Surrounded by lush countryside, picturesque villages, and sitting just a couple of hours from the Croatian coastline, Zagreb makes an ideal base for exploring. Here are five great day trips from the city which showcase the beauty of Croatia.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
As Croatia’s capital, Zagreb offers no shortage of things to see and do for curious travellers on a weekend city break. However, if you’re lucky enough to be staying for longer than a couple of days then why not book a day trip to head further afield and delve deeper into Croatian culture. The Istrian peninsula and Adriatic Sea are just a short drive away for nature seekers, or choose a tour that will take you to explore the country’s fairytale castles, beautiful architecture, and rich history.
From Zagreb: Plitvice Lakes and Rastoke Day Trip
Take a day out of the city to immerse yourself in the natural surroundings of Plitvice Lakes National Park. After departing Zagreb you’ll stop at the 300-year-old village of Rastoke before continuing on to the Plitvice Lakes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide will take you to discover the park’s 16 lakes, explaining how they are formed and how the lakes can appear to be a different colour depending on the time of day. After working up an appetite on your walk you’ll have the chance to lunch at a local restaurant and try some of the region’s specialities before heading back to Zagreb. From €89 per person.
Book at Getyourguide.com
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
From Zagreb: Varazdin Baroque Town & Trakoscan Castle
After being conveniently picked up at your hotel, your expert guide will accompany you to the baroque town of Varaždin for a walking tour which takes in the city’s Old Town fortress, the cathedral and parish Church of St. Nicholas, and the oldest city hall in Europe. After enjoying some free time to stroll around the pretty streets, you’ll continue on to the 13th century Trakoscan Castle to visit its valuable collection of paintings, furniture and weapons. From €90 per person.
Book at Getyourguide.com
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Fairytale castles & delicious wine
This full day eight-hour tour manages to pack in two castles, stunning Croatian countryside, and a taste of the country’s delicious local wine. Your first stop will be at Trakoscan Castle to delve into its long history and take a stroll around the lake outside before heading on to Sveti Kriz Zacretje Castle where you will have the unique opportunity to meet the lady still living there. After a scenic drive, the day will finish with a trip to a family-run winery to visit the cellar, learn about the wine making process, and of course enjoy a glass or two with some local cheese. From €135 per person.
Book at Viator.com
Opatija, Rijeka, Trsat and Lovran Private tour from Zagreb
This private tour will take you to explore Croatia’s beautiful northern coast with your own flexible itinerary and air-conditioned car. Your first stop will be at the 12th-century Trsat Castle and the port city of Rijeka, where you can explore its famous sites and learn more about the region’s Austro-Hungarian history. Next you’ll be driven on to the town of Opatija, which is so pretty that it’s known as the ‘Pearl of Adriatic.’ After strolling along the seaside promenade you’ll have time to stop for a slice of local cake and coffee before continuing on to Lovran, a medieval village known for its 19th century villas and 13th St. Trinity Chapel where you’ll finish your day by the sea before returning to Zagreb. From €144 per person.
Book at Viator.com
(Photo: Viator.com)
Istria Day Tour From Zagreb
This full day tour will take you to the heart of the Istrian peninsula with a visit to Pula, the region’s biggest city which dates all the way back to the 10th century B.C. Your guide will take you back in time to the city’s Roman period with a visit to the Pula Arena, one of the best-preserved amphitheaters in the world, the Temple of Augustus, and the Roman gates to the city. A short drive away is Rovinj, which was founded by the Istrian tribes and later ruled by Venice, meaning that both Italian and Croatian are still spoken in the city. Your final stop will be Porec, where you can admire the well-preserved architecture and wander around the 2000-year old Old Town which has earned the city a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. From €174 per person.
Book at Getyourguide.com