Vransko Lake Nature Park

Vransko Jezero is the largest natural lake in Croatia — a 30-square-kilometre freshwater expanse just 800 metres from the Adriatic coast between Zadar and Šibenik. Separated from the sea by a thin band of karst hills, its waters lie slightly below sea level and its surface is a mirror of pale blue reflecting the reeds and hills around. The lake and its wetlands are protected as a Nature Park primarily because of birds: over 250 species have been recorded including large breeding populations of purple heron, glossy ibis and pygmy cormorant, and the northern shore's Vransko Ornithological Reserve is the most important marsh-bird site on the Croatian coast. A well-marked 55-km cycling route loops the entire lake and is one of Croatia's finest flat-terrain bike days; the northern shore has a small visitor centre with observation towers, and boat trips run in summer from the main village of Prosika. The single most spectacular viewpoint is Kamenjak (also called Vrana Viewpoint) on the karst ridge above the lake — a 30-minute walk from the road brings you to a stunning panorama with the entire lake in the foreground and the Kornati islands scattered across the Adriatic beyond. Excellent bird-friendly restaurant at the visitor centre serving lake carp and eel.