National parks

BRIJUNI - a group of two larger and 12 smaller islands along the west coast of Istria; preserved Mediterranean vegetation, zoo in the nature, cultural heritage of Antiquity. Due to its extraordinary beauty, the Brioni Islands have been, for over a hundred years now, a favorite tourist destination of world statesmen.

RISNJAK - a wooded mountain massif to the north of Rijeka; due to its position at the junction between the Alps and the Dinarides, almost all types of forests, as well as many plant and animal species are gathered here, in a relatively small area, including brown bear, lynxes, leaps, dears, eagles; the beauty of the forest, carst phenomena, beautiful springs and magnificent views attract many hikers.

NORTH VELEBIT (SJEVERNI VELEBIT) - due to its natural beauty is the most valuable and the most attractive peak part of Velebit. It includes nature reserves Hajducki and Rozanski kukovi with attractive Karst forms and Luka's cave, one of the deepest in the world and the famous Velebit Botanical garden

THE PLITVICE LAKES (PLITVICKA JEZERA) - the most beautiful and the most popular Croatian national park, part of the UNESCO's World Heritage, situated at the main road from Zagreb to Dalmatia; 16 little lakes interconnected with waterfalls created by deposition of travertine, dense forests of beech and fir, partly in the form of primeval virgin forest, many animal species (including the brown bear); there is a special vehicle for transporting visitors (panoramic trains and electric boats).

PAKLENICA - a national park on the southern side of Velebit, the largest mountain massif of Croatia. Two impressive canyons of Velika and Mala Paklenica, vertically cut into the mountain from the sea to the peaks are the main attraction of the park; there are several unusual carstic forms, several caves, and extremely rich and varied flora and fauna; monumental steep rock Anica kuk is the most popular destination for Croatian alpinists training

KRKA - the most beautiful karstic river in Croatia, occupies the area between Knin and Skradin; deep canyons are carved in limestone plateaus; among many waterfalls, the most famous are Skradinski Buk and Roski Slap; between these two wonderful waterfalls is located Visovac Lake and the Franciscan monastery, which is located in the point where river enter the lake.

KORNATI - the most indented archipelago on the Mediterranean with 140 uninhabited islands, islets and cliffs- it looks like a labyrinth of rocks and the sea. The Kornati islands are known for their varied unusual forms and extraordinary relief structure, and especially the high cliffs. It is also a very popular destination among the sailors, there is a marina Piskera in the national park and eight other marinas nearby.

MLJET - an island of the Southwest of Dubrovnik; the west part of the island is a national park characterized by two deep bays which are called lakes due to their very narrow passages to the open sea; lush and diversified Mediterranean vegetation, valuable monuments from classical period and Benedictine monastery from the 12th century on islet in the midst of the lake.

Nature parks:

BIOKOVO – is a grandiose mountain above Makarska Riviera which offers various flora and fauna along with beautiful sights

TELASCICA – is a spacious narrow bay on the island of Dugi otok, it is near the National Park Kornati. Navigators choose it as a favourite destination; a small lake is next to the sea and the biggest Croatian cliffs (up to 800 m)

VELEBIT - the biggest and the most beautiful Croatian mountain; due to its unique relief and its plants and animals, it is declared the World reserve of Biosphere; the greatest protected area in the country, it includes both National parks North Velebit and Paklenica.

LAKE OF VRANA - the largest lake of Croatia, near Zadar; due to its vicinity to the sea, there are both sea and freshwater fish in it. It is also famous for variety of birds.

UCKA - a mountain on the east of Istria, above the Kvarner Riviera; interesting relief and flora, magnificent sights

MEDVEDNICA - a mountain massif above Zagreb; recreational area with beech and fir-tree forest, with attractive caves and deep stream valleys

ZUMBERAK-SAMOBOR MOUNTAINS - north of Zagreb; spacious meadows, picturesque villages with well-indented relief and deep canyons

PAPUK - the largest mountain in Slavonia; significant due to its forest cover and partly eruptive relief

LONJSKO POLJE - one of the largest swamps of Europe, located by the river of Sava, east from Sisak; huge oak forests, rich bird fauna, particularly storks

KOPACKI RIT - an extensive wetland area located at the confluence of the Rivers Drava and Danube; rich in plants and animals, particularly wading birds, deer and wild boars

Other important natural areas and attractions;

RIVER DOBRA - at Karlovac; known because of its cleanliness, richness of fish and attractive canyons and rapids; it's a perfect place to go rafting, kayaking or canoeing

RIVER MREZNICA - at Karlovac, with a series of waterfalls on gypsum barriers; attractive canyons and favorite bathing sports

WHITE ROCKS (BIJELE STIJENE) AND SAMARSKE ROCKS (SAMARSKE STIJENE) - on Bjelolasica mountain in region of Gorski Kotar; a multitude of bizarre karstic forms in the wild and wooded landscape; strictly protected nature reserve

CEROVACKE CAVES – On Mountain Velebit, made up of upper cave 1295 m, middle cave 390 m, and lower cave 2682 m, they have been named geomorfologic natural monument

LIM GULF (LIMSKI ZALJEV) - the picturesque deep sea bay at the west coast of Istria; it's very narrow and sharp, so it looks like a Norwegian Fjord

Canyon of river Cetina – stretches 10 km upstream from city of Omis, canyon is fenomenon that has been formed by river Cetina. It has wonderful nature, rich floral and animal world. on the river there are few beautiful small islands. There is Rafting available on the river.

Vidova Gora – on island of Brac is the highest peak of all Croatian islands ( 780 m). It is covered with dalmatian black pine tree and it preserved its natural look and beautiful nature. The people of nearby villages still takes up with sheeps on old-fashion way, that gives a special sharm to an idyllic atmosphere of island Brac. From the Vidova Gora sweeps away a beautiful view on famous beach Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape).

GOLDEN CAPE (ZLATNI RAT) at BOL, a town on island of BRAC - it's probably the most beautiful beach on Adriatic; it's a pebble cape, surrounded with pine forest; the cape changes the form according to the direction of waves.

NEREZISCA – The black pine tree on the roof of the St. Peter's church in Nerezisce on island Brac is an extraordinary natural phenomenom, more then 100 years old. The pine tree has grown among the stone boards on the roof the church, and so it stayed small and scrubby. It represent a natural bonsai.

BLUE CAVE - a famous cave on island of Bisevo, near the island of Vis; prominent because of its blue color; according to many, much nicer than the similar but better known cave on Capri.

JABUKA– an islet Jabuka has a vulcanic origin and it has very interesting shape. It is located far away on open sea, and because of it shape and steep coasts, it is very unapprochable and the sailing is difficult. Althoug is small, it has rich endemic flora and fauma.

BLUE LAKE and RED LAKE - lakes at Imotski, town in region of Dalmatinska zagora (Dalmatian Hinterland); the unique deep karstic phenomenon of two exceptionally deep holes (Red lake is 500 m deep).

DELTA OF NERETVA - in the south of the country, the unique swampy area with specific vegetation of reed, famous for its gathering of a large variety of birds