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Varaždin

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City
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Varaždin (Croatia)
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Practical info — Varaždin

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Visit the Old Castle (Stari Grad) in the morning to avoid the crowds and get the best light for photography.
  • During the Špancirfest in late August, parking is nearly impossible; use the park-and-ride options outside the center.
  • Bicycles are a very popular transport mode here, so keep an eye out for cyclists in the pedestrian zones.
  • Buy a combined ticket for the City Museum to get access to both the castle and the entomological collection.

🍽 Food

🍽
Varaždinski klipići

Grab a freshly baked batch of these traditional salty bread rolls from a bakery near the main square (Korzo).

🍽
Mlinci

Seek out traditional restaurants near the castle to try this baked flatbread pasta, typically served with roast poultry.

🍽
Pumpkin seed oil

Frequently used as a dressing for local salads, or even drizzled over vanilla ice cream in local cafes.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Varaždin City Market

An excellent spot to buy fresh local produce, honey, and pumpkin seeds.

🛍
Artisan craft shops

Small boutiques in the historic center sell traditional ceramics and delicate lacework.

🧘
Varaždin Cemetery

Famous for its remarkable, park-like landscaping with beautifully manicured thuja trees.

🧘
The Drava River promenade

A peaceful spot for a walk or bike ride just outside the busy center.

Highlights of 2026

2

Varaždin, often called "Little Vienna", is the baroque pearl of northern Croatia and a city full of elegance, art and music. In the 18th century it was even briefly the capital of Croatia, and its magnificent architectural heritage dates from this period. A walk through the perfectly preserved old town feels like a journey back in time. Sumptuous palaces, ornate churches and welcoming squares shape the cityscape. The heart of the city is the medieval fortress, the "Stari Grad", which today houses the city museum. Varaždin is also known as the "city of bells and angels", which is reflected in the many church towers and the angel statues on the facades. A special attraction is the unique cemetery, which is more reminiscent of a park with its thuja trees artfully cut into arcades and walls. At the end of August, the city comes alive during the Špancirfest, a festival for street performers, musicians and artists, attracting visitors from all over Europe. Varaždin is a must-see for anyone who appreciates culture, history and a relaxed atmosphere.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-1151116202322161150
Rain mm405050528486838395716552

Live webcam – Varaždin

See what it looks like near Varaždin right now.

Varazdin › North: Trg kralja Tomislava - Townhall of Varazdin · 0.9 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
36,187
Coordinates
46.30000, 16.33330

Facts

  • First mentioned in documents in 1181
  • The Town Hall has been in continuous use since 1523
  • The cemetery was landscaped in 1905 by Hermann Haller
  • Home to Croatia's oldest music school (est. 1828)
  • The Stari Grad fortress blends Gothic and Baroque styles
  • Distance to Zagreb: approximately 80 km

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Varaždin (19)

Stari Grad (Old Town)

A well-preserved Renaissance fortress that now houses the City Museum with extensive collections.

Varaždin Cemetery

Designed by Herman Haller in 1905, it is a masterpiece of garden architecture and a protected park.

Sermage Palace

An elegant Rococo building that currently houses the Gallery of Old and New Masters.

Franciscan Church of St. John the Baptist

The church with the tallest tower in the city, located near the statue of Gregory of Nin.

Patacic Palace

Considered the most beautiful secular Rococo palace in the city, with a highly decorated facade.

Palača Keglević🏰 castle

A notable Baroque palace in Varaždin, reflecting the city's rich architectural history.

Hrvatsko narodno kazalište u Varaždinu🎭 culture

Opened in 1873, this theatre was built according to the designs of the famous Viennese architects Fellner and Helmer.

Palača Erdödy🏰 castle

An elegant Baroque palace in Varaždin that once served as the residence of the influential Erdödy noble family.

Dvorac Leitner🏰 castle

A historic building in Varaždin, notable for its architecture from the turn of the 20th century.

Palača Drašković🏺 historical

A historic Rococo building where the Croatian Sabor once met.

Spomenik ranjenom borcu🏺 historical

A monument in Varaždin dedicated to the memory of the wounded fighter.

Parna lokomotiva JŽ 51-145📍 landmark

A historic steam locomotive displayed as a technical monument near the railway station.

Spomenik Jalkovečkim žrtvama🏺 historical

A memorial in Varaždin commemorating the victims of Jalkovec from World War II.

crkva svetog Nikole⛪ religious

The church with Gothic origins, later remodeled in Baroque style, is located in the center of the old town.

crkva svetog Đorđa⛪ religious

The Orthodox church completed in 1884 is a significant architectural monument in Varaždin.

crkva svetog Vida⛪ religious

The church first mentioned in the 13th century is one of the oldest structures in the city.

FKK Aqvacity🎡 recreation

A popular naturist beach at the Aquacity lake near Varaždin.

Varaždinsko jezero🌿 nature

Varaždinsko jezero, an artificial lake on the Drava River for recreation near Varaždin.

Vanjski bazen👨‍👩‍👧 family

Vanjski bazen in Varazdin gives a place for swimming and water activities.

Frequently asked questions

What is Varaždin known for?
Known as the 'Baroque City', former capital of Croatia, and for the Špancirfest festival.
When does Špancirfest take place?
The largest street festival in Croatia takes place annually at the end of August.
What is the main attraction?
The white 'Stari Grad' (Old Town) fortress, which now houses the city museum.
Is the cemetery worth visiting?
Yes, Varaždin cemetery is a landscape architecture monument with artistically trimmed thujas.
Can you visit Varaždin from Zagreb?
Yes, it is only an hour's drive (approx. 80 km) from Zagreb and good for a day trip.
Varaždin: where is it located?
Varaždin is located in Croatia.
Varaždin: what is there to see?
Highlights include Stari Grad (Old Town), Varaždin Cemetery, Sermage Palace.
Varaždin: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Varaždin: why is it worth visiting?
Varaždin, often called "Little Vienna", is the baroque pearl of northern Croatia and a city full of elegance, art and music.
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