A Guardian reader won the newspaper’s weekly competition with a tip about Cres. It is a lovely recommendation for wilderness, small towns and vultures—but not an expert ranking of Europe’s best islands.
Cres won a weekly readers’ competition
On 28 August, the Guardian published a selection of lesser-known European islands submitted by its readers. The contribution about Cres was chosen as the tip of the week.
The prize is part of the newspaper’s regular readers’ format and included a travel voucher. It was an editorial selection, but not a scientific or tourism-industry ranking.
The reader focuses above all on space and tranquillity
The winning text highlights the wild landscape, juniper and heath, olive groves, lavender, small settlements and turquoise sea. Cres’s griffon vultures also feature prominently.
This is a personal travel observation. It can inspire, but it does not replace a complete description of the island, its seasonal differences or its infrastructure.
A ‘winner’ can quickly become a false ranking
A headline that turns this into ‘Cres is Europe’s best unknown island’ removes the format and selection method. The other submissions were neither scored under a published system nor placed in a robust ranking.
The accurate statement is that a tip about Cres won that week’s Guardian readers’ competition. That is less than a European title, but more credible—and still a strong travel idea.
Cres is large enough for several days of travel
The island cannot usefully be treated as a single beach resort. Cres town, Lubenice, Valun, Martinšćica, Osor and the north around Beli are separated by long and sometimes narrow roads.
Anyone hoping to combine nature, settlements and coves should plan stages and avoid an overloaded day trip. Driving times on the island matter more than straight-line distances.
The griffon vultures have a specific place to visit in Beli
The visitor centre in Beli explains the griffon vultures and the landscape of Tramuntana. From 1 September to 14 October it lists opening hours from 10 am to 4 pm, with Mondays closed.
Wild vultures are still not a photographic subject on demand. Observe them from a distance; feeding, disturbance or entering closed areas does not fit the island’s conservation story.
Two ferry routes provide access to the island
Cres can be reached via Valbiska–Merag from the Kvarner side and Brestova–Porozina from Istria. Timetables, seasonal service and vehicle queues vary by route and day.
Check tickets and connections directly with Jadrolinija. The personal Guardian account offers no operating guarantee for ferries or onward connections.
How to turn the tip into a good trip
For a short stay, choose either the north with Beli and Tramuntana or the central and southern part of the island. With more days, both sides can be combined without constantly doubling back.
The Guardian tip captures a genuine characteristic of Cres: a great deal of landscape and relatively small settlements. Its best use is inspiration—followed by practical planning for ferries, routes and opening hours.
Evidence
Sources & date
Sources support the facts. Planning notes and recommendations are Golden Beach editorial assessments.
- Readers’ favourite unsung European islandsThe Guardian · 28 August 2026, checked 5 September 2026readers’ competition format, winning-tip note and personal description of Cres
- Beli Visitor Centre and Rescue Centre for Griffon VulturesBeli Visitor Centre · opening hours checked 5 September 2026exhibition, griffon vultures, Tramuntana and seasonal opening hours
- Timetables and connectionsJadrolinija · ongoing, checked 5 September 2026current ferry services to Cres
