Surrounded by lush countryside and picturesque villages, 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.
Plitvice Lakes and Rastoke Day Trip
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
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 $60 per person.
Varazdin Baroque Town & Trakoscan Castle
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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 $60 per person.
Fairytale Castles & Wine Tasting
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 $204 per person.
Opatija, Rijeka, Trsat and Lovran Private Tour
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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 $187 per person.
Ljubljana and Lake Bled Tour
Just a short hop over the border, Slovenia makes for popular excursions from Zagreb. On this full-day tour, you’ll visit two of the country’s most idyllic locations – the vibrant capital Ljubljana and the picture-postcard Lake Bled – with plenty of time to explore both in a leisurely fashion. Along the way, you’ll be accompanied at all times by an expert guide who will be on hand to offer insights and answer questions on the sites you visit and on the nation as a whole. The tour price includes a boat ride on Lake Bled and both pick-up and drop-off in Zagreb. From $117 per person.