When you hear Croatia, first thing that comes up to your mind is seaside. And yes, it’s beautiful. Magnificent. Beaches, islands, old cities’ squares, markets, food, wine… What else is significant are national and nature parks. Six out of eleven official nature parks are in proximity of the Adriatic Sea. There are 11 in total and already I wrote a story about five of them located in continental Croatia. Croatian cost is a home for 6 nature parks. Coastline nature parks are: 1. Učka Nature Park, 2. Vrana Lake Nature Park, 3. Telašćica Nature park, 4. Lastovo Islands Nature Park, 5. Velebit Nature Park and 6. Biokovo Nature Park. Let’s take a look on each one of them. (to read more about them you can do it by clicking the name of each park)
Učka Nature Park
Učka mountain is located in Istria. And, as I mentioned, Istria is one of my favorite peninsulas. Istria has so much to offer but Učka has something more – adrenaline for your body and soul. Apart from amazing views on Kvarner bay, Učka Nature park is brilliant place for all paraglyding and hang-gliding enthusiast. This nature park is close to Opatija and Rijeka.
Vransko Lake Nature Park
Once I wrote that Vrana Lake (Vransko jezero) is a birding paradise. And it is. More of that, Vransko Lake Nature park has amazing location – just next to the Adriatic Sea. That makes water a bit salty and diverse flora and fauna. Its proximity to big cities Šibenik and Zadar makes it very easy approachable by car or bus. Vransko Lake is also the biggest natural lake in Croatia. Walking around lake will be perfect while the skies are clear so you can see Kornati islands and of course perfect (and romantic) sunset is there always - they say the best sunset on the Adriatic Sea.
Telašćica Nature park
Telašćica Nature Park is something brilliant. Something beautiful. You should not miss it while visiting Croatia and/or Croatian islands in the Adriatic Sea. Enough words, first take a look at this video:
What makes Telašćica Nature Park so specific are: Telašćica bay, the biggest natural bay in the Adriatic Sea, lake in the middle of the sea – Jezero Mir (Peace Lake) and Telašćica cliffs 160 m of height and 85 m more under the sea level.
Lastovo Islands Nature Park
While in Split or Dubrovnik you have to experience Lastovo Nature Park. Nature Park Lastovo Islands is natural phenomenon in the Southern Adriatic. It consists more than 40 small islands. Those little islands mostly covered with forest are approachable by using ferryboats from Split or catamarans from Split or Dubrovnik. Islands are famous for its lighthouses – one of them (Struga) is the oldest in the Adriatic Sea.
Biokovo Nature Park
As I said: Hikers, get ready to climb. Biokovo Nature Park is one of many places where you will really enjoy hiking and climbing mountainous terrain with splendid views on the sea. This park located close to Makarska in Split-Dalmatian County Biokovo Nature Park is also place for passionate biologist and speleologists – since many different species of plants and animals and reptiles live here. Just to mention more than 200 different butterflies are visible here. You should visit Botanical garden Kotišina as well during your visit here.
Velebit Nature Park
Velebit mountain is home for Velebit Nature Park and two national parks: Paklenica National Park and Sjeverni Velebit National Park. Velebit is one huge mountain range where endemic species of plants meet spectacular views on the Adriatic islands. Proximity to Croatian A1 highway makes Velebit Nature park easy approachable from all major cities. This protected area is lovely but also wild. Hiking and camping are highly recommended.
The author
Marko Radojević
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