National Park Croatia

At least one of Croatia's national parks should definitely be on your vacation to-do list. In fact, you'll find 8 national parks, 11 nature parks, and 3 nature reserves here. They all offer not only fantastic landscapes, but each national park in Croatia also has its own unique features. We will briefly introduce you to the national parks in Croatia and what you can expect there.

National Parks in Croatia with Fantastic Fauna and Flora Throughout the Country

The national parks in Croatia are partly UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and if a park looks familiar to you, it might be because it has appeared as a backdrop in the Winnetou films on television!

During your vacation, you can easily reach the national parks in Croatia from all regions. It's best to choose one of our luxury villas in the regions where your preferred park is located, such as Istria, the Kvarner Bay, or Dalmatia.

Explore National Parks in Croatia on a Day Trip

The following 8 national parks in Croatia are available for you to choose from:

• The Plitvice Lakes National Park has existed since 1949 and is the oldest, largest, and most famous national park in Croatia. Since 1979, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It belongs to the Lika-Senj region and is particularly famous for its cave systems and waterfalls.
• Paklenica, north of Zadar (Dalmatia), is the national park in Croatia where "Winnetou" was filmed. It is popular with active vacationers as it is a paradise for hiking and climbing. Even camping is possible in the park. Additionally, you can visit the famous Manita pec cave here.
• Risnjak in Primorje Gorski kotar (near Rijeka) is the best national park in Croatia. Here you can find wolves, lynxes, and bears, as well as an educational trail. A popular destination is the Kupa Spring. There are still small, but abandoned and dilapidated villages everywhere, with only a handful of people living in this park.
• You can quickly reach the Mljet National Park by boat from Dubrovnik or Split. According to legend, the hero Odysseus was held captive in this park by the nymph Calypso. Many of the places described in the legend can be visited here, such as the Odysseus Cave.
• Kornati Park in Sibenik-Knin (Dalmatia) can only be reached by boat. In some places, diving and snorkeling are allowed, but only in groups under professional supervision.
• Krka in Sibenik-Knin (Dalmatia) is an hour away from Split. In this national park in Croatia, you will find seven waterfalls as well as Roman ruins and a Franciscan monastery on the island of Vicovac.
• Northern Velebit in the Lika-Senj region. The area is quite rugged, but this national park in Croatia invites you to hike. Here you can enjoy a fantastic view from the summit. Alternatively, you can admire the botanical garden with its variety of plants. Wild predators such as lynxes or bears live in the biosphere reserve of the national park in Croatia.
• Brijuni (Istria). This national park in Croatia on the island of Veli Brijun is quickly accessible by ferry from the mainland of Istria. Here you can visit archaeological sites, take a trip on a sightseeing train, and see zebras (in the safari park). In addition to the Byzantine fortress and the Church of St. German, you can visit a bird reserve (Saline) and see real dinosaur footprints in this national park in Croatia.

Experience 11 Nature Parks Up Close

The 11 nature parks are not part of the national parks in Croatia, but they still offer either active or passive relaxation.

There is a lot of variety in these parks:

• Papuk Nature Park (Osijek, Slavonia). Hiking and riding trails as well as educational trails lead through the park, which has been part of the UNESCO Geoparks since 1999. For active vacationers, there are many climbing routes and lookout stations. You will also find ancient rock formations, historic buildings, monasteries, ruins, and caves.
• Kopacki rit Nature Park (Osijek-Baranja, Slavonia, swamp reserve). A train runs through the park, where you can also admire the Tivkes Castle with its two castle complexes, where you can also stop and enjoy local specialties.
• Medvednica Nature Park (Zagreb). This area offers historical attractions such as Medvedgrad Castle with a great view and a variety of events.
• Žumberak-Samoborsko Gorje Nature Park (Zagreb). Here you will find many interesting mountain villages as well as countless castles and some churches and other sacred buildings.
• Ucka Nature Park (Istria – Kvarner Bay). In addition to the Korita Spring and visiting the lookout tower on the Vojak summit, you can also go hiking, cycling, and free climbing.
• Velebit Nature Park (Zadar, Dalmatia, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve). Here you will find four educational trails, the exciting Cerovac caves, and many historic roads, shepherds' houses, churches, and stone monuments.

Here, nature and relaxation count:

In the following parks, you can hike or admire nature by bicycle:

• Lonjsko polje Nature Park. (Wetland) Here you can cycle, ride, walk, boat, swim, and fish.
• Vransko jezero / Vransko Lake Nature Park (Zadar, Sibenik-Knin, Dalmatia). This is the largest natural lake and the only wetland on the Croatian Mediterranean.
• Telascica Nature Park (Sibenik-Knin, Dugi Otok Island, Dalmatia). The park is easily accessible by boat from Zadar.
• Biokovo Nature Park (Split-Dalmatia). Visitors can expect several educational trails, viewpoints, diverse flora and fauna, and the Kotisina Botanical Garden.
• Lastovo Nature Park (Dubrovnik-Neretva, Lastovo Island, Dalmatia). The park is easily accessible from Split, Hvar, or Korcula. Here you will find lighthouses with great views as well as many hiking and cycling trails. You can also fish here in peace.

Nature Reserves in the Mountains

In addition to the national parks in Croatia and the nature parks, there are also magnificent nature reserves. These are strictly protected:

• Bijele and Samarske stijene in the Kapela mountain massif
• Rožanski kuk and Hajdučki kuk in the Velebit mountain massif

Discover National Parks in Croatia with Crovillas

Whether it's a national park, nature park, or nature reserve – you can experience adventures and observe enchanting natural landscapes up close everywhere in Croatia.

We at Crovillas support you with our experience and our accommodations. If you have any questions, feel free to get in contact with us.