Senj

Senj is a beautiful town located on the upper Adriatic coast in Croatia. Situated in the foothills of the Velebit and Mala Kapela Mountains. The biggest symbol of the city is the Nehaj Fort, construction of which was completed in 1558. For a long time, Senj was the seat of the Uskoks, who were Christian refugees hailing from ottoman Bosnia who then resettled in Senj. In the years that followed, the Venetians accused the Uskoks of piracy, declaring war on them. What followed was the expulsion of the Uskoks after a truce in 1617.

Senj is today located in the Lika-Senj Country in Croatia and comes under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gospic-Senj and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rijeka. This 3000 years old town is one of the oldest cities in all of northern Adriatic. Senj sits on the coastal road that connects Rijeka to the southern part of the country. The town is also connected by road to the hinterland through Vratnik, which is a town located 700 meters above sea level.

One of the most popular things that tourists like to enjoy is the bura wind. The bura or bora is north to the northeastern katabatic wind that is associated with the areas near the Adriatic Sea. In and around the towns of Senj, the bura can reach speeds of up to 220 kilometers per hour. In fact, on December 21, 1998, the speed of a bura gust near the Maslenica Bridge was measured at a record speed of 248 kilometers per hour. After this incident, windshields were installed in many places in Croatia. In February 2012, the shoreline in Senj actually froze, and snow piled up after a 150 kilometers per hour bura plummeted the town to temperatures of -14 degrees Celsius. The bura in Senj even ripped the trees from the soil and even destroyed the roofs of many houses.

There are many things to see and do in Senj. The first place you should visit in Senj is the Plitvice Lakes National Park. This is a jewel in Croatia's crown, and visiting this sensational park is a must-do. This is one of the biggest and oldest national parks in the country. The park is so extraordinary that in 1979 it was declared to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are '16 lakes of Plitvice in the park, and they are famous for the crystal clear water, countless waterfalls, and lush green woodlands. All these lakes are interconnected and flow from one into the other.

There are also many beaches in Senj, and the best one to visit is the city beach Skver. This partly gravel and partly concrete beach ideal for small children and families. The beach also has a playground nearby which attracts many families with small children. In addition, there are many cafes and restaurants nearby that offer refreshments and delicious cuisine. Apart from Skver Beach, you can also visit the Diga, Banja, and Prva Draga beaches here.

In addition to trying out the great food and enjoying the many beaches in Senj, you can also take part in boating, diving, hiking, hunting, fishing, and cycling.