3 Must-See National Parks in Croatia

Croatia as a vacation destination is known for its many lures.

Among them are hopping between the several celebrity-strewn beaches of the Dalmatian Islands; yachting the picture-perfect waters of the Adriatic Sea; and standing in front of some of the most iconic Game of Thrones filming locations.

But what, I believe, doesn’t receive nearly enough recognition is the rich, nature-forward experiences available to clients, including within the country’s eight national parks.

During my recent visit to Croatia with IWorld of Travel, I sampled the tour operator’s new Croatia yacht product. However, our itinerary also included several stops at national parks, and other ways to see what makes Croatia’s natural beauty so special.

“Croatia is so rich with history and heritage, nestled in beautiful nature in every corner of the country, but the National Parks are true gems,” said Alida Paljevic, president of Gelber’s Way (an affiliate of  IWorld of Travel). “Not visiting them is like missing the best part of a movie."

The National Parks are true gems … Not visiting them is like missing the best part of a movie.

Here are three national parks in Croatia worth a visit.

Mainland Croatia: Plitvice Lakes National Park

Located in mainland Croatia — also known as “Green Croatia,” a term that Paljevic uses  to explain the continental part of the country — lies Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Located about two hours from the capital city of Zagreb by car, Plitvice Lakes is the country’s largest national park and a picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to some of the most spectacular scenery I have ever seen. 

The park, which was formed within the canyon between the Mala Kapela and Pljesevica mountains, encompasses 16 terraced turquoise lakes, connected by crystal-clear waterfalls and surrounded by walking and hiking trails. It’s also home to an impressive amount of biodiversity, including brown bears, grey wolves and lynxes.

The striking appearance of the lakes is due to an ongoing, undisturbed geochemical process called tufa (natural dam) creation. According to UNESCO, the park’s ecosystem is a “result of longstanding and ongoing interaction between water, air, sediments and organisms,” and its tufa barriers (formed by the deposition of calcium carbonate) interacts with the area’s native mosses, algae and aquatic bacteria to create a visual spectacle. The aquamarine waters are truly stunning, especially when contrasted to the surrounding foliage.

Hiking and walking trails vary by length and are located throughout the park; during my visit, our group took part in a leisurely, 3-mile walk, winding around dirt or wooded trails and ogling at the vistas; others woke up at dawn to hike the more strenuous options available. If clients wish to see both the upper lakes and the lower lakes, an electric boat links the two. Because this is a protected area, swimming is not permitted.

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For travelers who wish to spend more time at Plitvice, Hotel Jezero offers a modest accommodation option right inside the park. It offers included breakfast and guestrooms with park views, but advisors should know that it’s a no-frills property, and luxury clients may be happier at a property in the cities of Zagreb (Hotel Esplanade is a great option) or Zadar (about 90 minutes away by car).

What Travel Advisors Are Saying: “Plitvice stole my heart completely,” said Sally Black, owner of VacationKids and travel agent ambassador for IWorld of Travel. “I did not expect how vast that park was. I would encourage clients to plan two full days here with an overnight in between so they can experience both upper and lower lakes at a leisurely pace with plenty of time for photo ops.”

“Plitvice is more remote if you are not coming from Zagreb, but if you are, then it’s worthy of a stop, preferably early morning before the crowds converge,” said Liora Cohen of TravelLulu.

Just Off the Coast: Krka National Park

Just outside the coastal city of Sibenik — known as a gateway to the Kornati Islands — lies Krka National Park. The waterways flowing through this 42-square-mile park come from both the Krka River and its basin, as well as the lower Cikola River.

The area shares several similarities with Plivice; like its mainland cousin, the landscape is known for its abundant travertine formations. It features 22 walking trails and seven waterfalls. Travelers visiting here have the opportunity to spend several hours strolling along the meandering waterfront pathways, moving across bridges and visiting spectacular scenic overlooks in the park. And for those with a sweet tooth (like me), there is also the opportunity to grab some gelato just inside the entrance to the park.

Just like at Plitvice, Krka is home to an impressive array of flora and fauna, from its 1,186 plant species and subspecies to its many reptiles, amphibians and fish. (And if you’re lucky, you may also see several friendly Croatian kittens walking about). The trails are less strenuous than at Plitvice, and clients seeking a slower pace will be happy here.

Cultural and historic monuments can also be found within Krka, if clients are looking for a bit of history to pair with their nature experiences. The park offers a look at ancient washing columns and water mills; the remains of a Roman aqueduct (in the former settlement of Scardona); the remnants of the Burnum military camp; and what is left of five medieval, 14th-century Croatian fortresses, among other structures. Boats can take guests on excursions to two monasteries and to the heavily frequented Roski Slap waterfall (although the most popular in the area is called Skradinski buk — the longest waterfall on the Krka River).

What Travel Advisors Are Saying: “It was like someone picked me up and dropped me on a fake movie set, as the beauty seemed too much to actually be real,” said Mandy Litterini of Litterini Travel. “I would love to go back to Krka National Park when I return next year. I’d take a blanket and just enjoy some relaxing in one of the most beautiful parks I have been to.”

An Island All Its Own: Mljet National Park

Clients visiting the bustling port city of Dubrovnik or Korcula island on the Dalmatian Coast can take a quick day trip to Mljet, a forested island that’s home to Mljet National Park.

Known as Croatia’s greenest island and famous for its wine, olives and goat cheese, Mljet and its national park, which is located on the westernmost part of the island, borders two lakes: Veliko (Large) and Malo Jezero (Small) Lake. In the middle of the Large Lake, guests will find a small island — Melita — and its 12th-century Benedictine monastery.

I believe the park is best explored by bike — which I learned after spending a leisurely four hours spinning around the island thanks to on-site bike rental companies that offer both manual and e-bike options. One of the best starting points for a ride is in Pomona, a ferry port on the edge of the park. In addition to circling the lake and taking in the views, swimming and kayaking options are available. 

What Travel Advisors Are Saying: “I loved all three (parks) and have them listed on my must-do in Croatia list, but my favorite was Mljet, as it was less touristy and more untouched,” said TravelLulu’s Cohen. “The bike ride through the national park was one of the highlights of Croatia for me — sheer natural beauty.”

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