Croatia is one of the most popular destinations for summer holidays in Europe but also it is magnificent destination to visit in winter. With beautiful view on seacoast and historical towns, Croatia is becoming popular during the winter with its National parks and nature heritage. It’s often a great experience to visit Croatia outside the peak summer months.
There are many benefits to visiting National parks in the winter—fewer crowds, more wildlife, and a chance to experience their iconic landscapes in a new light.
Croatia is a country blessed with spectacular coastlines, beautiful beaches, small towns, a rich cultural heritage and over a thousand islands.
So, if you have planned your trip in Croatia or you are in doubt, we assure you must visit this country and these are the reasons why.
Affordable prices in parks
Prices in Croatia are much lower outside the tourist season and it is much easier to find accommodation, namely hotels, apartments and guesthouses. In addition to accessibility, the prices of food, transportation, tickets for various historical buildings and National Parks are also lower.
Perfect weather
The Adriatic coast has a typically Mediterranean climate known for its hot and sunny weather during summer, and relatively mild weather in winter. Mostly sunny days prevail, but not as hot as in the summer months. Winters are rather mild temperatures never really getting below about 5°C.
1. National Park Plitvice Lakes
Working hours: from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.,
Ticket sales: until 1 PM
Ticket price until March 31: HRK 80 adults, HRK 50 students, HRK 35 children from 7 to 18 years old
The most popular and most visited Croatian national park is especially magical in winter, especially when it is covered in snow. When visiting National Park Plitvice Lakes, you should be careful because the hiking trails in the park are relatively narrow and pass-through uneven terrain, so it is forbidden to stray from the marked trails, and some of the trails are closed to visitors. Due to the snow, the Upper Lakes are closed until spring. In winter conditions, suitable and appropriate winter (warm) footwear and clothing are mandatory, with a note to move cautiously only on prescribed, arranged and marked footpaths and walkways.
The best and most spectacular sight is when the park is covered in snow and that happens almost every winter. Especially from December to February when temperatures below 0 are quite common.
The Jezero Hotel has opened in the park area, where accommodation is available at cheaper prices, and whose restaurant is open only for guests.
2. National Park Krka
Working hours: from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Ticket price from November to the end of March: from 30 kuna for adults and 20 kuna for children
Krka National Park lies within Šibenik-Knin County, and covers a total area of 109 km² of the loveliest sections of the Krka River, and the lower course of the Čikola River. This National Park is especially magical in winter because the Krka River is abundant with water that overflows over its magnificent waterfalls. All visitor facilities, except for boat trips and bus transportation, are also available in the winter months, but warm clothes and good footwear are recommended. Visitors to the Krka National Park have at their disposal 22 educational hiking trails, 14 cycling routes and numerous viewpoints offering stunning views of the waterfalls and the river, exceptional vegetation, and geomorphological rock formations.
If you decide to Visit Krka National Park in the winter, you will be probably there alone as there are not that many people visiting Krka National Park during that period of a year. A very pleasant way to view the falls.
INFO FOR VISITORS:
From December 2nd 2022. the Lozovac – Skradinski buk waterfall hiking trail will be under renovation work until March 2023. Instead, you can use the other entrances for Skradinski buk.
From December 8th 2022. the large wooden pedestrian bridge at Skradinski buk waterfall will be closed due to renovation work until the end of January 2023. When you reach the bridge, it will not be possible to cross to the other bank of the Krka River, but you will have to return the same way
3. National Park Biokovo
Biokovo is one of the most beautiful Croatian mountains and largest one in Dalmatia. The park is officially closed in winter, and it is most often visited by mountaineers, who have a large number of well-maintained hiking trails to choose from, located on the coastal side of Mount Biokovo. In addition to hiking, there are a number of authentic villages within the park at lower altitudes that can be visited by car or bicycle. Entering the park area by car is solely at your own risk and is currently possible on the Biokovo road from the official entrance to the park to the crossing towards the Vošac mountain lodge. It is not uncommon for the said road to be completely closed in winter if the weather conditions are dangerous for visitors. Winter car gear is mandatory and no one should venture into the higher areas of the park without it.
Usually from the Vošac peak looking to the sea you can see Makarska right below you, islands Brač and Hvar in front and during the really clear days you can see all the way to the Italy on the other side of Adriatic. Behind you rises the Sv. Jure
Although the park is beautiful when it is covered with snow, and in the distance, there is a view of the sea, Biokovo is still potentially dangerous. In winter, true wintry conditions can prevail with extreme wind speeds and large amounts of snow or dense fog, so any excursion/hiking tour should be carefully planned. The park opens again in the spring when Skywalk Biokovo is officially opened, and the entrance fee this year, after the opening, will cost HRK 60.
INFO FOR VISITORS:
01.11. 2022. – 31.03. 2023. Park is not officially open for visiting.