Grabovača: A cave park in Croatia like no other in Europe

by croatiaweek
June 20, 2025
in Travel

(Photo: Lucijan Španić)

Looking for a unique stop while exploring Croatia? Just outside the small town of Perušić in Lika lies Cave Park Grabovača—the only cave park in Croatia and one of a kind in all of Europe.

Just a short detour off the Zagreb–Split motorway (exit Perušić), Cave Park Grabovača offers a combination of underground magic, rich biodiversity, and family-friendly activities.

It’s easily accessible, only 2.5 km from Perušić centre.

Cave Samograd

At the heart of the park is Špilja Samograd (Cave Samograd), its most famous cave and one of the first in Croatia to be developed for tourism.

(Photo: Lucijan Španić)

Open to visitors since the 19th century, Samograd was even mapped back in 1911—the earliest known cave tourism blueprint in the country.

With a cathedral-like entrance and hand-carved steps in the dripstone, Samograd Cave will impress you immediately.

(Photo: Lucijan Španić)

This vast underground chamber stretches over 345 metres in length, with an awe-inspiring 30-metre ceiling.

(Photo: Lucijan Španić)

Inside, the temperature remains a cool 8°C year-round, so bring layers and sturdy shoes. You’ll walk among naturally sculpted stalactites and stalagmites, some so perfectly formed they seem almost hand-carved.

One of the real benefits of the caves is the clean air, which is free of allergens and pathogens, free of ozone and with a high concentration of ions. Thanks to this, a natural effect similar to that of a salt room, is created in the cave.

(Photo: Lucijan Španić)

A guided tour is included with the standard €14 adult entry, offering interesting stories of the cave’s history, geology, and its long-standing popularity—even 19th-century Austrian officers left their mark here back in 1835.

(Photo: Lucijan Španić)

Cave Park Grabovača

Beyond Samograd, Cave Park Grabovača is ideal for families and nature lovers. More than 40 caves are dotted across the protected landscape, many still unexplored.

The park also features walking and educational trails, including one named “Man and Karst” that introduces you to the unique plant and animal species thriving in this rugged terrain.

(Photo: Lucijan Španić)

(Photo: Lucijan Španić)

(Photo: Lucijan Španić)

The trail culminates at a breathtaking viewpoint, offering stunning vistas of the Velebit slopes, the Lika River, and the lush green hills and valleys.

(Photo: Lucijan Španić)

At the park there is also a sensory ‘little herbal’ garden, children’s playgrounds, and even a hobbit-style house with a “Middle-earth” map, hidden plant books, and stories of elves and fairies.