If you have a couple of days in Zagreb, you might want to leave the city and explore some day trips. One of the easiest and most charming day trips from Zagreb is surely Samobor. Keep reading to find out more about this lovely town!
Samobor is a small town in Croatia, located in the Zagreb County in the northern part of Croatia. It is situated about 20 kilometers west of Zagreb, which makes it the perfect day trip from the capital. Samobor is known for its picturesque old town, historic architecture, and gorgeous nature. Those are all reasons why Samobor is a well-known tourist destination in northern Croatia.
WHY VISIT SAMOBOR
Samobor is such a charming little town and I’m sure you’d love exploring it. However, if you need additional motivation on why you should find your way to this historical town, here are a few!
Firstly, Samobor has a gorgeous historic Old Town. The Old Town features narrow cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and quaint squares. It looks like a fairytale town and strolling through this area will give you a glimpse into the town’s rich history and architecture.
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Secondly, this town also has interesting medieval castle ruins. Once upon a time, there was a fascinating Samobor Castle, dating back to the 13th century. Today there are just ruins of the said castle, but they offer a peek into Samobor’s medieval past.
Next, Samobor is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, including forests, hills, and the picturesque Žumberak Mountains. That means that besides looking at the stunning nature, you can enjoy various outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and exploring the area’s scenic trails.
Finally, Samobor has some great culinary delights you should try. Numerous restaurants and cafes in the town serve traditional Croatian cuisine, so you can indulge in local flavors. You must try Kremšnita – a delicious cream cake.
HOW TO REACH SAMOBOR
As Samobor is really close to Zagreb, there are various easy options to reach this lovely town. Whichever you choose will be great because you only need to get as far as 20 kilometers from Zagreb.
The first option is to go by car. If you have access to a car, driving to Samobor is a convenient option. The town is easily accessible from Zagreb via the A3 highway and the drive takes approximately 20-30 minutes. Once you reach Samobor, there are parking options available in the town center. The parking is usually around 1.5 euro per hour.
If you don’t have a car, you can easily reach Samobor by bus. It is well-connected to Zagreb and several bus companies operate regular services between Zagreb and Samobor. Departures are from the Zagreb Bus Station and they’re quite frequent. The journey by bus takes around 30-40 minutes, and the tickets are around 4.5 euros one way.
Finally, if you don’t have a car but don’t want to go by bus, you can always find an Uber or Bolt to take you to Samobor. This is a convenient and flexible option for anyone who prefers the comfort of a car and doesn’t mind paying a bit more. The round trip from Zagreb to Samobor will cost from 25-40 euros, depending on part of the day and the demand.
WHAT TO DO AND SEE IN SAMOBOR
Samobor is a tiny town so one afternoon is more than enough to see everything there is to see in this historical gem. Here are a few things you shouldn’t skip out on when visiting Samobor.
Explore Samobor’s Old Town
Like many other old towns in Croatia, Samobor’s Old Town has its charm. Take a stroll through the endearing streets of the historic old town, where you’ll enjoy the views of picturesque architecture, quaint squares, and vibrant and lively cafes. Samobor has several narrow cobblestone alleys and well-preserved buildings you should inspect in great detail!
Climb the Samobor Castle Ruins
One of the oldest buildings in Samobor is its castle, dating back to the 13th century. It’s perched atop of a hill, so it will take some effort getting there. You should visit the ruins of Samobor Castle, not only to experience the medieval remains in Samobor, but to get some of the best panoramic views of the city and the surrounding landscape. As it’s only a ruin, it’s completely free and you can reach it by going on a moderately easy hike of 30 minutes.
Visit the Church of St. Anastasia
One of the most prominent and eye-catching buildings in Samobor is the Church of St. Anastasia. This Baroque-style church is located in the heart of Samobor’s old town. You can easily reach it from the main square.
Next to the church there’s a lovely park you can enjoy, as well as some benches with the incredible view of the main square!
Go on a walk or hike
Samobor has many forests and hills, and it’s close to the Žumberak Mountains. If you’re a nature lover and love to hike, use this time to explore the surrounding areas of Samobor. Samobor has a gorgeous scenic promenade within the town where you get to walk by a small stream. If you prefer something a bit more challenging, explore trails on any of the hills nearby.
Learn history at Samobor Museum
If you’re a history buff, you can learn more about the history and culture of Samobor at the Samobor Museum. It’s housed in a historic building in the town center, only a few meters from the town’s main square. The museum features exhibits on local history, archaeology, art, and traditional crafts. The entrance ticket is 3.6 euros, and keep in mind that the museum isn’t working on Mondays.
Taste Samobor’s Kremsnita
One thing you absolutely cannot skip is trying a traditional cream cake called Kremsnita. Many local cafes and restaurants offer these delicious cakes, but two of the most popular places which have the most delicious Kremsnitas are “Kavana Livadić” and pastry shop “U prolazu”. These two are both situated at the main square, and well worth a visit!
I hope this short post gave you some insight on Samobor and why you need to visit this charming town!
