The small European country of Croatia is famous for its football achievements, crystal clear Adriatic sea, and its stunning nature. Since we are adventure travelers and long-time adventure guides in Croatia, the thing we’re going to discuss today is one of our favorites – the natural wonders of Croatia.
The nature of Croatia, together with the blue Adriatic Sea, is one thing that attracts more and more tourists each passing year. Yes, Croatia is a small country, but nature chose to show many of its best qualities right here in this small part of our vast world.
Croatia is truly a land of breathtaking landscapes and a home to a multitude of natural wonders that attract visitors from around the world. From some of the best beaches in Europe and stunning lakes to rocky mountains and wild forests, Croatia’s natural beauty is unmatched.
This guide will take you on a journey through Croatia’s most stunning regions, national parks, rivers, lakes, and more. Stick to the end of it, and we’re sure you’ll find at least one place to visit during your vacation in Croatia.
Introduction to the natural wonders of Croatia
To understand the stunning diversity of natural wonders of Croatia, we’ll simplify things as much as we can and divide Croatia into a few regions that share similar natural characteristics. For that, we’re going to have the following regions: Dalmatia, Lika and Gorski Kotar, Slavonia, Istria and Zagorje. Each of the following regions will be further explained in the article below.
Let’s talk about the nature of Croatia in the short term so you know what to expect when you come for your holidays in Croatia. First of all, Croatia has a long coastline and more than 1000 islands and islets that stretch all along it. The Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea is one of the main reasons tourists visit this country.
A few Croatian mountains stretch along the shore, too, Biokovo and Velebit being the largest and most famous of these. Lika and Gorski Kotar are mountainous regions of Croatia, while Slavonia is a flatland full of fields and is the most fertile part of Croatia. Zagorje and Northern Croatia are regions of rolling hills, castles, and legends. Finally, Istria, the largest peninsula in Croatia, is famous for its vineyards and beautiful, intact nature.
Also, we can’t write an article about the natural wonders of Croatia without mentioning its eight amazing national parks and nature parks. Once again, they are as diverse as the rest of the Croatian nature, and they are located in Dalmatia, Lika and Gorski Kotar, and Istria regions. We wrote about them already, so check that post and decide which one to visit when you come to Croatia.
National Parks
Starting with some of the most famous natural wonders of Croatia, are its national parks. Each of Croatia’s national parks has its own wonders and peculiarities, and it is a wonder that such a rather small country has so many stunning locations and protected areas. Croatia has eight national parks, so let’s see what makes them so unique:
- Plitvice Lakes National Park:
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its cascading lakes and waterfalls. Plitvice Lakes is the most famous and most visited national park in Croatia.
- Plitvice Lakes features 16 interconnected lakes with vibrant turquoise hues, and they are widely visited and equally beautiful in every season.
- Krka National Park:
- Known for the stunning Skradinski Buk waterfall and serene walking trails. Krka is somewhat similar to Plitvice Lakes National Park, yet it has a completely different vibe. It’s located near the city of Šibenik, and it’s another very famous national park in Croatia.
- It offers boat tours (to Visovac Island, for example) and swimming opportunities in certain areas.
- Kornati National Park:
- Kornati is a collection of 89 islands, islets, and reefs in the Adriatic Sea.
- This national park is perfect for sailing, snorkeling, and exploring marine life.
- Paklenica National Park:
- Features a canyon, steep cliffs, and some of the best hiking trails in Croatia.
- Most famous place in Croatia for rock climbers and adventurers.
- Mljet National Park:
- This national park is located on Mljet Island, which is known for its saltwater lakes (Veliko and Malo jezero) and lush forests. Mljet is also known as the greenest island in Croatia.
- Ideal for kayaking and cycling.
- Brijuni National Park:
- Brijuni is a group of 14 islands with diverse wildlife and archaeological sites.
- They are a perfect blend of nature and history.
- Risnjak National Park:
- Risnjak is located in the Gorski Kotar region, which is a paradise for hikers and nature enthusiasts.
- Home to diverse flora and fauna, and is also the least visited of all the national parks in Croatia.
- Northern Velebit National Park:
- Features the famous Premužić Trail and stunning rock formations.
- Famous for its biodiversity and panoramic views.
Nature Parks
Apart from the national parks in Croatia, our country has 12 unique nature parks, which are also specially protected natural wonders of Croatia. They are not as famous as national parks, but each of them represents the nature of Croatia in its best form. If you have the opportunity, we suggest you visit at least one of the nature parks in Croatia during your vacation here.
Stitched Panorama
Here are some of the most famous nature parks in Croatia:
- Biokovo Nature Park:
- Famous for the Biokovo Skywalk and stunning Biokovo mountain. It’s located on Makarska Riviera, and its one of the most visited landscapes of southern Croatia.
- Kopački Rit Nature Park:
- It is one of Europe’s largest wetlands, ideal for birdwatching, and full of different kinds of lifeforms.
- Lonjsko Polje Nature Park:
- A floodplain that’s famous for storks and traditional wooden houses.
- Telašćica Nature Park:
- Known for its characteristic cliffs and saltwater lake, it is located near Kornati National Park, with daily boat tours from the Zadar area to Telašćica Nature Park.
Most Famous Lakes
When it comes to the lakes, Croatia is full of them, and many of them are beautiful, but let’s mention just a few of the most famous ones.
- Plitvice Lakes:
- A mesmerizing network of 16 lakes and is also the most famous national park in Croatia.
- Baćina Lakes:
- A group of connected lakes near the city of Ploče in southern Croatia, perfect for kayaking and swimming.
- Vrana Lake:
- The largest natural lake in Croatia, located near the Adriatic coast in the vicinity of Pakoštane in the Zadar region. Famous for its wildlife.
- Mir Lake: Located in Telašćica nature park, famous for its turquoise color.
Most Famous Rivers
This part covers some of the most famous rivers in Croatia, but not necessarily the largest ones, such as Sava, Dunav, and Drava. We’ll discuss rivers with the most unique landscapes.
- Neretva River:
- Known for its sandy delta, a hotspot for kiteboarding and wildlife.
- Zrmanja River:
- Offers thrilling kayaking experiences through canyons. Part of the Velebit nature park. Beautiful river.
- Cetina River:
- It is one of the best rivers for rafting and canyoning adventures in Croatia.
- Mrežnica River:
- A tranquil river with rapids and natural pools is located in the Lika region near the Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Wildlife of Croatia
We can’t talk about the natural wonders of Croatia without mentioning its rich and diverse wildlife. There’s a high chance that you will see many animals while exploring the national or nature parks of Croatia.
- Birds:
- Croatia has over 400 bird species, including storks, herons, and birds of prey.
- Marine Life:
- Dolphins, sea turtles, and various fish species in the Adriatic Sea.
- Large Mammals:
- Bears, wolves, and lynxes can be found in mountainous regions of Croatia, such as Lika and Gorski Kotar.
- Insects and Amphibians:
- Unique species in wetlands and forests. Mosquitos are among the most annoying animals in Croatia.
- Snakes in Croatia: There are many species, but only 2 of them are venomous, and their bites are not common, so no worries.
Activities to Explore Natural Wonders of Croatia
And what would all these beautiful parts of nature in Croatia be without some great activities you can do in them? Nothing. Nature is best enjoyed through various activities, and you can enjoy the natural wonders of Croatia through:
- Hiking:
- Hiking Trails in Paklenica, Risnjak, and Biokovo offer breathtaking views, but Croatia offers much more hiking opportunities
- Kayaking:
- Explore rivers like Zrmanja and lakes such as Baćina lakes. Kayaking is a great activitty to explore the coastline of Croatia too.
- Cycling:
- Ride through Istria’s vineyards or narrow roads of Dalmatian islands.
- Diving and Snorkeling:
- Great for discovering and exploring underwater wonders in places such as Kornati or near Hvar Island.
- Wildlife Watching:
- Visit Kopački Rit and Lonjsko Polje for birdwatching and nature tours. There are many such wildlife observation points made all across Croatia.
Tips for Exploring Croatia’s Natural Wonders
And finally, a few tips when it comes to exploring the stunning nature of Croatia.
- Plan Ahead:
- Check national parks opening hours, fees, and restrictions before you visit them. Some of the national parks in Croatia have limited ticket numbers they can sell each day.
- Pack Essentials:
- Bring sunscreen, water, and proper footwear when visiting natural sites in Croatia.
- Respect Nature:
- Follow Leave No Trace principles to preserve the beautiful environment of Croatia.
- Consider Guided Tours:
- Book guided experience with knowledgeable local guides who will give you useful local insights.
Regions of Croatia
Finally, we will discuss the regions of Croatia. For this purpose, we separated Croatia into five distinctive regions, and these are:
- Dalmatia:
- Known for its crystal-clear Adriatic sea, beautiful islands, and cliffs.
- Highlights include the Makarska Riviera, the city of Dubrovnik, and the Kornati archipelago.
- Istria:
- Famous for its hills with vineyards and historical hilltop towns.
- One of the most gastronomically recognized regions of Croatia.
- Lika and Gorski kotar:
- Home to lush forests, rivers, and waterfalls.
- The most famous locations include Plitvice Lakes and the Mrežnica River.
- Slavonia and Baranja:
- Known for its wetlands and flatlands and as the most fertile region of Croatia.
- We suggest visiting Kopački Rit Nature Park and the Drava River.
- Zagorje:
- A region famous for its medieval castles and legends
Dalmatia
We start with the regions of Croatia and the description of the region we live in. Dalmatia is one of the most famous and most popular regions of Croatia. It’s shaped by the Adriatic Sea and mighty mountains such as the Biokovo mountain. It’s a unique blend of mountains and the sea.
Dalmatia is among the most famous regions when it comes to the natural wonders of Croatia. A larger portion of the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea is in Dalmatia. This region is full of islands of various sizes, and each island has its own unique natural features.
Out of 8 national parks in Croatia, 4 of them are situated in Dalmatia. Mediterranean vegetation is dominant, and the climate is nice and warm, except high in the mountains. Even the highest mountain in Croatia – Dinara, is situated inland of Dalmatia. It’s a region we explore a lot because we live in it. And there is always something left to explore.
Many rivers are flowing through Dalmatia, with Krka, Cetina, Zrmanja, and Neretva being some of the most famous. Many tourists come to Dalmatia because of the sea but fall in love with it because of its nature.
Finally, we reside right here in Dalmatia, in the best that the nature of Croatia has to offer. We need to mention the beautiful Bacina lakes that are situated near the city of Ploce in southern Dalmatia.
Istria
Istria is the largest Croatian peninsula, situated in the northwest of Croatia. Observing the borders of Croatia, a lot of people recognize the shape of a dragon or a bird. Well, in that case, Istria would be a dragon’s head.
Brijuni National Park is located on the western shores of Istria. When it comes to nature, smaller hills full of vineyards dominate across this peninsula. Istria is very famous for its wines, especially the Teran sort. 2 rivers are flowing through the landscape of the Istrian peninsula – Dragonja and Mirna. Along their way toward the Adriatic Sea, both of these made unique and peculiar landscapes to explore and enjoy.
Lika and Gorski kotar
Lika and Gorski Kotar are mountainous regions of Croatia with continental climates. That means that winters can be very harsh and have a lot of snowfall. Which, on the other hand, makes them worth visiting even during the winter months, when the rest of Croatia is ‘sleeping.’
Velebit Mountain is the largest and most prominent mountain in this region, and it also divides Lika and Gorski Kotar from the Adriatic Sea. Plitvice Lakes, one of the most famous national parks in Croatia, is situated in this region. Gorski Kotar is full of dense forests, and it’s often called the ‘lungs of Croatia.’
Apart from Plitvice Lakes, there are many other stunning creations of nature left to explore for all types of adventurers and wanderers. Bible and Samarske Stijene, Kamačnik and Vrazji Prolaz canyons, and Risnjak National Park are just some of them. Finally, this region is a must-visit if you are a hiker because some of the best hiking trails in Croatia are just here.
Slavonia and Baranja
Slavonia is a lowland part of Croatia, and its eastern part is full of fields that make some of the most amazing patterns when observed from the air. This Croatian region has the most developed agriculture and grows many different kinds of crops. It can feed the whole of Croatia.
As we already mentioned, vast fields are dominant in Slavonia, and there are almost no hills in its territory, except for the Papuk and Krndija. Few rivers flow through the territory of Slavonia. It’s important to mention that this whole region was once under the Pannonian Sea.
Zagorje
We have included Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, and its surroundings in this region, along with the Zagorje region itself. This part is sometimes called central Croatia. It’s a region full of rolling hills and castles. Western European influence during medieval times is very evident.
Similar to Istria regions, the slopes of the Zagorje hills are full of vineyards. Medvednica is a mountain that separates Zagorje from Zagreb, and it’s also a protected nature park. If you are a skiing fan, you might want to know that Medvednica hosts a few skiing events during the winter, and you have a chance to go skiing there.
Before you venture into the natural wonders of Croatia
The nature of Croatia offers endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. Ranging from national parks and nature parks to rocky mountains and diverse wildlife, Croatia has it all. If you’re into hiking, kayaking, rafting, or any other adventurous activity, Croatia is a great place for you.
Enjoy your journey through Croatia’s natural wonders!
