National Parks of Croatia. Treasures of nature!

Discover the charms of Croatia not only on its golden beaches, but also in the heart of its untouched nature. Croatia’s national parks are like colorful pearls scattered throughout the country, each of them offering unique experiences. From the stunning waterfalls of Krka to the majestic mountains of Sjeverni Velebit, these national parks are the epitome of Croatia’s natural beauty. In our article, we will take you on a journey through eight unique national parks, discovering their hidden treasures and providing practical tips that will make planning your adventure easier.

1. Plitvice Lakes National Park:

Famous all over the world, Plitvice Lakes National Park is the pearl of Croatia. There are 16 interconnected lakes, creating a cascading system of waterfalls. The lakes, surrounded by lush greenery, delight with the turquoise color of the water. It is an ideal place for photography and nature lovers. Near the park you will find comfortable apartments that are an excellent base for sightseeing, especially since it is worth spending at least 2 days in the Plitvice Lakes Park.

As for prices, in high season the entry cost is 40.00 euros for an adult, 25.00 euros for a student with an ID card, 15.00 euros for children 7-18 years old. It is possible to purchase a two-day ticket. In this case, it costs EUR 60.00 for an adult. You can find all prices above by clicking the “Price list” button.
I encourage you to buy tickets online during the season, because the queues at the ticket office can be huge!

Access to the Plitvice Lakes National Park

If you are traveling by car, you can easily get here using Google or other navigation, but if you are going on holiday by plane, you can take advantage of organized trips or get there on your own by public transport. You will find connections on the GetByBus website. For example, from Split the bus takes 3.5 hours 🙂 The cost of travel for an adult in the season is approximately PLN 100.00.

2. Krka National Park:

Known for its amazing waterfalls, including the famous Skradinski Buk, Krka is a paradise for water adventure lovers. You can sail here by boat or go for a walk along the numerous educational paths. You will discover amazing sciences and feast your eyes on a wonderful creation of nature. Although swimming is no longer allowed in the Krka National Park, you will find a great place for a picnic, catering facilities and a place to hide from the summer heat!

Prices come in various options. For example, entry in June-September for an adult costs EUR 40.00, but in the price list you will find detailed information on prices for children, students and prices depending on the type of entry. Find out more here so you can make a decision. I again encourage you to purchase tickets ONLINE.

Access to PN Krka

Access by car is easy using navigation and well-marked roads, both from Zadar and Split.

You’ll find plenty of organized tours online, and if you decide to go on an independent bus tour, you can check the connection again on GetByBus.

3. Mljet National Park

Mljet, located on the island of the same name, is an ideal place for peace seekers. Here you will find salt lakes – the Great Lake and the Little Lake, which are an important geomorphological and oceanographic phenomenon, and the Benedictine monastery on the Island of St. Marii.

Access to PN Mljet

“Mljet National Park can be reached by boat from Dubrovnik and the Pelješac peninsula, as well as numerous excursion boats from Korčula, Hvar and Split, which mainly moor in the ports of Polača and Pomena. Romantics like to discover beaches and sea caves by kayak, while recreation enthusiasts go on a bicycle or hiking trip around the National Park.

 

4. Brijuni National Park:

The Brijuni archipelago is a group of picturesque islands that offer not only beautiful landscapes, but also a rich history. Here you can see the remains of Roman villas and prehistoric dinosaur footprints, as well as numerous educational paths. The park will delight you with its diversity. Here you will find a Safari park with elephants, zebras and sea turtles, and EtnoPark, presenting a typical Istrian farm. Remember that you cannot feed the animals in the park!

^{*At the time of writing the article, there was no price list for 2024 available yet.}

Access to PN Brijuni

You can sail to Pak from the town of Fažana. Here you will find boat departure times and all necessary information regarding directions. Here you will find details about the cruise from Fažana to Brijuni Park and prices.

5. Risnjak National Park

For mountain lovers, Risnjak offers trekking trails through pristine forests and alpine meadows. You can meet a variety of fauna here, including rare bird species. This park is definitely recommended to lovers of mountain expeditions. You can also read more about this place here. A fantastic adrenaline park awaits the youngest visitors!

On the park’s website you will find directions for possible trips with route maps.

Access by car:

• Risnjak National Park is easily accessible by car. If you are driving from Zagreb, the best route is the A1 motorway towards Rijeka and then take the Delnice exit. From Delnice, head towards Crni Lug, where the main entrance to the park is. The entire journey takes approximately 1.5 hours.
• If you are traveling from Rijeka, the distance is shorter. You can take the national road towards Gorski Kotar, then turn to Delnice and continue to Crni Lug.

Access by public transport:

• You can take a bus from larger cities such as Zagreb or Rijeka to Delnice. You can get from Delnice to Crni Lug by local transport or taxi.
• However, please note that bus services may be less regular, especially outside the tourist season, so it is always worth checking the latest timetables.

6. Paklenica National Park

This place is especially appreciated by rock climbing enthusiasts, thanks to its spectacular, steep and rocky cliffs. Velka Paklenica is famous for over 400 designated climbing routes of varying difficulty, which attracts both beginners and experienced climbers from all over the world.

Paklenica National Park is also an ideal place for trekking and hiking enthusiasts, offering trails through picturesque landscapes, from dense pine forests to rocky mountains. You can also find rich fauna and flora here, including many protected species of plants and animals.

Additionally, the park offers a rich cultural heritage, including the remains of ancient mills and traditional stone houses, which adds additional charm to this picturesque region. Paklenica is therefore an ideal place for those who want to combine active recreation with enjoying nature and discovering local culture.

Access by car:

• Paklenica National Park is located near the town of Starigrad in northern Dalmatia. The easiest access route is the A1 motorway from larger Croatian cities such as Zagreb, Split and Zadar. Take the Maslenica exit and follow the directions for Starigrad-Paklenica. The park is well marked and easily accessible from the main road.

Access by public transport:

• You can reach it by bus from larger cities in Croatia, such as Zadar. Buses run regularly to Starigrad, from where you can reach the park entrance.

Entrance to the Park:

• The main entrances to Paklenica National Park are the entrance to Velka Paklenica and Mala Paklenica. The most popular and best-equipped entrance to Veľká Paklenica is located near Starigrad. This entrance offers access to the main trails, information points, as well as services such as climbing equipment rentals and food outlets.
• The entrance to Mala Paklenica is less frequented and offers access to the wilder and less crowded parts of the park.

It is worth remembering that Paklenica National Park is a protected area, so you must follow the park’s rules, including the prohibition of lighting fires and leaving garbage. Park opening hours may vary depending on the season, so it’s always worth checking for up-to-date information before visiting.

7. Kornati National Park

Kornati National Park is a unique archipelago in central Dalmatia, known for its extremely clear waters of the Adriatic Sea and impressive rock formations. It consists of approximately 140 uninhabited islands, islets and reefs, making it the most densely islanded region in the Mediterranean Sea.

Kornati is characterized by rocky coasts and a rich underwater world, which attracts diving and sailing enthusiasts. The archipelago is famous for its stunning landscapes, including the cliffs called “Kruny”, which are some of the highest in the Adriatic.

The park is a paradise for nature lovers, offering peace and seclusion. Access to the park is only possible by sea, from the nearest towns such as Murter or Biograd. It is an ideal place for people looking for relaxation surrounded by untouched nature, away from the hustle and bustle of tourist resorts.

^{*At the time of writing the article, there was no price list for 2024 available yet.}

You can go to the Kornati National Park, for example, with a holiday pomysły.pl organized trip from Zadar or using GetYourGuide.

8. Sjeverni Velebit National Park

Sjeverni Velebit National Park, part of the largest mountain range in Croatia – the Velebit Mountains, is known for its impressive biological and landscape diversity. It was created in 1999 and is one of the youngest national parks in the country.

The park offers picturesque trekking trails and routes for mountain hikers. Particularly famous is Hajdučki and Rožanski Kukovi, an area with unique views, with numerous caves and deep gorges, including the deepest cave in Croatia – Lukina Cave.

Sjeverni Velebit is also home to rich fauna and flora, including many endemics. The park is famous for the Velebit Botanical Garden, which is home to many native plant species. For nature and trekking lovers, Sjeverni Velebit offers an unforgettable experience surrounded by wild and untouched nature.

Here you will find detailed directions to the Park.

As you travel through Croatia and its national parks, you will have the opportunity to experience not only spectacular landscapes, but also immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of the region. Each national park in Croatia has something unique to offer – from mountain peaks to treasures hidden under the sea. Whether you are an avid hiker, nature lover, or just looking for a relaxing getaway, Croatia and its national parks are sure to enchant you. Plan your trip today and allow yourself to discover the extraordinary natural heritage of this beautiful country.