Today most of the people prefer to go on a Europe trip – for the rich culture and the diversity it has. The cultural diversity of Europe offers tourists a chance to experience different kinds of, food, lifestyle, culture, interact with different people and what not. But among the din and bustle, Mother Nature prevails peacefully here. The mountains, valleys, lush green fields, lakes, waterfalls, all these are so beautiful that they will leave each soul spellbound. There are several national parks in Europe that allow you to have deep interactions with nature and also let you experience outdoor activities.
If there’s a nature lover in you, then here are 10 National Parks of Europe that you must not miss –
Krka National Park
This national park is named after the river Krka in Croatia and is situated about 10 km inland from Sibenik in the part of Dalmatia. A vivid variety of flora and fauna is found here that attracts tourists from all parts of the world – 800 species of plants and about more than 200 types of birds among which possibly 20 are different species of bats! This National park has some wonderful waterfalls which are one of the major attractions for the tourists. Skradinski Buk, a collection of 17 waterfalls and Roski Slap, a collection of 12 waterfalls, are definitely not to be missed. The sights of these waterfalls are so mesmerizing that they will soothe your soul. There is also the tiny beautiful island of Visovac having a monastery with precious books and other objects from the 14th century.
Plitvice National Park
Within the dense boundaries of this beautiful national park, there are 16 pristine lakes that are connected to each other with waterfalls and cascades. The beauty of this place will never fail to mesmerize you with the beautiful birds and butterflies that are to be found. The crystal clear lake water reflects the clear sky and the beautiful greenery of the national park. There is an 18 km long wooden foot bridge meant for the tourists to take a walk and appreciate the beauty of Plitvice National Park. You can also hire a boat that will whisk you and let gaze upon the marvelous beauty of this place.
Ordesa y Monte Perido National Park
This national park was declared as one of the oldest world heritage sites in the year 1997. You can easily fall in love with this place and its splendid beauty that is unmatched. The ecosystem of this park is very rich with a wide variety of flora and fauna. It is mostly influenced by both the Atlantic and Mediterranean areas. The landscape of this place is filled with towering summits that increases the scenic beauty of this place.
Kornati National Park
The Kornati National Park is located in the central part of the Croatian Adriatic Sea. You can reach this park easily in boats and other sea going vessels. The journey to this place is very interesting – drifting in the sea, savoring the salty sea ambience and the amazing views. The island park offers several activities such as hiking, recreational fishing, swimming, diving etc., which definitely attracts the adventurous. There are festivals organized in this park such as the festival of Tarcu that is celebrated on the first Sunday of July. There are about 25 restaurants present in this national park to cater to your taste buds.
Saxon Switzerland National Park
This park offers you endless ways to enjoy your holiday trip there. About 700 summits are available for rock climbers and 400 square kilometers of ground are marked as hiking trials. There are even paths for trekking and cycling in this national park. There is a 93 km region that is situated between Pirna and Czech border, which is labeled as one of the most beautiful landscapes of Europe. The area has many eroded rock surfaces from Cretaceous Period that still stand out. The flora and fauna of this park is of wide variety that reflects the diversity and ambience of Europe. Nearby resorts and spas offers you a bit of relaxation after a beautiful day of outdoor activities.
Wild Taiga National Park
This national park in Finland is one of the most spectacular parks of Europe. Wild Taiga is definitely an escape to nature. The remote parts here make you feel safe and secure amidst the best that nature has to offer. With a rich and diverse animal life, wolverines, bears, birds, wolves can all be found in this park very easily. If you choose to visit this place during summers, you can enjoy fishing, camping, canoeing, cycling and hiking. And in winters, you can go dog-sledging, staying in igloos and you may also get to see the Northern Lights, which is the main attraction during winter.
Dovrefjell Sunndalsfjella National Park
This 4,367 sq. km. national park in Norway protects the dramatic highlands around 2,286 m high. Arctic foxes, reindeers, wolverines, musk oxen are widely seen here that are a special attraction for the tourists. The rich Alpine ecosystem is well maintained in this park. The flora here is also of Alpine variety and is well protected and nurtured.
Skaftafell National Park
The landscape of the Skaftafell National Park makes it ideal for hiking. Those who prefer outdoor activities will surely love this national park for the range of activities it offers. There is a large campground available for tourists and glacial parks available for walks. The cafeteria and restaurants here provide great food to the tourists. If you truly want to enjoy your stay in this place, it is recommended to camp for a day or two.
Sierra Nevada National Park
This national park is like a heaven for hikers. Many tourists come here especially for the purpose of hiking owing to its incredible landscape. As you climb up the Granada, you can see river valleys, pine forests, and barren mountains. On clear days, you can also see Morocco across the Mediterranean. The long walk-ways are peaceful, calm and bring about a feeling of serenity. This national park covers about 85,853 hectares, and the highest peak here is the Mulhacén, which is 3,479 m above the sea level. The place is home to a rich variety of flora with many rare flowers and herbs available. The scenic beauty of this place is wonderful which makes one of the most famous national parks of Europe.
Vatnajökull National Park
This park offers you the opportunity of being close to volcanoes and glaciers to learn more about them; the park is so big that it covers approximately 14% of Iceland! This park contains the largest glaciers in the world outside the Arctic and is called Vatnajökull. There are many subsidiary glaciers to this main glacier. You can experience beautiful hot springs erupting from the frozen banks in this park. There are many hiking trials available for tourists to enjoy the scenic beauty of the region. The interplay between the glacier and the volcano is the most amazing thing here to be witnessed.