Brijuni National Park is the only Croatian national park that requires a permit to enter by yacht — a 14-island archipelago 5 nm off the coast of Istria, just north of Pula. The park’s strict access rules are a legacy of its 20th-century history: from 1947 to 1980, Brijuni was the personal summer residence of Josip Broz Tito, the Yugoslav leader, who used the islands to host 60+ heads of state including Khrushchev, Nasser, Indira Gandhi, Fidel Castro, and Queen Elizabeth II. The 1956 Brijuni Declaration — the founding document of the Non-Aligned Movement — was signed here by Tito, Nehru, and Nasser.
Today the islands operate as a national park (designated 1983) with a deliberately low-volume tourism model: limited day visitors, a single small hotel on Veliki Brijun, and yacht access controlled through Pula. For sailors, Brijuni is one of the most distinctive park experiences in Croatia — a combination of pristine Mediterranean nature, layered archaeology (Roman villa ruins, Byzantine fort, Habsburg-era spa), and a unique safari park stocked with animals gifted to Tito by foreign leaders.
The 14 Islands — What Each One Is
| Island | Size | Access | What’s There |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veliki Brijun (Great Brijun) | 5.7 km² | Day visitors + hotel | Tito’s villa, museum, safari park, Roman ruins, hotel |
| Mali Brijun (Small Brijun) | 1.1 km² | Day visitors only | Fort Minor (Habsburg), summer concerts |
| Sveti Marko | 0.2 km² | Park staff only | Small chapel, off-limits |
| Galija | 0.07 km² | Off-limits | Reserve |
| Vanga (Krasnica) | 0.16 km² | Off-limits | Tito’s private fishing house |
| Pusti | 0.06 km² | Off-limits | Bird reserve |
| + 8 small islets | varied | Off-limits | Bird and marine reserves |
How to Visit Brijuni by Yacht — The Permit Process
Yachts cannot anchor freely inside Brijuni waters. There are two ways to visit:
Option 1 — Moor at the Brijuni Marina (overnight access)
The small marina on the south side of Veliki Brijun takes 30 yachts up to 30 m. Booking required at least 24 hours in advance via the park office (np-brijuni.hr) — in July–August, reserve a month ahead. Mooring fee: €180–280/night (includes park entry for all crew). Once moored you have full access to the island during park opening hours (08:00–19:00), can stay overnight on board, and can use the hotel restaurant and bar.
Option 2 — Day-trip from Fažana or Pula
If you don’t want to moor in the park, you can take an organised day-trip from Fažana (the small fishing port directly opposite Brijuni on the mainland) or from Pula. Tour boats leave hourly in season, €25–40 per person, 3–5 hour tours. Your yacht stays in the Marina Pula or Marina Pomer harbour (8–10 nm south).
Sailing Approach & Channel Rules
Brijuni is approached from the south through the Fažana channel. The channel between Veliki Brijun and the mainland is narrow (1 nm at the narrowest), with marked navigation lanes that yachts must follow. No anchoring is permitted in the channel or anywhere within the park boundary except at the official Brijuni Marina mooring buoys (also reservation-required).
The park boundary is clearly marked on charts and on water (yellow buoys with park-boundary signage). Crossing the boundary without a paid permit triggers a fine of €500–1,500. The park rangers patrol actively in season.
What to See on Veliki Brijun
The Tito Museum & Photo Archive
Inside the former “House of Distinguished Guests” on the south of the island. Photos and artifacts from the 60+ heads-of-state visits, including the famous group photos from the 1956 Non-Aligned Movement signing. Free with park entry.
The Safari Park
Tito accumulated a collection of animal gifts from foreign leaders: elephants from Indira Gandhi (the last surviving elephant, Lanka, died in 2010), zebras and antelope from various African leaders, llamas, ostriches, deer, and various exotic birds. The current safari park (free walking access, 30 minutes from the hotel) holds the descendants — deer, llamas, peacocks, geese — with information boards explaining each gift.
Roman Villa Rustica (Verige Bay)
1st-century Roman villa complex on the eastern shore of Veliki Brijun — one of the best-preserved Roman seaside villas in the eastern Adriatic. The mosaics, pools, and water-supply system (with rainwater cistern) are intact. Walking tour or rental bike from the hotel (4 km).
The Byzantine Fort (Kaštel)
6th-century Byzantine military fort on the north of the island — one of the few intact Byzantine military buildings in the Adriatic. Free entry, small information panel.
The Dinosaur Footprints
200+ million-year-old dinosaur footprints in the limestone on the south coast of Veliki Brijun — one of the largest documented dinosaur trackways in Europe. Open viewing platform; the footprints are clearly visible at low tide.
The Olive Tree (1,600 years old)
A genuinely ancient olive tree near the northern end of the island — estimated 1,600+ years old, still producing olives. Listed as one of the oldest in the Mediterranean.
Getting Around Veliki Brijun
The island is car-free except park electric vehicles. Get around by:
- Walking — the south end (hotel, museum, Roman villa) is walkable in a half-day
- Rental bicycle — €5–8/hour from the hotel; the best way to see the whole island
- Park electric train — runs hourly tours (€10–15), useful for a guided overview
- Golf cart rental — €25–40/hour; the upmarket option
The 10 km loop road of Veliki Brijun by bike takes 1.5–2 hours including stops — the most rewarding way to see the island.
Where to Eat & Sleep
The single hotel on the island is Hotel Neptune-Istria — a 4-star resort built in the Habsburg-era spa complex (renovated in 2010). Two restaurants: the formal hotel dining room and the casual Konoba Brijuni on the harbour serving Istrian classics (truffle pasta, grilled fish, pršut from local Istrian producers). Reservations recommended.
For yachts, dining on board is also fine — provision in Pula or Fažana before crossing. There is no provisioning shop on the island.
Combining Brijuni with the Istrian Coast
Most yacht itineraries that include Brijuni route the islands as a 1-night stop within a wider Istrian cruise:
- Day 1: Pula (Roman amphitheatre, Marina Pula or Pomer overnight)
- Day 2: Pula → Brijuni (1 night, marina mooring)
- Day 3: Brijuni → Rovinj (15 nm north)
- Day 4: Rovinj → Lim Fjord excursion → Vrsar overnight
- Day 5: Vrsar → Poreč → return south
For a longer trip, combine Istria with the Kvarner Gulf (Krk, Cres, Lošinj) for a 10–14 day northern Croatia loop.
Frequently Asked Questions about Brijuni
Why is Brijuni called “Tito’s Islands”?
Tito used Brijuni as his personal summer residence from 1947 until his death in 1980 — for 33 years it was effectively the off-the-record diplomatic capital of Yugoslavia. He hosted 60+ heads of state on the islands, and the 1956 Brijuni Declaration signed here founded the Non-Aligned Movement. After 1980 the islands transitioned to a national park (1983) but the Tito-era infrastructure (villa, hotel, safari park) is preserved as part of the cultural heritage.
Can you sail freely around Brijuni?
No — the entire 14-island park is a controlled-access zone. Yachts must moor at the official Brijuni marina (reservation required) or stay outside the park boundary. Free anchoring inside the park is not permitted.
How much does it cost to visit Brijuni by yacht?
Marina mooring (which includes park entry for all crew): €180–280/night for a 14–16 m yacht in season. Day-trip from Fažana or Pula: €25–40 per person.
Are the dinosaur footprints worth seeing?
Yes — the trackway on the south coast of Veliki Brijun is one of Europe’s largest documented dinosaur footprint sites. Visible from a viewing platform; best at low tide.
Is Brijuni worth a visit if I’ve already seen the other Croatian national parks?
Yes — Brijuni is fundamentally different from Krka, Plitvice, Mljet, or Kornati. It’s a cultural-heritage park as much as a nature reserve, with the Tito museum, Roman ruins, Habsburg-era spa, and the safari-park curiosity making it unique. The natural setting (limestone islands, pine forest, marine reserve) is also high-quality. Half-day visit minimum, full day if you want to see everything.
What’s the best season to visit Brijuni?
Late May to mid-June and September. Summer (July–August) is hot and the day-tripper crowds peak. Winter access is limited but the island is open year-round.
Plan an Istrian Charter
From our Šibenik base, we arrange yachts to Istria with delivery or pickup at Pula or Rovinj — Brijuni, the Lim Fjord, and the Istrian coast all reachable.