Adventure Tourism in Croatia

Excitement on wheels
From the macadam field trials ideal for mountain bikes to the asphalted roads for family sightseeing, in Croatia you will find a huge variety of ideal trails for everyone’s taste, amateur or professional. Even challenge your own limits and get excited reviving the five stages of the Tour of Croatia:
Makarska-Split, Šibenik-Zadar, NP Plitvice-Učka, Pula-Umag and Saint Martin-Zagreb. A demanding but attractive route across the National Parks of Krka and Plitvice and the Nature Parks of Biokovo, Velebit and Učka.

Ride through astonishing landscapes in natural parks such as Kopački Rit or Medvednica in Slavonia and Central Croatia, follow the numerous wine and gastro routes through stunning vineyards like the famous Istria Wine or Gastro Cycling Tour and, of course, you can always take your bike with you on a catamaran for an unforgettable visit to the Islands.

The options are endless, and so inviting: from Croatia’s most popular cycling peninsula – Istria, over the forested, fragrant islands of Kvarner and the highland area of Gorski Kotar, the historical roads of the Lika-Karlovac region, over the highest passes and attractive mountains of the Dinaric karst to the dramatically beautiful Dalmatian coast with its islands or from the cereal plains of Slavonia through the green river valleys, over the cultivated hills with the many castles, manor houses and churches of central Croatia to the urban cycling oasis of Zagreb.

The most refreshing fun
Water parks are an ideal plan to enjoy a refreshing summer with the whole family. Go down endless waterslides, jump from the highest trampolines and dive into amazing pools. An energetic way to enjoy the water.

Swim in the biggest swimming pool with waves on the Mediterranean at Istrialand, have fun in Solaris Aquapark near Sibenik or feel the thrill of Aquacolors Poreč, the largest Adrenaline water park in the country, Aquapark Čikat in the island of Lošinj, Water Park Umag, Water Park Fazana… Amusement never ends!

The sky at your feet
There is nothing as exciting as conquering the clouds. Discover the beauty of Croatia from a new point of view: above. Fly in a balloon from Medvednica to the horizon, dare to explore the unknown from an airplane and enjoy the paradise of paragliding from the northern peaks of Učka and Žumberak to Biokovo and Rilić in the south, going by the islands of Krk, Brač and Hvar.

More than 30 ideal spots to practise paragliding spread all over the country throughout the year in order to feel the freedom of flying. But if what you want is an adrenaline rush, in Croatia you will find a jump you will never forget, 11.000 feet free fall surrounded by one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the world. Live the experience of your life flying across the sky in Zagreb, Zadar, Hvar, Istria, Rijeka or Lošinj. By the way, did you know that the inventor of the parachute, Faust Vrančić, was born in Šibenik?

Paddle into the wild
Discover a different way of getting to know the country through its rivers. Gaze at Trakošćan from the lake beneath the castle or at Ozalj and Dubovac while rowing on the River Kupa, at the mills of Radmanove Mlinice on the River Cetina or at the island of Visovac with a monastery that sits uniquely in the middle of the lake formed by the River Krka.Traditional Croatian canoes are called “trupice” and are still used today as they used to hundreds of years ago in the Neretva Delta. Canoeing has been a tradition in Croatia for centuries but it will need very little time to conquer you.

Find your own way to undiscovered sights from rivers like the Dobra, Mrežnica, Una, Kupa, and Korana in the north and the Cetina or Zrmanja that sit in the middle of national parks in the south. Live exciting fluvial adventures or navigate through the calm waters of the Adriatic Sea and let your feelings guide you in expeditions across beautiful islands such as Trogir, included in the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites, Šolta Island, Brač Island or any of the other 66 islands, 652 islets, 389 rock and 78 reefs.

In recent years kayaking in Croatia has been an essential form of adventure which offers plenty of fun for all those looking for the true experience of untouched nature and who are ready to find happiness with their own strengths. It doesn’t matter if you row in a sit-on-top or a sit-inside kayak, because the feeling of rowing on the very surface of the sea is a privilege reserved only for kayakers. Regardless of whether you are in one of the large towns by the sea or purposely arrived at one of the protected pearls or if you love the open sea and an adventure under the bow of a kayak, Croatia with its thousand plus islands and islets offers plenty of locations which will leave you breathless. The specific quality of rowing a kayak is in the ease and directness of the touch with the element of water, and besides the crystal clear sea and untouched rivers, by kayak, it is possible to slip into hidden coves and visit some of the natural phenomena and cultural heritage.

Deeply in love
Immerse yourself in the amazing underwater world of the Croatian Adriatic. Discover the rich endemic flora and fauna, sunken Roman galleons, naval ships and much more thanks to the extraordinary clarity of its waters, with visibility up to 50 metres. Explore the deep going on organized tours for experienced divers or enjoy your first time in the numerous diving schools for beginners.

Natural as well as artificial reefs such as sunken ships are now the home and habitat for many species of flora and fauna like the hermit crab, starfish, the posidonia grasses (seagrass species, endemic to the Mediterranean Sea whose presence is a marker of the lack of pollution), seahorses… some of them protected species. Cave diving is also becoming more popular especially in the karst regions of Dalmatia. Whatever you do, you will fall deeply in love.

The Adriatic Sea
Dive into the cleanest sea in Europe
The Adriatic Sea is a branch of the Mediterranean Sea separating the Apennine and Balkan peninsulas and the Apennine and Dinara Mountain Ranges. It extends over an area of 138 595 km2, is 738 km long, 159.3 km wide on average, with an average depth of 173 m. The waters along the east coast of the Adriatic, from the Savudrija peninsula in the west to Prevlaka peninsula in the southeast, belong to the Republic of Croatia. This beautiful 5790 kms of coastline is one of the most indented coastlines in the world.

Diving starts in the shallows along an indented coastline with 1246 islands, islets, crags and reefs. At the onset it gives divers insight into the interesting marine life in store among the rocky undersea crags and reefs.

The beauty of the Croatian undersea world
A wondrous world of sea life from the shallows to the farthest depths
The Adriatic Sea is a small, enclosed sea, but large enough to accommodate some of the most beautiful diving sites in the world with an amazing diversity of flora and fauna. Life in Croatia’s undersea world is part of the evolutionary heritage dating back to the prehistory of seas all over the world.

A good example is the Mediterranean feather star which is 500 million years old, or jellyfish, evolutionary sea pioneers that continue to prosper to this day. On the other hand, other segments of marine life are an evolutionary development in the division of seas and smaller sea oases, like the Mediterranean Sea.

The Adriatic Sea is small and enclosed and likened to an evolutionary pool in which species developed and spread, and gained specific traits within a unique environment. The problem is how to divide marine life in the Adriatic Sea to afford a comprehensive overview for divers.

A possible division would be according to relief characteristics above and below sea-level, type of seabed, current strength and other nonscientific descriptors used in the depiction of a diving site. The habitat also significantly influences the resident species.

Shallower coves and bays where rocks have been pounded into pebbly beaches by the force of the sea may seem uninhabited at first, but are home to numerous unusual species, as are the few sandy beaches, which are covered in a variety of sediments, sand, silt and organisms, depending on the diving depth.

One of the characteristics of the karst relief along the Croatian coastline is the large number of caves, pits and holes, which are to be found in equal numbers both above and below the sea. Since the sea is sometimes ruthless, at times, these places appear to be uninhabited environments in eternal darkness, but are, in fact, home to some of the most fascinating species on the Adriatic.

The science of marine life can be divided into habitats in regions on the open sea (pelagic) and those found on the seabed (benthos). It is only natural that the imagination is fired up by species inhabiting the open seas – tuna, swordfish, and even schools of oily fish, without which life in the sea would be hard to imagine.

Life at the bottom of the sea is far more interesting and more abundant to the benefit of divers and diving, especially with regards to littoral regions reaching to a depth of 200 m. These regions are, in turn, divided into zones – the supralittoral, the mediolittoral, the infralittoral and, finally, the circalittoral, where the sun’s rays are too weak for flora or algae to prosper.

Your greatest hits
Despite only having a few courses with 18 holes at the moment, besides the one in Brijuni National Park and some private courses, Croatia aims to become a significant golf destination. Just relax during a game walking through fields surrounded by its idyllic countryside and enjoy its gentle climate to find out why.

Soon you’ll discover there is much more than meets the eye, they say that most company decisions are made on golf fields but the only decisions you will have to make are which vineyards to visit, where to go shopping, will you go sailing… or just keep playing one more hole!

Take up the reins
Feel the unparalleled energy of horses in the most famous horse riding centers in Croatia located in Slavonia, Istria and Dalmatia. From small family farms to modern horse centers with riding schools and expert teaching. Get excited with the traditional equine competition of the Sinj Alka and marvel at the state horse farm in Đakovo – Slavonia where the well-known Lipizzaner horses have been bred since the 13th century.

A unique connection with agricultural and rural tourism, whether you are traveling alone or with your family, that will guide you from new paths through vineyards, wine cellars, farms and even protected areas such as the Velebit National Park and the Velebit Nature Park, the largest protected area in Croatia and on the UNESCO list of international biospheres reserves, to a life without stress like Stara Kapela, the antistress village between Požega, Slavonski Brod and Nova Gradiška.

Experience the lightness of being
float down a river!

The once difficult and dangerous descent down mountain rivers because of the transport of wood from inaccessible forests over time has become a sought-after tourist attraction. Rafting on “white waters” is the sport of descending in inflatable rubber boats known as rafts which involves skilfully using the power of a river’s currents and courses and combined human hands guided by the knowledge and experience of a captain, i.e. skipper. Activities of adrenaline excitement have become an integral and recognisable part of the Croatian tourist offer, and rafting is one of these very sought-after and favourite forms of an active stay in nature, particularly during the warmer summer days. Indeed, there is nothing more naturally cooling than several hours of an unforgettable ride down the rapids of a river combined with the rowing and enjoyment of the scenes and smells of the natural ambience which only a river knows to create and offer. Rafting is an excellent choice if you want to socialise with your nearest and dearest because for the boat’s crew you can choose members of your family and/or friends and spend an unforgettable day in nature, action and fun. Even if you decide to come alone, you will nevertheless profit because you will join a group and during your exciting adventure you’ll make new friends.

The rush down the rapids of a river in rubber boats is a real challenge for modern tourists who are looking for excitement, as well as socialising and relaxation!

Be brave and start rowing, unlimited amounts of adrenaline and fun are guaranteed!

Where to go rafting in Croatia?
It isn’t easy to decide where to go, but you can barely wait to take on this exciting task of exploring a location because a rafting ride is one of the most beautiful ways of getting to know the beautiful, winding Croatian rivers and their canyons located in breath-taking landscapes. When you experience the power and beauty of a river at first hand, if you were until that moment maybe indifferent about its protection, inside you there will awaken the understanding and wish for its preservation because of this positive experience of rafting.

To help you choose, let’s row together down the Kupa, Mrežnica, Korana, Zrmanja and Cetina and get to know the karst and low-lying beauties which will always gladly host you and offer you their waters and banks, waterfalls and rapids. Enjoy the deep rocky canyons, lush vegetation which hides many “inhabitants” visible and invisible to the eye, whose presence, sounds and colours will enhance your day and make you grateful for this experience. In turn, let’s learn how to listen to and protect them because the rivers are their source of life.

What is important to know about rafting?
In order to understand the difficulty of the flow of a river, and thereby to decide more easily where to find the optimal balance of adrenaline and safety to suit you, rivers are divided into classes of difficulty according to the speed of the current, the turbulence of the water, the strength of the whirlpools and vortices, the presence of rocks on the way etc. Bear in mind that no system of classification is totally accurate because the difficulty of a river can change from month to month, and also depends on changes in the water level, waterfalls, fallen trees, geological changes and so on. With the increase of difficulty/class the danger of falling into the water is greater, and for a successful rescue, the help of a group of people who know how to do that is needed. Although the rivers in Croatia do not belong in the group of extremely dangerous rivers, and those on which rafting is organised are categorised as light to moderately demanding, don’t forget that rafting is an extreme sport and as such is dangerous, especially for the inexperienced. Never attempt to go rafting on your own, your own way, because it is very risky, and in some cases, on some rivers, it is even forbidden.

So, for all of you who want to enjoy your vacation, to feel secure, and yet experience an adventure, it is recommended to choose a certified agency to have a professional service and experienced licensed guides, skippers.

At the beginning of a well-organised rafting trip you will be given equipment, and your skipper will give you information and precise instructions which are important to stick to during the whole tour. When as a passenger in the boat you have your single-sided paddle and the safety, checked parts of equipment, your protective life jacket and helmet, you can proudly consider yourself as a rafter. In the summer, during the heat, apart from the safety equipment, you only need the appropriate sports shoes, clothing and bathing costume, whilst for the colder days (early spring, late autumn) as required, you will get a neoprene suit, boots and/or socks, gloves and a waterproof jacket. Of course, don’t forget to prepare some dry clothes and shoes which will wait for you at the end point of the journey. Nowhere else you will see the delighted faces of guests who have just finished their watery adventure than during rafting and while they are still changing who knows how, in a laugh and a joke, they will relive the rapids and jumps enjoying every dip and fall – intended or accidental.

Since this is an open-air activity, the weather conditions are essential for the total enjoyment when rafting. The most suitable time in Croatia is late spring, summer and early autumn because at these times nature is its most verdant, and the temperature of the air and water is most comfortable.

Those more curious and braver amongst you who decide to go rafting at the time of “high waters” (late autumn, winter) will be rewarded with the special experience of riding the waves. As with other activities, there is also concern about rafting when children are involved and so for the participation of minors, the signed consent of their guardian is required. For your safety and the safety of other participants, remember that the consumption of intoxicating substances and alcoholic drinks is not allowed during the rafting trip. Although knowing how to swim is not necessary, it is a desired skill and an important safety measure which can be a great help in emergency cases. Information about your swimming skills or lack off, as well as other relevant information such as health conditions, should be given to the guide at the right time, although the rafting organisers will surely ask about this important information themselves.

It is good to know that during the journey the guide, the skipper, who sits at the stern of the boat and with their paddle directs and leads the raft through the rapids is in charge. Thanks to the good system of skipper education and the 20 years of experience of providing rafting in Croatia, you can completely and calmly relax in the hands of the kind and adept pilots of their rubber boats.

And don’t worry, these experienced boys and girls are known for their friendly and amicable approach and so they will strive to make your adventure on the rapids safe, as well as fun and unforgettable. Even when you think there is no more time or place for a new watery prank, they will think of something and again induce a hilarious laugh.

Fun is made of snow
The incredible diversity of Croatia is full of surprises as rewarding as its skiing. Slide down the gentle slopes of Platak, near Rijeka, an ideal location to spend a weekend with the family, or simply enjoy the spectacle of the Snow Queen Trophy in Medvednica and its highest peak Sljeme at 1,035 metres (3,396 ft), just ten minutes from the capital city of Zagreb. This World Cup Alpine Ski Race is named in honour of the famous skier, the Croatian Janica Kostelić. She won four gold medals and two silver medals in the Olympic Games, if you want to beat her record now you know where to start!

Beauty inside
A hidden world beneath our feet
There is an invisible force that supposedly “killed the cat”, which drives humans forward, impelling them to push boundaries in a seemingly impossible direction – curiosity. This force is to blame for humans’ constant urge for exploration and getting into tight spaces in search for areas unknown to man that they can visit and experience. No one is immune to it, not even the modern-day curious tourist, who is always on the lookout for new challenges, searching for the unknown.

The surface of our planet is magical, full of beauty and endless possibilities for adventure, and only seemingly compact and stable. Inside the Earth’s solid crust lies a whole universe in its own right, inviting you to direct your gaze towards its depths. There you will find a network of structures, caves and pits resembling lacework of unknown sizes, depths and shapes. Humans have always avoided the dark subterranean spaces as they evoked fear and gave rise to myths of monsters, hell and falling into its depths with no chance of return. However, curiosity got the best of them and encouraged the bravest among them to descend into the fearsome depths and discover some of the most wondrous sights and natural beauties in the eternal darkness.

What lies beneath its lands?
Croatia, nicknamed “Our Beautiful Homeland” by its people, literally sits on holes and rocks, and is one of a few countries with such a large karst-covered area. Over fifty percent of Croatia’s land area – seventy if you count the sea – is made of limestone that is “easily” dissolved in water. Millennia of water acting on the limestone have created a uniquely beautiful and specific relief known as the Dinaric karst that covers the Croatian regions of Istria, the Croatian Littoral, Gorski Kotar, Kordun, Lika and Dalmatia with its islands, all the way to the Croatian border with Montenegro. If we add Adriatic islands to the equation, a group of over a thousand limestone islands which together form one of the largest island groups in the world, we can proudly say that Croatia has a veritable underground El Dorado.

The karst landscape in Croatia is known around the world for its deep pits, with the largest number of deep speleological structures located on the Velebit Mountain.

Here is some trivia based on the findings on over nine thousand speleological sites that have been explored so far:
The deepest three pits (deeper than 1,000 m) in Croatia are the Lukina jama-Trojama cave system, Slovačka jama pit and the Velebit Mountain cave system;
The longest speleological structure in Croatia is the Kita Gaćešina–Draženova puhaljka cave system (over 37 km long);
The Đulin ponor-Medvedica cave system, located beneath the town of Ogulin spreads over 16.4 km horizontally;
The biggest underground caves in terms of area are: Munižaba with a volume of 1.9 million m3, Burinka with 1.1 million m3 , and Kita Gaćešina with 1.4 million m3.

Speleology
Many different words are used to describe subterranean spaces – unknown, mystical, dangerous, challenging… It is no surprise then that the exploration of caves, pits, chasms and other underground karst phenomena is the focus of a very specific human activity called speleology. The unique complexity of speleological structures requires specific techniques and training for the speleological teams, and their activities in deep subterranean pits and complex caves can be described as a sort of underground mountaineering.

We may seem strong on the outside, but the human organism can barely survive on the surface of the Earth without proper clothing and footwear, let alone in the cold and dark spaces underground. This is why speleologists need to have special equipment, which varies depending on the properties of the structures and time spent inside them. The most essential piece of equipment that every speleologist needs to have is a light. Clothes need to be strong and warm enough, waterproof and damp-proof, and yet light enough so as not to restrict movement, especially crawling, squeezing through tight spaces, climbing, etc. When climbing down vertical channels, they use a special rope with a static structure that can withhold great stresses, a special, tested caving belt, and a whole range of gadgets, carabiners, straps, leashes, spikes, etc. There are often bodies of water to overcome, which is where inflatable boats come into play, and in the case of fully submerged channels, even diving equipment might be used. Diving in speleological structures (cave diving) is one of the most dangerous human activities.

You should know…
You may wonder what it’s like to breathe down there, in the dark underground expanse. Is there enough oxygen? Don’t worry, the air underground has the almost same composition as surface air, so you don’t need air tanks while you explore speleological sites. In fact, research has shown a positive effect of breathing cave air on human health.

Although underground conditions are fairly inhospitable, caves and pits are inhabited by a specific fauna, with different animals living in, occasionally entering into or accidentally falling into the speleological structures. You shouldn’t worry, though; none of them are dangerous. The only true – though rare – danger is posed by venomous snakes that may accidentally fall into cave entrances.

Different underground hollows and shapes are primarily formed by water flowing through cave channels, which is still happening to this day. The karst underground is very porous and quickly reacts to the accumulation of water above the surface, especially after heavy rains or sudden snowmelt. Some channels can fill up with water very quickly and become dangerous for explorers.

Luckily, there is no such danger in caves that are open to the public, as these are usually the so-called “fossil caves” that have not been connected to their hydrological origins for a long time. On the other hand, such caves are full of interesting decorations and formations. The safety of visitors is always a priority, which is why visits to speleological sites in Croatia are organised only during the months when there is the least amount of water in the caves (usually March–November).

Explore the Underground Wonders of Croatia
Both known and unknown speleological sites hold special and rare riches – the decorative formations in caves, endemic animal species (such as the olm), valuable palaeontological and archaeological finds, etc. It comes as no surprise then that they have long been recognised as sites of special interest to Croatia and that they are specially protected – researching speleological sites that aren’t open to the public requires a special authorisation from the competent ministry.

However, those curious about underground exploration need not worry, as there are many beautiful caves and pits in Croatia that can be visited by tourists. Let the experienced organisers and guides lead you into a world completely different than our own. We invite you to peer into the darkness of the karst underground, into an obscure world of caves, pits and chasms that cut into the insides of hills, mountains and islands. You will be able to see first-hand what water can do to the karst landscape and become familiar with nature’s decorations – stalagmites, stalactites and stalagnates, underground water flows and lakes, and tiny endemic animals that have found their unique habitats in the eternal darkness. Please keep in mind that all of the animals inhabiting the karst underground areas are strictly protected; it is prohibited to disturb them, catch them or remove them from their natural habitat. This is an extremely vulnerable world thriving in secrecy, in the darkest corners of the karst underground, far from sight.

Discover the wealth of cave decorations, shaped by water and wind over thousands of years, hidden away from daylight and prying eyes!

Set your sights on the ground and dive into underground adventures!

Experience the world from a bird’s perspective
A dose of adrenaline for everyone!
If you too dream that you are flying and from the heights you enjoy the beautiful landscapes whilst below you the scenes of nature alternate where you’d like to “disappear”, then a zip line trip is something that you really must do. From the method of transport which once carried cargo over a canyon and remote regions, the zip line has over the years developed into a form of green adrenaline recreation.

It is a fun way of descending through a canyon down a steel cable with the help of the free movement of a pulley and a mechanism for braking, wherein you are secured with a belt, and you also wear a helmet and gloves. Although you rush through the air high up, safety and control are utmost. The cables can carry several tons, and initial training is obligatory on practice wires, low-lying above solid ground, on which you will experience sitting in the belt or another type of seats and a shorter movement with the cable. The instructors will explain when and how to brake, and so that nothing is left to chance, they are there to safely hook you onto an individual cable and wait at the other side and give clear instructions for your every step. When children go down a zip line the instructors accompany them.

This adventure in the air often includes a short walk in the nature which will reveal its beauty and in a simple and pleasant way connect you to it. An unforgettable combination of that pleasant amount of adrenaline and the feeling of the freedom of “flight”, as well as the possibility of control and enjoyment of the views will overwhelm you whilst you “travel” down the zip line. So, be brave and “take off”!

It’s good to know!
Zip lines in Croatia are ready for all seasons
Dry and warm weather conditions are ideal for a fun adventure, but also a tour in colder days and the enjoyment of drops of rain and flakes of snow is something that you will remember and even longer talk about with your friends.

Whichever season you decide on, wear the corresponding clothing and shoes suitable for the weather conditions. Closed toe footwear suitable for sport and walking is desirable. Avoid wearing loose and baggy clothing such as scarves and shawls and in any case empty your pockets before the ride.

Due to the nature of the zip line it is recommended that you leave any valuables such as jewellery or mobile phones in a safe place or use the devices securely attached to you. Although the allowed weights of a guest for each zip line can vary, in general, the rides are suitable for people who weigh between 30 and 140 kg, and you will be informed about that, as well as other relevant information during the instructions about the zip line itself.

Where to find zip lines in Croatia?
Choose the adventure of a lifetime
Since zip lines come in varying types and durations, various rides are on offer in Croatia from those of short and lower lines to multiple rides and multi-hour fun. Zip line wires can be found in beautiful river canyons, Robinson Crusoe campsites, adrenaline parks and in developed tourist resorts as separate entertainment or as a part of a complex of tourist facilities. Providers of zip line services will guarantee you the necessary education and equipment for a ride down the wires, and if necessary transport to the site as well.

Deciding on an individual zip line ride is at the same time easy, but also a very difficult task. The ease is in the fact that all the sites are relatively easy to access and open to visitors during the tourist season, and often throughout the whole year too. On the other hand, it is a real challenge to choose the location, because according to the beauty of a region in which they are set, the amount of fun they offer and the professional and friendly staff of zip lines, they all stand shoulder to shoulder. So, it will not be so easy, but it is worth making the effort and doing the additional research because such an effort will pay off many times over.

Mountains of fun
Cross the paths that take you from the Adriatic Sea to the very top of the mountains. Over 400 different and varied routes that will delight both beginners, in Zagreb, Ogulin, Split and Omiš, and expert hikers in Velebit, Učka, Dinara or Mosor. And if you are a passionate climber, in the Paklenica National Park you will find Anića Kuk, a 350 metres high massive rock that will make you live an unforgettable experience.

The best five hiking spots in Croatia are Učka Mountain, Risnjak National Park, Northern Velebit, Paklenica and Biokovo Mountain. Some of them are covered with snow during the winter but fully accessible from late spring to early autumn. Come and feel the spirit of the Croatian mountain.

Mountaineering in Croatia
Croatian mountains do not exceed the height of 2000 meters but the variety of landscapes makes them extremely interesting. Due to such small height, most summits are rather easily accessible, which makes Croatian mountains overall suitable, virtually ideal for mountaineering. The beauty of Croatian mountains is even more accentuated by the fact that the summits are quite diverse as per their features. While most summits in the Pannonian part of Croatia are covered with woods, almost all higher mountaintops of the Dinaric area are bare and provide beautiful viewpoints.

Mountaineers have marked some 6000 kilometres of trails on all Croatian mountains. Due to their proximity to Zagreb, Medvednica and Samobor Hills are the most popular and interesting to mountaineers. As for the broader Zagreb region, mountaineering is popular on Žumberak Hills and on the mountains of Croatian Zagorje – on Kalnik, Ivanščica, Ravna Gora, Strahinjščica and on Kostelsko Hills. In the Slavonia region, Papuk is the most attractive summit.

The area of Gorski Kotar is a vast mountain area with many trails and it acts as a crossing point between the Alps and the Dinarides. A large part of Gorski Kotar is covered by Velika Kapela, a mountain range accommodating some of the most attractive mountaineering destinations: Bijele and Samarske Rocks, Bjelolasica and Klek. Risnjak, Tuhobić, Bitoraj and Viševica are on the western and northern parts of Gorski Kotar.

The coastline is a point where all the highest and most beautiful mountains are situated, offering the best viewpoints – Učka and Ćićarija in Istria, Obruč and Snježnik in the Croatian Littoral Region, Velebit, and the mountains of Dalmatia – Kozjak, Mosor, Omiška Dinara, Biokovo. Slightly further from the sea are Svilaja, Promina, Kamešnica and Dinara. As per its size, beauty and abundance of interesting sites, Velebit has a particular importance among Croatian mountains. Velebit is also the longest Croatian mountain (140 km).

Island mountains are not particularly high but due to their viewpoints offering incredible views of the sea and littoral mountains, these are considered interesting mountaineering destinations. Mountain trails lead to the summits of the islands of Brač, Cres, Lošinj, Hvar, Vis, Krk, Pag, Rab, Kornati and many other Adriatic islands.

Catch new sensations
Chase the hidden underwater treasures. It doesn’t matter if you prefer fresh or salt water, if you love fishing you are in the right place. Since marine species such as sea bass, dentex, gilt-poll and tuna to fresh water species such as trout or even enormous catfish, fishing enthusiasts from around the world come to the Croatian waters, not only to compete, but to watch, admire and enjoy Croatian fishing.

Do you like fishing in the sea? Near Dubrovnik you will find four perfect locations for this: Zaton Bay and the islands of Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan. If instead you prefer river fishing, the Odra, the Mreznica, the Gacka, the Strug and Zvecaj are your ideal sites. If you want some challenge you can always join some of the best fishermen of the world, gathering every year in Jezera, Murter Island, to compete in Big Game Fishing. Throughout the year you can enjoy boat trips and fishing activities organized for you and the whole family. Croatia is, without doubt, a top destination for sports fishing.

Freshwater fishing in Croatia
Croatian fishing arenas
One wise saying goes: “Give a man a fish, and you’ve fed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish, and you’ve fed him for the whole of his life.” If he were to fish in the Croatian rivers and lakes, then he would have food for more than a hundred lifetimes because with so many freshwater treasures Croatia is a country of unsuspected fishing possibilities.

Regardless of whether it is about a little stream which will quickly disappear in fields, a wild mountain river which not even solid rocks can stop or about a low-lying river which flows lightly like an elegant lady, Croatia is a real water fun park for fishermen. The fishing arenas are open to all. Amateurs will hone their skills and professionals will have the opportunity to participate in many sports fishing competitions organised with the principle of “catch and put back”.

Experienced fishermen say that every fish has its bait, and a skilled fisherman has challenging rivals in Croatia’s rivers. The cunning pike, the giant catfish, the fighting grass carp, the fast trout and the cautious carp are just some of the 140 species which live in Croatia.

Fishing is a relaxing and healthy sport which can be practised throughout the year, and for fishing 365 days a year, the Croatian river catalogue is exceptionally rich. The mystical mountain torrents, lush green karst waters or spectacular canyons of Adriatic rivers hide brilliant oases of peace and quiet and the discovery of perfect places for fishing.

And after that follows the sweet anticipation of the pulling out of the bait. As we are talking about a possible catch, you mustn’t forget a fishing permit. And then the gamesmanship can begin.

Take the jump for the most exciting moment in your life
Do you want a real experience of Croatia which you will never forget, or do you just want to send a holiday postcard like you parents did?
Join the select few who have tried bungee jumping in one of the most beautiful countries of the Mediterranean.

Imagine that you are looking at one of the most beautiful views of the Adriatic, as the vertical cliffs emerge from the sea, and the sky is reflected in the azure surface beneath you and then free as a bird you dive into this scene, like in a beautiful postcard, with a jump from a platform. This is the kind of beautiful view offered from the Maslenica bridge, which at 56 metres is the highest point in Croatia that you can jump from, and of course come back to.

Crazy, isn’t it? But it really is possible, because in Croatia you can choose between several beautiful locations for bungee jumping and take away with you an unforgettable, everlasting experience of a bungee adventure.

Apart from the adrenaline hit, the best part of a bungee jump is in fact the recording of your scream which you’ll post on social media and the many likes and perhaps an admirer you’ll get, because bungee jumping isn’t for everyone, if you know what we mean. However, this is why Croatia is the right country for such memories. So get ready, steady and be brave at the greatest height to take away the craziest bungee memento from the Adriatic.

After a jump from the high Maslenica bridge, you can also descend from the Šibenik bridge, 10 metres lower and a fraction of a second shorter, nevertheless, with the same unforgettable feeling.

Bungee jumps from bridges are jumps from high points and that makes them more exciting, nevertheless, in Croatia, it is also possible to let yourself go in a bungee adventure from something less high, like from a crane. The principle is the same, as well as the equipment for the jump, you can also jump above the sea, and it seems that the amount of adrenaline is also the same. In both cases, you simply have to conquer your own fear.

You don’t have to worry for an instant about your safety because the professional staff are in charge of that. All you have to do is be cool as you come to the jump platform and not to freeze at the last moment, because bungee jumping is a completely safe trigger for adrenaline. And even if you do decide to give up at the last moment, because there is a way back, think twice, because perhaps you are denying yourself one of the most exciting moments in your life, especially if it is part of your holiday in incredible Croatia.