Veternica Cave is the oldest Zagreb archaeological site. That is to say, within its dark caverns it keeps the secrets of past life. From the Neanderthal, Romans and medieval robbers to contemporary adventurers.

TIP: THE CAVE IS EXPLORED SINCE 1950 AND NEW CAVERNS ARE STILL DISCOVERED. VISITS ARE ALLOWED ONLY WITH EXPERT GUIDANCE. INTERNATIONAL BAT’S NIGHT TAKES PLACE ON LAST SATURDAY IN AUGUST.

Veternica Cave with its 7 kilometres of canals is the sixth largest cave in Croatia. Although this may be true, only the first 380 metres are open to visitors.

Not only is the cave the sixth largest in Croatia. With its more than seven kilometres of branching canals. But it is still unexplored and growing as speleologists discover new caverns.

Besides the cave bear, other long-extinct animals left their traces within the Cave. For example cave lions, leopards, cave hyenas, rhinoceros, wild cattle and giant deer’s.

You will get to see:

• Oval erosion forms made by water vortexes
• Sand dunes
• Cave bear jaw
• Fossil mud
• The Stone Waterfall
• The Wishing Well in the Concert Hall
• The fossils of ancient shells and sea urchins
• And more.

At the present time, the lords of Veternica are bats. 18 species are found and recorded until now, out of which 12 of them permanently hibernate in Veternica.

The Cave is closed during winter in order to protect the bats during hibernation.

Veternica Bat Night

International Bat’s Night takes place on last Saturday in August. There are amusing workshops at the mountain lodge Glavica or visit their cave home, the Veternica Cave.

Veternica Cave opening hours

From April until the end of October

Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 10:00 – 16:00

Last entry at 3:10 PM.

Closed on weekdays, Easter and in case of really bad weather.

Veternica Cave ticket prices

Adults – 40 HRK

Students and Seniors (65+) – 25 HRK

Children – 20 HRK

Family ticket – 70 HRK

The visit is only possible with licensed park guide (included in the price).

What can you see and do at the Veternica Cave?

Explore Medvednica’s dark and chilly underground. The visit to Veternica takes 45 to 60 minutes.

The temperature within the Cave is about 10C throughout the year. Therefore, carry warm layered clothing even during warm seasons. The approach is possible only by hiking trails and there are also muddy patches in the cave so wear appropriate shoes.

The entry is not recommended to persons suffering from claustrophobia.

Close by you can find Mountain lodge Glavica.

Open from Tuesday till Friday from 12 AM till 6 PM.

Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM till 8 PM.

Do not miss out Veternica Cave if you are in Zagreb on the last Saturday in August. Get to know Florijan the Bat and have fun!

How to get to Veternica Cave?

From the Mountain lodge Glavica, it takes roughly 5 minutes walk downhill, hiking trail no. 3.

Public transportation

You can take the bus no. 124 from Črnomerec to Gornji Stenjevec (about 15 minutes). Once you get off, walk by the Dubravica stream uphill to Veternica for about 20 minutes on hiking trail no. 3.

Parking

You can come by car. Come from the Bologna Avenue and turn north to Gajnice (by the gas station) in the Dubravica Street. Continue on the Zelena magistrala until the end of the road.

Here you can park your car.

From there continue on hiking trail no. 8 or 1M from Ponikve to the Mountain lodge Glavica. It is an easy 15-minute walk through the woods. From Glavica you have some 5 minutes downhill on the trail no. 3 to the Veternica Cave.

Taxi or UBER is always an option.

• Eko Taxi, tel:+3851 1414 (charge 2,49 kn/call) or download app [Apple], [Google],
• Taxi Cammeo, tel:+3851 1212 (charge 2,50 kn/call) or download app [Apple], [Google],
• Radio Taxi, tel:+3851 1717 (charge 2,50 kn/call) or download app [Apple], [Google],
• UBER, Get UBER or download app [Apple], [Google], [Microsoft]

Photos by Nature Park Medvednica