Parks and Sights of Lika-Senj County

This guide lists six sights in Lika-Senj County in a sensible driving order, with what you can expect at each. Distances between them are long, and several close for the winter. Prices are in euros.

1. Plitvice Lakes National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage site with a string of lakes and waterfalls. The highest waterfall, Veliki Slap, drops 78 metres. Lake Kozjak carries the electric boat, and the panoramic train serves other stops. Both are covered by the day ticket. A ticket costs 10 euros from November to March, 23 euros in April, May and October, and 40 euros from June to September. The Upper Lakes are usually closed in winter. Buying ahead online is recommended, though the entrances also sell tickets unless sold out.

2. Northern Velebit National Park

Usually open from early May to mid-November, depending on snow. The park ticket is 7 euros for one day. Near the Zavizan hut, at about 1,480 m, is the Velebit Botanical Garden, with about 300 plant species, among them Degenia velebitica. A walk around takes about an hour, and June and July are the best months.

3. Kuca Velebita, Krasno

The park’s visitor centre has an exhibition that opens at 08:30 and takes last entry at 15:00. It is a useful first stop before heading higher.

4. Nehaj Fortress, Senj

Ivan Lenkovic built the fortress in 1558. Its walls are between 2 and 3.3 metres thick. Gradski muzej Senj manages it. For hours and the ticket price, ask the museum on +385 53 881 141, since the fortress opens mainly from spring to autumn and otherwise by arrangement.

5. Tesla birthplace, Smiljan

The memorial centre includes the birth house and a park, and it opened on 10 July 2006. Closed Mondays and holidays. Summer hours from 1 April to 31 October are Tuesday to Saturday 08:00 to 20:00 (last entry 19:00) and Sunday 10:00 to 16:00 (last entry 15:00). Winter hours from 1 November to 31 March are Tuesday to Saturday 08:00 to 15:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 15:00. An adult ticket costs 10 euros and a student or senior ticket costs 6 euros.

6. Lun olive garden, Pag

Part of northern Pag belongs to Lika-Senj. The Lun garden near Novalja has about 1,500 wild olives on 24 hectares. Take the Prizna to Zigljen ferry, which crosses in about 20 minutes.

Visiting well

  • Stay on marked paths in the parks. UK travel advice mentions unexploded mines in remote parts of Plitvice and says not to walk on uncultivated land.
  • Wind on the Senj coast can close the D8, so check the DHMZ forecast.
  • Cerovac Caves belong to Velebit Nature Park near Gracac in Zadar County, and are outside this county.

Read more: Walking tours in Lika-Senj County lists marked routes. Book a sightseeing tour on Viator . Opening times are on the Tesla Centre site , and park details are on the Northern Velebit visitor page .