Croatia is a country with an abundance of natural beauty, from rugged coastlines to inland forests and mountains. There are 8 national parks with a wide variety of landscapes and wildlife.
Here is a list of Croatia’s eight national parks with brief descriptions:
1. Plitvice Lakes National Park: Plitvice Lakes in central Croatia is one of the oldest and most popular national parks in the country. It consists of a series of interconnected lakes and waterfalls surrounded by lush forests and meadows. Visitors can explore the park on foot, by boat or by train, admiring the crystal clear waters and vibrant flora and fauna.
>>> Link: Book tours by bus and hiking Plitvice Lakes
2.Krka National Park: Krka National Park is located in the south of Croatia, near the town of Sibenik. It is famous for its waterfalls and emerald pools for swimming and relaxing. The park is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including fish, birds and reptiles.
>>> Tip: Book day tours by bus and hikes Krka National Park
3. Paklenica National Park: Paklenica National Park is located in the Velebit Mountains near the town of Starigrad. Its rugged terrain and breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea make it a popular destination for hikers and climbers. The park is home to many rare and endangered plant and animal species.
4. Brijuni National Park: The Brijuni National Park is located on the Brijuni Islands off the coast of Istria. It consists of 14 islands and islets that are home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, peacocks and exotic birds. The park also contains ancient Roman ruins and a safari park with African and Asian animals.
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5. Mljet National Park: Mljet National Park is located on the island of Mljet in southern Dalmatia. It is famous for its two saltwater lakes connected by a narrow channel and surrounded by lush forests. Visitors can explore the park on foot or by bike and enjoy the peaceful and natural surroundings.
6 North Velebit National Park: The North Velebit National Park is located in the Velebit Mountains in central Croatia. It is the country’s youngest national park and is known for its rugged landscape and diverse wildlife. Visitors can hike the park’s trails and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
7 Kornati National Park: Kornati National Park is located on the Adriatic Sea near the city of Zadar. It consists of a group of islands known for their crystal clear waters and rich marine life. Visitors can explore the park by boat, swim, snorkel and dive.
8. Lysnjak National Park: Lysnjak National Park is located in western Croatia, close to the border with Slovenia. It is known for its dense forests and rugged peaks that are home to a variety of wildlife, including brown bears, wolves and lynx. Visitors can hike the park’s trails and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
In addition to these national parks, Croatia has several protected areas, nature parks and other natural monuments worth seeing, such as Lonisko Polje Nature Park, Lake Vrana Nature Park and Medvednica Mountain Nature Park.
>>> Link tip: Tours by bus and boat, tickets for sightseeing, city walks etc. in Croatia are best booked on the website Getyourguide.
Natural parks Croatia
In addition to the national parks, there are also nature parks in Croatia, as in many countries. These include:
Biokovo Nature Park
Vransko Jezero Nature Park
Lonjsko Polje Nature Park
Lastovo Archipelago Natural Park
Velebit Nature Park
Telascica Natural Park
Medvednica Nature Park
Papuk Nature Park