Best national parks in Croatia

From the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea to the heights of the Dinaric Alps, Croatia delivers natural landscapes that are lush, dramatic and endlessly impressive. And with eight national parks within the Balkan country’s borders, Mother Nature is well preserved and protected here.

Whether you’re a photographer looking to capture cascading waterfalls, a family in need of an easy-to-access green space or simply a wanderer looking for a forest in which to get lost, these are Croatia’s best national parks.

Experience the wonder of waterfalls in Krka National Park in autumn. JGA/Shutterstock

1. Krka National Park

Best park for wonderful waterfalls

One of the country’s most beautiful places, Krka National Park takes its name from the Krka River, which winds through the Dalmatia region. Within the park’s 109 sq km are 16 waterfalls, including Europe‘s largest travertine cascade. A group of seven falls are particularly well known and popular with visitors: postcard-famous Skradinski Buk is the highlight, though the Roški Slap cascade is equally remarkable. Note that swimming is no longer allowed at Skradinski, and only in designated areas at Roški.

Situated on a small island in the center of the Krka River, Visovac Monastery is simply picture-perfect. Another top site is the Serbian Orthodox Krka Monastery, founded in the Middle Ages. Boats to the latter depart from Roški Slap; in summer and autumn, guided tours cover the building’s long history and intricate architecture.

Planning tips: Tours of the park are available from Šibenik, just 13km away. If you have your own transportation, the entry fee includes a guided look at the grounds. There are also private tours that combine wine tasting in the Šibenik area with a trip to the falls, a popular option.

A man walks on a boardwalk over a stream through the woods in fall foliage. A waterfall is visible through the trees. — A fall hike in Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia. Sorin Rechitan/EyeEm/Getty Images

2. Plitvice Lakes National Park

Best park for waterfalls, bears and gray wolves

Located in the center of the country, vast Plitvice Lakes National Park was the first national park in Croatia, and remains the largest one today.

A magnificent lake system boasting both geological intricacy and otherworldly beauty, Plitvice contains 16 interconnected, terraced lakes. Tufa barriers (natural deposits of calcium carbonate) formed natural dams and rivulets, creating the bodies of water – as well as more than 90 waterfalls and a swirling network of pools that connect them.

With its balance of pristine waters, green meadows and dense forests, the park is also home to lynx, brown bears, gray wolves and a broad range of plant, flower and tree species.

Planning tip: Plitvice is located 2 hours from Zagreb and 3 hours from Split. Guided tours of the park are available from Zagreb, Zadar and Split.

A stone monastery is pictured on a small island in a lake surrounded by verdant hills. — The monastery on Sveta Marija, Mljet National Park, Croatia.

3. Mljet National Park

Best park seaside hiking and cycling

This peaceful bit of protected land covers a third of car-free Mljet Island, in the Adriatic 37km off the coast of Dubrovnik – and where Ulysses was held captive for 7 years in Homer’s Odyssey. It’s flanked by two beautiful saltwater lakes, Veliko and Malo Jezero (Large and Small Lake); the former is home to a 12th-century Benedictine monastery that rises from the tiny islet of Sveta Marija (or Melita).

The park is ribboned with cycle paths and walking routes, such as the Pomena Trail, a relaxing 5-hour semicircular hike along the northernmost edge of the park that passes Rogac, Zaklopatica and other lovely bays. Most people get around under their own steam by kayak, canoe and the odd scooter, making a stop for fresh seafood even more rewarding.

Planning tip: E-bikes might be the most fun way to whizz around Mljet National Park. You can rent them from vendors at the main pedestrian-ferry port of Pomena, or from outlets at the yachting jet set’s favorite village, Polače.

Aerial view of islands in Brijuni National Park, Croatia — Brijuni National Park is made up of an archipelego of 14 islands. Studio Hrg/Shutterstock

4. Brijuni National Park

Best park for island hopping

The best way to explore Brijuni National Park – a stunning 1838-acre archipelago comprising 14 Istrian islands – is by yacht or ferry. Among the attractions are 200-plus dinosaur footprints found at Cape Vrbanj and Cape Ploce on Veliki Brijun. This island also has rolling green meadows, ancient architecture and a safari park with zebras, elephants, peacocks and more.

Planning tips: Park tickets are available at the national-park office in Fažana, a small town on Istria’s southwestern coast. Admission includes a tour with a seasoned guide, a train ride around the island, the round-trip boat ride from Fazana to Veliki Brujin, and visits to the safari park, Mediterranean garden and the park’s famous 1600-year-old olive tree.