Varaždin, often called the “Little Vienna,” is a baroque jewel in northern Croatia. With its ornate Old Town, vibrant festivals, elegant palaces, and charming streets, the city offers history, culture, and relaxation in one walkable package. Whether you come for music events, castles, or cuisine, Varaždin will surprise you with beauty and atmosphere.
Reasons to Visit Varaždin
Varaždin combines baroque architecture, lively festivals, and green spaces. Its historic Old Town is filled with palaces, churches, and museums. The city is known for Špancirfest, Croatia’s biggest street festival, and Varaždin Baroque Evenings, a prestigious early music event. Add peaceful Drava river parks and a famous cemetery, and you have one of the country’s most distinctive destinations. Its location near Zagreb makes it an easy cultural getaway.
Top Varaždin Attractions
Varaždin Old Town (Stari grad)
Stari grad is a fortress with origins in the 14th century, expanded and remodeled through Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. Surrounded by moats and defensive walls, it reflects centuries of architectural change. Today, it houses the Varaždin City Museum. Inside, you can explore exhibits on arms, furniture, guild heritage, and portraits that tell the story of Varaždin’s golden age.
Varaždin City Museum
The museum is spread across several palaces. The Culture and History Department inside the Old Town covers everyday life from the medieval period to the 19th century. The Sermage Palace houses galleries of Old Masters and modern Croatian art, while the Herzer Palace showcases the fascinating “World of Insects” collection with over 4,500 specimens. Families especially enjoy this exhibition for its vivid displays and educational character.
Varaždin Cathedral
Built between 1642 and 1646 by the Jesuits, the cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It is a striking example of baroque architecture. Inside, you’ll find ornate altars, frescoes, and a grand organ. Concerts are often held here during the Baroque Evenings festival, making it both a place of worship and cultural performance.
Varaždin Cemetery
The cemetery was first established in 1773, but its present form is the work of Herman Haller, who redesigned it starting in 1905. Famous for its landscaped greenery and artistic topiary, it contains over 7,000 trees and shrubs trimmed into geometric forms. The cemetery is a unique blend of art, nature, and remembrance, often listed among the most beautiful in Europe.
Squares and City Life
The Korzo is Varaždin’s lively main square, lined with cafés, boutiques, and elegant facades. It is the heart of city life where locals meet for coffee. Nearby Stančić Square is smaller but equally atmospheric, surrounded by historic palaces, galleries, and outdoor seating, perfect for people-watching. Close by, the Croatian National Theatre Varaždin (HNK), a late 19th-century landmark with a chandelier-filled interior, hosts plays, concerts, and dance performances.
Festivals and Events
Špancirfest
Held in late August, Špancirfest transforms Varaždin’s Old Town into an open-air stage. Musicians, street performers, and artisans fill the streets for ten days. Food stalls, workshops, and concerts create a buzzing atmosphere. The festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and is perfect for families, couples, and culture lovers alike.
Varaždin Baroque Evenings
Each September, Varaždin becomes Croatia’s baroque capital. The festival features early music concerts in churches and palaces across the city. International performers bring harpsichords, violins, and choirs to life in historic settings. The event has been running since 1971 and is a highlight of Croatia’s classical music calendar.
Where to Stay
Varaždin offers boutique hotels, charming guesthouses, and modern apartments. Staying near the Old Town lets you explore museums, cafés, and squares on foot. Popular options include stylish boutique hotels in historic palaces, cozy apartments above cafés, and countryside manors outside the city that provide a peaceful retreat with views of vineyards and hills.
Top Rated Hotels in Varaždin
🔍Hotel Turist — Score: 9.2 (1,254 reviews)
Modern city hotel near the Old Town, with wellness area, sauna, hammam, and restaurant.
Guests say: “Very friendly staff, rooms were clean and comfortable, best stay in Varaždin.”🔍Park Boutique Hotel — Score: 9.1 (760 reviews)
Design hotel in the city center beside the park, offering spacious rooms and a popular breakfast.
Guests say: “Centrally located in a beautiful park, everything within walking distance, breakfast full of local delicacies.”🔍Arbia Dorka Heritage Palace — Score: 8.9 (696 reviews)
Heritage-style hotel in the historic core, praised for its charm and welcoming staff.
Guests say: “Excellent location, comfortable room, friendly staff and great breakfast.”🔍Hotel Istra — Score: 8.5 (179 reviews)
Good-value stay in the city center, close to main sights and the station.
Guests say: “Located right in the centre, staff were really nice, massive room with a bath.”🔍Hotel Varaždin — Score: 8.8 (482 reviews)
Convenient location near the center, with spacious rooms and a well-rated restaurant.
Guests say: “Very friendly staff, very close to the centre, rooms were spacious and very pleasant.”
Top Rated Apartments in Varaždin
🔍Little Vienna Silver Apartment — Score: 9.9 (165 reviews)
Central apartment with city views, free Wi-Fi, and private parking.
Guests say: “Great location, spacious and clean, very kind hosts.”🔍Luxury Apartment Anabella — Score: 9.8 (148 reviews)
Stylish, fully equipped apartment with on-site parking and Wi-Fi.
Guests say: “Great restaurants and bars within walking distance.”🔍Jourek Apartment — Score: 9.7 (136 reviews)
Modern, recently renovated apartment on a quiet street near the center.
Guests say: “Really clean, newly furnished, close to the town centre.”🔍Apartman Vervis Varaždin — Score: 9.7 (128 reviews)
Comfortable apartment with air conditioning, near the bus station and Korzo.
Guests say: “Beautiful compact apartment, 5 minutes from the bus station.”🔍Quiet Corner — Score: 9.2 (102 reviews)
Well-equipped apartment with Wi-Fi and private parking close to the city center.
Guests say: “Close to city center, parking spot included, cozy and convenient.”
Food and Drink
Varaždin’s signature pastry is the Varaždinski klipič, a golden bread roll with Protected Geographical Indication status. Its soft texture and lightly salted taste make it a favorite snack. Local restaurants offer traditional dishes such as Zagorski štrukli (cheese-filled pastry) and hearty stews. For a taste of modern cuisine, try one of the stylish bistros along Korzo, or sample coffee and cakes at a historic café near Stančić Square. Pair your meals with wines from the nearby Međimurje Wine Road. The region is especially proud of Pušipel, its local Furmint grape variety, known for crisp freshness and elegant aromas. Wine tastings are available at many vineyards in the rolling countryside.
Nature and Outdoors
The Drava river parks are a perfect escape within the city. Locals cycle, jog, or stroll along the riverside paths shaded by willows. Birdwatchers enjoy spotting herons and kingfishers. Varaždin also sits on the Amazon of Europe Bike Trail, a cross-border cycling route that follows the Mura, Drava, and Danube rivers. It connects five countries and offers varied stages for both casual and long-distance riders.
In spring and summer, locals picnic by the river or attend outdoor concerts in park spaces. Families will find plenty of playgrounds, while adventurous travelers can try kayaking on the Drava.
Best Day Trips from Varaždin
Trakošćan Castle: A fairy-tale castle with origins in the 13th century, but largely remodeled in the 19th century during a Romantic revival. Its towers, lake, and museum of historic arms and furniture make it one of Croatia’s most famous castles. The wooded park offers scenic walking trails.
Varaždinske Toplice: Famous for its Roman spa site, Aquae Iasae, founded in the 1st century AD. Archaeological remains of thermal baths and temples reveal the site’s two-millennia-old heritage.
Ludbreg: Known as the “Centre of the World,” this small town has a sacred shrine, legends, and a wine-growing region that invites exploration.
Krapina Neanderthal Museum: A modern interactive museum about Europe’s earliest inhabitants, located near the famous Hušnjakovo discovery site.
Međimurje Wine Road: Rolling hills dotted with vineyards, wine cellars, and tasting rooms. This is one of Croatia’s rising wine regions, offering a mix of Pušipel, Riesling, and Muscat.
Getting There and Around
Varaždin is about 90 km from Zagreb. Buses from the capital take under two hours and run several times a day. Trains also connect the cities, usually with a change at Zabok, taking between two and three hours. By car, the A4 motorway makes the drive quick and simple, with a journey time of just over an hour. Once you arrive, the Old Town and main attractions are all within walking distance. Cycling is another great way to explore, and bike rentals are available in the city.
FAQs
Is Varaždin a good day trip from Zagreb?
Yes. It’s less than two hours by bus or train, making it a perfect day trip for culture and history.
What is Varaždin best known for?
Its baroque Old Town, lively festivals, and beautifully landscaped cemetery.
When is the best time to visit?
Late August for Špancirfest or September for the Baroque Evenings. Spring and autumn are also pleasant, with mild weather and fewer crowds.
What food should I try in Varaždin?
Try Varaždinski klipič, Zagorski štrukli, and pair them with local wines from Međimurje.
Are there family-friendly attractions?
Yes. The World of Insects exhibition, Trakošćan Castle, and Drava river parks are all ideal for families with children.
Can I explore Varaždin on foot?
Yes. The city center is compact, and most attractions are within a short walking distance.
Conclusion
Varaždin is a city where baroque elegance meets festival energy. From its fortress and palaces to its music and street art, every corner holds a story. Add wine-tasting, river parks, and castles nearby, and you have a destination that deserves a spot on every traveler’s list. Plan your trip and let Varaždin charm you with its timeless beauty. Extended stays or weekend getaways reveal even more layers of this enchanting city, making it a must-visit for anyone exploring northern Croatia.
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