01Island Hopping in Lovran: What Is Actually Possible

Lovran sits on the eastern coast of Istria, on the Opatija Riviera. The town has a small harbour and a long seafront promenade, but no ferry terminal. The three nearest islands are Cres, Krk and Lošinj, all in the Kvarner Gulf. Cres is visible from the Lovran waterfront, roughly 10–15 km across the water.

There are two practical ways to reach them:

  1. Boat tour from Lovran harbour. Best for swimming, short on logistics, no car needed.
  2. Car plus ferry. Best for seeing the islands properly and linking Cres, Krk and Lošinj into a multi-day loop.

02Option 1: Boat Trips from Lovran Harbour

Several operators pick up passengers in Lovran, Opatija, Ika and Mošćenička Draga. Typical formats:

  • Small-group day trip to Cres (about 8 hours). Prices start around €84 per person. One long-running operator, Ema & Marlin Tours, departs from the Lovran harbour area and heads to bays on Cres such as Smrdeća Bay, with a grilled-fish lunch on some itineraries. The sea crossing takes about two hours each way on slower boats.
  • Private speedboat to Cres or Krk (up to 9 hours). Prices start around €140 and rise to €270–€370 depending on boat, season and trip length. This is the better value for a group of four or more, since the price covers the boat rather than each seat.
  • Short coastal cruises (2–4 hours). These cover the Lovran–Mošćenička Draga coast or hidden coves and cost less than full-day trips.
  • Long Krk and Cres combination (full day). One operator runs a combined Krk and Cres day from the Opatija/Lovran area with lunch on board. The time ashore is short, so it is a sampler, not a visit.

The usual boat-trip stops on Cres are Smrdeća Bay and the cliffs below Beli, an old hilltop village on the island's east coast. The route passes the cliffs of Brseč and the coast near Porozina.

Boat trip tips

  • Book mornings. The Kvarner Gulf is usually calmest before midday, and the afternoon bora or maestral wind can make the open crossing choppy.
  • Choose a private boat if you want to decide the stops. Group tours follow a fixed route.
  • Bring water shoes. Cres bays are mostly pebble and rock.
  • Free cancellation is common on private trips, which helps if the forecast turns.

03Option 2: Ferry Island Hopping from Lovran

Step 1: Lovran to Cres (Brestova–Porozina)

Brestova is the mainland port, about 15 km south of Lovran along the coastal road, roughly 20 minutes by car. Jadrolinija runs the Brestova–Porozina car ferry (line 334). The crossing takes 20 minutes. A passenger ticket costs about €4.40, and vehicle fares are higher and vary by season.

Departures from Brestova run roughly every 1.5 hours, including at 06:45, 08:15, 09:50, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30 and 16:00. Return sailings from Porozina leave at times such as 07:30, 09:00, 10:40, 12:15, 13:45, 15:15 and 17:00. Summer timetables add extra late sailings, so check the current Jadrolinija timetable before travelling.

The ferry is first come, first served, with no reservation for most cars on this short line. In July and August, arrive 60–90 minutes before the sailing you want. Motorbikes and scooters usually board faster.

Step 2: Cres to Krk (Merag–Valbiska)

From Porozina, the road runs south along Cres. The Merag turn-off (D101) leads to the Merag ferry port. A Jadrolinija ferry connects Merag with Valbiska on Krk. The sailing is short, and the two ports lie on a small cross-island route that avoids the mainland entirely. Check seasonal timetables, since frequency drops outside summer.

Step 3: Cres to Lošinj

Cres and Lošinj are joined by a narrow channel and a bridge at Osor, so no ferry is needed. The D100 road runs about 81 km from Porozina to Mali Lošinj. Allow around 1 hour 45 minutes of driving from Porozina to Mali Lošinj without stops.

Step 4: Return via Krk bridge

Krk has a road bridge to the mainland, so the return from Valbiska to Lovran is by road. Lovran to the bridge is roughly 55–60 km. Strong wind can close the bridge to some vehicles. Have a backup plan, either a ferry or an extra night on the island.

04Comparing the Islands

Cres: Wild and Quiet

Cres is long, narrow and sparsely populated. Highlights include the town of Cres with its harbour, Beli on a cliff above the sea, and Osor, a small town with a historic centre and a swing bridge. Sheep pasture and dry stone walls cover much of the interior. This is the best island for a first trip from Lovran because it is the closest.

Krk: Easy and Developed

Krk is the most accessible island because of the bridge, and the busiest. Krk town has a compact old centre with city walls. Expect heavy traffic on summer weekends.

Lošinj: Beaches and Dolphins

Lošinj is known for pine forests, mild air and its main town, Mali Lošinj. Around 200 bottlenose dolphins live in the surrounding waters, and the Blue World Institute in Veli Lošinj runs educational dolphin-watching tours. Lošinj also has ferry links to smaller islands such as Unije, Susak, Ilovik and Silba, plus boat services toward Zadar.

05Suggested Itineraries

One day: Cres by boat

Take a morning small-group or private boat from Lovran harbour. Swim at Smrdeća Bay, have lunch aboard or in a village cafe, and return by late afternoon. Budget €84–€140 per person, or a private charter from about €270.

One day: Cres by car

Drive to Brestova by 08:00, take the 08:15 ferry, and visit Beli and Cres town. Return from Porozina on the 15:15 or 17:00 sailing. The total cost for two people is mostly fuel plus the ferry fare.

Three days: Cres, Lošinj and Krk

Day 1: ferry to Cres, drive to Mali Lošinj, stay overnight. Day 2: swim and take a dolphin or islet trip. Day 3: drive north along Cres, take the Merag–Valbiska ferry to Krk, and cross the bridge home.

06Insider Tips

  • Stay in Lovran, ferry from Brestova. Lovran's old town, its laurel-lined streets and the 12 km Lungomare promenade to Opatija make it a calmer base than Opatija.
  • Skip the one-day Krk, Cres and Lošinj marathon. The distances sound manageable on a map, but driving through Cres at island speeds, plus ferry queues, leaves almost no time at any stop. Choose one island, or sleep on the islands.
  • Go in June or September. The water is warm enough, and Brestova queues are far shorter than in July and August.
  • Lunch plans matter. Cafe options in Cres bays are basic, so bring supplies on a boat day.
  • Wind decides everything. Check the forecast, because bora and strong maestral winds cancel boats and close the Krk bridge.

07Getting Around Without a Car

Foot passengers can board the Brestova ferry, but Brestova has limited public transport and Cres has few buses. A boat tour from Lovran is the simpler car-free option. A taxi to Brestova is possible, so confirm the fare in advance.

08Best Time to Go

Boat trips run mainly from May to October. Swimming is best from June to September. Ferries run year-round, but winter timetables are shorter and some island businesses close.