Things to do in Karlovac, inland Croatia

Croatia is a family destination par excellence. As someone who loves this country, I thoroughly enjoy discovering the spots that remain hidden from most holidaymakers.

Karlovac is just such an unfamiliar town that deserves to be put in the spotlight. The town lies just 50 kilometres from the capital, Zagreb. Thanks to its excellent accessibility at a crossroads of routes, this destination is eminently suitable for a short stop on the way to the coast, but it's also well worth spending a complete luxury glamping holiday here. And for those who'd rather not spend their well-earned sunny hours in the car: an affordable flight to Zagreb is easily booked.

The town of four rivers

Karlovac, located in the Croatian county of the same name near the border with Slovenia, may not be a holiday destination that immediately comes to mind. Fortunately so, because it's precisely for this reason that the town hasn't yet been overrun by tourists. The town centre buzzes with hip cafés such as Papa's Bar, local shops and atmospheric restaurants with live music and views over the rivers. Those rivers are important to Karlovac. No fewer than four rivers converge here (the Korana, Kupa, Mrežnica and Dobra). Besides stunning green natural beauty, this results in a setting where there's ample opportunity for fishing, boating and swimming, and where adventurers can raft and canoe to their heart's content.

"Thanks to its central location, it's a perfect base for another absolute must-see: Plitvice Lakes National Park."

Photo: Marin Stanišić via Google Maps

Photo: Ivica Lengelić via Google Maps

Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Tesla Delacroix, CC BY-SA 4.0

Karlovac as the perfect base for a visit to Plitvice Lakes

Thanks to its central location, Karlovac is the ideal base for a day trip to another absolute must-see: Plitvice Lakes National Park. Sixteen turquoise lakes and more than ninety waterfalls form the backdrop to a number of beautiful walking routes that will leave a lasting impression. The area is home to deer, wild boar, wolves, bears, badgers and lynx, but you'll also find more than 140 bird species here. So don't forget to pack your binoculars! The national park has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1979, and not without reason. From Karlovac it's just under a two-hour drive to this bucket-list spot.

Comfortable, luxury camping

I personally selected Camping Heart of Nature as a pleasant small campsite for anyone wanting to explore Karlovac and its surroundings. Here you stay in the Desert Lodge XL with a private bathroom. Both glamping lodges offer the ultimate camping feeling combined with the comfort of a luxury holiday for the whole family. So after a day of exploring, you can enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee on your own terrace. And at night? You'll drift off, tired and contented, in a heavenly bed, with the natural sounds of the Croatian landscape in the background.