Visit Karlovac, Croatia: Things to Do & Travel Tips

Karlovac is a relaxed city in central Croatia, known for its rivers, parks, star-shaped fortress layout and Karlovačko beer. We visited three times and found it a good place for riverside walks, swimming, museums, Dubovac Castle, and a cheaper stay than in Zagreb or on the coast.

Karlovac is also home to Karlovačko beer, one of Croatia’s best-known beers. For sightseeing, the main appeal is a mix of riverside walks, parks, museums, Dubovac Castle and swimming spots rather than big-name blockbuster attractions.

History of Karlovac in Croatia

Karlovac was a creation of the Austrians and their dominant empire. It was built in 1579 to strengthen their southern defences against the Ottomans. The city-fortress was a part of the deal between the Protestants and the Archduke Charles II of Austria. In exchange for their religious freedom, the Austrian nobility agreed to finance the building of a new fortress and Renaissance town.

This was a six-pointed star fortress built near the old town of Dubovac, where the Kupa and Korana rivers meet. Visitors can see the star shape; however, it is mostly parkland now. It was originally called Karlstadt, which means ‘Charles’s town’ in German.

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Things to Do in Karlovac

There are regional tour options on the GetYourGuide website.

Dubovac Castle

Overlooking the area is Dubovac Castle, a 45-minute walk from the centre. A scenic route is along the river with a break at Restoran Kvaka. Part of the walk to the castle is uphill, via the beautiful Crkva Majka Božja.

You can visit the exterior and some parts of the inside. The views from the tower are nice, including towards the countryside and the church down the hill. To enter the castle, there is a small fee. The entry fee included a mooch around a gallery of photographs and art, the topic being Karlovac County. There is a bar and restaurant in the castle’s courtyard serving traditional food and local drinks.

Promenada

One of the more vibrant areas is Promenada, a place to hang out or go for a dog walk. Promenada runs alongside part of the old star-shaped fortress. The fortress moat makes for an excellent stretch of parkland with lots of greenery.

The main walkway is tree-lined, so cool and shady in the summer. There are bars along the promenade.

There are some decorative features, including the Karlovac chair, a frog statue, a weather station and a bandstand.

Korana River Walk and Swimming

The Korana River is a scenic place for a walk or wild swimming. The area along the riverbank is an extensive park with a few bars and restaurants.

There are walking paths on either side of the river, including a crossing of the iconic wooden bridge. They have bike stations for fixing cycles, and the area is on a few marked cycling routes.

On the city side of the river are a few small beaches where visitors can dip their feet in the water or go for a swim. Many people swim near the weir on the Korana River, which is a picturesque spot in the summer.

Also, in the area is Foginovo kupalište, the most popular area for swimmers and people enjoying the water. There is a changing area, benches to sit on and a bar here. In the water are some fun floaty devices. There is a diving board into the river, which most people seem to chicken out of after seeing how high it is.

The water is clear, and in July, during my visit, it was pleasant to stay in the water for an extended time. While swimming in the river, you may see lots of little fish and other wildlife too, including otters. During the warmer months, there is a lifeguard.

Karlovac City Museum

Karlovac City Museum, or Gradski muzej Karlovac, has exhibits including art, the War of Independence, fishing, agriculture, and the region’s traditional clothing. The artefacts were interesting; however, the descriptions were only in Croatian, so Google Translate came in handy.

Aquatika

Aquatika is an aquarium that features freshwater fish. The aquarium has various tanks to peruse and see the fish, many of which call the four local rivers home. There is information on each aquarium, available in English and Croatian.

The aquariums contain both smaller river fish and larger fish that call the rivers home, including impressive carp and catfish.

Muzej Domovinskog rata Karlovac – Turanj

The Homeland War Museum is a place to visit to learn about the Croatian War of Independence. It contains a memorial to those who lost their lives. The museum has some military exhibits inside, including uniforms, medals and stories from the war.

The outside area is full of military hardware that saw action in the Croatian War of Independence between 1991 and 1995. There are tanks, warplanes, and artillery. This includes a damaged MiG-21.

The museum is out of town and a bit of a trek through some countryside.

Churches of Trg bana Josipa Jelačića

There are a few churches in the centre to see in Trg bana Josipa Jelačića, the main town square. The square has a fountain in the middle, which is a good spot to view the churches.

St Nicholas Church is green and yellow and is also called Karlovac Cathedral, a Serbian Orthodox Church completed in 1787.

The other church in the square is the Baroque Church of the Most Holy Trinity. It was built at the same time as the fortress, and it is an important part of the town’s heritage. The church and a Franciscan monastery are part of the same complex. The Franciscan museum is also in the square.

Gradsko kazalište Zorin dom

Near the Pavilion is Gradsko kazalište Zorin dom, a performing arts centre. Gradsko kazalište Zorin dom dates back to 1892; before that, theatre here took place in local bars, cafes, and home stages. You can find out about performances at the theatre on their website.

Karlovačko Brewery

The town is famous for its beer, which is brewed at the local brewery. Sadly, there isn’t much to see here other than a few traditional barrels at the entrance.

Drveni Most: A River Bridge

Drveni Most, or the wooden bridge, is one of the more distinctive river crossings in Karlovac. The original wooden bridge was constructed between 1933 and 1935. However, it has been rebuilt a few times since then. The area near the bridge is beautiful, and there are wooden fishing boats moored up nearby.

Karlovac Market

If you like cheeses and cured meats, the market is the place to be. We purchased some hard and soft cheeses, including my favourite from the island of Pag. You can also purchase a range of local fruits and vegetables, as well as some butcher stalls.

Paviljon Katzler

At the end of Pavilion Park is Paviljon Katzler, an interesting handmade gift shop. Paviljon Katzler is a museum and a collection of local culture and history.

Colourful Buildings

Karlovac has some fascinating buildings in the centre, including colourful government buildings and grittier communist architecture.

Tourist Information Centre

The tourist information center is handy for learning about the region’s attractions and events. You can find out about available outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, and things to do on the local rivers. This includes kayak adventures. The tourist board has a website to help plan a visit to the county.

River Kupa

The River Kupa is also good for a walk and for seeing riverside countryside. It is a picturesque route to take to visit the castle. You will see lots of wildlife, including river birds. A restaurant called Kvaka overlooks the river. You can have a drink on its terrace during the day.

Crkva Majka Božja

On the same hill as the castle is Crkva Majka Božja, a church that makes for a great walk.

Franciscan Museum & Monastery

The Franciscan museum is in the centre of town, and the monastery has been there since the 17th century. The museum tells the story of the Franciscans in the area and has some religious artwork.

Dine Out

There are plenty of places to eat or drink in the city or in the local parks. You can choose from various cafes and local restaurants. Many bars are dog-friendly and have outdoor seating areas. We found dining out and beers to be much cheaper here than on the coast and in the capital.

Where To Stay In Karlovac

We found accommodation options to suit a variety of budgets. We stayed in two different holiday apartments during our visit. There are many accommodation options on the Booking.com website.

Apartman Anja

Between the station and the city centre is Apartman Anja. It had a comfortable bedroom and a good shower. The apartment had a big functional kitchen with all you need to cook while travelling. Apartman Anja has a big lounge. The host was helpful and made checking in easy.

Wellness Apartment Leon

We had a unique stay after choosing a week at the Wellness Apartment Leon. This is in a big tower block in the centre. It had a kitchen, a balcony, free Wi-Fi and a washing machine, so there was no launderette adventure. The accommodation was quirky, with massage chairs, fairy lights and a massive hot tub in the bedroom.

Getting to Karlovac

Karlovac has two train stations on one of the key railway lines through Croatia. Thus, it is straightforward to get there from Split, Rijeka, and Zagreb. Some coaches that crisscross the country also stop in Karlovac.

Is Karlovac Worth Visiting?

Karlovac is worth visiting if you enjoy quieter Croatian cities, riverside walks, swimming spots, parks, local museums and good-value food and drink. It doesn’t have the range of sights as Zagreb, Split, or Dubrovnik, but we enjoyed it as a relaxed stop with easy train access, lower prices, and plenty of green space. The Korana River, Dubovac Castle and Promenada were the highlights for us.