I hate to admit it, but here’s a secret. I rarely research a place before I go there. I like to show up without expectations and just enjoy the area for what it is. I don’t normally participate in mainstream tourists activities and I generally avoid big cities. Instead, I try to learn about the real culture and ask the locals for recommendations for activities. However, after accidentally stumbling across a few pictures of Croatia’s national parks, the nature lover in me decided I had to go, and it’s difficult to describe the unexpected loveliness of Croatia’s National Parks.
Croatia has eight national parks, and I only went to two, but they were beyond breathtaking! Both parks are located within just a few hours of the extraordinary city of Split.
Plitvice Lakes
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Piltvice Lakes is one of the oldest national parks of Croatia and includes 16 stunning lakes surrounded by incredible waterfalls of all sizes. The lakes are separated by natural dams made of travertine. As you take the paved pathway from the entrance down into the park you begin to hear the falls in the distance. Excitement creeps in, and soon you feel the water in the air. Then suddenly, there it is, giant waterfalls in the distance and every color of blue and green that you can imagine.
An old boat left over from the war
You begin by walking over a large wooden walkway over one of the larger lakes towards Big Falls. The water is so clear that in many places you can easily see the bottom. I looked down and saw an old boat covered with calcium deposits. Later, I tracked down a guide to ask about that boat and he said it was a relic leftover from the Balkans War that took place in the 1990s. When the war began the locals had to quickly evacuate the area and leave everything behind. Now the antique boat still sits there, covered in algae, bacteria and calcium, as a reminder of the cost of freedom.
It took us about two hours to walk slowly through the Plitvice Lakes National Park, but I could have stayed much longer. I must have took over 100 photos. Every turn brought more beauty. Wildflowers of every possible color lined the path while birds chirped songs of joy. It was the most glorious day and one I will never forget.
Krka National Park
Krka National Park
Krka is another gorgeous Croatian national park and definitely worth a visit, but I must admit I liked Plitvice a little better. Krka is a bit smaller. The falls are not as grand, but they are larger in circumference. Again, there is a wooden walkway that takes about an hour to walk from start to finish, and the tranquil sound of bubbling water and waterfalls is constant. The trees twist and turn along with the river and the flora and fauna is as impressive as the waterfalls. Visitors have to take a bus down into the park from the parking lot, but the buses run every 15 minutes.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Croatia is full of stunning beauty and a wonderful place to visit. From the Adriatic Sea, to picturesque islands, regal mountains, charming villages, ancient castles, and amazing national parks, it’s easy to see why it is quickly becoming a favorite destination for tourist from around the world.