Nature Tourism in Croatia

Diverse Nature
From the shores in the South Dalmatian islands bathed by the gently sun of the Adriatic Sea to the top of Dinara, the highest peak in the country, through swamps filled with wildlife in Posavina or the Mediterranean richness of the forests in Mljet… Croatia’s natural beauty never ends.

Dive into one of the ecologically best-preserved parts of Europe since the 10% of the country is protected. Explore its 8 National Parks and 12 Nature Parks among which are the Plitvice Lakes, the only natural good recognized by UNESCO. Its sea is the purest in Europe according to the European Commission and some of its beaches are considered the most beautiful locations in the world.

Feel the energy in this green paradise with a privileged climate and a unique fauna, such as griffon vultures, wild horses, brown bears or dolphins, and flora with more than 3000 different species in certain locations on the Velebit mountain and Kvarner islands. The best place to get lost, the best place to find yourself!

The Fascinating Flora Of Croatia
Croatia is a fascinating country teeming with beautiful nature. There are more than 5000 plant taxa growing in Croatia and it is assumed that many species have yet to be discovered or recorded. If you put this number in proportion to the small size of Croatia, then we can definitely affirm that Croatia boasts outstanding natural resources. Many larger European countries have poorer flora.

What brought about such abundance of flora? As a country in south Europe, Croatia is situated at the crossroads of continental and Mediterranean climates. The diverse flora is a result of this geographical location, as well as the survival of the ancient flora (the so-called relicts), since these areas were mostly bereft of ice and snow during the longest ice ages.

A combination of a very diverse relief, ranging from tall mountain massifs, karst fields and river valleys and a very indented coastline with numerous islands contributed to the development of numerous plant taxa.

Croatia proudly boasts its many indigenous and endemic plant species that have successfully survived periods of major climate changes, with the Velebit and Biokovo mountains, Kvarner, the mouth of the Krka River and the Šibenik archipelago as the most notable habitats.

However, all the other areas of our small country will also leave a lasting impression on you.

In east Croatia you can enjoy the rich plains of Slavonia and Baranja, as well as hills interspersed with rivers and lakes. The mountains and hills in central Croatia, with an array of water flows, vineyards and forests will fill you with a special kind of energy and peace.

The mountain heights and (adverse) weather contributed to the development of the enchanting flora in Lika and Gorski Kotar, which abounds in various types of low vegetation and forests adapted to heights. We should also note that this incredible area is the habitat of two of our most famous endemic plants – the karst edelweiss and the Degenia velebitica. The Kvarner area is home to one of the most abundant and diverse floras in Croatia, with over 2700 different plant species.

The luxuriant Adriatic coast is sheltered from the winds by rocky mountains, while its coves are adorned with pine forests and Mediterranean shrubs.

Fun fact –mushrooms are not plants!
Although most people think of mushrooms as plants, it has recently been discovered that they are genetically more similar to animals. They do not have a root or leaves and do not use sunlight to survive. Mushrooms exist by “sending” their microscopic spores throughout the ground or tree and feeding on all the nutrients they can find and absorb in digestive fluids.

When it comes to mushrooms, Croatia also has an “ace in the hole” because available data show that Croatian flora incorporates 8871 mushroom taxa, with some estimates exceeding 10 000

Take a look around and enjoy the stunning Croatian flora everywhere you go!

Protected rivers of Croatia
In addition to being clean drinking water sources, the myriad rivers in Croatia are often areas of exceptionally beautiful nature. This is why many locations surrounding the watercourses have been legally declared protected nature areas, national parks, nature reserves, forest parks, nature parks, protected landscapes or natural monuments.

The area of the enchanting Krka River, which gives life to the rocky area that lacks water in the summer, has been a national park since 1985. With its waterfalls and living travertine formations, the river constitutes a natural karst phenomenon that contributes to the abundance of plant and animal life. Its source, the Topoljski Buk or Veliki Buk, which provides the backdrop adorning the royal town of Knin, offers each guest a unique opportunity to relish the scene of water “dropping” from the 22 m high waterfall, as well as taste pure spring water.

Just about 30 km from the source of the Krka River you will find the Glavaš spring, in which Dinara, the highest Croatian mountain, is “reflected”, and from which the Cetina River, one of the longest Croatian “karst beauties”, embarks on a 104 km long journey. Both the river and its source generously invite you to visit and marvel at the natural phenomena and enjoy the spring water teeming with flavour.
Cetina

In the centre of Plitvice Lakes National Park, Plitvice Stream plummets down Veliki Slap (Great Waterfall), the highest waterfall in Croatia, and forms the source of the Korana River together with the other lakes. Just like many others, you will probably come to the conclusion that the Korana boasts one of the most beautiful sources in the world. So, the next time you visit this Croatian natural gem, don’t forget to hold your hand out and catch drops of this natural fairy tale to quench your thirst.

Located on the coastal side of Velebit is Paklenica National Park, whose two eponymous streams, the Velika (Big) and Mala (Small) Paklenica, flow through the gorges in an amount that is subject to the seasons and precipitation. And if you’re lucky enough to visit Paklenica during a period of increased water flow, you will be amazed by the sights and murmurs of fast-flowing streams boldly bounding towards the sea and carving out the unforgettable window of the gorge, which they have been doing for millennia.

The source of the Kupa River, one of the biggest and most attractive in the country, is situated in the very heart of Risnjak National Park and is a paradise for rafting, canoe and fishing enthusiasts. There are trails also leading to this stunning water source, so make sure to reward yourself with a visit to Risnjak National Park and the source of the Kupa River.

The immense value of the Gacka River spring water at Gacko Polje karst field has been recognised a long time ago, so it is hardly surprising that this area is protected as a natural monument. The Gacka, a clean river with an abundant flora and fauna, is world-renowned as a lake trout habitat, offering you its waters and nature in any season.

The Zrmanja is a river with water of the highest level of quality in Croatia and has been incorporated into Velebit Nature Park, the largest nature park in Croatia, on account of its exceptional value and beauty. Take a walk through nature and explore the hidden beauty of the karst in the area leading up to Velebit as you approach the river source and enjoy its waters.

If your name is Una, which is derived from the Italian word for “one-of-a-kind”, there is nothing else to be said. This river, which mostly flows through the neighbouring country of Bosnia and Herzegovina, forming a unique national park there, emerges at one of the most beautiful sources in Croatia. You must visit this stunning protected slice of nature and drink the water cupped in your hands that springs from the depths of the karst.

Besides these best-known river sources, there is a plethora of larger and smaller sources and bodies of water that are rightfully deemed Croatia’s greatest wealth.

Animal Kingdom in Croatia
Croatia’s unique position at the meeting point of Europe, Asia and Africa, as well as its favourable climate and hydrological features, have resulted in extraordinary biodiversity and geodiversity and beautiful landscapes. Few countries, apart from Croatia, can lay claim to such riches on such a small area. For decades, biologists have carried out research into the nature of the region, estimating its value. So far, they have discovered and recorded over 40,000 animal species and subspecies, everything from tiny organisms barely visible to the naked eye to the biggest and well-known animals such as wolves, bears, deer, etc.

Among the more notable species, invertebrates (e.g. insects, spiders, crustaceans) make up a significantly larger portion than vertebrates (e.g. saltwater fish, freshwater fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals). We are especially proud of the fact that a large number of the species discovered so far can only be found in Croatia, i.e. they are endemic to the area and well-known across the globe.

Because the animal populations are isolated, and their habitats fairly specific, most of these endemic species can be found in caves, on islands and/or in karst rivers draining into the Adriatic basin.

Since Croatia belongs to the very complex mountain range called the Dinaric Alps, a significant part of its area is covered by karst and cave formations, which is why cave fauna represents one of the biggest and most fascinating specificities of nature in Croatia.

Hardworking biospeleologists frequently discover new species in their research, many of which are endemic and relict species. This places Croatia at the top of the list in terms of diversity of its underground fauna, both at the European and global levels.

The invertebrate species of Croatia have more representatives, but are also less researched and less known when compared to vertebrates. Molluscs in Croatia include a large number of land and sea snails. All kinds of habitats contain insects such as grasshoppers, cockroaches, flies, beetles, bark beetles, butterflies, spiders and centipedes. The most interesting among these are certainly butterflies and moths that add a special charm to every meadow with their colourful wings.

Mammals, the most well-known animal group that includes us humans as well, cover nearly 100 known species, most of which are indigenous or native, meaning they have inhabited this territory naturally for a very long time.

Mammal diversity thus puts Croatia at the very top of European countries. Croatia also boasts four very valuable European carnivorans (bear, wolf, lynx, otter).

These well-known and intriguing animals are mostly found in the mountainous areas of the Dinaric Alps. Numerous bat species also inhabit the Croatian underground and caves, hidden from view.

There is only one mammal species permanently inhabiting the blue Adriatic Sea, the common bottlenose dolphin, but other cetaceans are commonly recorded as well.

The first thing we notice when we take a walk in nature are birds, which we associate with the joy and beauty of nature and life in general. Even though we are, unfortunately, witnessing a decline in the number of birds, the abundance of birds in Croatia – or ornithofauna – is still impressive.

Did you know that there are around 400 known bird species in Croatia, drawing bird watchers from all over the world?

Croatia is home to some of the rarest bird species, such as the griffon vulture, short-toed snake eagle, golden eagle, hawk, grey heron, spoonbills, and long-eared owl. Many shorebirds and migratory birds on their way to Africa stop for a holiday in Croatia, much like tourists. We invite you to visit one of the many interesting bird-watching spots and experience the joyful world of birds first hand.

Croatia has long recognised the need to protect shorebirds, which is why visiting the highly valuable and protected swamplands offers a unique opportunity to see the birds in their natural habitat.

The absolute record-holder in that regard is the Kopački Rit Nature Park, which provides “room and board” to around 285 bird species that nest there.

Many of you will have heard the unusual and lovely story about the village of Čigoč and the adventures and misadventures of its famous inhabitants, white storks.

This European Stork Village in the Lonjsko Polje Nature Park has more white storks than people living in it.

Although relatively closed off, and less diverse than some warmer seas that have coral reefs, the beautiful, blue Adriatic Sea is characterised by a unique underwater fauna.

The clear, clean and warm waters are home to several thousand invertebrates, such as cnidarians, cephalopods, sponges, corals, etc., several hundred species of fish, and even some larger members of the cetacean group that temporarily or permanently inhabit the sea.

The great diversity of animal species on such a small area as Croatia reflects the value of its natural heritage as well as the effort that goes into preserving it. By visiting the protected areas that are considered “hot spots” of endemic, rare and endangered species, you are guaranteed to have a memorable experience of an incredibly diverse animal world.