Lake Vrana: Drinking Water, Not a Swimming Lake
In the middle of Cres lies a natural wonder that surprises many visitors: Lake Vrana (Vransko jezero). It is the only freshwater source on the island and the largest lake in Croatia by volume.
Some numbers:
• Area about 5.8 square kilometres
• Up to 74 metres deep
• The surface is only about 14 metres above sea level, the bottom around 60 metres below it
• Roughly 220 million cubic metres of fresh water
Since 1953 the lake has supplied Cres town with drinking water, and about ten years later Mali and Veli Lošinj were connected too.
Important: because the lake provides drinking water for two islands, it is strictly protected. Swimming and fishing are forbidden and the shore is monitored. Please respect this, even if the clear water looks tempting on a hot day.
Insider tip: the lake is best enjoyed from above. Along the main road between Cres and Osor you get repeated views of the dark water between the hills. For swimming, head to the west coast instead, for example Valun or Martinšćica.