Samobor

That Samobor has been one of the capital's top weekend haunts since before the turn of the 20th century without really being on the way to anything else in Croatia testifies to its abounding cultural and natural charms. Close to the Slovenian border, this picturesque medieval town on the eastern slopes of the lushly forested Samoborsko Gorje was chartered by the Hungarian-Croatian king Bela IV in 1242. The town and environs are popular with hikers, with trails leading into the hillside right from the center of town. Perched there, a 30-minute walk from town—and visible in all its sublimity from the main square—are the ruins of a 13th-century castle. And what would a visit to Samobor be without a stroll along Gradna, the peaceful stream that runs through town?