Lika-Senj: Croatia’s wild county, just a stone’s throw from Budapest – photos

Lika-Senj took the spotlight in Budapest last Thursday, as Croatian tourism officials showcased the region’s culture, cuisine and natural appeal to Hungarian journalists and travel industry guests. Held at the grand Matild Palace, the event underscored why Lika-Senj has emerged as one of the most popular Croatian destinations for Hungarian visitors in recent years.

Lika-Senj: Sea, islands and mountains in one region

The event opened with a speech by Ivan Radošević, director of the Lika-Senj County Tourist Board, who described the region as a destination “for everyone” – whether visitors are drawn to the sea, islands or mountains. He pointed to a notable rise in Hungarian arrivals this year, with nearly 90% of all motorcyclists in the region over the 23 October long weekend coming from Hungary.

Radošević said many Hungarians value the area for its tranquil landscapes and proximity to Budapest. Several major attractions lie within a half-day’s drive, making it an easy choice for short breaks.

Pag Island highlighted by Croatia’s Ambassador

Croatia’s ambassador to Hungary, Mladen Andrlić, PhD, followed with a brief address highlighting the wider region surrounding Lika-Senj. He singled out Pag Island, just south of the county, as a natural extension to any Lika-Senj itinerary.

Known for its stark, wind-swept landscapes, Pag offers a mix of striking scenery and cultural appeal – from its famed hard sheep’s cheese to stretches of pebble and sandy beaches. Visitors can explore the 15th-century Church of St George, the ruins of Old Town Pag and a former Franciscan monastery.

Andrlić noted that many travellers pair Lika-Senj with Pag, as the two destinations offer a complementary mix of nature, history and coastal charm.

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Lika-Senj: Croatia’s largest county, home to the Plitvice Lakes

Ivana Herceg, director of the Croatian National Tourist Board in Hungary, offered a detailed look at the region’s standout sights. Lika-Senj, the largest county in Croatia, is home to two national parks: Plitvice Lakes and Northern Velebit.

Plitvice Lakes, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979, is the region’s main attraction – famous for its turquoise lakes, cascading waterfalls and forest trails. Just a five-hour drive from Budapest, it’s accessible for day trips, though Herceg recommended weekend stays to explore the wider area. One guest later won Plitvice tickets in the tombola.

Tesla’s origins in Lika-Senj – and his breakthrough in Budapest

Herceg also highlighted the county’s cultural importance, especially its connection to inventor Nikola Tesla, who was born in Smiljan, a village in the Lika region. The Nikola Tesla Memorial Center there attracts visitors interested in his early life.

Tesla spent a short period in Budapest, where he made one of his most significant breakthroughs in 1882: the idea of the rotating magnetic field, which later became the basis of the AC motor. During his Budapest years he also improved telephone repeaters and gained practical engineering experience. These early steps shaped much of his later work in the United States.

The Velebit Mountains: nature reserves, hiking routes and major viewpoints

Much of the presentation centred on the Velebit Mountains – Croatia’s longest mountain range, stretching 145km and protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The range spans two national parks: Northern Velebit and Paklenica.

Highlights include Vaganski vrh, the highest peak at 1,758 metres, sweeping views of the Adriatic and surrounding islands, and a landscape of remote forests, dramatic karst formations and long-distance hiking trails.

Herceg singled out the Premužić Trail – a 57km route built in the 1930s – as the best way to experience northern Velebit. Known for its gentle gradients, traditional drystone construction and breathtaking vistas, it remains one of the region’s most accessible and rewarding hikes.

Valleys, towns and coastal highlights of Lika-Senj

Lika-Senj isn’t all mountains. The Ličko and Gacka valleys offer a gentler landscape, with rivers, traditional water mills and easy hiking routes. The Gacka River is especially prized for trout fishing.

On the coast, Senj is the main town. Highlights include the hilltop Nehaj Fortress, the Church of St Virgin Mary with its newly opened tower, and access to Zavratnica Bay – a narrow, fjord-like inlet ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Each September, Senj also hosts part of the Croatian Walking Festival, attracting active travellers from across Europe.

Further south, Pag Island shifts the mood. Novalja and Zrće Beach remain magnets for summer nightlife and music festivals, while the island’s quieter north is home to the Olive Gardens of Lun – where 1,600- to 2,000-year-old olive trees grow wild.

Pag’s otherworldly terrain was also highlighted through the “Life on Mars” trail – a popular race each March across a salt-scorched, wind-shaped landscape said to resemble the Martian surface.

Culinary traditions of Lika-Senj showcased in Budapest

The second half of the presentation focused on gastronomy, led by chef Dino Galvagno, who recently traded urban life for the pristine landscapes of Lika. He said the region’s appeal lies in its rivers, forests and high-quality traditional ingredients. His cooking relies entirely on local, sustainably sourced ingredients.

The tasting menu offered guests a snapshot of Lika-Senj’s defining flavours:

• Trout with horseradish and cornbread – evoking the region’s clear streams and historic water mills
• Potkriža with poultry and wild vegetables – a nod to traditional mountain fare
• Wild boar with a potato bun – seasoned with local wild caraway and juniper berries, among the most aromatic in Europe and highly sought after by German gin makers
• Salenjak – a lard-layered pastry filled with Plitvice plum jam, tied to Croatia’s winter food customs

Galvagno also spotlighted the region’s seasonal ingredients, including wild berries, porcini mushrooms and wild garlic.

Why Lika-Senj is a must-visit for Hungarian travellers

The press event concluded with a short film showing the county’s natural diversity. For Hungarian visitors, the main advantages of Lika-Senj are:

• Short travel time from Budapest
• Two national parks in a single county
• Mountains, sea and islands all accessible within an hour
• Strong cultural links, including Tesla’s birthplace
• Excellent hiking, cycling, water sports and walking routes
• Authentic gastronomy and sustainable food traditions

By early afternoon, one thing felt clear: Lika-Senj is less a destination than an atmosphere. A place where silence is spacious, traditions run deep, and nature still sets the rhythm.

For Hungarians – just a few hours away – it offers a rare blend of accessibility and wilderness. And thanks to fascinating tourism presentations like this at the opulent Matild Palace, its call is growing louder.