Croatia’s greatest nationwide parks – Lonely Planet

Blessed with the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea and a big swathe of the Dinaric Alps, Croatia’s pure panorama is lush, dramatic and ceaselessly spectacular – with eight nationwide parks, Mom Nature is nicely preserved and guarded right here.

Whether or not you are a photographer trying to seize cascading waterfalls, a household in want of an easy-to-access inexperienced area or just a traveler searching for a forest by which to get misplaced, these are Croatia’s greatest nationwide parks.

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Aerial view of the Visovac Christian monastery in Krka National Park, Croatia — In Krka Nationwide Park, Visovac Monastery is accessible solely by boat. ZGPhotography/Shutterstock

1. Krka Nationwide Park

Greatest park to go to from Cut up

One of many nation’s most lovely locations, Krka Nationwide Park takes its identify from the Krka River, which winds via the Dalmatia area. The park covers 109 sq km (42 sq mile) and is dwelling to 16 cascades, together with Europe’s largest travertine waterfall, but it surely’s a fabled assortment of seven that almost all come to see.

Postcard-famous Skradinski Buk is the spotlight, although the Roški Slap cascade is equally outstanding. Word that swimming right here is not allowed.

Visovac Monastery is iconic, located on a small island within the middle of the Krka River; one other prime web site is the Serbian Orthodox Krka Monastery, based within the Center Ages and well-known all through Croatia. Boats to the latter depart from Roski Slap, and in summer time and autumn, there are guided excursions protecting the constructing’s lengthy historical past and its intricate structure.

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Excursions of the park as an entire can be found from close by Šibenik, albeit pointless if in case you have your individual transportation; the entry price features a guided take a look at the grounds. There are additionally non-public excursions that mix wine tasting within the Šibenik space with a visit to the falls, a preferred choice.

Evening view of pure water waterfall in Plitvice National Park, Croatia — Plitvice Nationwide Park has greater than 90 waterfalls and is dwelling to brown bears and gray wolves. Andrew Mayovskyy/Shutterstock

2. Plitvice Lakes Nationwide Park

Greatest park for waterfalls, bears and gray wolves

Situated within the middle of the nation, two hours from Zagreb and three hours from Cut up, huge Plitvice Lakes Nationwide Park was the primary nationwide park in Croatia, and it stays the biggest as we speak.

A powerful lake system boasting each geological intricacy and otherworldly magnificence, Plitvice options 16 interconnected, terraced lakes, created by tufa boundaries (pure deposits of calcium carbonate) that shaped pure dams and rivulets – plus greater than 90 waterfalls and a swirling community of swimming pools.

With its stability of crystal-clear waters, inexperienced meadows and dense forests, the park can be dwelling to lynx, brown bears, gray wolves and a broad vary of plant, flower and tree species. Guided excursions of the park can be found from Zagreb, Zadar and Cut up.

Two boats in the water off the coastline of Mljet Croatia — Automobile-free Mljet island has forests, saltwater lakes, and the well-known Mljet Nationwide Park . Marcos Mesa Sam Wordley/Shutterstock

3. Mljet Nationwide Park

Greatest park to go to from Dubrovnik

This peaceable little bit of protected land covers a 3rd of car-free Mljet Island, 37km (23 miles) off the coast of Dubrovnik within the Adriatic Sea, the place Ulysses was held captive for seven years in Homer’s Odyssey. It is flanked by two lovely saltwater lakes, Veliko and Malo Jezero (Giant and Small Lake); the previous is dwelling to a Twelfth-century Benedictine monastery that rises from the tiny islet of Sveta Melita.

The park is ribboned with cycle paths and strolling routes, such because the Pomena Path, a calming five-hour semi-circular hike alongside the northernmost fringe of the park that passes Rogac, Zaklopatica and different beautiful bays. Most individuals get round underneath their very own steam by kayak, canoe and the odd scooter, making a cease for seafood – at wonderful eating places like Konoba Soleta and family-run inns equivalent to Tkon Residences Maestral – really feel much more rewarding.

Aerial view of islands in Brijuni National Park, Croatia — Brijuni Nationwide Park is made up of an archipelego of 14 islands. Studio Hrg/Shutterstock

4. Brijuni Nationwide Park

Greatest park for island hopping

The easiest way to discover Brijuni Nationwide Park – a surprising, 744-hectare (1838-acre) archipelago comprising 14 Istrian islands – is by yacht or ferry. Among the many sights are 200-plus dinosaur footprints discovered at Cape Vrbanj and Cape Ploce on the island of Veliki Brijun, which additionally has rolling inexperienced meadows, historic structure and a safari park with zebras, elephants, peacocks and extra.

Park tickets can be found on the Nationwide Park workplace in Fažana, a small city on Istria’s southwestern coast. Admission features a tour with a seasoned information, a prepare journey across the island, the round-trip boat journey from Fazana to Veliki Brujin and visits to the safari park, Mediterranean backyard and the park’s well-known 1600-year-old olive tree.