BRIJUNI - a group of two larger and 12 smaller islands along the west coast of Istria; preserved Mediterranean vegetation, zoo in the nature, cultural heritage of Antiquity. Due to its extraordinary beauty, the Brioni Islands have been, for over a hundred years now, a favorite tourist destination of world statesmen.

KORNATI - the most indented archipelago on the Mediterranean with 140 uninhabited islands, islets and cliffs- it looks like a labyrinth of rocks and the sea. The Kornati islands are known for their varied unusual forms and extraordinary relief structure, and especially the high cliffs. It is also a very popular destination among the sailors, there is a marina Piskera in the national park and eight other marinas nearby.

KRKA - the most beautiful karstic river in Croatia, occupies the area between Knin and Skradin; deep canyons are carved in limestone plateaus; among many waterfalls, the most famous are Skradinski Buk and Roski Slap; between these two wonderful waterfalls is located Visovac Lake and the Franciscan monastery, which is located in the point where river enter the lake.

MLJET - an island of the Southwest of Dubrovnik; the west part of the island is a national park characterized by two deep bays which are called lakes due to their very narrow passages to the open sea; lush and diversified Mediterranean vegetation, valuable monuments from classical period and Benedictine monastery from the 12th century on islet in the midst of the lake.

PAKLENICA - a national park on the southern side of Velebit, the largest mountain massif of Croatia. Two impressive canyons of Velika and Mala Paklenica, vertically cut into the mountain from the sea to the peaks are the main attraction of the park; there are several unusual carstic forms, several caves, and extremely rich and varied flora and fauna; monumental steep rock Anica kuk is the most popular destination for Croatian alpinists training

THE PLITVICE LAKES (PLITVICKA JEZERA) - the most beautiful and the most popular Croatian national park, part of the UNESCO's World Heritage, situated at the main road from Zagreb to Dalmatia; 16 little lakes interconnected with waterfalls created by deposition of travertine,  dense forests of beech and fir, partly in the form of primeval virgin forest, many animal species (including the brown bear); there is a special vehicle for transporting visitors (panoramic trains and electric boats).

RISNJAK - a wooded mountain massif to the north of Rijeka; due to its position at the junction between the Alps and the Dinarides, almost all types of forests, as well as many plant and animal species are gathered here, in a relatively small area, including brown bear, lynxes, leaps, dears, eagles; the beauty of the forest, carst phenomena, beautiful springs and magnificent views attract many hikers.

NORTH VELEBIT (SJEVERNI VELEBIT)- due to its natural beauty is the most valuable and the most attractive peak part of Velebit. It includes nature reserves Hajducki and Rozanski kukovi with attractive Karst forms and Luka's cave, one of the deepest in the world and the famous Velebit Botanical garden

Naturparks

Nature parks are wide natural or cultivated areas with high esthetical, ecological, educational, cultural-historical and tourist-recreation values.

BIOKOVO - a grandiose mountain above Makarska Riviera; various flora and fauna, beautiful sights

KOPACKI RIT - an extensive wetland area located at the confluence of the Rivers Drava and Danube; rich in plants and animals, particularly wading birds, deer and wild boars

LONJSKO POLJE - one of the largest swamps of Europe, located by the river of Sava, east from Sisak; huge oak forests, rich bird fauna, particularly storks

MEDVEDNICA - a mountain massif above Zagreb; recreational area where there are beech and fir-tree forest, attractive caves and deep stream valleys

TELASCICA - a spacious narrow bay on the island of Dugi otok, near the National Park Kornati; a navigators' destination; a small lake next to the sea and  the biggest croatian cliffs (up to 800 m)

VELEBIT - the biggest and the most beautiful Croatian mountain; due to its unique relief and its plants and animals, it's declared the World reserve of Biosphere; the greatest protected area in the country, it includes both National parks North Velebit and Paklenica

ZUMBERAK-SAMOBOR MOUNTAINS - north of Zagreb; spacious meadows, picturesque villages with well-indented relief and deep canyons

PAPUK - the largest mountains in Slavonia; significant due to its forest cover and partly eruptive relief

UCKA - a mountain on the east of Istria, above the Kvarner Riviera; interesting relief and flora, magnificent sights

LAKE OF VRANA - the largest lake of Croatia, near Zadar; due to its vicinity to the sea, there are both sea and freshwater fish in it and itis also famous for variety of birds .

Andere geschützte Gebiete

two strict reserve

    * 73 special reserve (botanical, geomorphologic, hydrological, ichthyologic, ornithological, maritime, zoological), 27 park-forests, 28 significant landscapes, 75 natural phenomenon (geological, geomorphologic, hydrological, paleontological, rare trees examples) and 120 horticultural locations (arboretum, botanic gardens, parks, trees and groves)

    * a total surface of protected areas is 4.585 km, or 8 per cent of the Croatian surface; 380 animal species and 44 plants are protected Other natural sights to visit:

RIVER DRAVA - one of the largest rivers of Europe a significant part of which is in its natural condition; proposed as a World Biosphere Reserve

RIVER DOBRA - at Karlovac; known because of its cleanliness, richness of fishes and attractive canyons and rapids; it's a perfect place to go rafting, kayaking or canoeing

RIVER MREZNICA - at Karlovac, with a series of waterfalls on gypsum barriers; attractive canyons and favorite bathing sports

WHITE ROCKS (BIJELE STIJENE) AND SAMARSKE ROCKS (SAMARSKE STIJENE) - on Bjelolasica mountain in region of Gorski Kotar; a multitude of bizarre karstic forms in the wild and wooded landscape; strictly protected nature reserve

DEVIL'S PASSAGE (VRAZJI PROLAZ) - at Skrad, a small town in the central part of Gorski Kotar; a picturesque narrow canyon with a scary footpath in the rock passing through it; at the entrance of the canyon is the attractive waterfall Zeleni vir

LIM GULF (LIMSKI ZALJEV) - the picturesque deep sea bay at the west coast of Istria; it's very narrow and sharp, so it looks like a Norwegian Fjord

RIVER GACKA - in Otocac, town in region of Lika; with series of picturesque springs and old water mills, known as one of the most significant fishing sports for trout in Europe

GOLDEN CAPE (ZLATNI RAT) at BOL, a town on island of BRAC - it's probably the most beautiful beach on Adriatic; it's a pebble cape, surrounded with pine forest; the cape changes the form according to the direction of  waves

BLUE LAKE and RED LAKE - lakes at Imotski, town in region of Dalmatinska zagora (Dalmatian Hinterland); the unique deep karstic phenomenon of two exceptionally deep holes (Red lake is 500 m deep)

BLUE CAVE - a famous cave on island of Bisevo, near the island of Vis; prominent because of its blue color; according to many, much nicer than the similar but better known cave on Capri

DELTA OF NERETVA - in the south of the country, the unique swampy area with specific vegetation of reed, famous for its gathering of a large variety of birds