Beli is one of the oldest settlements on Cres which used to play a prominent role in the past. A settlement organised like an acropolis, Beli is situated on a 130m high hill above the eastern coast of the northern part of the island, on the site of a prehistoric hill-fort. Today it is a typical, closely- built, seaside village, rich in cultural and historical monuments. Let us name just some of them: a parish church with a semicircular apse of an older Romanic church, in which several valuable Glagolitic inscriptions are to be found, the Romanic church of St. Maria with a museum collection, the Gothic one-nave church of St. Anthony situated at the town cemetery, prehistoric stables at the entrance to the town and a Roman bridge over the canyon. A stone head of king Abel should also be noted. The inhabitants of Beli used to be engaged in agriculture, fishing and cattle breeding. Today Beli, with its beautiful pebbly beach and well protected harbour, has grown into a tourist resort, whose economy is based on family and camping tourism. Due to the fact that beautiful forests of Tramontane are in its neighbourhood, Beli becomes increasingly popular as a starting point of long walks in the countryside.
ECO CENTER "Caput Insulae", an organisation which undertakes programmes of the preservation of natural versatility, original values and the cultural and historical heritage of Cres, opearates in Beli. In order to make it easier for visitors to learn more about the heritage of Tramontana they have established a network of eco-educative paths functioning as a single exhibition "History and art in nature". The permanent exhibition "Biodiversity of the archipelago of Cres and Lošinj" is on display in the premises of the centre . You may wish to use it as a starting point of the similar exhibition on display in the surrounding nature. The center also carries out the programme of integral protection of griffon vulture.