Zagreb Day Trips

Trakoscan Castle

Trakoscan is a legendary 13th-century Gothic castle that was home to various influential families for centuries before finally falling into abandoned disrepair in the second half of the 18th century when it belonged to the Draskovic family. In the 1950s the castle was taken over by the state and turned into a living museum, reconstructing life in a medieval castle. Visitors can explore four levels, including the dungeon, and finish their exploration by enjoying the surrounding parklands.

Website: www.mdc.hr/trakoscan; Telephone: (042) 796 281 or 796 422; Opening time: 9am to 3pm (summer); 9am to 6pm (winter); Admission: 30kn (adults), 15kn (concessions)

Plitvice Lakes National Park

The Plitvice Lakes have been declared a world heritage site and it is the natural beauty of the 16 green and turquoise lakes linked by waterfalls and surrounded by forests and bush that attracts thousands of visitors every year. Wooden walkways meander over, around and across the watery setting that was formed by mineral deposits in the water creating travertine barriers within the constantly changing limestone landscape. The lakes are divided into lower and upper lakes and trails are well marked. Visitors can cover the 11 miles (18km) of walkways on foot, but the park entry ticket also includes the use of buses and ferries to cover certain sections.

Transport: Buses between Zagreb and Zadar stop at Plitvice (2.5hrs); Admission: April to October: 110kn (adults), 55kn (children 7-18). November to March: 70kn (adults), 40kn (children 7-18)