Ropes, darkness, and real WWII concrete underground. I like this tour because you get pro abseiling instruction without needing prior experience, and you also tour the underground San Giovanni fortress (a 550-meter-long WWII space) with audio-visual surprises. My other favorite part is the way the route adapts to your comfort level, including the tougher Abseil Plus option on the cascading rock. The main drawback to plan around is that it’s cold underground (about 14–16°C) and you need proper footwear with non-slip soles.

In practice, this is an active, hands-on adventure run in a small group (max 8 people). You’ll descend natural rock, then move through high concrete rooms with special effects, and at the end you even get a glass of wine. Safety is built into the rhythm: gear check, technique practice, instructor demos, and backup during descents.

Quick reasons to choose Abseil Plus

• 550 meters underground in the San Giovanni WWII fortress, recently discovered and opened for visitors
• No experience required, with technique practice first on a horizontal surface
• Abseil Plus adds a harder third descent on the cascading rock inside the fortress
• Small group (8 max) with professional certified guides and backup during rappels
• Audio-visual effects and a projection show during the underground walk
• Optional bravery moment: turning off head torches and finding the way out in pitch darkness

San Giovanni Fortress: what you’re actually descending into

This is not just an action stop. You’re going underground into the World War II fortress San Giovanni, a space about 550 meters long. The fortress was left unfinished, so you see an unusual mix of architecture made by humans and what nature has done around it over time.

Until recently, this kind of bunker space was forgotten and hidden. Now it’s been brought back, prepared for visitors, and turned into a way to experience both the physical site and the atmosphere—without just standing in a corridor. The underground rooms are built in concrete, and the facility sits on two levels, which matters because it creates the extra rappel for the Abseil Plus version.

One practical thing: the temperature underground sits around 14–16°C. That’s cool even if the air above is warm, so plan clothing like you’re entering a chilled warehouse, not a cave-movie set.

If you like history but don’t want a passive lecture, this works well. The technical abseiling part gives you a reason to move, and the walking route gives you time to notice the space while you’re underground—again, including special effects along the way.

Gear briefing and safety: how the tour sets you up for success

This experience is built for beginners. Before anyone drops onto rope, you start with an intro to abseiling technique and a full rundown of the equipment. You’ll get certified gear that’s regularly checked, and you’ll move through a horizontal-surface exercise before any vertical descents.

That step matters. First-time abseilers often worry about getting tangled or doing something wrong. Here, you practice and watch a demonstration before you commit to the rope work. Then you descend with the help and backup of professional, licensed instructors—so you’re not out there improvising.

For the Abseil Plus tour, you also get a pathway to confidence. The route includes an additional, more demanding descent on the cascading rock inside the fortress. Since that rock can be uneven and slippery, the idea is gradual learning: you do the earlier descents first with instructor backup, so your technique and sense of security build before you tackle the tougher section.

In the small group setting, that attention feels real. In my notes from the experience, guides like Sara and Marko are specifically praised for explaining clearly and keeping things calm and safe while still making it fun.

Also, the tour language is English, and there’s insurance included, which is the kind of behind-the-scenes detail that makes an adventure feel less risky.

The Abseil Plus route: from vertical rock to the cascading rappel

Your day runs about 150 minutes total, and the flow is pretty simple: instruction, gear, practice, then the underground movement and multiple descents.

Here’s what you can expect in sequence for the Abseil Plus version:

1) Technique and equipment time

You’ll learn the basics, get fitted with the equipment provided, and do a controlled exercise on a flat surface. You’ll also get a descent demonstration.

2) First vertical descent on natural rock

Then you abseil down a vertical natural rock. This is the point where the adrenaline hits, but it’s also where the instructor backup makes the difference. The tour is designed so beginners can do this without previous experience.

3) Into the high underground rooms with special effects

After the first descent, you enter the concrete underground rooms. The walkthrough includes special effects and a projection as you move through the fortress interior. Because the building has two levels, you don’t just descend once—you move through the space and then descend again later.

4) Second descent connected to the two-level design

You’ll take another abseil as part of moving through the site’s two-level structure. This keeps the route dynamic; you’re not repeating the same thing over and over.

5) Abseil Plus extra: the cascading rock inside the fortress

The defining feature of Abseil Plus is that additional rappel on the cascading rock. It’s described as uneven and slippery, which is why the tour recommends building technique confidence via earlier descents with backup. You can also prepare for that section by doing the first rappels first rather than jumping straight into the hardest part.

6) Optional simultaneous abseil in pairs

There’s also an option to try a simultaneous abseil in pairs. If you like sharing nerves (and maybe joking at the top before you go), this is a great way to make the tour feel more social without losing the safety structure.

7) You decide based on comfort

A key detail: you can decide on the spot which descent you want to execute based on your comfort level. That’s important. It means you’re not locked into the toughest option if your stomach says no.

Walking through the bunker’s darkness and the wine finish

The underground experience is staged, not random. After you’re equipped and have started descending, your walk through the fortress is accompanied by effects and audiovisual elements. Expect sound and projection-type surprises as you move through the concrete rooms.

Then comes the part that feels like it’s pulled straight from a movie—without being fake. For the bravest, there’s an extra challenge where you turn off your head torches and find your way out in pitch darkness. If darkness makes you nervous, don’t force it. The tour is not for everyone, and people with claustrophobia or epilepsy are advised against it.

At the exit, you’re transported back to the starting point in a comfortable air-conditioned van. That’s a small detail, but it matters after a chilled underground walk and rope work. Then you end with socializing and a glass of wine.

Wine isn’t just a nice touch here; it’s a good reality check. You’ve done something physical and technical. The wine tasting moment gives you a chance to decompress, swap stories, and realize you actually made it through a real underground WWII site.

What to wear: the non-slip shoes rule is real

If you remember one thing, make it this: shoes with non-slip soles are mandatory.

The tour also asks you to bring warmer clothes because the underground temperature is around 14–16°C. Even on a sunny day above, you’ll feel the cool once you’re down in the fortress corridors and rooms. Plan layers you can move in.

For footwear, choose hiking shoes or sturdy sneakers with grip. The tour specifically calls out sports shoes and hiking shoes as appropriate, but the non-slip sole requirement is what keeps this safe—especially for the Abseil Plus cascading rock section, where you’re dealing with uneven, slick surfaces.

Also note a few “know before you go” reality checks:

• The tour isn’t recommended for people suffering from epileptic seizures or for claustrophobia.
• Children under 10 years aren’t suitable.
• The operator reserves the right to adjust or change the tour if conditions are bad or if someone has inadequate footwear or is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

That last point is worth respecting. Rope work needs clear judgment and controlled movement. You’ll get the best experience when everyone follows the rules.

Price and value: is $88 worth 150 minutes underground?

At $88 per person, you’re paying for far more than a single adrenaline moment. This isn’t just the rope section.

For your money, you get:

• Entrance to the underground fortress San Giovanni
• Professional certified guides and instructor-led technique teaching
• Certified abseiling equipment (provided and regularly checked)
• Insurance
• Audio-visual special effects/projections during the walk
• Wine tasting / a glass of wine at the end
• A small group format capped at 8 participants

Value comes from training time and safety structure. Beginner-friendly abseiling usually costs more than people expect because it requires qualified instructors, equipment, and time for practice. Here, the tour builds in that instruction before anyone descends.

Add the fact that Abseil Plus includes another rappel—plus the option for paired simultaneous abseiling—and you can see why this price feels more like a full program than a quick stunt.

If you want a memorable Croatia stop that mixes WWII setting, real rope skills, and controlled excitement, $88 can make sense. If you only want a short scenic walk, you might find it too active for your taste.

Should you book Tunnel Abseiling Plus?

Book it if you want an adventure that’s still structured and beginner-friendly. You should feel especially interested if you like hands-on learning: first-time technique practice, clear instruction, and the option to choose your comfort level on the day.

Skip or reconsider if you’re sensitive to confined spaces or have epilepsy concerns, since the tour explicitly says it’s not recommended for claustrophobia and epileptic seizures. Also, if cold indoor conditions are a deal-breaker for you, plan your layers seriously—this is about 14–16°C underground.

One more honest tip: prepare your shoes the way you’d prepare for a wet hike. The non-slip sole rule isn’t optional for a reason. Get that right, and the tour becomes a fun mix of fear, skill, and history in one unforgettable underground setting.

FAQ

How long is Tunnel Abseiling Plus?

The tour lasts about 150 minutes.

Do I need previous abseiling experience?

No. The tour is designed so there’s no previous experience required, and instructors provide help and backup.

How big is the group?

The group is limited to 8 participants.

What language is the guide?

The live tour guide speaks English.

What should I wear or bring?

Bring warmer clothes (the underground temperature is about 14–16°C) and adequate footwear. Shoes with non-slip soles are mandatory, such as hiking shoes or sturdy sports shoes.

Is the abseiling equipment provided?

Yes. All abseiling equipment is provided, certified according to valid standards, and regularly checked.

What’s included in the price besides the ropes?

You get the guided underground fortress visit (including entrance to San Giovanni), audio-visual special effects/projection, insurance, and wine tasting.

Is it suitable for claustrophobia or epilepsy?

No. It’s not recommended for people with claustrophobia or for persons suffering from epileptic seizures.

Are children allowed?

Children under 10 years old are not suitable for this tour.