Some of the top tourist attractions in Croatia are its national parks. Plitvice Lakes is a national park known for its water features, including sixteen lakes that flow into one another via brooks and waterfalls. Though the park is the most visited in Croatia you cannot swim in the water, but you can drink it. Risnjak National Park is less traveled, but it is home to native wildlife and large forests with meadows that have beautiful walking trails. For more active travelers, Paklenica National Park is famous world-wide as a destination for rock climbers because of its high cliffs and gorges.
The beaches of Croatia vary widely from the rocky to sandy shores. Brela Beach is the most well-known of these and is considered one of the top ten beaches in Europe. The sandy beach stretches for 6 km, interrupted by coves and pine trees. The beach is all but invisible from the road and has several hotels for guests who want to visit for more than just a day.
Croatia is also home to several historic monuments. Some of the most popular include Euphrasian Basillica in Porec, a sixth century basilica that is home to Byzantine mosaics, and the capital city of Zagreb's medieval quarter. Visitors can also see Mljet Island, home to myths of Odysseuss and the Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace in the city of Split.
