January 28, 2022 – The snowy riversides and magical mountains of Croatia in January 2022 show a spectacular and all-natural winter wonderland.
Snow finally stuck to the streets of central Zagreb for a couple of days this week. Early morning temperatures dropped to the lowest yet of this winter. Despite the chill, clear skies and sunshine days were enough to see the snow soon melt away.
But, far from the city, the snowy riversides and magical mountains of Croatia in January 2022 have kept their white blanket for longer. These all-natural landscapes look epic after the snowfall. For winter walkers and climbers – or even just lovers of photography – these images are way more spectacular than the bright lights and theatre of the Advent season.
© Turistička zajednica Gorskog kotara
© Turistička zajednica Gorskog kotara
From above, Dvorac Stara Sušica © Vladimir Franolić
© Branko Lautar & Višnja Bolf
Jezero Bajer near Fužine © Marino Kirinčić
© Branko Lautar & Višnja Bolf
© Turistička zajednica Gorskog kotara
Another view of Dvorac Stara Sušica © Branko Lautar & Višnja Bolf
© Risnjak National Park
Snježnik hrvatski © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Snježnik hrvatski © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Snježnik hrvatski © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Snježnik hrvatski © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Snježnik hrvatski © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Snježnik hrvatski © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Snježnik hrvatski © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
For more about Risnjak National Park, look here
© Dejan Delač
© Dejan Delač
© Vedran Katalinić
For more about Northern Velebit National Park, look here
Ljubičko Brdo © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Ljubičko Brdo © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Ljubičko Brdo © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Ljubičko Brdo © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Ljubičko Brdo © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
© Mario Jurina
Bojinac © Ivan Coric Photography
Bojinac © Ivan Coric Photography
For more about Paklenica National Park, look here
© Ivan Nemet
© Ivan Nemet
© Ivan Nemet
© Ivan Nemet
© Ivan Nemet
© Ivan Nemet
© Ivan Nemet
© Ivan Nemet
© Ivan Nemet
For more about the Drava river in Koprivnica-Križevci County look here. For more about the area of Podravina containing Kloštar Podravski and Đurđevac, look here
© Mirna Šikić
The wetlands and ponds in Oriovac near Slavonski Brod are not only home to fish - over 50 species of birds visit these waters © Antun Lukšić
For more about Slavonski Brod, look here
The high peak of Sveti Gera, on the western edge of Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje Nature Park © Domagoj Novosel
The author would like to thank each of the photographers who kindly loaned their work to him for this article
December 4, 2018 - Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979, the Plitvice Lakes are Croatia's biggest, oldest and most visited national park.
Hundreds of thousands of people visit the Plitvice Lakes each year, and the vast majority flocks to the park during summer. Now I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that – au contraire! – it is an amazing place to visit during all four seasons. However, if you happen to be nearby sometime between January and March, you definitely don't want to miss out on winter wonderland at Plitvice.
The best part of visiting Croatia's most frequented national park during wintertime is, obviously, very few visitors and no crowds. No waiting in lines at the ticket counter. No slow-walkers ahead of you, and no one breathing down your neck. And just imagine having the park nearly all to yourself? Such bliss!
Then there's the magnificent winter scenery: landscapes blanketed by freshly fallen snow, flaunting the frigid beauty of winter. Because spring, summer, and fall are beautiful and all... but Plitvice under the snow? So silent and serene – truly a sight to behold.
And let's not forget the diverse wildlife, as the Plitvice lakes are home to bears, wolves, lynxes, otters and other lake dwelling creatures, numerous rare bird species, etc. Okay, to be honest, I didn't really see that much of Plitvice's feathered and furry residents, but I saw some ducks, and they were pretty (and) wild.
If you're still not quite convinced, please enjoy the Outdoors Croatia video below, and for more related content, make sure you follow our dedicated travel page.