Just one hour drive from Nin takes us to the oldest National Park in Croatia, Plitvice Lake, This beautiful string of 16 green blue lakes is located in Lika amid the mountain slopes covered in woods. Numerous rivers and creeks supply the lakes with water. The lakes were developed when tufa barriers started forming in the river flow thus widening it into beautiful mountain water oasis of unusually beautiful colour that varies from deep blue to emerald green. The lakes are connected with cascades and waterfalls, and the most famous one is The Great Fall, which is the highest waterfall in Croatia. There are also several caves in the Park and two of them are opened for the visitors. The area is also rich in various animals and vegetation with more than 50 orchid species growing in the Park.
Paklenica National Park is located in the vicinity of Nin, and this Park includes both coast and the mountain region, spreading from the foot of Velebit mountain to its southern peaks, including both Great Paklenica and Little Paklenica canyon. Although this region is known for scarse vegetation growing in the limestone landscape, Paklenica boasts with many forests that are habitat for many animal forest species. Besides the astonishing beauty of the woods and canyons, there are also several popular locations for free climbing, the most famous one being Anića Kuk. There are also numerous hiking trails, several mountain shelters and a hut in the Park which make Paklenica ideal for all lovers of hiking in nature. This area was once bustling with life and populated, and one of the customs was to „take the measure“ of a deceased person before taking him to the cemetery, by putting a stone above his head and under his feet. This custom left us so-called „mirila“, one of the most interesting reminders of human existence in the Park.
Northern Dalmatia is great starting point for daily boat excursions to the islands of Kornati National Park. This archipelago consists of some hundred islands, islets and rocks and it looks like someone has spilled stone pearls across the blue sea surface. The biggest island, after which the archipelago has been named, is Kornat and although there is no permanent settlement today there are many sites from the past, including towers, small churches and numerous dry walls and peasant huts. Kornati archipelago is a dream nautical destination and there are several marinas in the Park, with some of the finest restaurants on the Adriatic so don't miss their offer and enjoy fish and other dishes with a view of this beautiful island Park. Its underwater area is also very attractive and ideal for scuba diving. Kornati Park also has another attraction, the so-called Kornati „crowns“, steep cliffs tumbling down into the sea, and are located on the outer side of islands on the border of the Park facing open sea.
Once you visit this Park located in the hinterland of Šibenik, you will understand why it includes almost entire length of Krka river flow. Natural attraction pf the par are seven waterfalls with the highest and the most magnificent one being Skradinski Buk. Tufa barriers create numerous terraces and cascades in the flow of this karst river, surrounded by rich vegetation and with many animal species living in the Park area. One of the main attractions of the Park is Franciscan monastery of Visovac situated on a small island that bears the same name. More upstream there is an orthodox monastery, Krka, which is also a must see site. The entire Park area has been inhabited since the prehistorical times and there are several archaeological sites in the local caves. Along the entire flow, there are remains of several towers that were used for controlling the river in the past, and one can also visit the site of the Roman military camp Burnum that includes well-preserved remains of an amphitheatre.
If you head from Nin to Šibenik, after half an hour drive from Zadar you will reach Vrana Lake Nature Park, the largest freshwater lake in Croatia. It is located at the very coast, amid the limestone landscape and it is a real heaven for swamp birds and a protected ornithological reserve. The lake is rich in fish as well which makes it a popular fishing location. There are many hiking and cycling trails, and one must definitely visit Kamenjak lookout that has a beautiful panoramic view of the lake, coast and nearby islands. Human presence can be traced way back in past and several sites can be visited, such as restored Maškovića Han, the most western example of Ottoman civil architecture, benedictine monastery from the 9th century, and there several old towers and dry walls in the Park as well.
Villa Margarita
Bana Jelačića 22,
23232 Nin,
Croatia
Tel/ +385 (0)98 512 084
Email/ villamargaritanin@gmail.com
