National Parks & Nature in Croatia
The national parks and finest natural wonders in Croatia: waterfalls, lakes, islands and mountains. Each place links to a detailed page with map, tips and photos.
Culture & History
Plitvice Lakes
UNESCO national park with 16 lakes and travertine waterfalls.
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Risnjak National Park
A mountain park in the Dinaric Alps with rich wildlife.
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Brijuni National Park
An island group with dinosaur tracks and Tito history.
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Kornati National Park
Adriatic archipelago with 89 islands and islets.
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Krka National Park
A national park along the Krka River, known for its waterfalls and natural landscapes.
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Elafiti Islands
An archipelago of 13 islands northwest of Dubrovnik, of which only three are inhabited.
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Velebit
Velebit is the major mountain range along the Croatian coast and a strong symbol of wild mountain scenery.
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Učka Nature Park
The Učka range separates Istria from the Kvarner Gulf, creating a specific microclimate.
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Paklenica National Park
Located on the southern slopes of Velebit, this park encompasses two massive canyons, Velika and Mala Paklenica.
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Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje Nature Park
This hilly and mountainous area near the Slovenian border features a harmonious cultural landscape.
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Northern Velebit National Park
Croatia's youngest national park protects the most striking karst formations of the Velebit range.
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Mljet National Park
The national park covers the western part of Mljet, often called the greenest island in Croatia.
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Telašćica Nature Park
Located on the southern tip of Dugi Otok island, this park encompasses one of the safest bays in the Adriatic.
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Bijele and Samarske Rocks
This strict nature reserve in Gorski Kotar is famous for its spectacular white karst rocks.
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Biokovo Nature Park
Rising steeply above the Makarska Riviera, this mountain range features extreme biodiversity.
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Velebit Nature Park
The largest protected area in Croatia covers the entire Velebit mountain range.
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Arboretum Opeka
Located near Varaždin, Opeka is one of Central Europe's most valuable arboretums.
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Zagreb Botanical Garden
Part of the University of Zagreb, this garden is a monument of landscape architecture.
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Arboretum Trsteno
One of the world's oldest arboretums was established in the late 15th century by a noble family.
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Lastovo Archipelago Nature Park
The park consists of 44 islands and reefs in the southern Adriatic, far from the mainland.
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Papuk Nature Park
Papuk is the most prominent mountain in Slavonia and a certified UNESCO Global Geopark.
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Medvednica Nature Park
Located right above Zagreb, this forested mountain serves as a vital natural escape for the city.
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Vransko Jezero Nature Park
Vransko Jezero is the largest natural lake in Croatia and a significant ornithological reserve.
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Lonjsko Polje
The largest protected wetland in Croatia is located in the Sava River valley.
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Vrana Lake (Cres)
This vast freshwater lake on the island of Cres is an extraordinary natural phenomenon.
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Baćina Lakes
The Baćina Lakes consist of seven interconnected karst lakes near PloÄe.
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KopaÄki Rit
One of Europe's largest wetlands is located at the confluence of the Drava and Danube rivers.
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Lim Channel
This 10-kilometer-long bay in Istria resembles a Scandinavian fjord and is a protected marine reserve.
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Crna Mlaka Ornithological Reserve
Surrounded by oak forests south of Zagreb, this reserve features numerous fishponds.
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Kuterevo Bear Sanctuary
Located in a remote village on the Velebit slopes, this sanctuary cares for orphaned brown bear cubs.
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Osijek Zoo
This is the largest zoo in Croatia by land area, situated on the left bank of the Drava River.
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Palud Ornithological Reserve
This brackish water marsh near Rovinj is a haven for birdwatchers.
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Dragon's Eye Lake
An oval saltwater lake in Rogoznica surrounded by high cliffs.
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Lokrum Island
Just a short boat ride from Dubrovnik, this island is a protected nature reserve.
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Red Lake (Imotski)
One of the deepest water-filled sinkholes in the world, known for its reddish cliffs.
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Klek Mountain
Klek is a prominent mountain at the edge of the Velika Kapela massif.
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Neretva Delta
The Neretva estuary is a vast wetland and an important agricultural area.
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Sveti Jure
Sveti Jure is the highest peak of the Biokovo mountain range.
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Velika Kapela
Velika Kapela is a mountain range connecting Gorski Kotar with Velebit.
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Vaganski vrh
Vaganski vrh is the highest peak of the Velebit mountain range.
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Gorski Kotar
Gorski Kotar is the mountainous highland of Croatia located between the coast and the Pannonian lowland.
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Ravna gora
Ravna gora is the northernmost mountain in Croatian Zagorje.
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Lika Plateau
Lika is a highland plateau surrounded by mountains in central Croatia.
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Snježnik
Snježnik is a rocky mountain plateau in Gorski Kotar, northwest of Risnjak.
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Plješivica
Plješivica is a long mountain range on the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Psunj
Psunj is the highest mountain in Slavonia.
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Ćićarija
Ćićarija is a highland plateau and mountain range in northern Istria.
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Moslavačka gora
Moslavačka gora is a small, forested mountain range in the Moslavina region.
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Ivanščica
Ivanščica is the highest mountain range in northwestern Croatia.
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Mrežnica River
The Mrežnica is one of Croatia's cleanest rivers, known for its 93 travertine barriers and waterfalls.
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What are the top attractions in Croatia?
Among the most popular are Velebit, Plitvice Lakes, Risnjak National Park, Brijuni National Park, Kornati National Park and many more – the full top 50 list is on this page.
When is the best time to visit Croatia?
May to October offers the most pleasant weather; July and August are warmest and busiest.