Central Croatia is arguably the most mysterious part of the country, the in-between land that people pass through briefly on their way from Zagreb to the coast.

It is nothing if not varied, with the rolling hills of the north and east contrasting with the karstic uplands to the west. It does boast at least one internationally-celebrated destination, with the lakes and waterfalls of the Plitvice Lakes National Park pictured in media outlets around the world.

Elsewhere, quaint towns like Varaždin and Samobor provide a taste of Central European elegance while fortresses at Veliki Tabor and Ogulin point to a less than pacific past. The birthplace of Josip Broz Tito at Kumrovec and the memorial centre at the World War II murder camp of Jasenovac provide further pointers to the region’s turbulent twentieth century.

Day trips & overnighting