Reasons why eastern Croatia is worth a visit this winter

Šokačko sijelo (Photo: TZ grada Županje)

If you visit Vukovar-Srijem County for a winter getaway, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. With prices more affordable than those at more well-known destinations, it’s the perfect reason to pack your bags and visit the easternmost part of Croatia for at least a weekend with your favourite company.

Take a stroll through the baroque centre of Vukovar, pause for a break at one of its restaurants, enjoy the most beautiful view of the Danube from the renovated Water Tower, and visit the unique Vučedol Culture Museum.

Vukovar-Srijem County

Perhaps a coffee in the charming town centre of Vinkovci, a visit to the Town Museum where you can discover the significance of the oldest Indo-European calendar, or a serene moment by the Bosut River might appeal to you.

Whatever you choose, don’t let the winter chill deter you. There’s nothing like a glass of aromatic Slavonian rakija or premium Srijem wine to warm up frosty cheeks and hands.

Vinkovo in Ilok

You may have heard that the medieval walls of Ilok were restored last year. Now is the perfect time to enjoy the stunning views of the charming town of Ilok and the mighty Danube from these historic walls.

While there, you can visit the Museum of the City of Ilok in the Odescalchi Castle, the Church of St John of Capistrano, the Old Cellars dating back to the 15th and 18th centuries, the Principovac Estate situated on one of the region’s most renowned vineyards, or one of the thirty family-run wineries.

Ilok cellars (Photo credit: Danijel Soldo)

Wine connoisseurs and enthusiasts will gather in this easternmost Croatian town for St Vincent’s Day, marked by the popular Vinkovo in Ilok, which celebrates the start of the winemaking year.

From 22nd January to Sunday, 26th January, Ilok’s wineries will toast with premium wines, offer delicious Srijem culinary specialities, and dance to the lively rhythms of tamburitza music.

Vinkovo in Ilok (Photo: achive)

In the old town centre, entry to the traditional wine tent will remain free of charge. The festivities will also include the lovely custom of blessing the vineyards, pruning the vines, and symbolically sprinkling them with wine to ensure a fruitful harvest.

Vinkovo in Ilok (Photo: archive)

A Memorable Experience: Carnival Horse Riding

From 6th January (Epiphany) to 5th March (Ash Wednesday), Srijem and Slavonia come alive with the tradition of carnival horse riding. Majestic horses, colourful attire, and joyous singing revive this centuries-old custom originating from the Military Frontier period.

If your winter journey takes you to Lipovac, Vrbanja, Ilok, Vinkovci, Otok, Babina Greda, Nijemci, or Županja, you’re likely to enjoy this beautiful tradition. In Županja, carnival horse riding will be part of the 58th Šokačko Sijelo, this year under the motto “Došo god da se vidi rod” (“The year has come to see the harvest”).

(Photo credit: Marcel Pavlović/TZ VSŽ)

Šokačko Sijelo in Županja

This Županja festival celebrates traditional song, dance, and folk customs. It opens on 21st February and runs until 4th March. This year’s programme features a variety of events, including concerts by Zvonko Bogdan, the Best Croatian Tamburitza Musicians, Goran Bare, and Majke.

Šokačko Sijelo (Photo: TZ grada Županje)

Take a walk through the streets of this charming town on the Sava River, where Croatia’s first tennis match was played, and the first football was kicked.

Traminac (Photo credit: Borna Subota/TZVSŽ)

The football, returned to Županja last year, is now preserved in the Town Museum inside an original Frontier Guard watchtower.

Continue your journey along the thematic route of the Golden Thread Road, which connects Županja to nearby villages such as Štitar, Babina Greda, Cerna, Šiškovci, Gradište, Bošnjaci, Drenovci, and Vrbanja.

“There’s always a good time to travel, and the start of the year is the perfect moment to discover the charm of Croatia’s easternmost county through its traditional festivals. We await you with open arms,” says Majda Jakša, Director of the Vukovar-Srijem County Tourist Board.