Established by the Habsburgs in 1579, Karlovac is a historic riverside city in the heart of Croatia. Its Renaissance-style Old Town is designed in the shape of a six-pointed star and was originally known as “Karlstadt” (“Charles’ Town”) after its founder, Charles II Francis of Austria.
Things to do in Karlovac
Stroll through the historic heart of Karlovac and along the defensive moats that were constructed in the 16th century to keep the Ottomans at bay. Admire the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas and the Church of the Most Holy Trinity with its beautiful Baroque belfry. Also within the Old Town is the Karlovac City Museum, which explores the area’s natural and cultural history.
You can learn about the life and legacy of one of the world’s greatest inventors at the Nikola Tesla Experience Center, which is located near the school he graduated from 150 years ago. It features state-of-the-art exhibits and interactive displays detailing Tesla’s most innovative inventions, as well as multimedia presentations explaining the impact he had on modern technology.
On the bank of the Korana River is Foginovo Beach, where you can refresh with a swim in the summer months. Kids can splash around in the shallows while those who are feeling brave can launch themselves into the water from the diving tower. Directly across the water is Aquatika, which showcases native species from Croatia’s rivers and lakes in its aquariums.
Getting around Karlovac
Karlovac is around 45 minutes’ drive from the centre of Zagreb and 40 minutes from Franjo Tuđman Airport Zagreb, which has flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Regular trains connect to the Karlovac and Karlovac Center railway stations while buses also travel through the city. Karlovac’s Old Town is best explored on foot.