Make your vacation in Croatia very special and visit one of its numerous natural or artificial lakes. Be it for swimming, kayaking, boat trips or just the overwhelming beauty of the lakes.
Among other things, Croatia is known for its beautiful coast, its hospitality, its cuisine, its passion for football and not to mention its breathtaking mountain sceneries, overwhelming nature and national parks which make every holiday in Croatia something very special.
But there is one thing we would definitely like to recommend to you - the extraordinary lakes of Croatia.
Like a background from a storybook, the 27 lakes in Croatia and its numerous islands shine in beautiful shades of blue and will impress everyone with their natural beauty. Of these 27 lakes, 18 are artificial and 19 of natural origin. In this blog, we would like to introduce you to some of the most beautiful lakes in Croatia, hoping that we can inspire you to visit them during your stay in one of our luxury villas with a private pool.
Natural Lakes
Plitvice Lakes
By far one of the most beautiful and breathtaking places in Croatia is the Plitvice Lakes National Park, which includes a total of 16 lakes and should definitely be a part of your holiday list when in Croatia. Connected by waterfalls and streams, the lakes are at different elevations, with some of them being high above sea level while others are just a few meters above it. As a popular tourist destination, the lakes are a protected natural park and are known for its crystal-clear blue waters, with each lake having its own color caused by different species of algae. In the oldest and largest nature park in Croatia, you can spend an unforgettable day by taking a trip on the lake with electric boats and sightseeing with panoramic vehicles. The park, which mostly consists of forests, spreads on 300 km², where the lakes occupy only about 1% of the park area, and is located between the mountain ranges of Mala Kapela and Lička Plješivica in the south-east. The Plitvice Lakes impress with their flora and fauna, their forests, rocks and subterranea, fungi, lichens and waterfalls and are as such protected as heritage by strict codes of conduct.
Visovac Lake
Located between Vodice and Šibenik, in the Krka National Park, you will find the beautiful Visovac Lake, which should also find its place on your list of holiday destinations. In the middle of the lake is a small island called Visovac, on which a monastery was built in 1576 by Franciscans who had settled there. In the national park you can rent a boat and go to the island and visit the monastery where you can admire numerous paintings, a museum and a library. You can also swim in the lake, although you have to walk a few meters into the lake due to the shallow water, or you can explore it with a rented canoe.
Veliko & Malo Lake
The Veliko & Malo Lake (Big and Small Lake) are two natural saltwater lakes that belong to the Mljet National Park on the island of the same name Mljet near Dubrovnik. They are connected to each other by a narrow canal and flow into the sea through a narrow passage and in the Big lake is the small Island Melita where a Benedicte Monastery from the 12th century is located. There is a 12.6 km trail around the lake, which is ideal for bird watching, hiking or cycling. You can access the trail from the town of Polača and walk along the lake or swim on the pebble beach under the shady trees of fragrant holm oaks and pines.
Red Lake
The Red Lake (Croatian “Crveno Jezero”) is one of the largest water-filled sinkholes in the world and is located in the west of the town of Imotski near Makarska and is estimated to be around 2 million years old. However, this lake is not a bathing lake because it is difficult to reach without good climbing equipment due to steep, reddish cliffs of 250 meters. But only looking at this lake is enough to take your breath away.
Blue Lake
On the outskirts of the town of Imotski, not far from the Red Lake, lies the Blue Lake (Croatian “Modro Jezero” or “Plavo Jezero”) at the bottom of a sinkhole. It owes its name to its intense blue shimmering colour. With a diameter of about 600 m, and 400 to 900 m high rocks, the lake can reach a depth of up to 100 m depending on the amount of rainfall, but it can also dry up completely during the hot summer months. At the top of the sinkhole is the Topana Castle, which is where the town of Imotski originated. The Red Lake is just a short walk away from the center of Imotski.
Mir Lake
Lake Mir (Jezero Mir) is one of the few salt lakes in Europe and is located on the island of Dugi Otok in the Kornati archipelago. Separated from the open sea only by cliffs, the lake is supplied with salt water through underground channels and is a very special lake in Croatia, whose water reaches a temperature of over 30 degrees during summer. Since the water level depends on the ebb and flow of the sea, the depth of Lake Mir is variable. Because of the high salinity, the lake does not have a very rich flora and fauna, but it is still worth visiting.
Lake Prukljan
Prukljan Lake is the second largest lake in Croatia and has been under protection since 1968. The lake has a surface of 11.5 km² and was formed about 10,000 years ago when the sea level rose by 100 meters. This lake is an important habitat for many shellfish, amphibians and reptiles, while 153 species of birds have been recorded at the lake. The islet of Stipanac on the lake, which was in Roman times connected to the mainland by a dam, is today overflown but still clearly visible. On the island, as well as in the whole Prukljan area, there are numerous traces of ancient settlements, stone fragments and ancient remains of Roman estates.
Vrana Lake Cres
This beautiful freshwater lake Vrana on the island of Cres in Kvarner Bay got its name after the surrounding village of Vrana. Part of the Cres-Lošinj archipelago is supplied with drinking water from the lake, as a water supply system runs to the town of Cres in the north and to the small island of Ilovik (south of Lošinj) in the south. The water of this lake is so clean that only one mechanical form of purification is needed before it reaches households. The water supply system has been in operation since 1950 and was built by local people.
Baćina Lakes
A popular tourist destination between Makarska and Dubrovnik, just off the road, is the chain of 7 Baćina Lakes, some of which are interconnected. The lakes are located between the delta of the Neretva river, the sea and the surrounding mountains in Baćina. The region, best known for its gastronomic specialties, attracts many fans of Dalmatian cuisine. In the village by the lakes you have the opportunity to admire the remains of ancient walls, mosaics and many other ruins from the Roman settlement of Praetoria.
Vrana Lake
The largest of all lakes in Croatia, Lake Vrana, is only a few minutes' drive from the village of Pakoštane between Sibenik and Zadar. This lake should definitely be on the list of destinations of every adventure and nature lover. With an area of 57 km², you can enter the park through 3 entrances: Crkvine, Kamenjak and Prosika. The ideal seasons to visit the lake are spring and autumn. Due to its great biodiversity with more than 250 bird species, this lake is not only a nature park, but also a very special bird reserve. On site you have the option of renting a mountain bike, kayak or SUP or you can take a walk on the 600 m long wooden bird trail with 8 educational boards. This lake is therefore interesting and fun for children. From the Kamenjak viewpoint, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the lake and the surrounding islands which you should not miss!
Artificial Lakes
Butoniga Lake
Very close to the town of Motovun, in the middle of the Croatian peninsula of Istria, you will find the Butoniga Lake. This lake impresses not only with its idyllic hilly landscape that surrounds it, but also with the fact that it collects valuable drinking water and supplies parts of Istria. For this reason, Butoniga is not a bathing lake. Be it for hiking, just enjoying nature or tasting a glass of local wine, this destination is an ideal destination when spending your holiday in Istria.
Peruća Lake
Close to the town of Sinj near Split in Croatia, you have the opportunity to swim, row and fish in the Peruća Lake, which attracts visitors from all over the world. Built in 1958 from loose material, it is not only a bathing lake with various sports facilities, but also serves as a water supply and generates electricity for the region. In addition, parts of the well-known German Winnetou films were shot on this dam. Although the dam was severely damaged during the Croatian war, it did not collapse completely. Due to the damage to the dam, some settlements, as well as the Draganić monastery, which was built during the reign of the Bosnian-Croatian king Tvrtko, were flooded. The monastery reappeared in 2003 due to a long drought that lowered the water level.
As you can see, Croatia has more than just a beautiful sea, islands and excellent food. These lakes along the Croatian coast or on one of its islands are undoubtedly worth a visit. Combine your relaxing holiday in one of our luxury villas with day trips that you will surely remember for a long time. Contact us if you need help to find the ideal accommodation for your unforgettable holiday.
