Brijuni Islands
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General Information
Brijuni or Brioni are a group of twelve small islands in the Croatian part of the northern Adriatic Sea, separated from the west coast of the Istrian peninsula by the narrow Fažana Strait. The largest island, Veli Brijun (5.6 km²), lies 2 km off the coast. Famous for their scenic beauty, the islands are a holiday resort and a Croatian National Park.
Brijuni islands cover an area of 7.42 km2. The Brijuni National Park spreads over a surface of 33.9 km2. The length of the coastline of all the islands is 46.8 km. The two biggest islands are Veliki Brijun ("Great Brijun") and Mali Brijun ("Small Brijun"). Other island in the national park are St. Mark, Gaz, Okrugljak, Supin, Supinić, Galija, Grunj, Vanga (Krasnica), Pusti (Madona), Vrsar, St. Jerome and Kozada. Geologically, Brijuni are the continuation of western Istria.
The depth of the channel of Fažana being only 12m, Brijuni were until a few thousand years ago an integral part of Istria. Beautiful meadows and forests cover the islands. On Veliki Brijun exotic animals roam freely all over the island. An olive tree on the island has an estimated age of over 1600 years. In the past, these islands were a favorite holiday resort for the wealthy Austro-Hungarian elite. Brijuni became President Tito's favorite residence in which he entertained and met many of the world leaders of the time. Many celebrities like Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were guests on Brijuni. Tito's stay on Brijuni was always well documented and is today illustrated in photographs in the "Tito on Brijuni" exhibition in the Brijuni museum. There are no cars on the island but many of the sites can be visited with a tourist train. These sites include the Byzantine Castrum and the Roman villa from the 1st century.
Activities
For decades the islands were closed for tourists and local people. Today, the islands are a holiday destionation once again with strangest offer on the whole of the Adriatic coast. Where else you can find fossilised dinosaur footprints, giant greenhouses, pigeon aviary, donkeys, ostriches, deers, squirrels and hares and other animals freely loose, well tanned parks full of Roman ruins, among them one of the most fascinating Roman villas in Verige bay, beautiful sunsets, old Meditterranean holm oak trees or pine trees and pleasant shingle beaches in the same time? In addition there are hotels, golf, tennis, polo courts, and bicycle rent which is a great way to explore the island of Veli Brijun, the largest of the islands in the group, or you can take a ride on a small tourist train on wheels. How about renting a electric golf car and tour the island just the two of you? The archipelago of Brijuni is an extraordinary blend of natural, historical and cultural heritage. Maybe someone will be surprised Brijuni are listed in "romantic" section, but we assure you they can be a wonderful romantic day trip from Pula or maybe even a honymoon destination.
Climate
Having a mild Mediterranean climate, lots of sun and warm weather, plenty of humidity creating a rich vegetation, the islands guarantee an extremely pleasant stay.
The average air temperature in winter is 6,3°C., in spring 12,2°C., summer 22,2°C. and autumn 14,8°C.
The sea temperature in summer is from 22 to 25°
Contact information
address
National park Brijuni 52214 Brijuni tel: +385 (0) 52 525 882, 525 883, 521 880 fax: +385 (0) 52 521 124 e-mail: izleti@brijuni.htnet.hr
