After exploring Zagreb’s sightseeings, we decided to go further and discover more of Croatia and Zagreb’s surroudings. There are a couple of day trips from Zagreb, among: Samobor, Karvolac, Krapina, Varazdin and Plitvice Lakes. We chose to visit Plitvice Lakes first of all, and before we went from Croatia, we passed shortly through Samobor. We had the intention to make a short day trip to Ljubljana, but unfortunately the traffic at the borders was very, very crowdy and after waiting in line for like one and a half hour, we decided to drive back to Zagreb.

Plitvice National Park

A one day trip from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes is simply one of the best things to do, outside Zagreb.Plitvice Lakes National Park is an absolute natural marvel! Water flows through a deep canyon in a series of tumbling waterfalls, which pool further into 16 lakes. There are in total 8 trails you can follow in the park, plus the wooden-planked paths weave through and over the water, which give you an up-close view of the natural phenomena and colorful scenery. The hike can take anywhere from 2 up to 8 hours.

Plitvice is actually one of the oldest national parks on the continent, and still plays host to wild wolf packs, Croatian brown bears, curious wood grouses and elusive lynxes.

I would advice you to wear a good pair of walking shoes and comfortable clothes, have with you sunscreen and maybe an umbrella for your Plitvice Lakes day trip! The trails cover more than 5 miles, and once you get on the lakeside trails there are just a few places to stop for a rest. You should, as well, take something to eat and drink with you, because inside the park there are no places from where you may buy something, beside the entrance or the exit.

We decided to get from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes National Park on our own, by public transportation. There are numerous daily bus departures from the Zagreb bus station to the national park. The Zagreb-Plitvice distance is about 140 km. The bus from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes (this will vary by route, number of stops and traffic). Bus tickets from Zagreb to Plitvice National Park can be purchased online or at the bus station. Furthermore, I recommend buying your return Plitvice Lakes to Zagreb bus ticket before your trip to ensure you don’t get stuck at the park! Note: There is no Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes Train. Visitors who want to use public transportation need to use the Zagreb to Plitvice bus.

We didn’t buy our park tickets in advance, and although we went from Zagreb with the 8 a.m. bus and arrived there at 10 a.m., we had the unpleasent surprise of not being able to buy our tickets as we had planned at the Entrance 1 of the park. Exactly in front of us, the ticket office closed and we were informed that it will open again at 11:30 a.m. and with those tickets we will be allowed in the park from 1 p.m.!!! I asked if it was the same situation at the Entrance 2 of the park and we got to know that there, we could have had more chances to still find tickets for an earlier admission into the park. So we went walking for like 30 minutes on the drive way to the next entrance, where we got to buy our tickets without any problems. I really don’t know if this situation was due to the Corona pandemic, but it didn’t feel welcoming and service-minded, at all!…

Samobor

Situated between Zagreb and the Slovenian border, Samobor is a gorgeous little town less than 30 km away from Zagreb. Famed for Krempita cake (cream puff pastry cake), its carnival, lovely architecture, and nice walks, Samobor is one of the most popular day trip destinations among people from Zagreb.

If you have a chance, plan a visit to Samobor. You can either do it by means of local buses or even on a bicycle. Buses leave from Zagreb central bus station, but also from other stops along the way, as Ljubljanica bus and tram stop, or Crnomerac.

What other things to do outside Zagreb would you suggest adding to our list? As always, if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please leave them below. 

SHARING IS CARING! 🙂