Sanatorij Brestovac

Sanatorij Brestovac is an abandoned place, a ruin frozen mid collapse. Fascinating and photogenic, but go carefully and with respect.

What to know

Sanatorij Brestovac stands in Central Croatia, one of the six regions that make up the Croatia most visitors fall for. From the Adriatic shore to the karst mountains and the quiet inland valleys, this part of the country gives you something worth the detour.

Ruins are unstable. Do not climb on structures, watch for loose masonry and never go in alone. Many of these places are sites of difficult history, so move quietly and take nothing.

Practical info

• Entry: look up the current price and opening hours before you go. Both change through the year, and a few spots close completely out of season.
• How to get there: Use the map above for directions. Town parking is usually paid and signposted, watch for the blue P zones, and allow extra time if a ferry is part of your route.

When to go

Sanatorij Brestovac rewards a visit between May and October. The sweet spot is June or September, when the water is warm and the crowds thinner than in July and August. Come in winter and you find a quieter, cheaper country, at its most likeable inland.

Photograph by John covers Croatia honestly. Every spot here is real, mapped and free to read. If this guide helped, pass it on to someone planning a trip.