Parco naturale del lago Vrana, Nature reserve near Pakostane, Croatia
Lake Vrana Nature Reserve is a protected area near Pakostane that centers on a large freshwater lake ringed by wetlands and dense reed beds. It sits in a transition zone between land and sea environments along the Dalmatian coast, where different habitats meet and blend together.
The area received official protection in the late 1990s to safeguard its role as a stopover for migratory birds and to preserve local wildlife. The region had long been valued for its abundant fish populations before this formal designation took place.
The name comes from the fishing heritage that has connected local people to these waters for centuries. Walking through the area, you can observe how residents continue to interact with the lakes and reeds as part of their daily relationship with the land.
Cycling routes let you move through the landscape at an easy pace while exploring different parts of the area. Spring and autumn offer the best conditions for watching migratory birds as they pass through during their journeys.
The water level drops below sea level, creating an unusual setting where freshwater and saltwater plants grow side by side. This rare combination produces an exceptional range of different habitats packed into one relatively small space.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
