Rijeka
The largest town of the Kvarer area, Rijeka is located 90 km from Lukovo and can be easly reached by car. A port city with a rich history, Rijeka is a multicultural hub and vibrant urban centre providing many amenities – restaurant with traditional cuisine and bistrots offering a variety of foods and drinks, shops and shopping centers, small art galleries and souvenir shops. Rijeka is also the cultural center of the area, so be sure to visit the various museums, some of which have been newly refurbished when the city was European Capital of Culture in 2020. Among these the Rijeka city museum stands out fort its new multimedia exhibition, and its location in the newly established art district of the town.
Island of Rab
The island or Rab is located in front of Lukovo, and can be reached by ferry from the port of Stinica, located a short, 20 minutes drive from Lukovo towards south.
The rocky cliffs of the island’s ridge which are visible from the coast hide the lush greenery of its southern part, where the town of Rab is located. There, you will find a true historical gem boosting churches, medieval palaces and typical narrow streets. The city is famous for its four bell towers, some of which can be visited, and which liven the unique panorama of the old town center.
In the northern part of the island Lopar peninsula is located, unique for its geology and several sandy beaches.
Island of Pag
The island of Pag can be reached from the port of Prizna, located some 40 km to the south of Lukovo. Its barren, rocky landscapes have sometimes been compared to the surface of the moon, but were in fact created by the bura wind and intense sheep herding. Pag is, therefore, famous for its sheep chease – Paški sir – and lamb dishes. Worth visiting are the towns of Novalja and Pag, but also the Lun peninsula where the oldest olive groves of the eastern Adriatic are still thriving today.
Paklenica National Park
This naturally protected area encompasess the best preserved forest environment in Dalmatia, while its most recognisable features are the canyons of Mala and Velika Paklenica. This park is the perfect spot for hiking and climbing, but it is also a nice destination for a family trip – in fact, the visitor center provides plenty of information on this unique natural area, while the educational trails will guide you to unique natural sites, such as Manita peć Cave, or to cultural heritage ones, such as a typical Velebit village and an old mill.
Paklenica can be reached from Lukovo by a 1,5 hour drive along the coast.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
The most famous national park in Croatia – the Plitvice Lakes – is just a two-hour drive from Lukovo! This unique natural area is characterised by a system of more than 16 lakes which overflow one into the other through cascades formed by the accumulation of tufa.
The park can be visited on foot, by boat and panoramic vehicle, through several programmes comprising tours of different duration.
As the park is a very popular attraction, and the number of daily visitors is limited, we suggest buying your tickets online!
Karlobag – Smiljan – Grabovača
A nice trip can be organised to visit the small town of Karlobag located on the coast south of Lukovo, and proceeding inland to Smiljan and the Memorial center of Nikola Tesla, the world famous scientist and inventor who was born there. For last stop you can choose the cave park Grabovača which offers several activities, all immersed in nature and history.