Picturesque villages, traditional cuisine, top-quality wine, one nature park – these are all features of the Croatian region of Baranya! Should you wish to explore a place that is not so popular among the foreigners yet, it might be an ideal weekend destination for you! So, keep reading and you’ll get to know ten best activities to do in this region.
#10 Explore historic manors and palaces
If you’re fond of history, you might start by exploring four manors, which are scattered across Baranya. Three out of four palaces are currently in a bad shape, but two of them are supposed to undergo a major renovation soon. Only the manor in Kneževo still has a function, housing the archives of the Belje company.
#9 Explore a historic site with a beautiful view
The most attractive site is located in a village called Batina. It is a memorial called Victory, dedicated to nearly 1,300 victims of a fierce battle from World War Two, which was fought between the Soviet Red Army and the Yugoslav partisans on one side and the joint German and Hungarian forces on the other. The memorial is definitely the most beautiful viewpoint in Baranya, as the view stretches to three different countries: Croatia, Serbia (across the Danube) and Hungary.
#8 Do something adventurous!
An obvious starting point for adventures is Zlatna Greda. It is an example of how one good idea can revive a forgotten settlement in the middle of a thick forest. Ever since the Eco center Zlatna Greda was open, school kids and families have brought new life to this place. If you have kids, they will probably love its adrenaline park. Even if hanging on the zipline is not exactly your cup of tea, you can explore walking trails, rent a bike or a kayak, indulge in a good meal, or just bring a blanket for a picnic.
Aside from Zlatna Greda, several other places in Baranja offer activities like horseback-riding, fishing and off-road adventures where you get knee-deep in mud. There is something for everyone’s taste.
#7 Taste something unusual!
If you are into tasting local delicacies that you don’t have at home, you’ll probably enjoy Čvarak Fest in the village of Karanac. It takes place in November, and it’s a great opportunity to realize how the times have changed. The focal point of this festival is čvarak, a delicacy made of pork lard. In the past, it used to be a meal of the poor, but now a kilo of čvarci costs about 15 euros. By the way, they go excellent with wine and rakija.
At the festival you can taste and buy other delicacies as well, or explore sales exhibitions of local handicrafts.
#6 Discover more rural tourism
Even if you visit the village of Karanac when there is no Čvarak fest, you surely won’t leave disappointed. Several households in the village have opened their doors to visitors, and different households offer different programs. Generally, wherever you go, you can enjoy traditional setting, you can show your kids domestic animals, sit with a glass of wine, or even spend the night. It’s no miracle that many Croatian companies organize team-buildings there. Rural tourism is developed in other villages, too, and it often gives you an opportunity to be welcomed into a family home.
#5 Rent a bike and go cycling
Many of the accommodation places in Baranya offer renting a bike, so cycling shouldn’t be a problem. Even if you’re not a passionate cyclist, riding a bike shouldn’t be too demanding, as the terrain is mostly flat. Cycling is also a nice way to catch a glimpse of Baranja’s wild side.
#4 Visit Fishermen’s Days in Kopačevo!
This event takes place in early September, when this village, which is usually peaceful and quiet, suddenly becomes packed with people. Locals prepare fish dishes and exhibit traditional fishing tools, in order to present their old way of life. In the past, only few people in the village worked as farmers, as there was so much fish around. However, everything changed when the nature park Kopački rit was established, and traditional fishing came to an end. The main specialties of Fishermen’s Days are carp on a fork, and the famous fish-stew.
#3 Wine tasting
There are many wine cellars around Baranya. In the village of Zmajevac, almost every house has one, and you can stop by several tasting rooms. Once a year, even a Wine marathon is held in the village! The popular sorts are Graševina, also known as Welsh Riesling, and Chardonnay.
Even if you’re not really a wine person, you should visit Kneževi Vinogradi, with a cellar which is almost 500 years old. It belongs to the company Belje and it’s really impressive. Individual guided tours start on every full hour, and afterwards you can proceed to the tasting room. Just keep in mind that the cellar is closed on Sundays.
#2 Visit the Kopački Rit Nature Park
Kopački rit is one of the most important wetlands in Europe, and a major stopover for many birds on their way from and to Africa. In addition, fish species come here to spawn, whereas tourists mostly come to explore the visitor center and the wooden walking trails. The beauty of the wetlands is best revealed during a boat tour starting from Lake Sakadaš, but you can also take a ride in a smaller boat, or on a little tourist train.
#1 Tour the best local restaurants
You’ve already figured out that lots of activities center around food here. Many would agree that traditional cuisine is a top reason to visit Baranya. Several specialties have already been mentioned (fish-stew, carp on a fork, čvarci), whereas others include dishes made of venison, freshwater fish and some dishes almost forgotten in modern-day cuisine. The food is often cooked on an open fire and its tempting smell will surely attract you to stop by local restaurants. The most of them offer traditional ambiance.
P.S. In case you’d like to find out more details and make your visit more visual, here is a link for the video I’ve made, which basically follows the same itinerary. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lukPvkg0PPE