Croatia’s National Parks | Must-See Places

Croatia has eight national parks – Kornati, Krka, Mljet, Brijuni, Paklenica, North Velebit, Risnjak, and Plitvice. Of these, all but Plitvice lie on the coast, so you can visit them as part of your Croatia sailing holiday. Here we take a closer look at each of these parks.

North Dalmatia

Kornati National Park

Kornati National Park is visited mainly by sailing crews. Some people plan their entire itinerary around it. You might sail here from Zadar, Sibenik, or Split. An archipelago of 89 uninhabited arid rocky islets and reefs offers a true back-to-nature escape.

While exploring these lovely islets, look for wildlife such as peregrine falcons, eagle owls, and migrating cranes and herons. These turquoise waters are protected, but sailing boats can overnight in 20 designated bays and coves.

Krka National Park

If you’re sailing to the Kornati from Sibenik or Split, you should undoubtedly make a detour to Krka National Park. You’ll sail up the winding channel to Skradin, home to a well-equipped marina. From here, catch the national park shuttle boat to Skradinski Buk.

The Krka River runs through a deep canyon within the park, tumbling over seven spectacular waterfalls. Follow signed footpaths through dense woodland of oak, ash, and pine. Then catch another national park boat to visit the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery on the Visovac islet.

Paklenica National Park

Paklenica National Park is on the mainland coast, northeast of Zadar and opposite Pag Island. Its dramatic mountains, gorges, and limestone cliffs are especially suited for rock climbing.

There are 600 climbing routes. The towering peak of Anica Kuk is the most challenging. For hikers, marked trails lead to the cave of Manita peč and Paklenica’s highest peak, Vaganski (1757 m/5764 ft).

South Dalmatia

Mljet National Park

From Dubrovnik, it is an easy sail to the island of Mljet, one-third of which is Mljet National Park. Most yachters moor up or drop anchor in Pomena or Polače. The park centers on two interconnected turquoise salt-water lakes amid thick pinewoods.

For the cycling enthusiast, bike the eight-mile perimeter of the huge lake, Veliko Jezero. Stop to catch a national park boat to St Mary’s islet, capped by a deserted 12th-century Benedictine Monastery.

Kvarner

North Velebit National Park

Between Zadar and Rijeka, on the mainland coast, opposite the island of Rab, you’ll find North Velebit, National Park. It encompasses spectacular mountains of white rock, green meadows, and forests of oak, beech, and pine. In addition, there’s a botanical garden dedicated to indigenous rock plants. Here you can explore over 30 marked trails on foot or by mountain bike.

Risnjak National Park

Risnjak National Park rises behind the port city of Rijeka, high above the Kvarner Gulf. This is a region of limestone mountains, highland pastures, and fir and beech forests inhabited by owls and woodpeckers.

Risnjak is named after the native lynx (ris in Croatia). This is a great park for hiking, mountain biking, and fishing for trout in the Kupa River.

Brijuni National Park, Istria

Lying off Istria’s west coast, the Brijuni National Park is an archipelago of 14 islands and islets. In the days of Yugoslavia, the largest island, Veli Brijuni, was President Tito’s summer retreat. It is an oasis of lush green parkland, with oaks and pine trees, populated by deer and peacocks.

It has two hotels and an 18-hole golf course. You can moor in Veli Brijuni’s small port, complete with services (water and electricity). Alternatively, drop anchor in St Nicholas Bay off neighboring Mali Brijuni.

Plitvice National Park, Lika

UNESCO-listed Plitvice National Park is Croatia’s most visited inland destination. It centers on 16 turquoise lakes connected by a series of waterfalls, rimmed by paths, and traversed by wooden walkways. Immersed in the dense woodland of beech, fir, and spruce, the colors here are prettiest in spring and autumn.

Plitvice lies far from the coast, so you can’t combine it with sailing. But if you’re flying into Zagreb, you might visit it from there.