Paklenica, Croatia

Paklenica

Two dramatic limestone canyons rising straight from the coast.

  • Apr–Oct
  • 1 night
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Nearby hidden places
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Things to do

2 days in Paklenica

Day 1

  1. MorningHike into the Velika Paklenica canyon early, before the heat, between walls of limestone.
  2. AfternoonClimb up to the Manita Peć cave, or watch the rock climbers on the Anića Kuk wall.
  3. EveningStay in Starigrad by the sea and swim at sunset.

Day 2

Kayak or swim in the Zrmanja river canyon, or hike up to the Velebit huts.

What to eat

Grilled lamb with Dalmatian vegetables, and Pag cheese.

Local tips

Make the most of Paklenica

Beat the crowds

Climbers come in spring and autumn. Summer is hot in the canyon, so start early.

Best photo spot

The towering walls of the Velika Paklenica canyon, especially the Anića Kuk rock face.

Getting there

Easiest by car from Zadar, about 40 minutes, to the park entrance at Starigrad.

Don't miss nearby

Zadar and the Velebit mountain range.

Good to know

The trail continues up the canyon to a mountain hut in about 2 hours. Look for the old tunnels dug into the rock as a wartime bunker.

Secret spots

2 secret spots near Paklenica

Our most hidden places around Paklenica: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Paklenica to take with you.

93 km away
72 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Paklenica

Getting there

  • Zadar Airport (ZAD)25 km away
  • Split Airport (SPU)110 km away
  • Zadar25 km away
  • Split120 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeApr–Oct
TypeNature spot
Good forNature
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryCroatia

Questions

Paklenica: good to know

Is Paklenica worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like nature. Two dramatic limestone canyons rising straight from the coast.

How many days do you need in Paklenica?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Paklenica?

The best time to visit is Apr to Oct. Climbers come in spring and autumn. Summer is hot in the canyon, so start early.

How do you get to Paklenica?

The nearest airport is Zadar Airport (ZAD), about 25 km away. Easiest by car from Zadar, about 40 minutes, to the park entrance at Starigrad.

What is there to see near Paklenica?

Nearby hidden places include Zadar (26 km), Plitvice Lakes (64 km) and Krka (Skradin) (66 km).

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