Croatia is one of the countries that has experienced the biggest boom in tourism in recent years. Most tourism is concentrated around the coast, from Dubrovnik to Zadar. However, a large part of the country remains unexplored by many visitors. In this article, we explain how to explore the best spots in mainland Croatia, its history and the most outstanding landscapes.
What is mainland Croatia?
Before we go into more detail about where you should visit if you travel to this area, let's explain what we mean when we say mainland Croatia, its history and landscapes. Mainland Croatia refers to the inland part of the country, which borders Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In other words, the easternmost region of Croatia and, also, the flattest. And, due to its proximity to other European countries, it maintains some of the most traditional customs.
Mainland Croatia: history and landscapes not to be missed
Now, let's dive into the most worthwhile tourist spots if you are travelling to mainland Croatia. To get around comfortably, the best thing to do is rent a car in Zagreb, the capital city. From there, these are the places that will allow you to get to know mainland Croatia in depth.
Varaždin
The first stop on our route is Varaždin, former capital city and now known as the Baroque Capital of Croatia. This nickname offers a glimpse into the Rococo and aristocratic style of many of the city's buildings. In fact, some people call this city "Little Vienna".
On the way to Varaždin, you can take a detour to visit Trakoscan Castle, near the Slovenian border. Built in the 13th century, today it is one of the most visited corners of this area due to its imposing beauty.
Tour along the Drava River
From the above city, one of the most beautiful routes you can take is to travel along the Drava River, which acts as a natural border between Croatia, Slovenia and Hungary. This involves a trip through the Slavonia region, which covers the entire northeastern part of Croatia. The area bordering the river is also known as 'the breadbasket of Croatia', due to the intensity of grain cultivation that takes place there.
Osijek
After Zagreb, Osijek is the largest city in mainland Croatia. Among the main tourist attractions, you will find the Printing House, Osijek Cathedral (although known as such, it is not a cathedral, but a church), the Croatian National Theatre and the zoological garden.
In addition, if you rent a car in Zagreb you can tour the Kopa Ki rit Nature Park, home to one of the largest natural wetlands in Europe.
Vukovar
Near Osijek lies the town of Vukovar, Croatia's biggest river port. However, the main reason why tourists visit this city is its historical importance, as it was one of the places where the most deaths were recorded during the Croatian War of Independence. In fact, it was here that the event known as as the 'Vukovar massacre' took place.
Zagreb
The Croatian capital is also the largest city in mainland Croatia. The heart of Zagreb is in Gornji Grad, literally 'upper town', as this is where the main buildings are concentrated as it was the central hub in medieval times. And, if you're looking for one of the best views of Zagreb at sunset, you can climb the Lotrščak Tower, which you can reach via the funicular.
In addition, you can visit the gothic Zagreb Cathedral and take a walk through the Dolac Market, which best represents the local gastronomy. In fact, if you do go, you will see that the people of Zagreb come to this market to do their shopping.
Finally, if you want more green areas, we recommend Maksimir Park or Ribnjak Park, two of the largest in the capital. And, as an interesting touch, you can visit the Museum of Broken Relationships.
Getting around mainland Croatia
Exploring mainland Croatia requires relatively long distances between stops, which means the best choice is to rent a car in Croatia with OK Mobility. By doing so, you will have total freedom to take detours and stop in the most charming villages in the region of Slavonia.
At OK Mobility we provide you with the car that best suits your needs so you can enjoy the path less travelled in Croatia, but that is still sure to surprise you.
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