Croatia is a country in Eastern Europe with a varying natural landscape that boasts mountain vistas in the eastern and northern regions, fertile farmland throughout the middle country and Mediterranean topography along the Adriatic Coast. It’s a relatively small country — measuring a little more than 35,100 square miles — but has one of the most ecologically diverse environments in all of Europe. It’s home to many national parks, more than 1,000 islands that dot its Adriatic coastline and eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, both cultural and natural.
7 Wonders of croatia
We’ve outlined some of the can’t miss natural Croatian wonders below. One of the best ways to explore Croatia’s natural environment is through adventure activities like canoeing, sailing and hiking. Huck Finn Adventure in Croatia is a local company that offers guided tours through many of Croatia’s best natural wonders.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
By far Croatia’s most well-known national park, Plitvice is a series of 16 turquoise-coloured lakes and waterfalls that flow into one another and create mass deposits of travertine. Waterfalls range from a few feet high all the way up to approximately 200 feet. Plitvice Lakes National Park is located in the mountainous region of Lika. Its first conservation committee was instated in 1896, and in 1979, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kornati National Park
Situated south of the major city of Zadar, Kornati National Park is actually a collection of 89 islands, islets and reefs – called the Kornati archipelago — that occupies about 54,000 acres along the Adriatic Sea. What’s really unique about the Kornati National Park is the indented shape of the islands that produce dramatic “crowns” [cliffs] facing the open sea. The diverse sea life and topography make it a favourite spot for snorklers and scuba divers.
Mljet
Mljet is the southeastern most part of the larger Croatian islands known for its Mediterranean vegetation, clear seawater, smooth and sandy shoreline and a wealth of underwater sea life. It’s popular for its white and red wine, olives and goat cheese. It’s home to two saltwater lakes, Veliko [large] and Malo [small] Jezero, on the north end of the island with an old Benedictine monastery located in the middle of Veliko Jezero. The two lakes are popular swimming spots for locals and visitors.
Trsteno
The village northwest of Dubrovnik, probably the most popular tourist destination in Croatia, has a population of just under 300 people. It has the oldest arboretum in the area that was built in the 15th century and has taken part in a five-century-long continuous development from Gothic Renaissance, Renaissance Baroque and Romantic forms to the present. The two Oriental Planes trees in the central market place of Trsteno are more than 500 years old.
Zrmanja River
The Zrmanja River is one of the most popular spots for water safari sports like kayaking and canoeing. And, with its turquoise-coloured, warm water, we can understand why. It’s also very geologically diverse with an abundance of limestone and dolomite that dates back nearly 220 million years.
Paklenica National Park
Seventy-six caves and caverns dot the Paklenica National Park with one of the most popular being Manita pe?, which measures at 574 feet. Paklenica National Park is one of the most popular destinations in Croatia for those interested in exploring caves and caverns.
Trogir
One of the oldest cities in all of Croatia, Trogir was founded in the third century BC by Greek colonists from the island of Vis. The city’s rich culture and Greek, Roman and Venetian influence is evident throughout the city, most obviously displayed in the architecture. In 1997, it was added to UNESCO.
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