Exciting trip to Beli

The trip to Cres in 2021 was my first independent trip to the sea. As I successfully reached Cres, I felt a huge amount of satisfaction. However, what I didn’t know was that my driving skills would be tested on the way to Beli.

Beli is located on the northern part of the island of Cres and is often called the head of the island. Narrow roads lead to it, which is quite a challenge even for experienced drivers. Every hundred meters there are extensions where it is possible to take shelter in order to miss a vehicle coming from the opposite direction. However, as you get closer to the settlement, these extensions become less frequent, and the test for inexperienced drivers becomes greater.

Beli has only about fifty inhabitants, which explains the appearance of the road, however, the adrenaline trip to Beli is definitely worth it. This is a pearl of the Croatian coast where time seems to stand still.

Beli was created in the area of the former Roman settlement of Caput Insulae at an altitude of one hundred meters above sea level. It has adorable stone houses, an inn, a church, and a self-service stand with homemade jam and fig honey.

Walking through the small streets, we met only a few tourists. Even though it was the end of August and some places on the coast were still full of tourists, this town radiated peace and tranquility.

On one of the doors was a piece of paper with the notice that it was possible to order necessities by phone or in person, but to pick them up only three days a week when the mobile store comes to the village. The fact that there is no “I’ll just pass by the store” option here prompted me to think.

For those who do not like excessive planning on their vacation, Beli can be an ideal destination for a day trip. There is a center for the recovery of griffon vultures in it, and at the foot of the settlement is a beach with the symbolic name Pod Beli.

An asphalted road leads to the beach, and there is a campsite and a zip-line on it for those for whom the adrenaline trip to this place was not enough. The zip line is 300 meters long and stretches at a height of 25 meters above the sea along the entire beach.

Beli, Cres, Photo: Ivana Poljak

For those looking for peace, a 5-minute walk along the rocky coast offers a paradise of seclusion and a hint of shade. If you are that type and are looking for something quieter, I recommend that you take your sneakers with you so that you can search for your piece of paradise without being disturbed.