Top 15 things you need to know about Split
December 13, 2025
Top cultural events in Croatia that you shouldn’t miss – Part I
December 13, 2025Gorski Kotar
Choose Delnice as your starting point
Delnice is the highest town in Croatia.
In Gorski Kotar lies the highest town in Croatia, also known as the “Green Heart of Croatia.” Delnice is situated at around 700 meters above sea level. Thanks to its unique location, it may at first glance appear as a mountain oasis surrounded by coniferous forests. Because of this position and the surrounding nature, Delnice is ideal for family picnics and walks. It is also known as a center of spa and health tourism. According to historical sources, the town was first mentioned in the 15th century. For a long time, it was under the rule of the famous noble family Zrinski, and a witness to that era is the well-known castle of the same family, which today serves as a tourist attraction. In addition to the castle, another place that takes you back in time is Popović’s Mill — the first electrically powered mill in Croatia, built in 1924.
Would you like to visit Gorski Kotar? Start your journey in Delnice and book your accommodation here.
A visit to the unmissable Risnjak National Park
Risnjak received the status of National Park in 1953.
Delnice is an excellent starting point if you want to get to know Gorski Kotar more closely. In addition to exploring the culture and history of this town through various museums and tasting local cuisine, there are many natural wonders nearby that will take your breath away. The first place you should visit after Delnice is Risnjak National Park — an area that connects the Balkan mountain ranges with the Alps and is rich in diverse plant and animal species. The most popular attraction among visitors is the Leska Educational Trail, designed back in 1993, which is ideal for family outings and walks. The main entrance to the park is in the village of Crni Lug, located at the foot of Mount Risnjak. Besides being the park’s main entry point, the village is also well-known for the Marohlinijada festival — a competition in picking morel mushrooms, considered second only to truffles in quality.
Looking for a destination that’s perfect to visit all year round? Add Risnjak National Park to your travel itinerary.
Capture the most beautiful moments on Crni Vrh with a photo safari
Crni vrh is an area rich in numerous animal species.
Gorski Kotar offers its own version of a safari adventure. The well-known hunting ground Crni Vrh is located at an altitude of up to 1,100 meters, near Platak. This peak, stretching above the Grobnik field, is unique for its abundance of wildlife and predators, the most notable being wolves, bears, and lynxes. These protected animals can be observed up close in organized groups of up to 20 people. If you are a passionate hunting enthusiast, Gorski Kotar is the perfect destination for you, thanks to its high concentration of game — with wild boar hunting being the most common.
Want to experience a different kind of safari adventure? Book your accommodation and enjoy the beauty of Crni Vrh.
Fužine - a mountain town near the sea
Although located on the Fužine mountain, they are only 30 minutes away from the sea.
A mountain town located about 700 meters above sea level, from which, thanks to excellent transport connections, you can quickly reach the sea. Due to its interesting location and beautiful surrounding nature, the town is a well-known tourist destination with a long tradition dating back to 1828. If you want to explore the history of this small place more deeply, it is recommended to visit the house and park of Franjo Rački, a prominent Croatian politician who contributed to preserving Croatian culture. On the other hand, the ethnographic museum is also worth a visit, featuring a rich collection of 500 exhibits. Once you finish your “history lesson,” just 3 km from Fužine, you can visit a site believed to be around 3.5 million years old — the Vrelo Cave. It is an attractive spot for all speleology enthusiasts and is also suitable for family trips. It is one of the rare caves adapted for access by people with special needs.
Looking for a place close to the Adriatic coast but also offering an escape from the crowds? Visit Fužine this summer.
Experience the natural beauty of Gorski Kotar from a bird's eye view
Paragliding is an ideal option for exploring Gorski Kotar
One of the best ways to experience the mountain beauty of Gorski Kotar — especially for the more adventurous — is through paragliding. The starting point, Lič, is located about 3 km from Fužine and roughly a 25-minute drive from Rijeka. The terrain is ideal for flying, and for those who want to try paragliding for the first time, it is recommended to go in the afternoon hours.
Looking for a new and exciting activity on your holiday? Book your accommodation on Adriatic.hr and experience Gorski Kotar in a whole new way.
Lika
Plitvice Lakes - a world natural phenomenon
Plitvice Lakes have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979.
Because of its indescribable beauty, this natural phenomenon — visited by around a million people every year — is surrounded by many legends about its origin. Although the park is dominated by waterfalls and lakes, it is also home to about 150 species of birds, 350 species of butterflies and other insects, as well as more than 100 species of plants, 70 of which are endemic. Along the well-maintained walking trails, you can visit all the main attractions — from the highest waterfall, “Veliki Slap” (78 meters), to the many lakes that are each linked to fascinating legends about their formation. The immense power of the park’s waters can even come to a standstill in winter, when the entire area freezes, giving Plitvice a new appearance and creating even more stunning scenes to capture with your camera.
Visit Plitvice and discover firsthand why it’s on the list of world destinations you must visit at least once in your lifetime.
Northern Velebit - a paradise for hikers
Northern Velebit is popular among people who like active holidays.
Although Plitvice is the most popular national park, Northern Velebit also has plenty to offer. In addition to being home to numerous endemic plant and animal species, one of the most remarkable experiences in this mountain range — known as the “spine” of Croatia — is the breathtaking view from Velebit over the Adriatic Sea. One attraction you shouldn’t miss is Lukina Cave, one of the most famous speleological sites, with a depth of 1,392 meters, making it the deepest cave in Southeastern Europe. In Croatia’s youngest national park, it’s also worth visiting the strict nature reserve of Hajdučki and Rožanski Kukovi. If you decide to visit Northern Velebit National Park, keep in mind that it is open from May to October.
Visit the birthplace of Nikola Tesla
Learn something new about the life of Nikola Tesla at the memorial center in Smiljan
If you didn’t know, Lika — more precisely, the village of Smiljan — is the birthplace of one of the greatest inventors of all time, Nikola Tesla. His birthplace in Smiljan has been turned into a museum showcasing some of his most important inventions that changed the world. In addition to the exhibits, there are several interesting sculptures and a technological park designed especially for children.
If you’re planning to visit the birthplace of this world-renowned inventor, check out Adriatic.hr’s accommodation offer.
Kuterevo - a famous bear sanctuary
Croatia is one of the few countries that has a large concentration of brown bears on its territory
In 2002, one of the most fascinating brown bear sanctuaries was established in Kuterevo, a village near Otočac. Croatia is one of the few countries with a large brown bear population, and this sanctuary was founded to protect bears that were abandoned by their mothers while still young or became dependent on human assistance for feeding. The site is ideal for observing bears up close, and by visiting, you’ll also be supporting a good cause, as the sanctuary is funded through tourism.
Book your accommodation on Adriatic.hr and visit one of the most unique wildlife sanctuaries in the world.
Sokolac – a great opportunity for tourists who love medieval castles
Lika was an area of great importance during the Middle Ages, particularly due to its role in defending against Ottoman invasions. Because of this, the region is home to many castles worth visiting. One of them is Sokolac Castle, which, according to historical records, belonged to the famous Croatian noble family of Frankopan. The central structure of this medieval fortress is the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, and during the Ottoman invasions, defensive walls and a tower were added to strengthen the castle’s fortifications.
Book your accommodation in Lika and explore some of the most significant medieval castles and fortresses.
If you want to experience Croatia in a slightly different way and at the same time avoid the crowds that dominate during the summer season, consider Gorski Kotar and Lika — the heart of Croatia — which will captivate you not only with their well-known natural beauty but also with their rich culture and history.
