Brijuni National Park: islands of history and parkland

Brijuni is the most surprising of Croatia's national parks — not wilderness but a manicured archipelago of fourteen islands off the Istrian coast, layered with Roman ruins, dinosaur footprints, an old safari park and the ghost of Yugoslav statecraft. It's a short hop from Pula, yet feels like another world.

Layers of history

People have used these islands for two thousand years. In Verige Bay on Veli Brijun lie the remains of a sprawling Roman seaside villa, and elsewhere a Byzantine castrum and a small early church. The islands' limestone even preserves dinosaur footprints along the shore, marked out on several sites.

Tito's island

From 1949 Brijuni was the summer residence of Josip Broz Tito, who hosted film stars and world leaders here. Many arrived with exotic animals as gifts, which became the island's safari park — still home to descendants of those creatures — alongside a small zoo and an exhibition on the era.

How to visit

Access is controlled, so plan ahead. Official national-park boats depart from Fažana, just north of Pula, and it's wise to book in advance in summer. Most visitors take the organised tour of Veli Brijun, the main island, often on a little tourist train, taking in the villa ruins, the safari park and the parkland. Cars aren't allowed; bikes and electric carts can be hired.

For the wider picture, see our national parks of Croatia overview.