In ancient times the Cres and Lošinj archipelago was known as the Apsyrtides. The name is derived from that of the mythical hero Apsyrtus.In times of old the islands of Cres and Lošinj used be a whole.
The oldest island settlements (Lubenice, Osor, Beli) have more than 4000 years of history. The Roman town of Osor was the seat of the bishopric in the 9th century.
Lošinj, which had been almost uninhabited until the middle of the 13th century, developed into a leading regional maritime power by the 19th century.
The beginnings of tourism date back to 1885, when health tourism began to
develop on the island.
