Nestled in the mountains of central Croatia, Slunj is a historic town located along the north-south route between Karlovac and Plitvice Lakes National Park. It was established around a fortification first mentioned in the 12th century and was rebuilt following the Ottoman wars. Today, Slunj is renowned for its beautifully preserved corn mills and scenic waterfalls.

Things to do

One of the most atmospheric parts of Slunj is the village of Rastoke, which centres around several watermills that were built at the junction of the Slunjčica and Korana rivers. Many of the buildings date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries and picturesque waterfalls tumble along the village’s waterways. There’s a popular riverside swimming area nearby where you can cool off in the summer months.

A walking trail leads south from Rastoke along the Slunjčica River, taking in a children’s playground and sporting ground along the way. On the way back, you can stop by the beautiful Katolička Crkva Presvetog Trojstva and the ruins of Stari Grad Slunj, a fortification built by the Frankopans to defend the region against the Turks.

West of Slunj lies the Mrežnice River, which stretches for 63 kilometres between Kordun and the Korana River near Karlovac. More than 90 waterfalls cascade along its route and are best viewed from one of the numerous hiking trails that meander through the area. A highlight is the Izvor Rijeke Mrežnice observation point at the river’s southern source.

Getting around

Slunj is around 45 minutes’ drive from Karlovac and around two hours from Rijeka International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Having your own vehicle is the most convenient way of accessing Slunj and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.