Novi Dol

An abandoned highland settlement on the Velebit mountain, left behind as shepherds and woodcutters moved down to the coast and towns.

Novi Dol sits in Lika & Gorski Kotar, a part of Croatia with its own character, and the abandoned place is the reason most people stop.

These buildings decay fast and floors give way. Sturdy boots, a torch and a charged phone are the minimum, and treat the place as a memorial, not a playground.

Practical info

• Entry: check the official source before you travel. Prices and opening hours change, and some spots close entirely out of season.
• How to get there: Tap the map above for exact directions. In Croatian towns parking is usually signposted and paid, look for the blue P zones. If you are island hopping, leave buffer time for the ferries.

Timing your trip

The best window for Novi Dol runs May to October. June and September balance warmth and thinner crowds; July and August are busy and hot. Out of season, winter shows a calmer, cheaper Croatia that rewards the inland cities.

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