The national parks of Croatia: all eight, explained

Croatia has eight national parks, and they're astonishingly varied for a small country — terraced lakes, river canyons, an island archipelago, climbing gorges and primeval forest. Here's what each is for, so you can pick the right one for your trip.

The water parks

Plitvice Lakes — sixteen turquoise lakes and waterfalls inland between Zagreb and Zadar; the most famous, and the busiest. Krka — waterfalls and an island monastery near Šibenik, the easiest to reach from the central coast. Mljet — saltwater lakes and pine forest on a quiet southern island.

The island parks

Kornati — a maze of mostly bare islands off Murter and Zadar, best seen by boat; otherworldly and almost lunar. Brijuni — a green archipelago off Istria, once Tito's summer residence, with Roman ruins and a safari park.

The mountain parks

Paklenica — two dramatic gorges on the Velebit massif near Zadar, Croatia's climbing and hiking heartland. Northern Velebit — wild, high karst country crossed by the historic Premužić Trail. Risnjak — deep forest in Gorski kotar, home to lynx, bear and wolf, near the source of the Kupa.

For the lakes specifically, see our most beautiful lakes guide; for the summits, the best coastal hikes. Pick a coastal base from our boutique stays across Croatia.