About 59% of the total precipitation occur between October and March, and in that period there are about 7 to 10 rainy days per month. The warm season has less precipitation and fewer rainy days, while in the summer there are only 3 to 5 rainy days per month.
In the annual wind rose mild winds prevail. The most frequent winds come from the north-north-east, followed by winds from the south. This winds regime is characteristic of the whole coastal area, indicating the appearances of the bora and the jugo (scirroco). In the summer, about midday, a characteristic flow comes from the west quadrant, the well-known mistral, which is insignificant in the total annual wind rose.
The average thermal sensation, influenced by the temperature, humidity wind and solar radiation, ranges from very cold to slightly warm. On average from mid-November to mid-March it is cold in the afternoon, while mornings and evenings are very cold. Early spring and late autumn are cool. In May and from mid-September and in October it is slightly cool, while June and the beginning of September are comfortable. Summer mornings and evenings are comfortable, afternoons slightly warm and only in late July warm.
The distribution of thermal sensation at 2 p.m. shows that the in March prevail cool afternoons, while in April and May it is slightly cool or comfortable, so this time is very convenient for the active holidays with walks and sport. Due to prevailing sensation of comfortable and warm during summer, it is possible to stay in the open all day, and in the warmest part of the day a refreshing sea bath will mitigate the feeling of warmth.
FLORA
Due to the foresight and initiative men, as Professor Ambroz Haračić, large areas of the island rockery were reforested at the end of the 19th century on Mali and Veli Lošinj. The gentle climate of the island of Lošinj is seen in its richness of plant types.
According to research, about 1100 plant types were identified, of which 939 belong to the autochthonous flora. 230 of these plans fall under medical herbs. About 80 types of plants, mainly exotic plants, were brought from other parts of the world by masters and sailors from Lošinj, who planted them in and around their home gardens. Because of the typical climate plants from south Dalmatia and Sicily can be grown.
Here grow agaves, Mexican cactus (opuntia), palm trees, magnolias, mirth, pistachios, mimosa, fig tree from India (karmus-nassarah), lemon, orange and mandarin trees (brought from Vietnam to Palermo, and then to Mali Lošinj). Thick pinewoods around Mali Lošinj became the green belt that protects the town and the harbour from the north wind. On the side of Čikat the woods slowly changed into a park. Today the thick pinewoods of Lošinj are the symbol of the island and a valuable asset in its tourist development.
The Čikat has been nominated a forest park. In Veli Lošinj’s park, established by the Hapsburg Archduke Charles Stephen, there are some 200 different species of trees from all parts of the world. The vegetation on the island is growing luxuriant during all seasons.
Based on professor A. Haračić’s research the state of vegetation makes the climate better. The culmination of vegetation is in May when most plants flourish. The most beautiful months on Lošinj are from March until May, because of the mild temperatures, richness of flourishing vegetation and the aromatic scents in the air.

FAUNA
It is significant that there are no poisonous snakes on the Lošinj archipelago. There are just lizards and non-poisonous snakes. The island of Lošinj is the habitat of geckos, small lizards of the gekkonidae family. Geckos are protected species. Killing geckos is forbidden and punished by law. Jakov Matunci from Mali Lošinj, was placed third in the World Competition in Environmental Protection Volvo Adventure in Goeteborg, Sweden, for his project of protection of geckos, small Mediterranean lizards found on most Adriatic islands, in May 2004.
There is small game, as well as big game on the island – fallow deer and moufflons, which have been colonized in this area. There is a lot of feathered game. The birds of prey found in this area include hawks, sparrow-hawks, falcons and giant griffon vultures. Because of the small number of preserved individuals griffon vultures have been protected by law as an endangered species. The most common domestic animals found in this area are sheep. The sheep on the rocky pastures in the northern part of the island of Lošinj present an idyllic picture.
Because of the indentedness the sea that waters the coastline of the island is extremely rich with plant and animal life. Endless currents between the bays give the sea special clearness and limpidness, cleanliness and sheerness. In our seas live 95 types of fish, 71 types of crabs, mussels, snails, and different types of marine flora.
Dolphins are regular visitors, playful and ready to establish contact with humans, not unlike in adjacent local waters where they are completely extinct. They are excellent biological witnesses of the state of nature in which they live.
In ancient times the Cres and Lošinj archipelago was known as the Apsyrtides. The name is derived from that of the mythical hero Apsyrtus.
In times of old the islands of Cres and Lošinj used be a whole. The islands were later separated by an artificial canal at Osor to satisfy the needs of sea trade on the so-called Amber Route. Historical changes have hit these islands like sea waves. Millennia have passed like a storm. The presence of small and big nations that have conquered this area has left permanent traces of their material culture, brought with them or created on this soil. The oldest island settlements (Lubenice, Osor, Beli) have more than 4000 years of history. The Roman town of Osor was the seat of the bishopric in the 9th century.
Lošinj, which had been almost uninhabited until the middle of the 13th century, developed into a leading regional maritime power by the 19th century. The town of Lošinj became the second most important port in the Adriatic, immediately after Trieste. The inhabitants of Lošinj were not only known for their skillfulness in constructing sailing ships but they were also known as the best seamen in the Mediterranean. The architectural appearance of the centre of Mali Lošinj, which has remained almost the same until the present day, was determined in that period.
The beginnings of tourism date back to 1885, when health tourism began to develop on the island. On 21st January 1885 the first tourist was registered.
The first hotel in Mali Lošinj, named Vindobona, was built in 1887.
Owing to the exceptional characteristics of the climate Lošinj was proclaimed a climatic health resort by a decree of the Ministry of Health of the Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy in 1892. Soon it became a popular holiday destination of the Austrian-Hungarian aristocracy, who built numerous villas and summer residences on the island.
Lošinj is still a famous climatic health resort suitable for treating diseases of the respiratory tract and allergies. The island offers ideal conditions for a physical and psychological recovery, particularly during the winter, spring and autumn. The local hotels offer weekend and week’s anti-stress and wellness programmes.
One feels the rich cultural heritage of the island at every corner. Churches, monasteries, Renaissance buildings, basilicas and remnants from the ancient times can be found all over the island.
An exceptionally rich art collection by Croatian artists donated by Andro Vid and Katarina Mihičić, and a collection by European artists donated by Giuseppe Piperate, are stored at the gallery Fritzi in Mali Lošinj.
Kula (The Tower), a museum-gallery space located in Veli Lošinj, testifies to the maritime tradition of the island. The permanent exhibition presents the rich history of Lošinj highlighting its famous maritime past. Apart from the permanent exhibition, additional space is provided for occasional art and museum exhibitions.
The discovery of the famous sculpture, presenting APOKSYOMENOS, a Greek athlete, which was found in 1999 in the Lošinj underwater, also testifies to the rich cultural life of the island.
This unique museum is dedicated to the statue of Apoxyomenos whose story begins at the very entrance in the blue room on the ground floor. The nine scenes of each room offer exquisite sensory experiences. By means of taste, smell, hearing, and vision, the visitors can fully and individually experience the Apoxyomenos, as well as the destination of the island of vitality, one of the most beautiful spots on the Mediterranean.
The town of Osor is in fact an outdoor museum in which artists from all stylistic epochs have left their marks (it includes works by contemporary artists such as Meštrović as well as remnants of ancient walls, forts, and the first Early-Christian basilica). It is a town-museum with gardens and parks in which traces of ancient villas, Renaissance portals and monasteries are hidden. During the summer, this town that represents history and a museum at the same time becomes a unique scene abounding in cultural events among which we put special emphasis on the Osor Musical Evenings.

About the island

The largest of the islands is the wooded Lošinj, with its elevated mount Osoršćica. From here travellers can discover the primeval beauty in the landscape of the small islands unfolding before them: fertile Unije, unique sandy Susak with its distinctive culture, solitary Vele and Male Srakane, flower-studded Ilovik, each of them closely guarding its secrets and beauty. Come and discover them! There are tourist boats and regular ferries lines connecting these islands, whilst Lošinj itself is linked to the mainland by modern car ferry, hydrofoil and small plane. The sea connects and yet divides them.
It is exactly there that I, Apoxyomenos, bathed in its waters, slumbered for 2000 years. I know, for sure, that the waters around here are clean and crystal-clear while the seabed abounds with flora and fauna. The playful dolphins certainly noticed this and here you can learn more about them. The man from Lošinj has always lived from the sea and for the sea. He loved it and feared it; hence, the small votive chapel on Čikat, “The Annunciation”. Protruding on the island’s steep cliff, it unceasingly listens to the seamen’s prayers and the siren of ships. Along with the wooded park Pod Javori, in the wooded park Čikat, whose trees were planted by Professor Ambroz Haračić, the legacy of gifts remain from innumerable seamen and captains who transported exotic plants of the most diverse colours, fragrances and shapes from far-off lands and bequeathed them to the island.
Stirring tales of Lošinj’s seafaring unfold in the museum-gallery “Kula” located in Veli Lošinj, which proudly boasts the magnificent Baroque church of St. Anthony the Abbot, housing a treasury of art works. Rising from the sea, the bell-tower of the parish church “The Birth of Mary” looms high in Mali Lošinj while Fritzi Palace lies out of sight in an alleyway, faithfully guarding Lošinj’s rich collection of art works – belonging to the Piperata and Mihičić families. Nevertheless, the greatest cultural-historical monument on the island is the town-museum, latter-day Osor, four thousand years old. The legacies of bygone eras resonating in every corner of this town testify to this: a Museum of Sacred Art, the former Bishop’s palace, an Archaeological collection as well as a Cathedral dating back to the 15th century, which houses relics of St. Gaudenzia, a bishop who later became patron saint of Osor. Legend has it that he is credited with the disappearance of all poisonous snakes from the island and so, today, there are only non-poisonous ones along with lizards and the legally-protected gecko. Traditionally, a festival of classical music is held in the Cathedral called “Osor Music Nights”.
Today, Lošinj is a much sought-after tourist destination where you can tune into yourself. Lošinj’s tourist beginnings are linked to health tourism, as the benefits of climate and vegetation of the island were first discovered by the wise Austro-Hungarian aristocracy. Along with proclaiming Lošinj a health resort, they built numerous villas and summer residences, which have been restored, and today enrich the landscape. Along with them, there are numerous newly built hotels, which are continually being upgraded with new facilities. Some of them already boast four stars, offering Wellness Centre programs and swimming pools with heated sea water, while others are transformed into smaller family hotels and guest houses. In private accommodation you will have the opportunity to meet the friendly locals – their customs and traditions. You’ll experience a symphony of colours, fragrances and tastes, revelling in the island’s traditional cuisine based on wild, aromatic plants and olive oil. Once again, you’ll be delighted by the taste of spring lamb and Kvarner Bay scampi, the aroma of homemade brandy with pot herbs and the bouquet of our local wine from Susak. Lošinj provides campsites scattered over the entire island, along the sea, with beautiful beaches protected from the sun by pine trees, thus providing visitors with natural aromatherapy.
The fragrance programs are revived throughout the whole year, bearing the name of the month in accordance with the wild and autochthonous flora, and offering a profusion of healthy and unique fragrances and tastes. Active holiday seekers, all year round, are able to use the 220 km long laid-out pathways, which stretch over no less than five islands. The pathways and promenades wend their way through diverse and sweet-smelling tracts of nature and can lead you to hidden hamlets and picturesque places: Belej, Ustrine, Punta Križa, Nerezine, Sv. Jakov, Ćunski or Artatore. The more adventurous explorers will go diving into the depths full of caves and reefs, while those who prefer the sea surface can indulge in sailing, surfing, skiing and recreational fishing. Following a fully active day, you are eager no doubt to relax and be entertained. Set off into the Lošinj night! Visit the taverns with live music, nightclubs, listen to a jazz-festival and fine “klapa” songs (close-harmony singing), and enjoy Lošinj folk dancing groups with their traditional folk costumes. Don’t forget to watch the sky, as it has remained the starriest sky back from the time of Spiridon Gopčević (Leo Brenner) who chose Lošinj for his astronomical observatory Manora.
From here, I, Apoxyomenos, was taken and displayed at home and abroad, but nowhere did I encounter a climate or people such as these. I am certain it was no coincidence that my bronze statue was left here amidst the Lošinj islands. Somehow this is the place for me, a place to which I would surely return. So, I would like to invite you to visit our island of vitality and discover for yourself all the tales and unforgettable sights.

What to do

SAILING

From generation to generation a long sailing tradition has handed down experiences and created urge for the sea while the archipelago’s natural indentation has built a magnificent setting for sailing.

The old saying “Navigare necesse est” has proven to be up-to-date today more than ever. This is the man’s essential need for the very source of life and fundamental strength that on one hand scares any skilled seaman yet attracts him inevitably.

When entering the local waters of Cres you’ll find yourself faced with mesmerising splendour that is yet to be discovered. The long indented coast wrapped with rich Mediterranean vegetation is full of numerous bays and beaches: the charming play of the sea and sun reveals deep bays where those favouring peace and harmony of nature can find peace and anchor.

Excellent micro climate conditions provide visitors with a restful, active and rich vacation. Local waters of Cres pose a real challenge for navigators.

WALKING TRACKS AND PROMENADES

There are some 100 km of marked sand and walking tracks for nature lovers and those wishing to explore the inland of the island.

Motifs for taking a tour can be different: a restful vacation, exploration of cultural and historical landmarks scattered around the island or pure joy of pristine nature.

Likewise, exploring the rich world of plants can be one of the motifs: an original botanical garden full of indigenous plants and luxuriant vegetation flowers on a rather small geographical area. So, go and visit this garden for its green colour in the Mediterranean sun, for evergreen cypresses, holm oaks, laurel, a hundred-year old olive groves, lavender and rosemary in bloom…

CYCLING TRACKS

Besides walking and hiking, cycling is also an excellent way to discover Cres and enjoy captivating scenery of the island.

Besides walking and hiking, cycling is also an excellent way to discover Cres and enjoy captivating scenery of the island. The best period to ride a bicycle is in the spring or autumn when temperatures are not that high and the weather is nice.You can discover Cres by bike easily – from Dražica bay and ACI marina Cres, through the centre of the city, then along the seashore to the hotel, camping site and beaches all the way down to the tourist resort Gavza: cycling tracks are simple and easy.

You can get to almost every village on the island using the major island road or any old roads or macadam. One of the most popular cycling tracks is macadam running from Cres marina to Valun and is 15 km long. This track also further leads to villages above Valun that is Pernat, Zbičina and Lubenice. The track starts in Cres marina from where a path runs to the water pipeline route. After you leave marina you’ll see macadam and just follow road signs for Valun. While cycling you’ll come across hurdle-gates that prevent sheep from entering so please keep them closed after you pass through. After macadam you’ll see a paved road leading to Valun.

From Podol, a village above Valun, another attraction-grabbing track goes along the Vrana Lake and gives a stunning view over the lake and its surroundings. The track goes to the village Grmov above the Vrana Lake and further on to the major road.

An attractive track in the north of the island is macadam Sv.Petar – Ivanje. You can reach this track if following the major island road in direction of Porozine. Turn right at the road sign Beli and go on to St Peter. You’ll reach Ivanje by an eight-kilometre long path which is partially paved. At the 5th kilometre of the road to Ivanje you’ll come upon an abandoned village Petričevi where the path forks. If you turn left, the track will take you through the woods and mountains of Tramuntana. At the end of the track you’ll get to the major island road.

You should take tours all over the island to find out its beauty; because, Cres once discovered, will always stay in your heart.