Attractions Nearby Osijek, Day Trips and Excursions

(Osijek, Slavonia, Croatia)



There are several nearby towns within an hour of Osijek that warrant a visit or more formal day trip. Many visitors head straight out to Dakovo (to the south-west) to see its gigantic cathedral and other attractions, and an excursion here can be combined with a trip to nearby Ernestinovo, which is known for its wooden sculptures.

If you want to see evidence of the recent war, Vukovar is also well within reach, while due east of Osijek is the stunning Kopacki Rit wetlands park - a major highlight of any visit to Croatia and open year-round. Closer to the city is the opulent Pejacevic Castle-cum-nunnery, the charming Karanac Ethno Village, and the natural spa attractions at Bizovacke Toplice. If you have the time and inclination, you can hire a bicycle in Osijek and cycle all the way to the village of Bilje.


Pejacevic Castle

Address: Virovitica, Croatia, HR
This pretty castle is a fair way out of town - you'll find it beyond the Upper Town, near the Retfala district. Visitors are often surprised to hear that Pejacevic Castle is actually a working convent. There are around ten nuns here and they do the touring. This late Baroque neoclassical castle is just over 200 years old and is beautifully maintained, with a manicured front lawn and symmetrical lines. The onsite museum displays various archaeological, cultural and ethnographical relics.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Kopacki Rit Nature Park

Address: Kopacki Rit, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 031 752 320
This is Europe's largest natural wetland area and one of the most beautiful parts of Croatia, and indeed of the Balkans at large. The Kopacki Rit Nature Park is huge and is not far from the confluence of the Danube and Drava rivers, and is particularly enthralling for birdwatchers (with more than 140 species of birds living here) and those into nature attractions in general. Educational trails of the park provide a pleasant way to explore, although many day trippers short of time prefer to take a boat tour of the wetlands. There is also a lengthy cycle trail named the Pannonian Peace Trail. A number of villages surround the Kopacki Rit Nature Park, such as Bilje and Kopacevo.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for students, children and pensioners

Vukovar

Vukovar is just south-east of Osijek, around 40 km / 25 miles away (50 minutes) and on the border with Serbia. As a direct result of its location, Vukovar suffered heavily during a siege in the early 1990s. You can still see the damage caused by shelling on the walls of some of the buildings, while other attractions have been well restored, including the Baroque buildings right in the heart. Located within the 18th-century Eltz Palace, the Town Museum (Gradski Muzej) is worth visiting, as is the poignant Place of Memory / Vukovar Hospital Museum. The town lies on the River Danube and there are some especially scenic roads nearby. Also close by is the Memorial War Cemetery and the Ovcara Memorial, both of which lie on the road leading to Ilok.

Dakovo

The town of Dakovo is definitely worth a visit on a day trip from Osijek, as it is comfortably under an hour away, being 50 km / 31 miles to the south-west. Dakovo is best known for its huge cathedral, which dominates the Trg Strossmayera with its neo-Romanesque architecture and twin 85-metre / 279-foot belfry towers. As well as its two high towers, this red brick church comes with a central dome and can be spotted from all over. You can also see Lipizzaner saddle horses undergoing training in the morning, just out of town. If you are visiting Dakovo in July, then you may well be lucky enough to attend the annual embroidery (vezovi) festival.

Ernestinovo

This cute little town is on the back route to Dakovo from Osijek, lying just 14 km / 9 miles to the south of the city itself. Although not really worth a trip on its own, you could visit Ernestinovo as part of a loop and check out its many sculptures. These wooden sculptures sit on the side of the road, often along with their sculptors, and there is now an annual festival dedicated to this.

Bizovac / Bizovacke Toplice

The natural thermal spas are without question the principal attraction in the town of Bizovacke Toplice, situated 20 km / 12 miles to the west. This is something of a spa resort and prices here are very competitive. With indoor and outdoor pools, a salt spring, Jacuzzis, whirlpools and fun water slides, there is plenty here for everyone. If relying on public transport, Bizovacke Toplice can be easily reached by bus or train, with respective journey times of 30 minutes and 15 minutes.

Karanac Ethno Village

The Karanac Ethno Village lies in the northern Baranja area, 31 km / 19 miles to the north of Osijek and 8 km / 5 miles to the east of Beli Manastir. A visit to this village affords the opportunity to experience life in a traditional Slavonian village. The attractions of Karanac are fairly simple and understated, being its pretty appearance, three churches, ethno museum and exceptional Baranjska Kuca restaurant, where advance reservations are sensible and catfish stew is a speciality.

Ilok

Ilok is the most easterly town in Croatia and sits a little over one hour from Osijek, being some 74 km / 46 miles to the south-east. Sited on a hillside and boasting distracting views of the River Danube, Ilok comes with an appealing medieval character and some interesting historic attractions. Odescalchi Castle serves as the centrepiece and houses the City Museum (Muzej Grada Iloka). However, many day trippers come to Ilok for nothing more than to tour the surrounding wineries and vineyards within the Fruska Gora area.