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Spain, Greece, Italy and yes, Croatia have become the favorite destinations in Europe for holidaymakers expecting the best of the best in sun and sand.
Summer is here, which means you’ve probably already scoured the internet for your European beach holiday.
Hordes of travelers will invade Croatia’s breathtaking coastlines, but none more so than the dazzling historic city of Dubrovnik.
This city is always worth a visit, but we all appreciate our space, especially when we take a trip around the world.
That’s where the beautiful, laid-back island of Cres comes into play. Even though Cres is one of the largest islands in Croatia, it somehow remains under the radar, so it’s time to take advantage of it.
Offering world-class beaches and surprising affordability, we dare say this beautiful island is it next Mykonos?
The ‘forgotten’ island of Croatia
However you get to Croatia, you would be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t visit one of the country’s famous beaches.
Inland cities like Zagreb are great, but don’t spend all your time wandering charming, timeless streets when dazzling blue waters await you along the coast.
Of course, Croatia is home to a variety of luxury islands and it’s hard to choose just one. If you’re in this trouble, maybe hop aboard a superyacht to take your vacation to the next level.
With popular islands like Hvar and Krk, Cres somehow doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.
Recently labeled ‘forgotten’ by the Telegraph, it’s time to shine a light on this lesser-known paradise easily accessible from the mainland.
Just as cheap as the Greek islands
The Greek Islands are a magical holiday destination, especially the famous names Santorini, Corfu and of course Mykonos.
While Cres may not have the wild nightlife that even A-listers flock to, Cres ranks the same, if not more, for all other places like Mykonos.
At the very least, Cres is an excellent alternative to Europe’s most popular islands, such as Mykonos, Mallorca and what has become of Madeira.
Best of all: it’s cheap! Vacation planning can be tricky when you’re wondering if you can afford the splurge.
That is not the case at all when you visit Cres. Croatian prices may now be in euros, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be paying premium prices here.
One of the best parts of any Mediterranean trip is enjoying fresh, delicious food and wine. Cres is no different with cappuccinos for around $1.50, full meals for $5, and cases of wine for just $10 – that’s right, cases!
Not to mention affordable seaside stays like the top-end ones Hotel Kimen overlooking the beautiful sea. For a more traditional stay, there are also plenty of holiday homes spread across the island.
Check out Airbnb for a wide range of historic Cres homes upgraded for modern travelers.
Or maybe you’re a solo traveler who really stretches your budget; the seaside campsite Camping Zdovica offers pitches for just $10 to watch the stars at night and wake up in paradise.
Moreover, you are currently not melting here like other holiday destinations throughout Europe. Summer temperatures stay in the high 80s and low 90s during high season, making for the perfect beach weather.
Easy to get to and plenty to do
Obviously, almost any island worth visiting will have beautiful beaches. But that is not the only attraction for Cres.
Part foodie destination, part historic destination and a quintessential Mediterranean retreat. Tourists can explore picture-postcard villages, enjoy fresh seafood and immerse themselves in the charming streets you would expect to find anywhere in Croatia.
Some of the more notable sights that tourists like to visit are the Venetian Tower, St. Mary’s Church and the city walls like Dubrovnik, but on a much smaller scale.
Cres is the largest town on the island of the same name, but don’t limit yourself here as there are many scenic sights to visit.
One of them is the beautiful village of Osor with less than 30 inhabitants!
This beautiful city offers access to ancient caves, wide-open beaches along turquoise waters, and walkable historic streets.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
