Town in Central Croatia
Trakošćan
- Best time to go
- Apr, May, June, Sept, Oct
- Part of
- Central Croatia
Trakošćan is a white castle on a wooded hill above a quiet lake, and probably the most photographed castle in Croatia.
It began as a medieval fort and was rebuilt in a romantic neo-Gothic style in the 19th century by the Drašković family, who owned it for centuries. Inside are furnished rooms, family portraits and a collection of weapons. The forest and lake around it make it as good for a walk as for a museum visit.
Things to do
Don't miss in Trakošćan
- Tour the castle's furnished halls, with Drašković family portraits, period furniture and a weapons collection.
- Walk the path around Trakošćan lake, which takes about an hour and a half at an easy pace.
- Picnic in the castle park and woods, which are open to visitors throughout the day.
- Hike up Ravna gora, the forested ridge south of the castle, for views across Zagorje.
- See the Pauline monastery church in Lepoglava, a short drive away, and learn about its lace-making tradition.
- Visit Gaveznica-Kameni vrh near Lepoglava, the remains of an ancient volcano.
- Continue to Varaždin for an afternoon in its baroque old town.
Where to stay
Pick your neighbourhood
Guesthouses around the lake
walkers and couples who want to see the castle early and have the lakeside path almost to themselves
Varaždin
visitors who want a city base with restaurants and nightlife, about 40 minutes away
Zagorje spa towns
families who want thermal pools and hotels within an hour's drive of the castle
Tours and getting around
Day trips from Trakošćan
Day tours from Zagreb often combine Trakošćan with Varaždin, or with other Zagorje sights such as Veliki Tabor Castle and Kumrovec. Coming on your own lets you add the lake walk, which most tours skip.
You need a car to reach Trakošćan unless you come on a tour, as buses are few. Once there, everything is on foot. Cycling the Zagorje back roads is popular, but the hills are steep, so an e-bike helps.
Getting there
How to get to Trakošćan
Trakošćan is in the north-west of Zagorje, close to the Slovenian border. From Zagreb it takes about an hour and a quarter by car, either via the A2 towards Krapina or the A4 towards Varaždin, then on country roads. From Varaždin it is about 40 minutes. Public transport is limited, with only a few buses a day, so most people drive or come on a tour. There is a large car park below the castle.