Zeljava Airbase: History and Adventure Tour

Lika-Senj County, Croatia



Explore the abandoned airbase with a local guide.Discover its Cold War history, walk through vast hangars, and hear stories of how rising tensions and war divided colleagues of different nationalities

This guided tour explores an abandoned WWII tunnel complex near an old Douglas C-47 Skytrain airplane, suitable for curious history enthusiasts.

Highlights

  • Complete exploration of the tunnels
  • Strong flashlights provided
  • Personal stories from former employees, including relationships and conflicts

Description

The tour begins in front of an abandoned Douglas C-47 Skytrain airplane, a rare piece of aviation history. Visitors can climb on and explore inside the aircraft.

Next, the group drives carefully across the extensive runways while imagining the experience of wartime pilots taking off. Along the way, you’ll notice a plane-shaped hole carved into a nearby hill.

Arriving at the tunnel entrance, the tour highlights safety procedures and basic information about the underground base. Equipped with strong flashlights, participants walk approximately 3 kilometers through dark tunnels.

The guide discusses the base’s construction, operational history, and eventual destruction. The narrative includes personal accounts from former staff, covering daily life, relationships, and conflicts within the base.

The tour concludes back at the airplane.

Includes

  • Strong flashlights

Excludes

  • Transfer to and from the site

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket; tunnels can be cool. Booking in advance is recommended, especially in peak tourist season.

Frequently Asked Questions

It's a guided exploration of an abandoned WWII tunnel complex near an old Douglas C-47 Skytrain airplane located in Croatia.
The tour starts in front of the abandoned Douglas C-47 Skytrain airplane on the Zeljava Airbase site in Croatia.
Yes, visitors can climb on and explore the interior of the Douglas C-47 Skytrain airplane during the tour.
Strong flashlights are provided to help visitors safely navigate the dark tunnel complex in Croatia.
Yes, the guide shares personal stories from former employees, including details about relationships and conflicts at the airbase.
The tour is best suited for curious history enthusiasts; check the website for any age restrictions or recommendations.
Zeljava Airbase is located near the border between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, accessible from the Croatian side.
Tour duration varies; check the official website for current schedules and time details.
Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for uneven surfaces; strong flashlights are provided for safety.
The group is driven carefully across the runways as part of the experience, simulating wartime pilot conditions.

Trusted local guides, read by millions every month

  • 2006 online since
  • 27.8M page views a month across the network
  • 14 languages

180+ destination guides, one network

Every guide covers a single destination on its own website, with events, restaurants, things to do and places to stay chosen from local recommendations.

My Guide Network Locations

Nearby Destinations

Add to your trip

Add your travel dates so we can place this on the right day, or save it for later.

Added to your trip Added to day {[{trip.toast.day}]}, MorningAfternoonEvening Saved to your trip Already in your trip Transfer saved to your trip Save your trip to get fresh suggestions Staying in {[{trip.toast.label}]} Base cleared Trip deleted Link copied Could not save your trip Something went wrong, please try again