National parks

The Brijuni Archipelago is a group of 2 larger and 12 smaller islands along the west Istrian coast. The Mediterranean climate has enabled rich vegetation with specific balance of natural and cultivated parts.

Because of the millennial presence of the man on the Brijuni Archipelago the autochthonous animal world on the islands has been enriched by many imported species that are not congenial to this habitat but which got perfectly adapted to it. Some animals move freely in nature and some are located in safari and ethno parks for autochthon species and in the bird reserve.
Far away from sources of pollution, the sea around Brijuni Islands is a home to numerous species, which is of exceptional significance.

The Brijuni Archipelago was the summer residence of the Yugoslavian president Tito, first Croatian president TuÄ‘man, and the location for many high-profile political conferences. Numerous famous people were also guests here. Tito’s parrot called “Koki” is a legendary Brionian attraction.

Located in the mid-Adriatic, near Zadar and Šibenik, Kornati islands are the densest archipelago with total of 89 islands, islets and cliffs.

Apart from offering extraordinary view from the sky and the sea, Kornati are notable for their preserved ecosystems. It is the very contrast of unhospitable, dry karst landscapes of the archipelago and the richness of life in the sea that creates such an exceptional natural whole.

Sailing, recreational fishing, scuba diving, swimming, walking and observing flora and fauna are all allowed in the park.

Krka National Park is located near Šibenik and streches downstream of river Krka across the area of 109 km2. The climate is Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean.

The river Krka has its source at the foot of the Dinara Mountain, north-east of Knin. The river water is partly fresh and partly brackish. The mixing of waters creates a specific habitat to living organisms distinct from the ones that live in the sea and rivers.

Krka has seven tufa falls with the total height of 242m. It is the natural and karst phenomenon forcing its way through krast rocks and deep canyons towards the sea, on its 72 m way.

“Mljet” National Park covers the northeastern part of Mljet, the third of one of the larger islands in the region of southern Dalmatia, with 5,275ha of protected land and surrounding sea.

The coast of the island is specifically indented and extremely forested. The sea penetrates into the island through narrow straits creating two “lakes” filled with sea water where vegetation slopes down to the water level.

The island is especially known for its salt-lakes, a unique geological and oceanographic karst phenomenon of global significance which spread the name of Mljet throughout the world.

Apart from the preserved vegetation and lakes, there is also a characteristic multifaceted karst Mediterranean landscape with hidden subterranean habitats: caves and pits.

“Paklenica” National Park extends over the area of 3.617 ha and has two canyons, Velika (Big) and Mala (Small) Paklenica and forests on the seaside.

The park is a unique synthesis of the sea, the mountains, the beech and black pine-tree forests, deep canyons, karst landscapes, numerous caves and pits…

The park is noted for its 200-400 m cliffs. The watercourses of Velika and Mala Paklenica are dry for most of the year. Only during heavy rain and when the snow melts in spring, the water flows through the entire riverbed on its way to the sea.

Paklenica is known beyond the borders of Croatia as the Croatian climbing center and the nearness of the sea and the mountains gives it a particular charm.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is located right by the road that connects Zagreb and Dalmatia, between the mountains of Mala (Little) Kapela and Lička Plješevica, in the east part of the Croatian region Lika.

The park is unique for its karst hydrography, a series of 16 cascade lakes with numerous tufa waterfalls. The total area of all the lakes is 200 ha.

Plitvice Lakes National Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.

The park area is characterized by forests which, although the lakes are not located high above the sea level, give the impression of a mountain landscape. In terms of climate, it has warm summers and snowy winters.

Risnjak mountain range dominates the northwestern part of the Gorski kotar region, the mountain area located in the west of Croatia. This is also the most forested part of Croatia, only 15 km of air distance from the sea.

Risnjak National Park, with total area of 3198 ha, is characterized by mixture of climates: the harsh Alpine mountain, mild Mediterranean and continental climate. Virgin forests, virgin mountain peaks and Dinaric karst can also be found.

The summers here are relatively cold, while the winters are long and snowy, and there is plenty of rain, especially in the autumn.

The National Park North Velebit was proclaimed on 09.06.1999. so it is the youngest national park in Croatia. The area was declared a national park because of the marked diversity of karst phenomena, riches of the living world and exceptional natural beauty in a relatively small area.

The surface area of the park is 109 km2, and within it lies the strict reservoir Hajdučki and Rožanski hips, which represents a specific geomorphological phenomenon where up to 150 pits have been discovered, of which the most famous Lukina jama, one of the deepest in the world at all, was discovered in 1999 . years.

From the mountain peaks, there is a breathtaking view of the Adriatic Sea and the islands of Pag, Rab, Goli, Prvić and Krk, and the Lika hinterland from the continental side.