Description of the Brijuni archipelago
Brijuni archipelago consists of 14 uninhabited islands and islets. Total area of the archipelago is about 34 square kilometers and an extraordinary blend of natural and cultural heritage. The largest island is Veli Brijun, which is the national park. Its area is about 6 square kilometers, and the length of the coast about 24 km. The next largest is Mali Brijun, with an area of about 1 square kilometer, and the length of the coast about 8 km. Other islands are much smaller. The highest peak of the Brijuni islands is only 55 m.
Indigenous plants, remarkably preserved Mediterranean maquis, meadows, where carefree fallow deer, axis, muflons, zebras, Somali sheep, Indian cattle, dromedaries, llamas and elephants. Also, interesting is the fact, that on the island Veli Brijuni is discovered as many as 200 dinosaur footprints. All of these parts are in the Brijuni landscape and excursion program.
Islands were a status symbol in the former Yugoslavia, and here the most powerful people of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia, led by Josip Broz-Tito, have met. After his death, in 1980, the idea was born, about using Brijuni islands for touristic purposes. Islands have been open to tourists since 1983, and became an essential goal of many visitors. Until this day, Brijuni are synonymous for wealth, status and importance. Today, the Croatian president holds meetings with important people and ambassadors from different countries. For purposes of the Croatian Government, there are six residences on the island. They can also be rented out to tourists. The Villa Primorka, for example, can be rented out for €2400 per day.
So, all 14 islands of the archipelago are: Veli Brijun (national park), Sveti Jerolim (suitable for swimming), Vanga (famous Tito's residence), Mali Brijun (Ulysses theater), Kozada, Vrsar, Gaz, Pusti Otok, Galija, Obljak, Grunj, Supin, Sveti Marko, Supinić.
Description of the guided tour through the national park
Upon arrival on the island of Veli Brijun, guests will board the electric train, which visits the remote archaeological site, the Bay Veriga with the remains of a Roman Villa Rustica from 1st century AD. The train route leads through a safari park, where the African animals are living together in a harmonious community. After the train ride, the tourist guide will greet you and take you on the walk towards the Archaeological museum located in the Citadel stated from the 16th century followed by a visit to the Church of St. Germans from the 15th century with constant exhibition of frescoes and Glagolitic writings from old Istria. Finally, there is a sightseeing tour of collections of natural history and exhibition "Tito on Brijuni".
Excursions with entrance to the national park
In this section, we describe excursions that include a visit to the national park (lasting 3 hours and 30 minutes, as described). Excursions by boat Srebreno last all day, half-day excursions from Pula last about 6 hours, and the shortest visits (by ferry) from Fažana last about 4 hours.
Fish picnic to National Park Brijuni
The trip is performed by boat Srebreno. The price is €70.00 for adults. The price includes a ticket to the national park with a complete program, a welcome drink, lunch with a drink and a ticket to swimming on the island of Sveti Jerolim (south of the Brijuni archipelago). Look for more information on reservations and departures from Pula (from 8:00 to 17:00) or Fažana (from 9:00 to 16:00).
Ferry line from Fažana
The most affordable option is to reach Fažana by your own transport, where the boat departs — owned by the National Park.
Departures are at 9:00, 10:00, 11:30, 13:30, 14:30, and 15:30 (six times a day).
Be sure to book your tickets early, especially on weekends when groups travel, and during peak season the 10:00 departure is the most difficult to secure.
Sometimes there may be space on the boat but not on the electric train, which is filled so that all passengers follow the guide in one language.
The ride across the Fažana Channel takes about 15 minutes.
This is followed by a guided tour of Brijuni (about 3.5 hours) and return.
The entire trip takes about 4 hours.
Prices in June, July, August and September are €50 for adults, €40 for seniors (65+) and students,
€20 for children aged 7 to 17.99, and children under 7 travel free.
In other months, the price is €35 for adults, €30 for seniors (65+) and students,
€15 for children aged 7 to 17.99, and children under 7 travel free.
The price includes return boat transport to the island of Veli Brijun and a guided tour of the national park.
Trips without entering the national park
In this section, we describe trips that do not include a visit to the national park, but rather a panoramic boat ride. Swimming breaks can be on the open sea or on the island of Sveti Jerolim, in the southern part of the Brijuni archipelago. Fish picnic trips last about 5 hours, dolphin spotting trips about 3 hours, and the shortest rides from Fažana take around 90 minutes.
Fish picnic with a panoramic ride around the national park
Trips are offered by various boats from Pula or Fažana. The price starts at €50.00 for adults. The price includes a welcome drink and lunch with drinks. During the summer season, swimming is organized on the island of Sveti Jerolim, and off-season, there is a usual stop in Fažana (if the boat departs from Pula). Find more information on departures and booking from Pula or Fažana.
List of trips
- Fish picnic with the boat Srebreno from Pula from 10:00 to 15:45.
- Fish picnic with the boat Srebreno from Valbandon (Bi-Village) from 10:45 to 15:00.
- Fish picnic with the boat Burin from Pula from 12:00 to 17:00.
Dolphin search around Brijuni
The area between the islands of Vanga and Vrsar, on the western side of the Brijuni archipelago, is rich in fish and a destination for dolphin-spotting trips. These excursions take place in the evening and last around 3 hours. The price starts from €40.00 for adults and includes a welcome drink and dinner with drinks. Find more information and booking options in the list of trips below.
List of trips
- Boat trip Srebreno from Pula from 17:00 to 20:30.
- Boat trip Srebreno from Fažana from 17:30 to 20:00.
- Boat trip Ulika from Pula from 18:00 to 21:00.
- Boat trip Ananda from Pula from 18:00 to 21:00.
- Boat trip Kristina from Fažana from 18:30 to 20:00.
Short trips through the archipelago
The shortest individual boat trip through the Brijuni archipelago lasts 90 minutes. A glass-bottomed catamaran from Fažana is an attractive option for families with children, at a price of about €30.00 per adult.
List of trips
- Panoramic boat ride with Kristina from Fažana lasting 90 minutes (possible disembarkation on the island).
Private boat ride through the archipelago
For small groups, it is possible to organize a private boat trip with swimming without entering the national park, i.e., just a panoramic ride. The price starts from €200 for a group of up to 12 people. The ride lasts about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Swimming on the island of Sveti Jerolim and drinks are optional. Departure times are 09:00, 12:00, 14:00, and 19:00 (dolphins).