Croatia Itinerary
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To have the complete Croatian experience, get a flavor of all of its fascinating regions. Our Croatia itinerary gives you just that, by taking you to all four corners of the country. With a Eurail Croatia Pass, you can explore the beautiful Adriatic coastline of southern Dalmatia, the rolling plains of Slavonia in the east, and the rich cultural heritage of Croatia ‘proper’.
Itinerary in short
Cities visited in this trip:
Split, Croatia
The ancient port city of Split is guaranteed to get your imagination flowing. The main bulk of the city comprises of Diocletian’s Palace, an imposing Roman fortress dating from the 3rd century. Climb the cathedral bell tower as well as descending into the underground passages.
Twenty minutes north of Split you can climb the dramatic fortress of Klis. If you feel like the sights of Split seem eerily familiar, it could be because Game of Thrones was filmed there! For big fans of the show, there’s even a dedicated tour.
From Split to Karlovac
Karlovac, Croatia
Karlovac is known as the town on 4 rivers. Stop here to appreciate Croatia's natural beauty and outdoor activities. Go rafting or kayaking on the Mrežnica River, mountain biking in the Kozjača forest, or leap from the jumping platform at Foginovo, an official bathing area on the Korana River.
Some say that a 5th river runs with beer from the major Croatian brewery Karlovačka. Sample the beer fresh from its source at a café within the star shaped town walls, and visit the quaint 13th century Dubovac Castle in the hillside Old Town.
From Karlovac to Rijeka
Rijeka, Croatia
From Rijeka to Zagreb
Zagreb, Croatia
Once you visit Zagreb, you won’t want to leave! Start by taking a novelty funicular ride to the Upper Town and the Lotrščak Tower, where a cannon is fired daily. Marvel at the colorful tilework on the roof of St. Mark’s Church. Despite being made over 100 years ago, it’s still incredibly vibrant.
Zagreb has a wealth of museums, with 4 of them just a short walk through the park outside the central station. The Strossmayer Gallery of Old Masters houses a fine-art collection as well as the iconic Baška tablet. Back in the Upper Town, the Museum of Broken Relationships puts on more heart-wrenching exhibitions.
From Zagreb to Osijek
Osijek, Croatia
There’s plenty for you to see and do in Osijek, the up-and-coming, cosmopolitan capital of Slavonia, in eastern Croatia. The imposing Church of St Peter and St Paul rises above the city, while the 18th century Tvrđa fortification breathes history.
For a sobering insight into the devastation of the Croatian War of Independence in the early 90’s, take the train to nearby Vukovar. Just 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) northeast of Osijek, you can also visit the beautiful Kopački rit Nature Park. The park's forested wetlands are perfect for bird, deer, and wild boar watching.
From Osijek to Varaždin
Varaždin, Croatia
If you want central European sophistication and charm, look no further than Varaždin in northern Croatia. Known as “Little Vienna”, it boasts immaculately maintained Baroque architecture, gardens, and music. In Varaždin, high culture is a way of life.
Visit the picturesque medieval fortress of the Old Town (Stari Grad), which also houses the town museum. Skip through the romantic streets to King Tomislav Square and look out for the smartly dressed civil guards (Varaždinski Purgari). If you’re lucky, you might catch the changing of the guard.
