01How to Get to Varaždin

Varaždin lies on the right bank of the Drava river in north-west Croatia, about 80 km north of Zagreb. It is the capital of Varaždin County and has about 40,000 residents, which makes it easy to cover on foot.

From Zagreb

Bus
Buses leave Zagreb's main bus station through the day and take a little over 1 h 30 min. This is the default option for most visitors.
Car
Driving takes about 1 hour on the A4 motorway.
Train
The slow local train stops at every station and takes about 2 h 20 min. It is cheap and scenic, but only worth it if time is not a concern.

From the station to the centre

The bus and railway stations are both within about 10–15 minutes on foot of the main square. No taxi or public transport is needed inside the old town.

02How Many Days Do You Need in Varaždin?

One day covers the main sights. The historic core can be walked in about an hour, and the Old Town alone takes 2 to 3 hours with the museum. Stay one night if you want to see the cemetery, visit two or three museums, and eat dinner without watching the bus timetable. A day trip from Zagreb works, but evening buses are fewer than daytime ones and Sunday timetables are thinner, so check the last departure before you commit.

03Best Time to Visit Varaždin

Late August: Špancirfest

Špancirfest is the city's biggest event. The 2026 edition ran from 21 to 30 August with around 600 programmes in 23 zones across the historic centre. Most of the street programme is free, and only selected concerts, such as those at Vila Bedeković, need tickets. The 2027 festival is expected in late August, but confirm the dates on the official festival website before booking. Accommodation fills up and prices rise during the festival, so book several weeks ahead.

Late November to early January: Advent

The Advent programme in 2026 runs from 27 November to 6 January. Arrive in the late afternoon, because the lights come on at dusk, shortly after 16:00 in December. Eat around 18:00, before the evening crowd arrives.

Spring and early autumn

May, June and September are the quietest and most comfortable months for walking. Cafés fill the squares, and the cemetery is at its best when the plantings are green.

04What to See in Varaždin

Trg kralja Tomislava and City Hall

The main square is the centre of the old town. It is surrounded by Baroque and Rococo façades and the City Hall, one of the oldest town halls in Croatia. Walking in a loop from here covers most of the pedestrian centre in about an hour. Cafés on the square charge a small premium, so for a coffee at lower prices, try the side streets one block away.

Old Town (Stari grad)

The Old Town is a Gothic-Renaissance fortress with round towers. Construction began in the 14th century, and the fortress was expanded in the 15th century. It became the City Museum in 1925. Inside are furnished rooms in styles from Renaissance to Art Deco.

The usual opening hours are Tuesday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00 and Saturday and Sunday 09:00 to 13:00. It is closed on Mondays and public holidays. Renovation works had closed the castle interior until autumn 2026, so check the City Museum website (gmv.hr) before planning your visit around the interior. The grounds, drawbridge and tower can be seen from the outside at any time, and walking around the fortress and its park is free.

Sermage Palace and Herzer Palace

The City Museum also runs the Baroque Sermage Palace, which holds the Gallery of Old and Contemporary Masters, and the classicist Herzer Palace, which houses the Entomological Department. The Sermage Palace is the better choice for visitors who want art. Hours are shorter at weekends, so check them if you arrive on a Saturday or Sunday.

Varaždin Cemetery

The cemetery is a protected horticultural monument, laid out as a park with trimmed hedges, tree-lined avenues and decorated family tombs. It is about 1.5 km from the centre, a walk of roughly 20 minutes. Entry is free. Allow 45 to 60 minutes. Dress modestly and keep voices low, because it is still an active burial ground.

05Where to Eat and Drink in Varaždin

Local menus mix Zagorje and Central European dishes, including štrukli, schnitzels, game, and cakes. Look for Varaždinski klipič, the local bread roll, in bakeries. A main course at a restaurant in the centre typically costs €10 to €18, and a coffee costs about €1.50 to €2.50. A daily lunch menu at a restaurant outside the main square is usually the best value.

Skip any restaurant that places a photo menu on the main square on a festival weekend. The prices are higher, and the food is no better than that of the places a few streets away.

06Where to Stay in Varaždin

Stay inside or next to the pedestrian centre. Everything on this list is within 10 minutes on foot, and you avoid paying for parking. Accommodation ranges from guesthouses and apartments to a few mid-range hotels in the old town. Double rooms typically cost €60 to €110 per night outside the festival, and more during Špancirfest and Advent weekends.

07Practical Tips for First-Time Visitors

Currency
Croatia uses the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but carry a few euros for small bakeries and market stalls.
Walking
The centre is flat and pedestrian-friendly. Cobblestones are uneven, so wear flat shoes.
Parking
Car access to the centre is restricted. Park in a paid zone at the edge and walk in.
Mondays
Museums are closed on Mondays and on public holidays. Plan a Monday visit around the squares, cemetery and cafés.
Tourist information
The Varaždin Tourist Board runs an information office in the centre and can supply a city map and current event details.
Combining trips
Varaždin pairs well with a stop at nearby castles and spa towns in the county. A rental car makes this much easier.

08Suggested One-Day Itinerary

  1. 09:00 Arrive by bus and walk 10 minutes to the main square.
  2. 09:30 Coffee and a stroll around City Hall and the pedestrian streets.
  3. 10:30 Old Town grounds, drawbridge and museum, if open.
  4. 12:30 Lunch on a side street.
  5. 14:00 Sermage Palace or Herzer Palace.
  6. 15:30 Walk to the cemetery.
  7. 17:00 Cake and coffee back in the centre, then the bus to Zagreb or dinner and an overnight stay.