Tourist guide Continental Croatia, Croatia

Although many associate Slavonija with fields and plains, one of the most beautiful mountains in Croatia, also a nature park, is located in Slavonija - nature park Papuk. Nature park Papuk covers the area of ​​Papuk mountain and part of Krndija mountain (covers the area of more than 335 km2). It has been proclaimed a nature park due to its exceptional biological and geological diversity and cultural and historical heritage. Mountains Papuk and Krndija are less than 1,000 meters high, with rich native forests of Pannonian beech and fir which are covering more than 95% of the total area. Protected areas of the park are geological monument Rupnica, forest park Jankovac, forest vegetation reserve Sekulinac mountain, nature monument Stanište, nature monument "Stari hrastovi", and special reserve Pliš-Mališčak-Turjak-Lapjak. Nature park Papuk is home to various species of plants and animals including deer, foxes, wild boar, and numerous bird species. Due to its extremely geological diversity, Papuk has become the first geopark in Croatia and part of the UNESCO global network of geoparks. Since it is only 200 kilometers from Zagreb, it is possible to organize a day trip to Papuk. There are numerous opportunities for visitors, from hiking, cycling to thermal pools in Velika and Orahovačko lake.

Whether you visit Zagreb during summer months or winter months, we recommend visiting one of the most beautiful parts of the city - Gornji grad or Gradec (the upper town). The upper town is situated on the far slopes of Medvednica, less than 10 minutes' walk from the central town square - Ban Josip Jelačić square. You can reach the upper town by walking through Kamenita Vrata (stone gates), one of the 6 gates built in the 13th century, or via the funicular located in Tomićeva street. On the upper town you can walk along Stroosmayer promenade enjoying attractive views of Zagreb. During the summer, Stroosmayer promenade hosts the summer festival - "Ljeto na Stroosu". We certainly recommend visiting the church of St. Mark, constructed in 1256 in the Gothic and Baroque style, which took its present appearance during renovation in the 19th century. Close to the church is the seat of the Croatian Government, the building of Croatian Parliament and Lotrščak tower. From Lotrščak tower every day a cannon shot marks noon. On the upper there is also the museum of broken relationships, with exhibits from unhappily ended love relationships, as well as the museum of the city of Zagreb, observatory, Croatian museum of naive art and other museums. The upper town also hosts an interactive theatrical tour of the secrets of Grič ("Tajne Griča"). Near Gornji grad or Gradec there is also the famous open market Dolac and the neo-gothic cathedral with 105 meters high towers. Every year Zagreb attracts many tourists because of its charm, so it is no wonder that in 2017 travel magazine Lonely Planet declared Zagreb as the most desirable European destination.

The impressive Trakošćan castle is one of the most visited and attractive castles in Croatia. It is located in Zagorje region near Krapina and Varaždin. The Romanesque castle of Trakošćan was built in the 13th century as part of the defense system of northwestern Croatia. The most significant refinements to the castle were made at the end of the 16th century during the reign of Drašković family - construction of additional floor and artillery towers, decoration of courtyard and upgrade of the central tower. Trakošćan castle was upgraded again in the 18th century when walls and towers were built around the castle. The castle was abandoned from the second half of the 18th century, until the mid of the 19th century when Juraj Drašković transformed it into a residential castle. During this period, the surrounding of the castle was decorated and an artificial lake was built, which is until today one of the biggest attractions of the castle. A 5 km long educational trail has been built around Trakošćan lake, ideal for walks. Since Trakošćan lake is rich in fish, it became a favorite spot for many fishermen. After 1944, the castle was nationalized and it was transformed into a museum in 1954. Museum has a permanent exhibition of a collection of books, weapons, photographs, paintings, objects and furniture used in the castle throughout its history. Travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler listed the castle of Trakošćan as one of the 12 most beautiful castles in Europe. Since it is located near Zagreb, Trakošćan is ideal for a day trip to the peaceful surroundings of Zagorje.

Nature park Kopački Rit is a floodplain (swampy lowland) created by the activities of Danube river and Drava river, and it is an ideal destination for nature lovers. The nature park Kopački Rit covers an area of ​​approximately 177 km2 and it is located in Baranja, in the far northeast of Croatia. The park is home to more than 2,000 biological species including deer and wild boar and more than 285 bird species such as herons, making it one of Croatia's important ornithological reserves. The park is home to different plants including white willow, oak, black poplar, and tall sedge gives the park its distinctive appearance. Due to its great biological value, Kopački Rit has been included in the list of Ramsar sites, the list of ornithologically important areas (Important Bird Areas or abbreviated IBA) and has been nominated for a UNESCO World Heritage List. Ticket prices are available from 10 kunas (about 1.5 euros). We recommend trying a delicious traditional fish dish - "fiš-paprikaš".

One of the most famous sites of neanderthal prehistoric man is located in Hušnjakovo near Krapina (Zagorje region). Today, the Krapina Neanderthal museum is located near Hušnjakovo. The Krapina Neanderthal museum has been opened in 2010, with an exhibition space of 1,200 m2. Due to its exceptional cultural value, the site itself is protected as a paleontological monument. Exploration of the site began in 1899 after local workers accidentally found parts of the bones of a cave-man. The entire collection was collected from 1899 to 1905 and was led by the scientist Dragutin Gorjanović-Kramberger. The collection includes more than 900 bones from about 70 persons, from 3 to 27 years old, and more than 5,000 objects, including 300 stone objects belonging to the Paleolithic period and traces of hearth. Although it was initially believed that the Krapina neanderthal prehistoric man was a cannibal, recent research has shown that this was probably not the case. The remains of animals such as mammoths, bears, and others were also found in the area. It is estimated that the findings are between 100,000 and 130,000 years old. Over the years, the museum has received many international awards including FIAMP 2010 - AVICOM and nomination for the European museum of the year. During the summer months, the museum is open every day except Mondays from 9 am to 7 pm and during the winter months from 9 am to 5 pm. Tickets cost from 25 to 50 kuna.

Star is the name for the oldest part of the town of Karlovac, built in the 16th century. It is characterized by a six-pointed shape - the shape of a renaissance star. It is bounded by defensive barrows and earth embankments, surrounded on the outside by an avenue of wild chestnut trees. Inside the star is the main square, Josip Jelačić square, in the center of which is well. The Holy Trinity Catholic Church and St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, each on one side of the square, hide the historical and spiritual values of the city. The star is full of parks and greenery. At the time of construction, the star played a defensive war role against Turkish invasions. Today it represents the cultural and historical landmark of the town of Karlovac.

The attractive church of St. Mark is one of the symbols of Zagreb. The church is located on St. Mark's square in the upper town of Zagreb, and it is a cultural property of the Republic of Croatia. The church of St. Mark was built in the 13th century in Romanesque style, and from the original building, only the base of the bell tower and the window on the south wall has been preserved until today. Gothic vaults and a shrine were built in the second half of the 14th century, as well as the southern portal which was built in the Gothic style. The oldest coat of arms of the city of Zagreb, dating from the late 15th century, is located on the northwestern wall of the church. The church of St. Mark was rebuilt in the second half of the 19th century when an attractive roof was built with the coats of arms of the Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia and the coat of arms of the city of Zagreb. It was rebuilt again in the first half of the 20th century when the altars of the church were decorated with works by the famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović!

The old town of Dubovac is located only 2 kilometers from the center of Karlovac. Construction is believed to have begun in the late 12th or early 13th century. It is first mentioned in historical church records in 1339 when the settlement received its first pastor. It is a city that was not conquered by the Turks. Often it changed owners, nowadays it is owned by the city of Karlovac. Inside the tower is a permanent exhibition of the City Museum, and at the top, there is a lookout that offers an exceptional view of the town of Karlovac, Žumberak and Medvednica on one side, and on the other the mountains of Gorski Kotar. Musical and stage events are performed in the atrium of the old town during the summer months. Inside the walls is a Kastel bistro with an outdoor terrace in the atrium.

Every year during December, Zagreb sparkles with a different shine, mainly due to pre-Christmas manifestation Advent in Zagreb, which is held at several locations in Zagreb. Advent in Zagreb is adorned with attractive Christmas decorations, a rich gastronomic offer and a cultural and entertaining program that will amaze even the most demanding ones. Advent in Zagreb takes place in December during the pre-Christmas period, and it begins with the lightning of the first Advent candle near Manduševac fountain, on Zagreb's main square. One of the most popular attractions is the ice park - a place for ice skating under open skies at king Tomislav square, Advent on Zrinjevac, enjoying the gastronomic specialties on Fuliranje at Stroosmayer's square, Advent on European square, Christmas tale on the main square and Advent on the upper town. In recent years, Advent in Zagreb has expanded to Maksimir park. Visit one of the most popular Christmas fairs that attract domestic and foreign visitors. Buy indigenous Christmas gifts like, honey cake and licitar, enjoy hot wine, homemade sausages, and concerts performed by popular musicians. Check out why travel portal European Best Destinations has declared Advent in Zagreb as the best Christmas fair in Europe for three consecutive years.

Mirogoj cemetery is the central cemetery of Zagreb, located on the slopes of Medvednica. Mirogoj cemetery was turned into the central city cemetery after the city of Zagreb purchased the estate of Ljudevit Gaj in 1873. Mirogoj is one of the greenest cemeteries in Europe, and it is known for the beautiful park with trees of maple, spruce, chestnut, and linden that have been planted along the walking path. Today's appearance of Mirogoj cemetery can largely be attributed to Hermann Bolle, a builder who defined the layout of the beautiful arcades, the chapel of Christ the King (kapela Krista Kralja), the Orthodox chapel and the morgue. The most attractive part of the cemetery is twenty arcades constructed between 1879 and 1917. It is often referred to as Croatian Pantheon since a large number of celebrities are buried on Mirogoje.