ZAGREB: THE MOST CHARMING DAY TRIPS YOU MUST TAKE!

Wondering if you’ll have enough things to do when you visit Zagreb?

You definitely will, but I’m here to offer you the best day trips that could help to make your visit to Zagreb even more interesting!

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WHERE IS ZAGREB?

Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is not really Croatia’s most popular city. As the capital, it’s the biggest and most progressive city of Croatia, but we all know many of the coastal towns are much preferred in the eyes of the tourists.

Zagreb is situated in the northwest part of Croatia, along the river Sava.

In my opinion, everyone needs to visit Zagreb at least once in their life. Zagreb has a lot to offer – from historical museums, incredible restaurants, to wonderful, green parks.

DAY TRIPS FROM ZAGREB

Although Zagreb is wonderful and I adore it, sometimes the crowds get to be a little too much, and you need space. That’s why this post is about many incredible places around Zagreb you really shouldn’t miss.

SAMOBOR

Samobor is a favorite spot for both Croatians and tourists. Croatians often prefer to get out of the big city during the weekend and head for Samobor. The town is west of Zagreb, only 5 kilometers from the Slovenian border.

The medieval town with baroque architecture will make you feel like you’re in a fairy-tale, with tiny streams passing through the town and many wooden bridges over them. A wonderful addition to the center is a small, old church.

Read more >>> THE PERFECT ONE DAY TRIP TO SAMOBOR FROM ZAGREB

The town is very well known for its sweet pastry called Kremšnita. It’s a pastry full of cream and topped off with ground sugar. You must try it, even if you don’t have a sweet tooth.

Samobor has existed as a royal town since 1242, and it still has castle ruins which you can visit if you want to be active. The castle is on top of the Tepec hill, which is a few minutes away from the city center.

HOW TO GET THERE FROM ZAGREB

To get from Zagreb to Samobor you either need a car – it will take you approximately 40 minutes from the city center to Samobor, or you can go by bus. The bus leaves from Zagreb’s main bus station and it lasts 45 minutes. The bus ticket is less than 5 euros.

LJUBLJANA & LAKE BLED

As Samobor is so close to Slovenia, you might combine these two trips!

Ljubljana is the capital city of Slovenia, a small yet beautiful country northwest of Croatia.

Croatia and Slovenia were once both part of Yugoslavia, therefore the Slovenian language is quite similar to Croatian. If you know a few words in Croatian, you’ll be just fine in Slovenia as well!

A few sights you cannot miss are:

The Castle of Ljubljana

The castle, which is over 900 years old, is Ljubljana’s most popular attraction. Once a royal and military residence, today it offers exhibitions and incredible views of the city. Go see the sunset from the tower!

The Dragon Bridge

In Slovenian called Zmajski Most, it’s the symbol of Ljubljana and it’s something you MUST see. It’s called the Dragon Bridge because it has Dragon sculptures on each side of the bridge, four in total. It’s a perfect place for a cool photo.

Walk by the river

The river Ljubljanica goes through the center of Ljubljana, giving the city that small-town charm. Take a walk by the river by the sunset and enjoy Ljubljana in it’s full glory.

HOW TO GET THERE FROM ZAGREB:

If you take a car from Zagreb it’s going to be a quick ride – 1.5 to 2 hours. Make sure you pay for the vignette on their highway. If you’re traveling by bus, the ticket is around 13 euros one way and the ride lasts around 2.5 hours.

LAKE BLED

In north-western Slovenia, you can find the country’s most visited tourist destination. Lake Bled is only an hour away from Ljubljana and it puts you in the middle of Slovenian’s natural gem. The Lake has one island, the Bled Island, which is the only natural island in Slovenia.

The tiny island has only a few buildings, the most important one being a small church. You can reach the island by paddleboard, kayak, or canoe, which you can rent on many different locations on the lake, and it will cost you around 20 euros per hour. You can also swim in the lake if you’re visiting in the summer months!

HOW TO GET THERE FROM ZAGREB

Either take a 3-hour car ride straight to Bled, or use a bus to get to Ljubljana. From Ljubljana city center you can catch a bus to Bled for 7 euros one way that’s going to last around 1.5 hours.

GRAZ

Graz is the second biggest city in Austria, and you NEED to visit it. The city has an incredibly well-preserved old town which includes various castles, old churches, and even weaponry.

One of the key landmarks you must explore is the Clock Tower on Schlossberg Hill. The Clock Tower is incredibly important to Graz, as it still has a functioning bell all the way from the 1300s. You can reach it by walking up the steps, by a lift, or even by a cable car.

Graz’s main square, called the Haubtplatz, is the most important square of the city which is also under UNESCO protection. The square is surrounded by incredible old houses and buildings which only emphasize the historical importance of the city. The most important one is the 19^th century City Hall, as well as the incredible Luegg Haus from the 15^th century.

The last place you must visit in Graz is Murinsel – the (man-made) island in the middle of the river Mur. The island connects the two sides of the river and offers a cafe and a playground to Graz’s citizens. It’s made of glass, and it’s illuminated at night.

HOW TO GET THERE FROM ZAGREB

To Graz, take a 2-2.5-hour car ride, or a 3-hour bus ride for around 13 euros in one way.

PLITVICE LAKES

Plitvice Lakes is Croatia’s most beautiful, as well as most popular national park, and it’s a title it deserves. Situated in central Croatia, the Park has been under UNESCO’s protection since 1979.

The Park includes 16 natural, cascading lakes separated into Lower lakes and Upper Lakes. You can explore it on foot, by electric boat, and even a panorama train.

For more details about Plitvice, read my COMPLETE GUIDE on How to Explore Plitvice Like a Local!

HOW TO GET THERE FROM ZAGREB

From Zagreb, it will take you around 1 hour and 50 minutes to get to Plitvice Lakes by car, and by bus, the trip to Plitvice is around 2 and a half hours, and it’s around 13 euros one way.

ISTRIA

Last but not least, you have the incredible Istria. The Croatian peninsula is famous for its small but charming cities like Pula and Rovinj.

Rovinj is a tiny gem on the Croatian coast. It’s only around 88 km2 yet it’s Croatian’s most picturesque town along with Dubrovnik. The architecture and history of the town are incredible, and the beaches are great!

Read more >>> BEST THINGS TO DO IN ROVINJ, CROATIA

For a long time, Rovinj was under the rule of the Venetian Republic, so not only can you find the Venetian style of architecture, but Italian is an official language in Rovinj to this day! You must visit the church of St. Euphemia. For more information on Istria read our TOP 5 PRETTIEST TOWNS IN ISTRIA GUIDE.

If you’re going during the high season, be careful as Rovinj is a huge tourist hotspot!

Pula

Pula is an incredibly unique city that has not only been under the influence of the Venetians but also Romans.

Believe it or not, there are many Roman buildings still standing in Pula, some as old as the Colosseum in Rome itself. Pula has its own “forum”, a square in the middle of the city where you can find a 2000-year-old temple made by Romans.

Read more >>> IS PULA WORTH VISITING?

Another 2000-year-old Roman landmark you must see is the triumphal arch – Arch of the Sergii.

The most important landmark in Pula, and one of the most famous ones in the whole of Croatia, is the Roman amphitheater called Pula Arena.

The Arena was built at the same time as the magnificent Colosseum in Rome, and it had the same purpose – to entertain by hosting the gladiator fights. Once it could fit 20 thousand spectators and the tunnels are now used for exhibitions.

HOW TO GET THERE FROM ZAGREB

From Zagreb to Istria it’s going to take around 3 hours by car, and by bus you have to take a 4-hour ride costing around 25 euros one way.

I hope this guide for the best day trips from Zagreb helps you out when you decide to visit!