A Scenic Journey Through Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes, Split, and Dubrovnik

In recent years, we have made it a tradition to include a short European stopover on our trips between the U.S. and India. Last year, our journey led us to Croatia.

Arrival in Europe – Frankfurt to Zagreb

We landed in Frankfurt on August 26 and soon continued onward to Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia.

Day 1 – Exploring Zagreb

Upper Town (Gornji Grad)

The historic Upper Town is one of the most picturesque parts of Zagreb, with cobblestone streets and colorful buildings. Walking through the narrow lanes felt like stepping into history.

Stone Gate

The Stone Gate is one of Zagreb’s most important historical landmarks. Originally built as part of the medieval city gates, it now houses a small shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Locals and visitors often stop here quietly for prayer and reflection, creating a peaceful spiritual atmosphere.

St. Mark’s Church

One of Zagreb’s most recognizable landmarks, St. Mark’s Church is famous for its beautifully tiled roof. Although the church was closed during our visit, the exterior itself was stunning and became one of the highlights of the city walk.

Zagreb Cathedral

The iconic cathedral towers dominate Zagreb’s skyline. Even though parts of the cathedral were undergoing restoration work after earthquake damage, it still remained an impressive sight and an important symbol of the city.

Ban Jelačić Square

The heart of Zagreb, Ban Jelačić Square is always full of life. Surrounded by shops, cafés, and historic buildings, the square serves as the city’s central meeting point. We enjoyed simply strolling around the square.

Dolac Market

Located near the main square, Dolac Market is Zagreb’s famous open-air market known for its fresh produce, local cheese, fruits, vegetables, and traditional Croatian items. The rows of red umbrellas added vibrant color and energy to the market atmosphere.

Zrinjevac Park

Zrinjevac Park offered a peaceful break from sightseeing. Beautiful trees, fountains, landscaped gardens, and elegant walkways made it a relaxing place to stroll and unwind during the evening.

Day 2 – Plitvice Lakes National Park and Split

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Our next destination was the breathtaking Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of Croatia’s most famous natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The park is renowned for its series of cascading waterfalls, turquoise lakes, wooden walkways, and lush forests. There is a separate post about our visit to this national park.

After exploring the park, we continued our journey and reached the coastal city of Split by evening.

Day 3 – Discovering Split

Diocletian’s Palace

The historic heart of Split revolves around Diocletian’s Palace, a massive Roman-era complex built for Emperor Diocletian in the 4th century. Today, the palace is not just a historical monument but a living part of the city filled with shops, cafés, restaurants, and homes.

Walking through the ancient stone streets and narrow alleys gave us a glimpse into Croatia’s rich Roman history.

Church of St. Martin

The tiny Church of St. Martin, located within the palace walls, is considered one of the smallest churches in the city. Despite its size, it carries centuries of history and adds to the charm of Split’s old town.

Riva Promenade

The Riva waterfront promenade is one of the liveliest places in Split. Lined with palm trees, cafés, and beautiful views of the Adriatic Sea, it is a perfect place for an evening walk. The relaxed coastal vibe made this area especially enjoyable.

Split Beaches

We also spent some time near Bačvice Beach, the most famous beach in Split, known for its sandy shoreline and shallow waters.

Later that day, we boarded a bus to Dubrovnik.

Day 4 – Dubrovnik in the Rain

Dubrovnik welcomed us with rainy weather, but the charm of the city still shone through.

Dubrovnik Old Town

Often called the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” Dubrovnik’s Old Town is filled with historic stone streets, medieval walls, churches, and beautiful plazas. Even under cloudy skies and rain, the city looked stunning.

Walking through the polished limestone streets, surrounded by centuries-old architecture, felt like entering a movie set. Fans of the TV series Game of Thrones would instantly recognize several filming locations around the city.

Later that evening, we flew back to Frankfurt for our onward journey to India.

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Although this was a relatively short trip, Croatia left a lasting impression on us with its mix of natural beauty, medieval towns, Roman history, coastal scenery, and vibrant culture.