Roman thermal sites, bobbin lace, and protected landscapes give Varaždin County its many facets. Those who explore the region encounter places with a long history as well as distinctive natural and cultural experiences. The contrasts are especially clear between Varaždinske Toplice, Lepoglava, and the historic sites around Varaždin.

Thermal History with Roman Roots

Aquae Iasae, an important Roman settlement around a thermal spring, stood in Varaždinske Toplice and existed from the 1st to the 4th century. Aquae Iasae is considered one of the best-preserved Roman archaeological sites in Croatia. Public architecture included bathing buildings with pools and a basilica, a forum with colonnades around the main thermal spring, and a Capitol with temples to Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. Its many features make Aquae Iasae a place where Roman daily life, public buildings, and religious architecture can be explored together.

Varaždinske Toplice has a thermal spring and is considered a modern thermal spa. The Toplička ruta cycling route also leads to Varaždinske Toplice, to Croatia’s oldest thermal baths and the archaeological excavations of a Roman thermal bath. The region thus brings together the site’s Roman history and its present-day character as a thermal spa.

Castles, Collections, and Architecture

Varaždin’s Stari grad is the city’s most significant historic building. At Stari grad, visitors can see collections of guild objects, furniture, historical portraits, weapons, paintings, clocks, porcelain, and glass in around 40 museum rooms. There are also other objects from the everyday lives of Varaždin’s nobility and affluent citizens. The collections therefore range from handcrafted objects to items of everyday life.

Dvor Trakošćan, a protected historic complex comprising a castle, associated buildings, a park, and a park forest with a lake, is located in the Bednjanski kraj. The permanent exhibition presents the world of the Croatian nobility and the history of the Drašković family through objects from the 15th to the 19th century. The park forest includes the grounds around the castle and the surrounding woodland by Lake Trakošćan. The artificial lake covers about 23 hectares.

Stari grad Ivanec is also an important historic site: it is considered one of the most valuable historical and archaeological complexes in Varaždin County and is particularly important to Ivanec’s historical development. The Mountaineering Museum, meanwhile, was founded to promote mountaineering as a way of life. At its heart is Mount Ivančica, representing the connection between people and nature. The two places offer different ways of exploring the region’s history—through archaeological traces and through the relationship between people and the mountain.

Lace, Geology, and Protected Nature

Lepoglava is one of Croatia’s three main lace-making centers and is associated with bobbin lace. The International Lace Festivals have been held regularly since 1997. If you would like to plan your trip around a festival, check the current dates.

Another feature near Lepoglava is Gaveznica–Kameni vrh, a fossil volcano formed around 22 million years ago. Gaveznica is also known as the first discovered agate deposit in Croatia. This geological perspective is quite distinct from the region’s historic buildings and craft traditions.

The Opeka Arboretum is a protected natural rarity and a horticultural monument in Varaždin County. Varaždin Cemetery also combines special features: it is an example of park architecture and a natural monument. Its attractions include the Angel of Death monument by Robert Frangeš Mihanović and the tomb monument to Vatroslav Jagić.

Routes, Excursions, and Local Traditions

For cycling, Varaždin County has four road cycling routes and one route that partly runs off paved roads. The Od dvorca do dvorca route connects Stari grad in Varaždin with Trakošćan Castle. The Toplička ruta, by contrast, leads to Varaždinske Toplice and the Roman thermal bath excavations. The two routes are easy to distinguish by their destinations: one connects two historic sites, while the other leads to thermal history and archaeology. The county has introduced the Cyclist Welcome Quality standard for providers of cycling tourism services.

Around Novi Marof, well-maintained walking, hiking, and cycling trails lead to viewpoints, mineral water springs, striking rock formations, and excursion destinations. Near Ludbreg, an urban circular route passes through the historic old town and over Otok mladosti, close to the Bednja River and its dam. Aquacity is three kilometers from the center of Varaždin, is also known as Varaždinsko more, and offers opportunities for walking, swimming, and relaxation.

Topličica is another excursion destination near Novi Marof, with two large pools featuring water slides, a children’s amusement park, and tennis courts. If you are planning a visit around these facilities, check the latest visitor information.

Ludbreg brings together several religious and local traditions. The Sanctuary of the Precious Blood is unique in Croatia and is one of the few pilgrimage sites worldwide recognized by a papal bull. Ludbreška Sveta nedjelja is one of Croatia’s oldest pilgrimage traditions. The pilgrimage complex also includes a permanent outdoor exhibition of Murano glass mosaics along the Stations of the Cross. Bakina hiža and Dedekov dvor offer a glimpse into another form of everyday life: they display furniture, household objects, and tools for the home and garden from the time of people’s great-grandparents.

Regional cuisine is also represented: fifteen food and drink establishments in Varaždin County meet the Okusi varaždinskog kraja standard for local dishes, drinks, and traditional homemade products.

Discover more destinations: Varaždin, Varaždinske Toplice, Petrijanec, Gornji Kneginec, Jalžabet Municipality, Ivanec Municipality, Bednja Municipality, Lepoglava Municipality, Maruševec Municipality, Donja Voća Municipality, Ludbreg Municipality, Novi Marof Municipality, Visoko Municipality, Varaždinske Toplice Municipality, Beretinec Municipality.

For the main travel overview: Croatia.