National parks in Croatia - 8 lovely oases

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National parks in Croatia! If there is one place in the world where we have seen beautiful national parks, it is Croatia. There are a total of 8 national parks in the country and we have (so far) seen three of them. In today's post we list them all!

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National parks in Croatia

Croatia is known for its beautiful national parks, perhaps most notably Krka and Plitvice Lakes. These natural areas are stunning with vast forests, rushing rivers and mighty waterfalls.

There are also several other, sometimes less well-known, national parks in Croatia. Some are located in the mountains and attract hikers and climbers. Others are located on islands and attract divers and sailors. We have visited a total of three so far (numbers 4, 5 and 7). Here is a list of all of them.

Map of national parks in Croatia

On this interactive map you can see all 8 national parks in Croatia. The number on the map corresponds to the number in the story below. Clicking on the number will bring up more information and images about each location from Google, as well as instructions on how to travel from your location in Sweden. Of course, you can also read about the locations in this post.

1. Risnjak - mountains and lynx

If you like mountains, you will enjoy the Risnjak National Park (Nacionalni park Risnjak) in northern Croatia. From a distance you can see the peaks of Veliki Risnjak and Južni Mali Risnjak, between which there is a small hostel. It is also surrounded by green forests and the blue river Kupa.

The area has been made a national park to protect and preserve the ecological balance of nature. There is a great diversity of flora and fauna, including the largest population of wild lynx in Croatia. There are hiking trails and the nearby ski resort of Platak.

2. Brijuni - island with zebras

Brijuni National Park is an archipelago of fourteen islands, two of which are larger and twelve smaller. The archipelago was once the summer residence of the then Yugoslavian President Tito, and is now the summer residence of the Croatian President. Tito brought zebras and antelopes, which can be seen today in the archipelago's safari park.

The total area of the islands is only seven square kilometres, but as the surrounding sea is also protected, the entire national park occupies 34 square kilometres. In addition to the safari park, there is a large golf course. On the island of Veliki Brijuni there are three small hotels where you can stay overnight.

3. Northern Velebit - for walkers and climbers

The Northern Velebit National Park (Nacionalni park Sjeverni Velebit) is also a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The park is located on the northern side of Mount Velebit, the highest mountain in Croatia. On the southern side of the massif is another national park, Paklenica.

At an altitude of 714 metres, the village of Krasno is visited by up to 100,000 people every year. The nature reserve attracts mainly hikers and mountaineers, and includes caves and special limestone formations.

4. Plitvice Lakes - a Unesco World Heritage Site

The Plitvice Lakes National Park (Plitvicka Jezera) is not only a national park, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park has a large lake system with 16 lakes and many beautiful waterfalls. It is also home to one of the oldest forests in Europe, wild animals such as bears and wolves, and a very rich bird life.

You can hike around the vast national park on your own, and in many places you can walk on wooden boardwalks across the vast expanses of water. You can also get around by shuttle buses or silent electric boats. A very beautiful place!

5. Paklenica - climbing and caving

Paklenica National Park is located on the southern side of the Velebit mountain range. The highest peak of the mountain is Vaganski Vrh, reaching 1757 metres above sea level. There is also the famous rock Anića Kuk, with a height of 712 metres.

This national park attracts mainly rock climbers, but is also known for its interesting and exciting caves. Nearby you can also see so-called 'mirila', a kind of burial ground for souls that the people of the area set up in the past.

6. Kornati Islands - for divers and sailors

The Kornati Islands consist of at least 89 uninhabited islands, islets and skerries, and according to some sources there are even more. Apparently, there is an old saying that says "As many days as there are in a year, so many Kornati Islands there are."

Kornat Island is the largest island in the archipelago, and the main part of the national park is located here. The area became a national park mainly to protect the life below the surface. The islands are white and barren, attracting mainly divers and sailors. Small uninhabited stone houses on the islands are also used by local fishermen.

7. Krka - mighty waterfalls

The Krka National Park is one of the most famous national parks in Croatia, and offers fantastic scenery. Between the town of Knin in the north and the town of Skradin in the south runs the river Krka. The water rushes through lush green nature and there are several large and powerful waterfalls such as Roški slap and Skradinski buk.

You can walk around the national park, sometimes on winding wooden walkways. You can also take a boat trip if you wish. On the island of Visovac, located in the centre of the river system, there is an old Franciscan monastery.

8. Mljet - green island with deep bays

Mljet is Croatia's eighth largest island and is characterised by lush green Mediterranean vegetation. There are two deep bays on the island, which have such narrow inlets that they feel like lakes: Veliko jezero and Malo jezero (Big and Small Lake). On the western side of the island is the Mljet National Park.

Mljet has a rich cultural heritage, including a 12th century Benedictine monastery. The monastery, surrounded by a Mediterranean park, is located on a small island in the centre of Veliko jezero (Great Lake).

What is your experience with national parks in Croatia?

What is your experience with national parks in Croatia? Have you visited any of them? Which one attracts the most?

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