City in Lika & Karlovac
Karlovac
- Best time to go
- May, June, July, Aug, Sept
- Part of
- Lika & Karlovac
Karlovac is a river city where four rivers meet: the Kupa, Korana, Mrežnica and Dobra.
It was founded in 1579 as a star-shaped fortress on the military frontier against the Ottomans, and the outline of the six-pointed star still shapes its old town. In summer locals swim in the rivers right in town. It is an easy stop between Zagreb and the coast, and a good base for Rastoke and Plitvice.
Things to do
Don't miss in Karlovac
- Walk the Zvijezda, the old town laid out inside the star-shaped fortress, and look for the outline of its ramparts and moats.
- Swim at Foginovo, the river beach on the Korana in the city.
- Visit Aquatika, the freshwater aquarium on the Korana, which shows the fish of Croatia's rivers and lakes.
- Climb up to Dubovac Castle on its hill for a view over the city and the rivers.
- Visit the open-air Homeland War Museum at Turanj, on the former front line on the edge of the city.
- Swim below the travertine waterfalls of the Mrežnica, a short drive south of the city.
- Try a Karlovačko beer in the city where it has been brewed for well over a century.
Where to stay
Pick your neighbourhood
Zvijezda (old town)
visitors without a car who want the historic centre, cafés and parks within the star-shaped fortress
By the Korana
summer visitors who want to walk to the river beach and the aquarium
Dubovac
those who want quieter streets on the hill by the castle, with views over the city
Along the Mrežnica
families and nature lovers who want a riverside house with swimming from the garden, a short drive out
Tours and getting around
Day trips from Karlovac
From Karlovac you can go rafting and canoeing on the Mrežnica, Korana and Kupa, and it makes an easy base for day trips to Rastoke and Plitvice Lakes. Zagreb is under an hour away for a city day, and the Žumberak hills to the north are good for walking and cycling.
You can see the city on foot, and cycling is easy on the flat streets along the rivers. Rent a car if you want to explore the Mrežnica waterfalls, Rastoke and Plitvice. Canoes and kayaks are available on the rivers in summer.
Getting there
How to get to Karlovac
Karlovac is about 50 km south-west of Zagreb, around 45 minutes by car on the A1 motorway, and Zagreb Airport is the nearest. It sits where the A1 towards Split and the A6 towards Rijeka split, and the D1 road heads south from here to Slunj and Plitvice Lakes. Trains and buses run often between Zagreb and Karlovac, and the station is a short walk from the centre. Parking in the centre is easy compared with the coast.