National Parks in Croatia – 3 You Should Visit: Plitvice, Paklenica & Mljet

3 Must-Visit National Parks in Croatia – Waterfalls, Mountains & Island Adventure

During my month-long solo trip to Croatia, I visited 3 of the 8 national parks in Croatia – I didn’t quite have time (or the budget!) to see them all.

But Plitvice Lakes, Paklenica National Park and Mljet National Park drew me in too much to resist. And I’m so glad I visited all three, because each offered a completely different experience.

Plitvice provided the wow factor with its waterfalls, Paklenica was the canyon-hiking adventure, and Mljet‘s magic came from being the perfect peaceful escape.

These three national parks all stood out in their own ways, making them a great combination for experiencing the different landscapes, atmospheres and adventures Croatia has to offer.

1. Plitvice Lakes National Park

🌊 Best for: Lakes, waterfalls & spectacular scenery
📍 Good as a day trip from: Zadar, Zagreb or Split
⏱️ Time needed: Half day to full day

Plitvice Lakes is Croatia’s UNESCO-listed waterfall wonderland. It’s the country’s most visited national park, and honestly, I questioned if it would be overrated. But after visiting myself, I know it’s absolutely not.

Plitvice Lakes really is like a fairytale land of seemingly never-ending lakes and waterfalls that you can’t quite believe really exists, tucked away inland in Croatia, around 130km from Zadar.

The lakes are interconnected by wooden boardwalks and walking trails, allowing you to wander through the park and get up close to the waterfalls and impressively turquoise-blue water. The park is divided into the Lower and Upper Lakes, with the Lower Lakes home to some of the park’s most impressive waterfalls. I found the Upper Lakes offered a quieter atmosphere, with more peaceful trails through the forest, and really enjoyed exploring this side of the park, too.

There are several routes you can take depending on how much time (and energy!) you have. I did Route C, which involves around 8km of walking, although if I’d had a little more time, I may have tackled the longest route! There are shorter routes too, which still let you see the main waterfalls, including Veliki Slap, Croatia’s highest waterfall!

I visited Plitvice Lakes solo on a day trip from Zadar, and couldn’t have had a better day! I definitely never felt alone with all the crowds around, but what I loved about doing Route C was that there were plenty of spots where the crowds started to spread out, and I could take in the park in peace.

Plitvice Lakes was even more magical than I imagined. It seemed like everywhere I looked, there was another waterfall, from tiny little cascades to much bigger, dramatic falls.

The only downside of a visit to Plitvice Lakes, if you’re visiting during peak season that is, is the cost. This was the most expensive national park I visited – I paid €40 in September. Although, if you visit between October to May, prices are much cheaper!

Getting to Plitvice Lakes

Plitvice can also be easily visited from Zagreb or Split, either independently or as part of a tour. I visited Plitvice as a day trip from Zadar, travelling by FlixBus from the main bus station. If you’re travelling without a car, you can also book an organised day tour.
🚌 Check bus options →
🎟️ Browse Plitvice tours →

Driving to Plitvice: Having a car gives you more flexibility if you’re planning to explore Plitvice and the surrounding area, particularly if you want to stay overnight.
🚗 Check car rental options →

Planning to stay overnight near Plitvice Lakes?

There are plenty of hotels, guesthouses and apartments around Plitvice Lakes, making it easy to explore the park and surrounding area without rushing your visit.
🏨 Find accommodation near Plitvice →

✨ Want to know more about visiting Plitvice Lakes from Zadar? I’ve written a full guide to taking a day trip to Plitvice Lakes, including transport, entrance tickets, routes and tips from my own experience.

2. Paklenica National Park

🏔️ Best for: Hiking, canyons & mountain scenery
📍 Best base: Starigrad Paklenica
⏱️ Time needed: Half day to full day

Paklenica National Park offers a completely different experience to Plitvice, with dramatic canyons and rugged mountain peaks replacing waterfalls and lakes. It’s a fantastic place for hiking, but that’s not all – Paklenica is also a popular destination for rock climbing.

The park has two canyons – Velika and Mala Paklenica. Velika Paklenica is the larger and more visited canyon, while Mala Paklenica offers a more rugged and quieter experience.

One of the things that makes Paklenica particularly special is its location right by Starigrad Paklenica on the Adriatic coast, around 45 minutes from Zadar. It’s pretty incredible to go from the sea and coastal landscapes to dramatic mountain scenery and deep canyons in such a short distance.

I visited Paklenica solo, walking from Starigrad Paklenica to the national park before starting my hike. Even before I reached the entrance, the towering mountains ahead had already made me realise I was in for a treat – even if I wasn’t actually climbing any peaks! I followed the Education Trail on the way in, which made for a nice, easy introduction to the park before reaching the main canyon.

From there, I started my hike through the Velika Paklenica Canyon, following the trail as far as the mountain villages of Ramići and Parići. It made for an excellent day hike, and one I highly recommend!

Walking between the towering limestone cliffs was such a different experience from the rest of my Croatia trip. It was also just so chill. After the first couple of kilometres, it felt as if I’d stumbled upon a seriously underrated spot in Croatia – it definitely didn’t feel like a tourist hotspot, as I had plenty of stretches where it was just me and the mountains!

I didn’t find the Velika Paklenica Trail too steep or strenuous. There’s a little climb to start, but it really flattens out after that. Plus, the route is really easy to follow, making it a great option if you want to experience the dramatic scenery without taking on a seriously challenging hike. You also don’t have to complete the whole trail – you can simply walk as far as you feel comfortable before turning back. For those looking for a longer adventure, there are also options to venture deeper into the mountains on a multi-day hike.

🎟️ Paklenica entrance fee

One of the things I loved about visiting Paklenica was how affordable it was compared with some of Croatia’s other national parks. I paid €10 when I visited in September, which is still considered peak season. This felt really reasonable for such an amazing full day of hiking and exploring, and prices drop outwith peak season too!

Getting to Paklenica National Park

Zadar is the closest major city to Paklenica, making it a convenient starting point if you’re visiting the park without a car. I travelled to Starigrad Paklenica by bus from Zadar and stayed overnight, which meant I could take my time exploring the area rather than trying to fit Paklenica into a tight day trip. From Starigrad Paklenica, you can walk to the national park entrance, like I did, although this adds a few kilometres to your day.

Driving: If you’re hiring a car, driving makes Paklenica easier to visit as a day trip, whether you’re coming from Zadar or travelling from further afield. It also saves you a few kilometres of walking to the park entrance and back from town, while giving you more freedom to explore the surrounding area.

Where to stay for Paklenica National Park  

I’d recommend staying in Starigrad Paklenica if you’re planning to spend time hiking in the park. I stayed for 2 nights, which gave me time to enjoy both the town and a full day in Paklenica National Park without feeling rushed. I also found accommodation here to be really reasonably priced compared with some of the more popular coastal destinations in Croatia.

If you want to know more about staying nearby, you can check out my more detailed post: Where to Stay Near Paklenica National Park, Croatia (Best Areas + My Experience)

🏨 Find accommodation in Starigrad Paklenica →

✨ Want to know more about hiking in Paklenica? I’ve written a guide to hiking Paklenica National Park, including my route, what to expect on the trail, practical tips and my experience visiting solo.

3. Mljet National Park

🌲 Best for: Island scenery, lakes & a more peaceful experience
📍 Easy to visit from: Dubrovnik
⏱️ Time needed: A day trip or a short island stay (2 nights felt perfect for me!)

Mljet National Park offers something completely different from both Plitvice and Paklenica. Located on the western side of Mljet, one of Croatia’s most beautiful islands, the park is a peaceful escape filled with dense forests, saltwater lakes, hiking trails and spectacular viewpoints.

The heart of Mljet National Park is its two saltwater lakes, Veliko Jezero (Great Lake) and Malo Jezero (Small Lake). You can walk or cycle around the lakes, stop for a swim in the water or even take a boat across to St Mary’s Island, a tiny island in the middle of the Great Lake.

I spent a couple of days exploring Mljet National Park, staying in Polače, one of the gateways to the park. A highlight of my visit was hiking up to Mount Montokuc, the park’s highest point, as well as spontaneously coming across Veliki Gradac Viewpoint. The views over the island’s lush greenery and the bright blue lake water below were absolutely incredible!

I loved how quiet the hiking trails were, especially around Polače and Mount Montokuc. In contrast, the area around the lakes, particularly Mali Most, a stone bridge connecting the two saltwater lakes, was much livelier. Here, people were swimming, cycling and enjoying the water. Being able to switch between exploring the trails and chilling out around the lakes made Mljet feel like the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation – my favourite!

🎟️ Mljet National Park entrance fee

From June through September the entrance fee is currently €30, outwith these months it drops to €20.

One useful thing to know is that if you’re staying in private or hotel accommodation on the island, your ticket is valid for up to 7 days. So, although I paid €30 (more than I would’ve liked!) when I visited in September, I felt like I got my money’s worth. As I was staying for 2 nights, the ticket covered my entire stay, meaning I could visit the national park across 3 days without paying for another ticket.

Getting to Mljet National Park

Mljet National Park can be reached by ferry from Dubrovnik. Although the park feels more remote and slightly removed from the main tourist routes, getting there is surprisingly simple!

I took the ferry from Dubrovnik’s Port of Gruž to Polače, where I was staying. Polače is one of the main entrances to the national park, making it a convenient base if you’re planning to explore the park over a few days. You can also take the ferry to Pomena, which puts you closer to the saltwater lakes.
🚢 Check ferry options from Dubrovnik to Mljet →

You can also visit Mljet National Park as part of an organised day trip from Dubrovnik, which can be a good option if you only have one day or would rather have the transport and logistics organised for you.
🎟️ Browse Mljet National Park day tours from Dubrovnik →

✨ Want to know more about visiting Mljet from Dubrovnik? I’ve written a full guide covering the ferry, organised tours, whether to visit as a day trip or stay overnight.
👉 How to Visit Mljet National Park from Dubrovnik: Ferry, Tours & Travel Tips

Where to stay for Mljet National Park

Pomena and Polače are the two main gateways to the national park, with direct ferry access from Dubrovnik and various accommodation options.

I stayed at Guest House Busurelo in Polače, which was honestly perfect for my trip. During my visit, accommodation in Polače seemed to be more budget-friendly, which worked particularly well for me as a solo traveller. I also loved being so close to the trail up Mount Montokuc, as well as getting to experience the tranquillity of this little village, especially in the early morning and again in the evening, once the day-trippers had left.

If you prefer to be based nearer the lakes and in a slightly livelier spot, though, you’ll want to check out a stay in Pomena.

🏨 Explore accommodation options for visiting Mljet National Park

Not sure whether to stay in Pomena or Polače? I’ve compared the two main bases for visiting Mljet National Park, including the differences in location, atmosphere, accommodation and access to the park.
👉 Where to Stay for Mljet National Park: Pomena vs Polače

Which national park should you visit in Croatia?

All of Croatia’s national parks offer something different – both the ones I’ve mentioned here and those I didn’t quite get the chance to visit! The thing to remember is that there’s no ultimate ‘best’ national park to visit. The best one for you might not be the best for someone else. It really depends on the type of national park adventure you’re after, as well as where you’re based during your Croatia trip, as this can make some parks much easier to visit than others.

🌊 Plitvice Lakes National Park is the one to choose if you want spectacular waterfalls, turquoise lakes and those classic fairytale Croatia views. It’s particularly easy to visit as a day trip from places such as Zadar.

🏔️ Paklenica National Park is ideal if you’re more interested in hiking, mountains and dramatic canyons. It’s also a great option if you’re staying along the Adriatic coast and want to experience a completely different landscape.

🌿 Mljet National Park is perfect if you’re dreaming of a peaceful island escape from Dubrovnik, with hiking trails, saltwater lakes, swimming and beautiful viewpoints all packed into one national park. It’s also surprisingly easy to reach from Dubrovnik, despite feeling like a world away from the city.

If you get the chance to visit more than one of Croatia’s national parks during your trip, I’d definitely recommend doing so. Each offers something completely different, and visiting several is a great way to experience just how varied Croatia’s landscapes are.

I absolutely loved all three of the parks I visited, and honestly, I can’t really pick a favourite! Each one allowed me to experience a completely different side of Croatia, from its spectacular waterfalls and mountains to its peaceful island landscapes.

Next time I’m in Croatia, I’ll definitely be adding at least one of the other national parks I haven’t visited yet to my must-visit list!