Velebit House
Opened in 2018, its modern, interactive, and attractive exhibition presents the natural and cultural values of Northern Velebit National Park.
Velebit House also serves as a visitor information centre for Northern Velebit National Park, where you can purchase souvenirs and admission tickets. Krasno is the main starting point for visiting Northern Velebit National Park, located about 15 km away. The Park can be reached via hiking trails or by vehicle. Access roads are partly paved and partly gravel.
The headquarters of the Northern Velebit National Park and a branch office of the Velebit Nature Park are also located in Krasno.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Krasno
Ferias House is on the way to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Krasno, home to Krasno’s greatest landmark: the 18th-century Church of Our Lady of Krasno. People have gathered here since ancient times on August 15th for the Feast of the Assumption. On Lisac Hill, known as “Vršak”, south of the Parish Church of St. Anthony, lie the remains of a prehistoric Iapydic settlement that also existed during Roman times, as evidenced by archaeological artifacts (including an ancient well at the foot of the hill).
Forestry Museum
Opened in 2005, it is the only museum of its kind in Croatia. Given the lush surrounding forests, forestry and wood processing have long been the traditional livelihood of this region. The Krasno Forest Office is the oldest (over 250 years old) and one of the largest in Croatia.
Runolist Cheese Factory
The Runolist cheese factory produces the renowned Krasno cheese alongside other award-winning varieties that you can taste and buy on site.
Useful Information
Krasno features two grocery stores, several restaurants, and local family farms offering a wide range of authentic homemade products.
The village also has an elementary school attended by around 40 students, complete with an outdoor playground.
In the village centre, there is a post office, while a general medical practice and a dental clinic are open several days a week.
The local association “Čuvarice ognjišta” (Keepers of the Hearth) is active in Krasno, dedicated to nurturing and preserving local heritage and traditions.
Krasno is situated entirely within the Nature Park, offering fantastic opportunities for active outdoor recreation. In the summer, you can enjoy long walks, hiking, and cycling, while winter brings sledging and skiing. Due to the extensive network of forest roads, the terrain is especially ideal for ski touring.
In Krasno, it’s always krasno!
Excursions & Day Trips
Krasno is also an ideal base for exploring picturesque surrounding villages and towns: Kuterevo, Kosinj, Otočac and the Gacka Valley, Senj, or coastal fishing settlements under Velebit. Plitvice Lakes and the islands of Rab and Pag are also within easy driving distance.
Velebit Nature Park
Covering 2,274 km2, Mount Velebit is the largest protected area in Croatia, extending 145 km from the Vratnik Pass in the northwest to the Zrmanja River canyon in the southeast. It is protected for its extraordinary natural value and biodiversity. In 1978, Velebit was included in UNESCO’s network of International Biosphere Reserves.
Declared a Nature Park in 1981, it encompasses two national parks: Paklenica and Northern Velebit.
One of the most spectacular coves on the Adriatic is ZAVRATNICA, protected as a significant landscape. At the beginning of the 20th century, a panoramic upper trail and a seaside promenade were carved into the rocks of Zavratnica.
In the southern part of Velebit Nature Park lie the CEROVAC CAVES, among the most famous and important speleological sites in Croatia.
Rivers: Gacka, Lika, and Otuča
Northern Velebit National Park
Among the most famous sites in the Park are Zavižan, the Velebit Botanical Garden, the Premužić Trail, Štirovača, Alan, and Lubenovac, though many more hidden gems await your discovery.
Preserved and largely untouched nature is the greatest treasure of this region, drawing visitors looking for authentic wilderness.
Kuterevo
Bear Sanctuary. The sanctuary provides a safe home for orphaned bear cubs while promoting sustainable living and local mountain traditions. The sanctuary is open to visitors during spring, summer, and autumn, as bears hibernate during the winter months.
Gacka River
The Gacka River is a world-famous karst river with a 11 km surface flow, springing and sinking within the same field.
Its spring area consists of several springs: Tonković vrilo, Klanac, and Majerovo vrilo. A regional culinary highlight is brown trout, which grows five times faster here than in other karst rivers, making the river legendary among anglers worldwide.
In addition to fly fishing (fishing permit required), kayak and bicycle rentals are readily available.
You can also visit the Gacka Museum in Otočac or the Centre for Indigenous Karst Fish and Crustaceans in Ličko Lešće.
The Adriatic Coast
The coast is just 27 km away. The historic town of Senj offers fascinating historical sights, Zavratnica Bay is nearby, and the island of Rab is easily accessible via ferry.
Plitvice Lakes
A scenic 40 km drive through the pastoral Lika landscape brings you to the world-renowned Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Smiljan – Nikola Tesla Memorial Centre
The birthplace of Nikola Tesla features an interactive multimedia exhibition dedicated to the great inventor’s life and groundbreaking achievements. Open daily except Mondays.