Trsat Castle and Opatija Day Trip from Zagreb

Visit: Budget Transfer Croatia, Zagreb 10000 Croatia

The Trsat Castle represents a strategically embossed lookout on a hill 138 meters above sea level dominating Rijeka. It was mentioned as a parochial centre for the first time in 1288. At this same site there was a Liburnian observation post from prehistoric times, used for monitoring the roads leading from the hinterland to the coast. This location served well to the Romans to establish their defence system, the so-called Liburnian limes, whose starting point was the Tarsatica fortress town – which was situated at the site of today's Old City of Rijeka.

It was the Frankopan dynasty based in Krk who fortified and enlarged the castle as it gave them a vantage point to protect their holdings. Trsat belonged to the Frankopans from the 13th through the 15th century and it then fell under Hapsburg rule. After the castle was damaged by an earthquake in 1750, Austrian field-marshal Laval Nugent bought the ruins and restored it.

Opatija-the cradle of Croatian tourism and of particular elegance, located in the Kvarner bay, in the foothills of the mountain Učka (1.401 m).

Opatija, with its tradition and appearance, stands out from other tourist towns because of her very colorful history and is also known under different names, such as "Old dame", "Pearl of the Adriatic" or "Queen of Tourism". Opatija is a great choice either during the summer or winter time. Beautiful nature, parks, old villas, promenades and beaches attract, for over 170 years, tourists from all over the world. It is known for fancy hotels, well-tended parks and unique promenade called "Lungomare".