Welcome to Varaždin, Croatia – a spot I’ve had the pleasure of visiting a number of occasions during the last decade. In this information, I’ll not solely share an thrilling listing of issues to do in Varaždin but in addition supply insights on what to eat, the right way to get there, and the place to seek out the right keep.
Whereas Croatia’s coastal vacationer locations are undeniably beautiful, there’s one thing actually magical about venturing inland. It’s the place you may immerse your self within the coronary heart of genuine Croatia and nearly step again in time. Only a quick journey from Zagreb, appropriate for a memorable day journey, lies the enchanting metropolis of Varaždin. It’s a vacation spot that deserves a spot in your journey itinerary, and I’m right here to indicate you why!
Filled with stunning baroque-style structure, tradition, and loads of historical past, you’ll love strolling across the cobbled streets and discovering hidden gems to discover. There’s additionally scrumptious delicacies to attempt.
Varaždin was once the nation’s capital, however a damaging fireplace worn out many of the city in 1776. Presently, the capital was moved to Zagreb. The excellent news is that a lot of the town was rebuilt and recaptured its significance by the beginning of the 19th century. Regardless of that, there’s nonetheless a wealthy historical past and a way of being distant from the hustle and bustle. It additionally seems just a little prefer it wouldn’t be far faraway from the set of Harry Potter, too!
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Things To Do In Varaždin, Croatia
There’s a lot to maintain you occupied through the day in Varaždin. Anticipate to be fairly drained by the tip of it! Right here is our listing of what to do in Varazdin.
Attend Spancirfest
Some of the well-known occasions in Varaždin, Spancirfest is a global road competition that transforms the town’s streets right into a vibrant open-air stage. It options road performers, musicians, artists and a energetic environment. The competition takes place in late August-Sepetember.
Buy Handcrafted Items At The Sq. Of Conventional Crafts
This stunning sq. isn’t solely a improbable people-spotting space but in addition an excellent place to buy handcrafted items, resembling garments, sneakers, and some other artful merchandise you may consider. The sq. is situated in entrance of the Ursuline Church.
Verify Out The Creepy Crawlies At Hercer Palace
Hercer Palace is house to the World of Bugs assortment, which goals to show guests about nature’s strange aspect. Whether or not you’ve got a creepy-crawly loving little one with you or not, it is a great place to spend an hour or so and can most likely train you a factor or two you didn’t know earlier than!
Discover Historical past At The Varaždin Metropolis Museum
In the Previous City, you’ll discover a everlasting exhibition that explores the historical past of Varaždin, which occurs to make our listing of high museums to go to within the nation. It’s a improbable spot to go to, and also you’ll see all method of things from days passed by, together with glass, clocks, ceramics, and even weapons. There are 20 rooms in whole, so ensure you take your time exploring.
Recognize Artwork At Miljenko Stancic Gallery
Artwork lovers ought to undoubtedly put Miljenko Stancic Gallery on their go to listing. Devoted to the well-known native artist, you’ll be capable of discover 40 of their most well-known work and be taught extra about them.
Fill Up Your Picture Reel At Sermage Palace
There are a couple of buildings which might be as stunning as Sermage Palace. The palace dates again to the 17th century and remains to be in improbable situation. It is a quick stroll away from the citadel within the Previous City, and the Rococo structure will make your jaw drop. You’ll additionally discover an artwork museum inside.
Try the Previous City
Stari Grad, or the Previous City, is a 100% must-visit and the town’s coronary heart. The cobbled streets echo with whispers from the previous, and also you’ll be capable of discover the small hidden gems throughout the metropolis partitions. The partitions themselves date again to the 12th century, however the metropolis’s drawbridge and moat date again to the 16th century. Anticipate crowds through the summer time months!
The citadel is superbly designed in Baroque type, and that is the place you’ll discover the Varaždin Metropolis Museum, with numerous artifacts to take a look at.
Discover Varaždin Cemetery
Cemeteries aren’t miserable locations; they’re spots to rejoice life and discover historical past. Varaždin Cemetery is round 15 minutes from the Previous City, nevertheless it’s a wonderful spot to get pleasure from, and also you’ll be capable of admire the calm and peace, too.
The cemetery is superbly stored with bushes and sculptures. It’s probably the most stunning cemeteries you’ll ever set your eyes on whereas additionally one of many oldest, courting again to the 18th century.
Go to The Croatian Nationwide Theatre Constructing
In the middle of the town, you’ll discover the gorgeous Croatian Nationwide Theatre, and it’s a sight to behold, for positive. Designed in Viennese type, the constructing dates again to the 19th century. Surrounding the constructing, you’ll additionally discover plentiful small cafes, boutiques, and galleries.
Folks Recognizing At King Tomislav Sq.
One can find King Tomislav Sq. within the coronary heart of the historic middle. Not solely is that this a wonderful espresso and people-watching spot, nevertheless it’s additionally full of distinctive structure to discover. That is additionally the place locals meet, so it’s a busy sq. with a lot to see, together with cafes, eating places, and some retailers to take a look at.
Stand In Awe At The Museum Of Angels
The Museum of Angels is a novel celebration of artwork, specifically the work created by Zeljko Prstec and his baroque angel work. Though small, the museum is near Miljenko Stancic Sq. and has a lot to maintain you occupied.
Discover Varaždin Cathedral
The town’s cathedral, formally generally known as the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is a wonderful pastel pink, a Baroque cathedral courting again to the 17th century. Positioned within the metropolis’s middle, the church is magnificent, and the within is embellished in probably the most opulent methods.
Should you’re visiting Varaždin throughout September, try a sequence of occasions known as Varaždin Baroque Evenings centered across the cathedral. You’ll be capable of take heed to conventional music and revel in a cultural really feel within the air.
Go to The City Corridor
The City Corridor in Varazdin dates again to 1523, making it one of many oldest on the continent. The baroque structure is gorgeous, and it’s a great spot for images. You’ll additionally see the city’s coat of arms featured on the constructing.
Verify Out Varazdin’s Many Church buildings
The cathedral isn’t the one beautiful church in Varazdin, because the Franciscan Church & Monastery of Saint John The Baptist is a superb place to go to. The bell tower is admittedly superbly designed.
There’s additionally the Church of St. George, which is a Serbian Orthodox Church from the 19th century. The structure is admittedly fascinating right here, and though it’s a small church, it’s value a go to. The Ursuline Church of the Start of Christ is a spot that attracts crowds with its pastel pink exterior.
Seize Some Luck on the Grgur Ninski Statue
This isn’t the one statue of Grgur Ninski in Croatia, as you’ll discover them in lots of places; nevertheless, this one is claimed to be good luck. Should you rub the large toe, you’re supposed to draw success into your life. It’s fairly simple to see many individuals have tried, because the toe is lots shinier than the remainder of the sculpture!
Varazdin Fortress & Museum
This enormous fortress is unquestionably a must-visit, and it dates again to the 13th century. Inside, you’ll discover the town Museum, which helps you be taught all in regards to the native space and its historical past. There are numerous artifacts inside, and it is a nice method to beat the warmth or escape a wet day.
Day Journey to Trakoscan Fortress
Simply outdoors of Varazdin, you’ll discover Trakoscan Fortress, which is accessible by automobile or bus. This citadel dates again to the 13th century, and the parkland round it’s superbly preserved. The museum contained in the citadel helps you be taught extra in regards to the noble life that inhabitants as soon as loved.
Day Journey to Veliki Tabor Fortress
One other native citadel is Valiki Tabor, which dates again to the 15th century and is shrouded in legend. The story goes that the Depend of Celje owned the citadel, and his son fell in love with an area lady from a low-income household. Relatively than permit his son to marry the lady, the Depend had the lady killed by drowning. Some guests have heard her cries reverberating across the citadel.
Day Journey to Varazdinske Toplice
A brief drive away from the middle of Varazdin, you’ll discover some stunning sizzling springs within the city of Varazdinski Toplice. There’s a giant resort with a sizzling spring advanced inside, and you should buy a day go when you don’t need to keep. There are additionally loads of well being and wellness amenities contained in the resort you may reap the benefits of.
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What To Eat In Varazdin
Chow Down On The Native Cake
Whilst you’re exploring the town, you should definitely take a load off for a couple of minutes and revel in probably the most scrumptious cream cake you’ve ever tasted. Custard cream encased in flaky puff pastry layers is a well-known cake within the area and has a novel chocolate layer. You’ll be hooked and need to take extra house with you!
Varaždinsko Zelje
It is a kind of cabbage that’s grown domestically. The style is sort of bitter, nevertheless it goes properly in soups and stews.
Varaždinski Klipič
This lengthy baguette-style bread is a agency favourite in Varazdin, and its historical past goes again to the 18th century. Every roll has a strict measurement – it should be 23cm lengthy not less than, and it’s folded to indicate 4 folds on the skin. It’s then brushed with egg wash and sprinkled with sesame seeds. You possibly can then get pleasure from it by itself, with soup, a sandwich, or to mop up a scrumptious stew.
Varaždinski Mlinci
It is a native savory dish that features paper-thin, dried sheets made with flour and water. It’s then cubed and fried alongside bitter cream, cheese, and seasonings. They’re then left to dry out earlier than being baked and topped with cheese.
Varaždinska Pečenka
This native dish is product of pork, and it’s by no means served heat. The pork’s pores and skin is left on, and it’s scored and full of garlic, cloves, and rosemary. It’s then baked for greater than 12 hours and served with greens and potatoes.
Goveđi File Patačić
This wealthy and scrumptious stew is a favourite within the Varazdin space. It’s made with onion, mushrooms, bacon, beef steak, mustard, and crimson wine. The sauce creates a thick gravy, and it’s scrumptious when mopped up with recent bread.
Varaždinska Torta
This native cake is a must-try. It’s fairly a heavy chocolate-based cake, nevertheless it’s actually scrumptious. You’ll discover it largely through the autumn as a result of it consists of chestnuts, that are in season at the moment.
Salata Varaždin
You’ll see this salad in all places, and it’s genuinely scrumptious. The salad consists of crimson pepper, gherkins, mustard, hen, apples, and white wine drizzled excessive.
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How To Get To Varaždin & Getting Round
You possibly can simply attain Varaždin from Zagreb in round one hour, site visitors allowing. It is just 54 miles away, and the route is fairly scenic, so you should definitely cease alongside the best way.
You possibly can simply lease a automobile and drive or use the native bus service. You possibly can anticipate to journey for round 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus, and several other buses run in both course day by day. When you arrive on the bus station in Varaždin, it is advisable to stroll round 5-10 minutes, and also you’re proper within the coronary heart of the principle sightseeing spots.
Varaždin is a really walkable metropolis, so there aren’t any points with taxis or buses when you’re there.
When To Go to Varaždin, Croatia
The excessive temperatures between June and August might make exploring just a little troublesome, however definitely not unimaginable! Nonetheless, when you go to between April to June and September and October, you’ll discover nice temperatures and fewer crowds.
It’s totally attainable to go to through the winter months, however bear in mind that it might snow, most likely rain, and it will likely be chilly, so deliver a jacket! Though Christmas is a wonderful time to go to, the fairy lights and music will create a magical scene.
Varaždin is undoubtedly a improbable selection for a day journey from Zagreb. You may even select to remain for an evening or two!
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