Plitvice Lakes and Lika region

Where to go ?

Plitvice Lakes National Park captivates visitors with its wild beauty, 16 shimmering lakes and 129 bird species, placing it firmly on the must see list for all nature lovers. Plitvice Lakes National Park is UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest national parks in Southeast Europe, largest in Croatia. Visit this world famous national park, Plitvice Lakes arranged in cascades. The 16 lakes that can be seen from the surface are grouped into the 12 Upper Lakes (Gornja jezera) and the 4 Lower Lakes (Donja jezera). The highest waterfall is the Large Waterfall (78m). Every season has its own unique charm with their alternating colors. Every new awakening, both trapped in ice or in the shade of the trees, will leave you with a very distinct, unique and invaluable impression.

The inland of Lika region, where Plitvice Lakes National Park administrative belong, is rich in rivers, springs, mountains, woods and untouched forests, lakes, pools, gorges and caves. Nearby you can find Rastoke – a watermill village situated where the blue-green water of river Slunjčica flows into the Korana river. The joy of life reflects in the bubbling confluence of the Slunjčica and Korana rivers, where a multitude of waterfalls, tiny lakes and cascades tell the story of the true beauty of nature. The Northern Velebit National Park , uniqueness of karstic forms, landscapes known for its peaks and the botanical garden. In the area between the river Lika and Perušić is recorded a total of nine caves protected by Nature Park Grabovaca (Cave park) with amazing view point on the top of the hill, near caves. Vising cave Samograd is offering an unforgetable experience.

You can also visit a Medieval town of Ogulin, where the River Dobra disappears underground and find out the famous legend about Đula’s Abyss, and the Star of Karlovac – The Renaissance Core of the Town of Karlovac , located on four rivers, built with a unique town center in the shape of a six-pointed star. In Croatia live around 1000 bears in the wild and the bear is classified as a rare species. In Lika region, in the direction towards the sea, you can visit small village situated between seaside and Velebit Mountains –Kuterevo, where the shelter for young bears exist from 1995. In about 30 minutes from Kuterevo, you will reach Senj – biggest Lika’s seaside town in the foothills of the Mala Kapela and Velebit mountains, inhabited since prehistoric times.

The symbol of the town is the Nehaj Fortress (Tvrđava Nehaj) built on the top of this hill for defensive purposes, completed in 1558, the fortress was the seat of the Uskoks, who were Christian refugees from Ottoman Bosnia resettled here to protect the Habsburg borderlands. Nearby Senj, there is a small place - Sveti Juraj , where you can relax and take a walk next to a peaceful small harbour.

In addition to all nature beauties, experience the gastronomy of the region, starting from well-known Lika potatoes, enjoy traditional lamb, polenta with cream, milk or pork greaves, the Škripavac cheese, widely known Lika’s sheep cheese and Velebit honey. Don’t miss the specialties of freshwater fish trout, smoked or marinated fillets and excellent seafood caviar of trout. Lika is famous for the plum and pear brandy, berry liqueur, the fruits of the forest like blueberry and raspberries.