As Croatia became the 28th member of the European Union last month, the former Yugoslavian state is desperate to show it has more to offer holidaymakers than a coastline of idyllic islands and beaches.

After shaking off the shackles of a somewhat tumultuous history, the country is proud to finally have its own identity, complete with currency (the Kuna) and language – Croatian only became the official language in 1850 and reforms to ‘purify’ it to one common variety have taken place as recently as 1991.

As such, joining the EU fold has been greeted with mixed opinions by locals, many fearing some of this hard-fought independence could be lost.

However, what is universally agreed across the Balkan state is that tourists are very welcome. And they want more.

The lure of the glistening Adriatic coast pulls the majority of tourists to Croatia’s coastal cities Dubrovnik, Split, Hvar and their surrounding islands.

This coastline’s regular appearances on the hit HBO television series Game of Thrones have only served to ensure tourists flood south like a landslide.

There are hidden gems to be found north of the inland capital Zagreb.

The Zargorje region offers a goldmine of medieval castles, informative museums, relaxing spas and bountiful vineyards on lush rolling hillsides.

For city folk, this playground offers welcome respite, with enough to entertain the whole family.

Trakoscan Castle, Zadreb

The tourist board now hope the allure of the picturesque landscape, flooded with history and culture will deflect some of influx of tourists away from the Adriatic.

Just 45 minutes drive north of Zagreb is the heart of Croatian Zargorje, where scarf-headed women with olive skin toil in sun-drenched vegetable plots, below hilltops covered in ranks of grapevine.

Krapina is one of the larger towns north of the capital, on the main highway north towards Slovenia and home to the brilliant Neanderthal Museum.

Built on the site where Neanderthal remains were uncovered by paleontologist Dragutin Kramberger, the museum opened in 2010 and swiftly became the most visited in the region, with some 400,000 passing through its doors. It is easy to see why; the displays are fun, informative and interactive with ‘hyper-real’ Neanderthal models.

A short drive west is Veliki Tabor castle, one of two prominent fortresses in the region.

The imposing 15th century building is currently under renovation, but houses a museum of its history, complete with intriguing folklore, as well as a stunning southwards vista.

It also hosts a popular film festival within the courtyard each summer, now in its 11th year.

Lepoglava lies north-east of Krapina, a pretty village founded by monks 400 years ago.

 The brothers started the lace industry for which the town is now world famous.

Their skills were passed on to the peasant women of the town whose Baroque designs are typical of the region.

The craft is performed by so few today it is on the Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage list, along with other skills typical of the region, such as gingerbread and candle-making.

Further north of Lepoglava is the Trakoscan Castle, perhaps the most picture perfect castle in the country.

With a hilltop perch overlooking a pretty lake and grounds, the stunning 13th century building also offers full tour, with audio guide for non-nationals, featuring an impressive array of armour, weapons, furniture and the history of the site.

The city of Varazdin is one of the largest settlements in the Croatian Zargorje and 50 miles north of Zagreb.

Despite its modern suburbs at its heart is a historic centre that is achingly pretty.

Fountains and leafy green gardens give way to cobbled narrow streets buzzing with locals on bikes and lined with buildings of Gothic and baroque architecture.

When its time for a rest, the Terme Tuhelj spa offers all you could want, from hosting corporate events and family breaks to offering a late-night swimming option for younger people, with poolside cocktails available into the early hours while DJs play the latest hits.

The plush four-star hotel spa is in Tuhelj, between Krapina and Zagreb. The 264-room resort is slick, staff are helpful and the rooms are high calibre. For water fiends there is all you could want, with five million litres of water in its sprawling indoor and outdoor pools, all heated to a cosy 33C by a natural thermal spring.

Well-being and water activities galore welcome visitors to the Terme Tuhelj spa

Waterslides offer thrills for the youngsters and hot-tub bubbles, muscle-thumping water jets, along with saunas, steam rooms and massages, ensure relaxing is as key as having fun. A fitness centre, tennis courts, mini-golf, football pitches and restaurants, including one in the site’s castle, ensure there is as little or as much to do as you desire.

South of the capital the sun-facing hills sides are known for producing excellent wines. Thirty minutes from the city is the family-run Korak vineyard. From humble beginnings the small business now ships out some 40,000 bottles per year and continues to grow. The Koraks – like most wineries of the region– produce a range of wines with highlights including a crisp, dry sauvignon blanc and a dazzling pinot noir.

A quarter of Croatia’s population lives in greater Zagreb, with 700,000 dwelling in the city centre. The streets of the mid-19th century lower town bustle with trams and bikes and respite from the bustle is offered by car-less streets and a horseshoe of green spaces, including the botanic gardens, with its terrapin pond and fountains.

The upper town boasts the impressive cathedral, though one of its spires has been under renovation as long as many locals can remember. The patriotically tiled roof of St Mark’s Church is a must-see and a Saturday morning essential is coffee on the cafe-lined Tkalciceva where locals dress up to watch the world go by and be watched by the world.

Places to eat:

  • Pod Grickim Topom – a popular, cosy restaurant overlooking the rooftops of lower town Zagreb.
  • Majsecov Mlin – in the village of Donja Stubica offers traditional Croat cuisine in a countryside setting.
  • Palatin restaurant in Varazdin is a stylish, modern venue offering a wide range of traditional fare.

Places to see:

  • Peasants’ Revolt Museum within Orsic Castle.
  • The Neanderthal Musuem, Krapina.
  • Veliki Tabor Castle.
  • The Old Village Kumrovec Museum, Kumrovec.
  • Trakoscan Castle, Trakoscan
  • The Museum of Lepoglava.
  • The Museum of Broken Relationships, Zagreb.
  • The Samobor Museum.

Travel facts:

  • Russell travelled to Croatia courtesy of The Croatian National Tourist Office.
  • Flights from London Gatwick to Zagreb cost from £32.99 one-way with easyJet. For more information or to book visit www.easyjet.com/en
  • Accommodation at Terme Tuhelj Hotel costs from £140 per night based on two people sharing a classic double room with breakfast.
  • A stay at the Hotel Turist, Varaždin, costs from £53 per night based on two people sharing a standard double room with breakfast.
  • Staying at the Palace Hotel in Zagreb, costs from £85 per night based on two people sharing a double room with breakfast.
  • For more information on visiting Croatia, check www.croatia.hr and for more information on Zagreb, visit www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr.