Croatia Travel: National Parks

Croatia: Known for its Awe-Inspiring National Parks

Croatia is home to some of the finest national parks in the region. In fact, nearly eight percent of the entire country is designated as a national park area, covering approximately 400 square miles. Of this, nearly a quarter of the area is covered in beautiful lakes and streams. Visiting these national parks is a great way to spend a day appreciating the natural beauty that is Croatia.

Risnjak National Park still remains largely untouched by tourism due to its higher altitudes and colder temperatures, yet it is one of the most beautiful parks you can visit in Croatia as a result. The country has deliberately left the park underdeveloped in hopes of attracting only the most adventurous of nature lovers.

Paklenica National Park is a coastal park that is home to deep gorges, steep cliffs, large grottoes, and an intricate maze of caves. Rock-climbing is a favorite activity in the park and each May a large European rock-climbing competition is held here. Tourists are welcome here and facilities are well developed. There are also endless numbers of hiking trails and caves to explore.

For beautiful lakes, streams, and waterfalls, you might want to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park or Krka National Park. Both offer breathtaking views of falling water, gorgeous plant life, and local wildlife.

Kornati National Park includes a series of islands, islets, and reefs that can only be explored by boat. Here you will see gorgeous rock formations that are well worth the price of admission on one the boat tours that leave from Zadar.