June on the island of Cres traditionally brings an abundance of events that celebrate its rich cultural heritage, long tourist tradition, and unique island way of life. This year, the island of Cres marks an impressive 180 years of organized tourism with special pride, and the central celebration of this great jubilee is scheduled for Sunday, June 1, 2025. The program promises an unforgettable journey through history, customs, the sea, and music, offering visitors an authentic experience of everything that makes Cres so special. From the spectacular Cres Time Machine, through the ceremonial opening of the new interpretation center, to the grand concert by Jelena Rozga, the first day of June will truly be celebratory. But the excitement doesn't stop there, as a series of events awaits us throughout the month, including the popular Cres Kaić, the melodious Klapa Evenings, the Cres Butega fair of indigenous products, free guided tours, and the always attractive fantasy festival "Isle of Wonders".

Grand Celebration of 180 Years of Tourism on Cres: A Journey Through Time and Music

The celebration of the 180th anniversary of tourism on the island of Cres will begin on Sunday, June 1, at 5:00 PM with a unique event called the Cres Time Machine. This innovative interpretive walk will take participants on a fascinating journey through the rich history of the town of Cres. The streets and squares of the old town will become an open-air stage, where characters and stories from past centuries will come to life. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the daily lives of former Cres merchants who connected the island with distant ports through their skills, hardworking fishermen whose lives were inextricably linked to the sea, diligent laborers who cultivated the barren land, and skilled craftsmen whose workshops were the heart of town life. In addition to depicting daily life, the Cres Time Machine will also revive memories of prominent historical figures whose actions left an indelible mark on the cultural and intellectual heritage of the island. This interactive experience will allow for a deeper understanding of the development of Cres and the foundations upon which its long tourist tradition was built. If you are planning to participate in this celebration and are looking for accommodation in Cres, it is advisable to book it in advance.

After the Cres Time Machine completes its journey through the past, the ceremonial opening of the "Cres Kaić" Interpretation Centre will follow at 8:00 PM. Located in the very heart of the town, this new cultural space is entirely dedicated to the immensely important maritime heritage of the island of Cres. The center's exhibition tells the story of the glorious tradition of Cres shipbuilding in a contemporary and interactive way, the skill of building traditional wooden boats such as the kaić, gulet, and loger, which were the lifeblood of the island's economy for centuries. Visitors will be able to learn more about the navigational skills of Cres sailors, the tools that were used, the types of wood preferred for construction, and the hard but proud life by the sea that shaped the character of the islanders. The opening of this center represents a significant step in preserving and presenting the rich maritime history for future generations.

The highlight of the celebratory evening for the 180 years of tourism on Cres will be a grand music program starting at 9:00 PM. The atmosphere will first be warmed up by the popular local band Macaklini, known for their energetic performances and covers of domestic and foreign hits. After them, for the first time on the Cres stage, one of the biggest music stars of the region – Jelena Rozga – will perform. Her numerous hits and recognizable energy guarantee top entertainment and dancing late into the night, which will round off this day dedicated to celebrating tourism, community, and the rich tradition of the island of Cres in the most beautiful way possible. The concert is expected to attract a large number of visitors, both from the island and from other areas.

Cres Kaić: A Week Dedicated to the Sea, Tradition, and Gastronomy

Immediately after the grand celebration of the tourism jubilee, on Monday, June 2, the multi-day event "Cres Kaić" begins, which will last until Saturday, June 7. This extremely popular event is entirely dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the rich Cres maritime heritage and tradition. The "Cres Kaić" program is once again full of diverse and attractive content for all generations. Sea and wind enthusiasts will particularly enjoy the regatta of traditional sailing boats, where they can admire the beauty and skill of managing old wooden boats. The gastronomic part of the event includes the unmissable brudetijada, a competition in cooking this traditional fish stew, as well as demonstrations of cooking other indigenous gastro delicacies inspired by seafood. Visitors will have the opportunity to taste freshly prepared seafood specialties and discover the secrets of Cres cuisine. For those with a competitive spirit, tournaments will be organized in popular games such as briscola and tressette, traditional bocce, and the attractive More cantade. The sports part of the program also includes competitions in underwater fishing and angling, attracting enthusiasts of these skills. The educational segment of the event includes interesting lectures and exhibitions on the topic of seamanship, shipbuilding, and life by the sea. The entire event will be accompanied by a rich music program, and the popular bands Grooversi and the legendary Šajeta will ensure a superb atmosphere, whose concerts will further enrich the evenings on Cres.

Additional Excitement on Sea and Land

The first half of June on the island of Cres brings two more interesting events related to the sea. On Saturday, June 7, Cres will host the Coastal Regatta, which will gather numerous sailors and lovers of this sport. Just two days later, on Monday, June 9, as part of the Florio Burburan Memorial, a children's swimming race will be held, promoting sportsmanship and a healthy lifestyle among the youngest.

In mid-June, a series of regular summer events begins, which further enrich the tourist offer of the town of Cres. Every Monday, starting at 9:30 PM, in front of the picturesque Cres Museum, the Klapa Evenings of the island of Cres will be held. These concerts provide a unique opportunity to enjoy authentic klapa singing, which is an indispensable part of Dalmatian and island cultural heritage. The melodies echoing through the old town core create a special atmosphere and attract numerous visitors.

Lovers of indigenous products and souvenirs should definitely visit the exhibition of local products called "Creska butega". This vibrant market is held every Tuesday and Friday from 7:00 PM on the main town square. Here, visitors will be able to find and taste premium Cres olive oil, local honey, sheep cheese, various brandies and liqueurs, as well as unique handicrafts and souvenirs made by the skilled hands of local artisans and artists. "Creska butega" is an ideal place to buy an authentic gift or souvenir from the island.

So that visitors can get to know the rich history and sights of the town of Cres better, free costumed guided walks called "Cres City Tours for Everyone" are organized every Tuesday. During these interesting tours, guides dressed in historical costumes will lead interested parties through narrow alleys and picturesque squares, revealing the secrets and stories hidden behind the old city walls, palaces, and churches. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the thousand-year history of this beautiful Mediterranean town in a fun and educational way.

Cultural Treasury of Cres: Museums and Exhibitions Not to Be Missed

The Cres Museum, located in the beautiful Gothic-Renaissance Arsan Palace, which is a cultural monument in itself, offers several attractive exhibitions during June. Visitors can view the permanent exhibitions "Heraldic Cres", which tells the story of the town's social structure and history through the coats of arms of noble families, and "Three Stories of the Arsan Palace", which presents the history of the palace itself and its notable residents in more detail. As a special novelty, on June 18, the Cres Museum is preparing the opening of an exhibition entitled "Cres Cuisine". This exhibition will be dedicated to the rich gastronomic tradition of the island, presenting indigenous recipes, ingredients, and methods of preparing dishes that have been passed down through generations within Cres families. The exhibition will surely delight all lovers of good food and tradition.

In the picturesque village of Martinšćica on the west coast of the island, there is the Andrija Linardić Museum. This unique museum is dedicated to father and son Andrija Linardić, pioneers of distilling essential oil from immortelle on the island. The museum's exhibition tells the fascinating story of the medicinal plant immortelle, traditional distillation methods, and the importance of this activity for the local population. This year, the museum also brings a new interesting exhibition entitled "How Our Ancestors Dressed", which will bring visitors closer to the traditional costumes and clothing items characteristic of the island of Cres in the past. This is an opportunity to discover more about the materials, cuts, and customs related to clothing. If you decide to visit this interesting museum, consider finding accommodation in Martinšćica to fully experience the charms of this part of the island.

For nature and animal lovers, an unmissable stop in the north of the island is the Visitor Centre and Griffon Vulture Recovery Centre in Beli. Here you can get acquainted with these impressive birds of prey, which are one of the symbols of Cres, learn more about their way of life, endangerment, and the efforts being made for their protection and conservation. The center offers educational programs and the opportunity to observe vultures, and a visit to this place provides a unique experience of connection with nature. Consider accommodation in Beli to explore this unique part of the island.

Another pearl of Cres's cultural heritage is the Museum of Sheep Farming located in ancient Lubenice, a place offering some of the most beautiful views in Kvarner. The museum is dedicated to the thousand-year tradition of sheep farming on the island, which is deeply woven into the identity and way of life of the islanders. The museum's exhibition displays tools, techniques, and products related to sheep breeding, especially the indigenous Cres pramenka sheep, and the production of the famous Cres cheese and wool. A visit to Lubenice and the Museum of Sheep Farming provides insight into the harsh, yet proud history of coexistence between man and nature on this unique island. Options for overnight stays in Lubenice are also available for those who want to experience the peace of this ancient place.

Magic Takes Over the Island: Fantasy Festival "Isle of Wonders"

As the crown of June events, at the end of the month, from June 27 to 29, Cres once again transforms into an island of wonders thanks to the unique fantasy festival "Isle of Wonders". This now traditional festival attracts fantasy genre enthusiasts from all over the region and beyond. Over three days, the streets and squares of the old town of Cres become the scene of magical encounters, where elements of fairy tales, medieval history, rich folklore, and modern pop culture intertwine. Wizards, elves, knights, fairies, and other fantastical creatures will once again rule the town, creating an unreal atmosphere. The festival program includes numerous contents: guest appearances by famous domestic and foreign fantasy literature writers, meetings with actors from popular films and series, concerts of medieval and fantasy music, exhibitions by visual artists inspired by fantasy, workshops of old crafts, knightly tournaments and battles, and impressive parades of costumed heroes from the world's most famous film and literary sagas. A special backdrop for these events will be historical locations such as the Moise Palace and the imposing Cres tower, which further contribute to the authenticity and magic of the festival. "Isle of Wonders" is not just a festival, but an immersion into the world of imagination that offers visitors of all ages an unforgettable experience and the opportunity to become part of their favorite stories for a moment. Many visitors look for accommodation in the town of Cres every year during the festival, so it is advisable to secure it in time.