Natural attractions in Croatia

Thanks to its incredible natural beauties Croatia is an ideal destination for an active holiday and one of the most popular destinations among travellers.

National parks

There are 8 national parks and 11 nature parks in Croatia.

National Park BrijuniNational Park Brijuni is a must-visit point for everyone staying in Pula or its surroundings. The island is made of two bigger islands and twelve smaller islets and has a rich cultural and historical heritage as well as a great diversity of flora and fauna. The top attraction of the island is the unique safari Park with its most known inhabitant elephant Lanka. The island can be explored by bike or electric car and you can enjoy sports activities like scuba diving, tennis and golfing.

Image source: www.np-brijuni.hr

National Park KrkaNational park Krka is located in the area of Šibenik-Knin County. It is a natural phenomenon consisting of seven waterfalls including the most famous one, Skradinski Buk, which stands out with its exceptional beauty. Between the Skradinski Buk and the Roski Waterfall is the islet of Visovac with a Franciscan monastery.

Image source: CNTB
Author: Zoran Jelača

National Park PaklenicaNational Park Paklenica is located 45 km from Zadar, in the area of 95 km2. It includes the southern Velebit with its highest peaks the Vaganski vrh and Sveto brdo. Its rich flora and fauna can be explored by cycling or hiking. Anića Kuk, the biggest cliff in Velebit, is a popular hiking destination.

Image source: CNTB
Author: Ivo Biočina

National Park Plitvička jezeraNational Park Plitvice Lakes are the most famous and the most visited Croatian national park. Due to its magical 16 lakes which can be explored by walking through the trails or with a panoramic boat, this national park is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. Besides the lakes interconnected by waterfalls, here you can find caves, meadows and a rare preserved animal species - the brown bear.

Image source: CNTB
Author: Aleksandar Gospić

National Park Mljet National Park Kornati are located near Šibenik, in northern Dalmatia. With its uninhabited 89 islands, islets and cliffs it represents the most indented island group of the Mediterranean. The well-maintained and marked hiking trails lead to the viewpoint from where you can see the most beautiful parts of this park. Nature Park Telašćica is nearby, situated on the island of Dugi otok.

Image source: CNTB
Author: Ivo Pervan

National Park Mljet National Park Mljet occupies about a third of the island of the same name and is located in the southern Croatia. Two main attractions are salt water lakes called Malo Jezero (Small Lake) and Veliko Jezero ( Big Lake). Small islet of St. Mary' in the middle of the Great lake with its Benedictine monastery dating from 12th century is one of the most visited attraction of the park.

Image source: CNTB
Author: Ivo Biočina

National Park Risnjak Risnjak is situated in Gorski Kotar, the most mountainous region of Croatia. It is full of various types of woods which are inhabited by different animal species such as brown bear, deer and wild cat. Risnjak was named after the wild animal – lynx, in Croatian pronounced ''ris''. Beautiful scenery and breathtaking views attract a lot of climbers and nature lovers.

Image source: CNTB
Author: Ivo Biočina

National Park Velebit North Velebit was founded in 1999 and is the youngest Croatian national park. It includes parts of northern Velebit with many attractions such as the Botanical Garden and Luka’s cave, which is one of the deepest in the world.

Image source: CNTB
Author: Ivo Biočina

National Park Brijuni

National Park Brijuni is a must-visit point for everyone staying in Pula or its surroundings. The island is made of two bigger islands and twelve smaller islets and has a rich cultural and historical heritage as well as a great diversity of flora and fauna. The top attraction of the island is the unique safari Park with its most known inhabitant elephant Lanka. The island can be explored by bike or electric car and you can enjoy sports activities like scuba diving, tennis and golfing.

Image source: www.np-brijuni.hr

National Park Krka

National park Krka is located in the area of Šibenik-Knin County. It is a natural phenomenon consisting of seven waterfalls including the most famous one, Skradinski Buk, which stands out with its exceptional beauty. Between the Skradinski Buk and the Roski Waterfall is the islet of Visovac with a Franciscan monastery.

Image source: CNTB
Author: Zoran Jelača

National Park Paklenica

National Park Paklenica is located 45 km from Zadar, in the area of 95 km2. It includes the southern Velebit with its highest peaks the Vaganski vrh and Sveto brdo. Its rich flora and fauna can be explored by cycling or hiking. Anića Kuk, the biggest cliff in Velebit, is a popular hiking destination.

Image source: CNTB
Author: Ivo Biočina

National Park Plitvička jezera

National Park Plitvice Lakes are the most famous and the most visited Croatian national park. Due to its magical 16 lakes which can be explored by walking through the trails or with a panoramic boat, this national park is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. Besides the lakes interconnected by waterfalls, here you can find caves, meadows and a rare preserved animal species - the brown bear.

Image source: CNTB
Author: Aleksandar Gospić

National Park Mljet

National Park Kornati are located near Šibenik, in northern Dalmatia. With its uninhabited 89 islands, islets and cliffs it represents the most indented island group of the Mediterranean. The well-maintained and marked hiking trails lead to the viewpoint from where you can see the most beautiful parts of this park. Nature Park Telašćica is nearby, situated on the island of Dugi otok.

Image source: CNTB
Author: Ivo Pervan

National Park Mljet

National Park Mljet occupies about a third of the island of the same name and is located in the southern Croatia. Two main attractions are salt water lakes called Malo Jezero (Small Lake) and Veliko Jezero ( Big Lake). Small islet of St. Mary' in the middle of the Great lake with its Benedictine monastery dating from 12th century is one of the most visited attraction of the park.

Image source: CNTB
Author: Ivo Biočina

National Park Risnjak

Risnjak is situated in Gorski Kotar, the most mountainous region of Croatia. It is full of various types of woods which are inhabited by different animal species such as brown bear, deer and wild cat. Risnjak was named after the wild animal – lynx, in Croatian pronounced ''ris''. Beautiful scenery and breathtaking views attract a lot of climbers and nature lovers.

Image source: CNTB
Author: Ivo Biočina

National Park Velebit

North Velebit was founded in 1999 and is the youngest Croatian national park. It includes parts of northern Velebit with many attractions such as the Botanical Garden and Luka’s cave, which is one of the deepest in the world.

Image source: CNTB
Author: Ivo Biočina

Nature Parks

When mentioning Croatian parks of nature, it is necessary to point out Kopački rit located near the city of Osijek. It is the largest ornithological park in Europe, and besides the famous zoo reserve and Tikveš castle, it is also popular for recreational fishing. Lastovo Nature Park is an island group in southern Dalmatia consisting of 44 islands and islets. Except the rich flora and fauna, it stands out for its very diverse underwater world. Other nature parks of Croatia are: Učka in Istria, Telaščica on the island of Dugi otok, mountain Biokovo in central Dalmatia, Papuk forest in Slavonia, Lonjsko polje near Sisak, Medvednica mountain near Zagreb, Žumberak-Samoborsko mountains, Vrana lake near Pakoštane and the largest Croatian mountain Velebit.

Beaches

The Croatian coast is known for having one of the most beautiful and indented coastlines in the world. It has a stunning crystal clear sea with countless picturesque bays and reefs. Nearly hundred beaches carry the Blue Flag, which represents the highest standard of cleanliness. Sandy beaches are especially suitable for families with children and can be found in Crikvenica, Medulin, and the island of Rab where the famous sandy beach called Paradise beach is located. There is also well known Sakarun Beach on Long Island specific for its white sand and turquoise sea. Popular family beaches also include fine pebble beaches along the Makarska Riviera, and one of the main attractive pebble beaches well known for its exceptional beauty is the Zlatni Rat beach on the island of Brač. On the island of Krk and in Istria, more precisely near Porec, Medulin, Rovinj, and Vrsar, there are numerous naturist beaches and campsites, while the most famous beach Zrće in Novalja has become a cult for youth and parties which attracts thousands of young people year after year. Kornati beaches are ideal for Robinson tourism and a true paradise for those who like to enjoy their privacy. These are the beaches that will satisfy all appetites, from families with children to those who love sports and entertainment, all the way to the naturist and the ones who just love the pure solitude.