Lubenice
A village on a cliff 378 metres above the sea, with a dozen residents and a beach that takes an hour to reach.
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Lubenice sits on the western cliff of Cres at about 378 metres, directly above the sea, and it is old - the site has been occupied since prehistory and the stone lanes are medieval in plan. The permanent population is now in single figures to low double figures depending on the year, which makes it one of the emptier inhabited villages on the Adriatic. Below the cliff is Sveti Ivan beach, white shingle in clear water, reached only by a steep footpath of about an hour down and considerably more coming back up, or by boat. Concerts are held in the village square in summer.
What you actually see
- A village 378 metres above the sea - on the western cliff of Cres.
- A population in single figures - among the emptiest inhabited villages here.
- Sveti Ivan beach below - an hour down on foot, longer back.
- Summer concerts in the square - the village's main event.
When to go
June to September, when there is anything open. Half a day.
Honest expectations
The path to the beach is steep, hot and unshaded and people underestimate the return. The village has almost no services. The road across the island is narrow with sheep on it. There is nothing to do here in winter.
Nearby
Cres town is north-east; Osor and the Losinj bridge are south.
What to pack for Lubenice
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.