Croatia is a popular tourist destination due to its long, beautiful coastline, numerous beautiful cities dotted along its shores (such as Dubrovnik and Split), and the dreamy islands situated in the Adriatic Sea.
Millions of people visit this stunning country each year to take in its many sights and bask in the warm rays that illuminate its mountains, valleys, and lakes. Croatia’s natural beauty is breathtaking to behold, with a wide variety of breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable scenery.
Croatia National Parks is a beautiful country with activities for everyone, whether you want to swim in the crystal clear waters of its waterfalls or head inland to explore the Dinaric Alps. Croatia’s national parks are beautiful and relatively under-visited compared to the country’s other attractions.
10. Biokovo Nature Reserve
The rocky, wild, and untamed terrain of this beautiful nature park makes for exciting hiking. Biokovo Nature Park is a favorite among Croatian hikers because of the park’s extensive network of trails that wind through the park’s rugged landscape.
Stunning vistas of the surrounding landscape can be seen from the top of the park’s towering peaks, which tower over 1500 meters above sea level and provide a commanding backdrop to the nearby Adriatic Sea.
Several interesting caves can be found interspersed among the peaks and cliffs. Biokovo is a little explored treasure with a rich assortment of fauna and flora numbering over 1500 different plant species.
9. Ucka Nature Park
Since it is the highest point in this mountainous park, Vojak offers a commanding view of the many beautiful sights that lie below. The breathtaking vistas from the peak, which are surrounded by other mountains in the range, serve to further demonstrate the wealth of natural wonders that Croatia has to offer.
From the Riviera below, the coastal mountains look absolutely stunning, covered as they are in lush vegetation and providing a stunning backdrop to the beaches and cliffs that dominate the shoreline. A large portion of Ucka Nature Park, located on the Istrian Peninsula, is composed of karst, which accounts for the park’s characteristic limestone cliffs and rock outcroppings.
8. Kornati National Park
The best sailing in all of Croatia can be found in this uninhabited and, thus, pristine and wild archipelago of islands. There are more than 140 islands, some small and some large, and discovering their hidden coves and beaches is like stepping back in time to the age of exploration.
The reefs and corals in this untouched marine environment make for fantastic snorkeling and underwater sightseeing. Some of the islands feature evidence of human settlement and occupancy dating back to the Neolithic period.
In addition, Roman mosaics have been unearthed, attesting to the islands’ enduring allure. Navigate the waters and have a blast zigzagging between the Kornati Islands.
7. Sjeverni Velebit National Park.
These majestic mountains are a sight to behold, especially the lush and green forest that spreads out between the gently rolling valleys. If you’re looking for breathtaking landscapes and scenery, look no further than the Velebit Mountains, the largest range in the country.
Sjeverni Velebit National Park is beautiful to explore, with opportunities for exciting mountaineering and a plethora of charmingly tinier trails to explore. Houses and lodges that have fallen victim to the passage of time can be found in ruins all over the park.
These crumbling relics add to the Croatia National Parks picturesque scenery; wild and untamed, the settlements hint at the dangerous environment around them. The rocky areas of the park are home to some breathtaking natural features, including craggy peaks, crevices, caves, and chasms.
6. Paklenica National Park
Paklenica National Park is home to a number of beautiful ecosystems, including two enormous canyons that run through its center, coastal channels, and an abundance of plant life. The canyon walls are characterized by sweeping cliffs that drop precipitously to the ground, with only the lower parts of these cliffs providing a suitable environment for trees and scrubs to thrive in the harsh confines of their shadow.
Small rivers and streams wind through the gorges and valleys of the dry, rocky landscape. Views from the peak of the mountain ridge in Paklenica National Park are absolutely breathtaking.
Over a thousand different kinds of plants have been identified there, and several species of rare and endangered birds make their nests among the crags. This stunning park is highly recommended for mountaineers, as it is home to some of the best climbing in all of Southeast Europe.
5. Risnjak National Park
Risnjak National Park is home to a variety of mountains and wild forests, but despite this, it receives relatively few tourists. This means you can enjoy the park’s beautiful and serene scenery without having to compete with crowds.
The mountain in the park’s name is a part of the Dinaric Alps, and the ridge that winds its way down from the summit is a great place to go for a stroll. Even though the mountain is narrow in spots, you can see all of the park’s splendor from the sweeping vistas on either side.
Lower lying mountain sides are covered in lush, verdant forests, which gradually give way to wooded valleys and green grazing lands. The greyish-white rock formations contrast dramatically with the green of the trees, and the bright blue sky above adds to the beauty of the scene. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot some of the park’s resident brown bears, deer, wolves, and wild boar as they make their way up the mountainside or quickly disappear into the woods.
4. Mljet National Park
The park, part of which is located on an island off the coast, is located in the very southern part of the country. Mljet National Park is a little-known gem, protecting both coastal waters and a variety of islands.
The hillsides are covered in thick forests that gradually give way to the clear blue waters below, with only a few stretches of dazzling white sand and grey rock separating the two. This national park is so beautiful that even the ancient Greeks and Romans talked about it in the sixth century BC. The natural wonders on display are stunning and have changed little over the centuries.
3. Brijuni Islands National Park
The Greeks, the Austrians, and the Venetians all had a hand in shaping the history of the islands now protected by Brijuni Islands National Park.
There are many interesting archaeological and historical sites to see on the islands because of humankind’s long involvement with them, such as a Bronze Age hill-fort from the 14th century BC. Among the many interesting things to see on the islands are dinosaur footprints, a church built by the Knights Templar, and Roman ruins.
The park’s stunning beauty is what draws the majority of visitors. The national park has beautiful scenery and a wide variety of animals and plants to see.
2. Krka National Park
The Krka River, from which the park gets its name, flows through it, and the park’s riverbanks and waterfalls are stunning. Over 850 plant species have been identified as flourishing in this wet and wild environment, making it a biodiversity hotspot.
There’s no denying that Skradinski Buk is the park’s most impressive landmark. Incredible in its beauty, this large pool of water is bookended by two breathtaking waterfalls and a cascade that flows gently and peacefully.
The pool looks incredible against the lush background of plants and flowers. Visovac Island, which features a stunning monastery on a tiny island in the middle of the lake, is another wonderful destination. It is reminiscent of Slovenia’s famous Lake Bled.
1. Plitvice Lakes National Park
It’s possible that Plitvice Lakes National Park, along with Dubrovnik, best represents the idyllic picture-postcard version of Croatia. This park is a must-see for anyone visiting Croatia due to its stunning turquoise, blue, and grey lakes and breathtaking waterfalls.
Plitvice has become increasingly well-known in recent years, and now it attracts more than a million visitors annually—and rightly so, given the park’s stunning natural beauty. The park’s allure is undeniable; you have to see it to believe it, what with its lovely wooden walkways winding through the clear pools. Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the highlights of any trip to this stunningly beautiful region of Europe.
What is the oldest national park in Croatia?
The most famous protected area and the oldest national park in Croatia is the Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.