In Croatia you can enjoy many beautiful lakes; from the world famous Unesco Plitvice Lakes to the undiscovered Karst Lakes in Dalmatia. If you don't want to spend the whole day lying on the beautiful sunny beaches on the coast, the lakes below, just a stone's throw from the Adriatic coast, are well worth a visit.
#1 Plitvice Lakes National Park
This is the largest Natural Park in the country, located in a mountainous karst area. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its 16 crystal-clear lakes that lead to 92 graceful waterfalls, with colors from azure blue to green, gray and blue. The color of the water changes constantly due to differences in the number of minerals, organisms and the angle of the sun. The Plitvice Lakes are located in the Lika region in the heart of Croatia. The region is worth exploring for its natural beauty, lush green landscapes, majestic mountains, sparkling clear springs and a high concentration of protected natural parks! The Plitvice Lakes are easy to reach from Zagreb or Zadar.
#2 Krka National Park/Lake Visovac
Krka National Park is named after the Krka River. This river has created a beautiful flow of lakes, streams and waterfalls here. The karst beauty Krka rises near Knin under Mount Dinara. From here the Krka flows towards the Adriatic Sea over a length of 73 km. The Krka River is a phenomenon with no fewer than seven waterfalls:Bilušića buk, Brljan, Manojlovac slap, Rošnjak, Miljacka slap, Roški slap and Skradinski buk. Krka National Park is easily accessible from Šibenik, Split and Zadar.
#3 Veliko &Malo Lake on Mljet Island
Mljet is located in the south of Croatia and is known for its beautiful landscape. Mljet National Park covers most of the island, surrounded by two salt lakes – Veliko and Malo Jezero (Small Lake and Large Lake). The waters around the island are known for their beautiful marine life. Besides the beautiful nature there are many fortresses and tombs on Mjlet. One of the most beautiful sights on the island are the ruins of a Roman palace. Moreover, it is one of the greenest parts of Dalmatia. The pine forests in the park are among the most beautiful in Croatia. There are daily ferries from Dubrovnik to Mljet.
#4 Vransko more
Vransko Lake is the largest lake in Croatia and is located between Zadar and Šibenik. The whole region around the lake is a protected Natural Park, because it is a unique wetland. The slightly salty water is home to a specific community of marine organisms. The most special thing about the park is the reserve. This is the natural habitat of 234 bird species and between 20,000 and 200,000 migratory birds inhabit the park every day during the autumn migration.
#5 Modro (The Blue Lake)
The blue lake near the town of Imotski in southern Croatia lies in a deep sinkhole and is a popular place for swimming. It was probably formed by the collapse of a huge underground cavern and owes its name to the unique blue color of the water. The total depth is 220m, but the water depth varies from season to season. In the spring, when the snow melts from surrounding mountains, the lake can be as deep as 90 meters. The lake is a popular place for hiking.
#6 Crveno (the Red Lake)
The Red Lake is a sinkhole with lake near the town of Imotski. It is known for the many caves and high cliffs that protrude up to 241 meters above the water. The total depth is approximately 530 meters and has a volume of 25-30 cubic meters, making it the 3rd largest sinkhole in the world. The sinkhole is named after the red color of the surrounding cliffs, colored by iron oxides. Both Modro and Crveno lakes are within easy reach from Makarska and Split.
#7 Telašćica Nature Park / Mir Lake
In the middle of Telašćica Nature Park on the island of Dugi you will find the saltwater lake Mir with a temperature that 2 or three degrees warmer than the surrounding sea. It also seems to have a healing effect. A little further than Mir you will find the impressive cliff Stene. If you are lucky you can spot dolphins here. Don't forget to visit the beautiful white beach Sakarun on Dugi Island! Telašćica Natural Park can be easily reached by private boat or by normal boat route from Zadar to Sali. You can also take the ferry to Brbinj and drive to Telašćica.
