Discover the interior of Croatia during a road trip through Zagreb County.

Road trip through Zagreb County: discover the green interior of Croatia

When you think of Croatia, you probably think of the coast, islands, and historic cities like Dubrovnik and Split, or the capital. ZagrebBut anyone driving the other way from Zagreb discovers a very different Croatia. A region with vineyards, nature parks, rivers, waterfalls, and small towns where the weather feels completely different. During our road trip through Zagreb County, we discovered just how diverse the Croatian interior is. From the wineries along the Plešivica Wine Road to the colorful streets of Samobor, kayaking on the Mrežnica River, and a visit to Plitvice Lakes National Park. 

Road trip through Zagreb County

What makes this route so enjoyable is that you get to see many different sides of Croatia sees. One day you taste sparkling wine among the vineyards, the next you stand by waterfalls or paddle down a river. And in between, you sit down at restaurants where local products and traditional dishes take center stage. Read on to discover the best things to do during a road trip in Zagreb County.

Griffin Winery © Your Little Black Book

SAMOBOR & ŽUMBERAK: FROM HISTORIC TOWN TOWN TO NATURE PARK

A great first stop on a road trip through Zagreb County is Samobor. This charming town is a short drive from Zagreb and is known for its historic center, cozy terraces, and local specialties. Stroll through the colorful streets, sample a piece of the famous Samoborska kremšnita, and order a glass of bermet, an aromatic wine liqueur that has been produced in the region for generations. In the evening, pull up a chair at Restaurant CantillyHere, everything revolves around sustainable cuisine featuring vegetables and herbs from their own garden, local produce, and wines from the region. The restaurant is housed in a historic building and showcases just how surprisingly modern gastronomy is in Zagreb County. Is the bisque on the menu? Order it! 

Restaurant Cantilly © Your Little Black Book

From Samobor, you then drive straight to Žumberak Nature Park, one of the greenest areas of CroatiaAt the visitor center, you can learn more about the nature park, after which you can choose from various hiking and cycling routes. Along the way, you will pass waterfalls, streams, and viewpoints overlooking the hilly landscape. With a little luck, you might even spot one of the wild animals that live here, such as lynxes, wolves, or bears. Do you want to stay longer? Scattered throughout the park, you will find various small-scale accommodations where you can spend the night surrounded by nature.

Sopot waterfall – Žumberak Nature Park © Your Little Black Book

Plešivica Wine Road: the wine region you might not know yet

One of the most surprising stops on our road trip was the Plešivica Wine RoadThis wine region is located near Jastrebarsko, not far from Zagreb, and is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys wine travel. Don't expect large wine castles here, but rather small-scale family businesses, vineyards, and tastings where the winemakers themselves tell their story.

Plešivica is best known for sparkling wines, but you can also taste Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and orange wine there. Because many producers work on a small scale, the wines are often difficult to find outside Croatia. That makes a tasting here extra enjoyable: you really get a taste of the region.

A road trip through Zagreb County is not complete without a long lunch among the vineyards. Restaurant Ivančić is a place we highly recommend. From the terrace, you look out over the hills and vineyards of Plešivica, while traditional regional dishes appear on the table.

| TIP: Read our extensive article about the wine region in Croatia here and discover the best wineries for a stop along the Plešivica Wine Road >>

Plešivica Wine Road © Your Little Black Book

Rastoke: the village where water flows everywhere

Rastoke is a small village near Slunj and is known for the waterfalls, wooden bridges, and historic watermills that wind their way between the houses. It feels as if the village was built around the water. Although Rastoke is often combined with a visit to Plitvice Lakes National Park, it is much more than just a stopover. Especially in the late afternoon, when most day-trippers have left, it is a lovely place to stroll around and take in the surroundings.

Rastoke © Your Little Black Book

staying overnight at Hotel Mirjana Rastoke

Do you want to stay longer? Then Hotel Mirjana Rastoke A good base for exploring the region. Various activities are organized from the hotel, such as kayaking on the Mrežnica River, and walks and bike rides through nature.

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Hotel Mirjana Rastoke © Your Little Black Book

Kayaking on the Mrežnica River

For an active outing near Rastoke, a kayak tour on the Mrežnica River is highly recommended. The tours are well-guided, making it a fun activity to do with children as well. Along the way, you paddle past small waterfalls, green banks, and places you cannot see from the shore. It is a fun way to get active while simultaneously discovering the surroundings from the water.

Mrežnica River © Your Little Black Book

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Naturally, Plitvice Lakes National Park cannot be missed during this road trip. This national park is not only the oldest but also the largest national park in Croatia. Scattered throughout the park are no fewer than 16 lakes connected by waterfalls, wooden walkways, and clear blue water that seems almost unreal. The unique color is created by a combination of minerals in the water and the way light is reflected; it appears so blue it looks almost artificial.

The park is divided into an Upper Lakes and Lower Lakes section. The twelve upper lakes lie in a landscape of dolomite rock, while the four lower lakes are situated between limestone cliffs. Here you will also find the highest waterfall in Croatia. Along the way, you alternate hiking with a boat trip across the lake or a ride on the panoramic train, allowing you to discover different parts of the park in a single visit. 

Book your ticket in advance, as you visit the park with a time slot and can choose from various walking routes. In total, there are four main routes ranging from approximately 3.500 to 18.000 steps. If you mainly want to see the highlights, you will be on your way for about two to three hours. If you are in the mood for a longer walk, you can easily spend a whole day here. That makes Plitvice, in our opinion, a great stop for both families and travelers who enjoy a longer hike.

Plitvice National Park © Your Little Black Book

Plitvice Holiday Resort

Are you looking for a special place to stay during this road trip? Then take a look at Plitvice Holiday ResortFrom sleeping in a bungalow or lake house by the water to large tipi tents and treehouses with glass roofs, allowing you to look at the stars from your bed. Traveling with a camper or caravan? Spacious camping pitches are also available.

The resort has a swimming pool, is located a short distance from Plitvice Lakes National Park, and is therefore a great place to explore the surrounding area. As far as we are concerned, this is not just a nice place for a summer vacation. Especially when the trees change color in autumn or there is a layer of snow in winter, it feels as if you have stepped right into a postcard.

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Plitvice Holiday Resort © Your Little Black Book

Velika Gorica: whiskey tasting at Brigljević Distillery

Before driving back to Zagreb, a visit to Brigljević Distillery is a nice way to end this road trip. While many distilleries stick to fixed recipes, here there is plenty of experimentation with new flavors, different types of wood, and aging techniques. During a tasting, you will learn more about the production process and taste how small adjustments to casks and ingredients result in completely different flavor profiles. The distillery is best known for its gin and exclusive whiskies. For the whiskies, they work with special casks and local ingredients, including apple and pear. The result is small productions made primarily for enthusiasts. You can only purchase the bottles during a tasting at the distillery or via their own webshop, which makes them extra special.

Would you like to end the day on a culinary note? Then reserve a table at Restaurant Mon Ami, where local products and dishes featuring Turopolje truffle take center stage. A delicious final stop before driving back to Zagreb or continuing on to the airport.

Brigljević Distillery © Your Little Black Book

How many days do you need for this road trip?

For this route through Zagreb County and the green interior of Croatia, I would set aside at least three full days. That way, you can combine Samobor, Žumberak, Plešivica, and Rastoke at a leisurely pace. If you also want to kayak on the Mrežnica River, extend to Plitvice, and finish in Velika Gorica, then four to five days is ideal.

The nice thing is that the distances are relatively manageable. You don't have to spend long travel days, giving you plenty of time along the way for lunches, tastings, walks, and spontaneous stops. 

Practical tips for a road trip through Zagreb County

If you fly to Zagreb, then rent a car directly at the airportThis way, you can easily drive on to Samobor or Plešivica without having to enter the city first. Especially if you want to visit multiple nature reserves, wineries, and smaller villages, a car is actually indispensable.

Rent a car here

Plan wine tastings in advance, especially outside the summer months. Many wineries operate by appointment and do not have fixed opening hours like you might know from more famous wine regions. Do you want to do multiple tastings in one day? Then arrange a driver, book a local tour, or stay overnight in the area.

Bring comfortable clothing and good shoes for Plitvice and the Mrežnica River. Even in summer, nature can feel different than the coast. And perhaps the best tip: don't plan your route too rigidly. Especially in this part of Croatia, it is often the unexpected stops that stick with you.

Plitvice National
Park © Your Little Black Book