The most beautiful natural sites to discover Croatia

After the devastation of the Second World War, the chaotic reconstruction of the waterfront had transformed the esplanade into a giant and uninterrupted concrete wall. In 2005, an urban renewal project was launched. At the end of the river, the architect Nikola Bašić designed a staircase, made of ashlar (70 m) that leads down to the Adriatic. Under the steps are 35 organ pipes built in underground tunnels. A column of air, pushed in turn by the waves, blows on each organ pipe. The sound emerges above the ground through labiums (whistles), which play 7 chords of 5 tones each. The marine ebb and flow, with the breath of the water rushing in, thus creates a series of more or less loud sounds. The marine organ is one of Zadar's great sights. As a rallying point for the premises and visitors at the end of the day, it was immediately adopted. This unique urban creation is now part of the tourist circuits, as an extension of the promenade de la mer or the forum. In summer, there is a crowd; the mystical effect diminishes with the sounds and cries of the children, but if you are lucky enough to be accompanied by calm people, won by the inspired work, it is a place to meditate, between architecture and nature... Getting there in winter or on a stormy day, while remaining cautious, is another experience. The swell then hitting the organs, the aquatic roar resounds with force.

The genesis of this mountain dates back about 200 million years. Through the process of plate tectonics, sedimentary rocks accumulated on the sea floor rose, giving rise to the Dinaric Alps chain. Heavy rains have created caves and natural wells, accumulated limestone, shaped the water, carved superb stalactites and stalagmites. At the highest point of the massif, Mount Zavižan (1,676 m), the highest weather station in Croatia was built. The national park was established in 1999.

Winters are harsh, with frequent snowfall and a strong wind (bura) that cools the atmosphere. But as soon as the weather is good, it is a paradise for lovers of unspoilt nature. Ask the reception offices for information on access conditions (weather, schedules, practicable routes, etc.).

Several naturalistic trails. The path from Premužić leads to the nature reserve of the ridges Hajdučki and Rožanski. It was built in 1930 by Ante Premuzic, a water and forest engineer, who was the first to explore it. This great walker, at an average altitude of 1,500 m, discovered the peaks where unusual shaped limestone piles have accumulated. Between these peaks, deep funnels have deepened, opening the horizon to the Kvarner islands. On a clear day, summit hunters will also enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the mountainous coast, which literally seems to plunge into the Adriatic. Offshore, you can guess the small islands of Goli Otok, Sveti Grgur and Prvic, and the large island of Krk.

Flora and fauna. The park is home to a botanical garden founded in 1967 by Professor Fran Kušan, a botanist and herbalist. With his team, the naturalist has identified more than 2,500 Mediterranean and alpine plants. The best known are thyme, alchemilla, mountain clover, grasses, silica... To the west of the garden, a forest of oaks and maples is now protected from all human exploitation. Going up to the east, beech, black pine, fir, spruce and spruce dominate...

It will be easy for you to see lizards, many birds (180 species) including the great black heather cockerel, birds of prey, the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), master of these places. Large mammals are becoming rare, a pair of binoculars, patience and discretion in the wild will increase your chances of observing these wild animals, lynx, chamois, deer, deer or even a wolf, a brown bear.

To the south of the city, on the road to Rovinj, the Croatian coast was invaded by water when the ice melted and gave rise to this inlet, dominated by high rock walls. The fjord formed naturally by entering the land like a canal. The dense and varied vegetation is now protected in a nature reserve. The site mouth can be visited by road. Trails run along the banks. By boat, sea excursions from Rovinj, Poreč or Pula. All of them stop there but some do not dock.

At the end of the lagoon in the direction of Sabunike, a 3 km long beach. Its name is said to come from the first Croatian king, Tomislav I and his wife who lived in the area. The texture of the fine sand, the shallow depth of the crystal blue water and its higher temperature than elsewhere make it an ideal vacation spot. A medicinal mud deposit, the largest in Europe, is another natural wealth of the municipality, coveted by real estate investors.

This website in Croatian and English provides information about Mljet National Park and its latest news and informs users about cultural events in the park.

South of the island of Vis, the narrow cove of Stiniva was voted "best beach in Europe" in 2016 by the readers of a Brussels tourist portal (European Best Destinations). And that's understandable. This natural site, protected since 1967, is bordered by massive cliffs that leave a passage to the sea of only 4m. This gives it an intimate, paradisiacal look, and warmer water than anywhere else. A 20-minute walk on the rocks leads to the creek. A slightly sporty descent but it's worth the detour!

Beautiful sea promenade that follows the contour of the bay. Between the port and the Roman villa near the Waterman Svpetrvs Resort, here is indeed a large and well laid out coastline with a lot of places to swim or relax: small or bigger beaches, pontoons to jump in the water... You will find along the Supetar bay children's playgrounds, beach bars, restaurants... To return to the port, the inland road, very commercial (supermarkets, tourist shops), is less attractive.