Top Things To Do In Varazdin, Croatia! (A Great Day Trip From Zagreb)

In my opinion Varazdin is the most beautiful and interesting city in Northern Croatia, and it’s definitely worth the visit! ​

Nowadays, Varazdin is known as the Baroque capital of Croatia. Its economic and political power made it the most significant city in the continental part of the country in the 17th & 18th centuries, and was Croatia’s capital city from 1767-1776.

Unfortunately, in April of 1776, a huge fire took Varazdin by storm and completely destroyed the city, which was the motivating factor of moving the administrative capital to Zagreb, which remains the capital to this day.

An interesting tidbit is that in an effort to help the residents of Varazdin through this time, citizens were exempt from paying tax for several years after the fire.

Today in Varazdin, you can still recognize the beautiful Baroque architecture from the past throughout the “old town” and learn about the (tumultuous at times) history of this unique city.

The most significant and prominent structure in Varazdin is of course, the Old Castle & Fortress (which was historically, the Old Town of Varazdin).

The recognizable high, hilly banks surrounding the fortress were built in the 16th century for protection from the Turks. Inside the fortress is a Renaissance aristocratic palace which is now home to the City Museum of Varazdin.

The main center square in Varazdin is King Tomislav Square, or “Korzo” as it is known. Many of Varazdin’s citizens gather there and have coffee at one of the many cafes that are scattered around.

The central building on the square is the town hall, which was originally built in the 15th century, but was redone in the late 18th century.

Gregory of Nin Statue

Gregory of Nin was a famous Bishop who made reforms in the Catholic Church. He made church services in Croatian (instead of Latin), and opposed the pope on certain issues.

The statue was made by the famous Croatian sculptor, Ivan Mestrovic, and was erected in 1932.

It’s believed that if you rub the statue’s toe, it will bring you good luck. You’ll see that the toe has actually changed colors as a result of everyone trying to rub a little luck into their lives.

It’s a fun monument and iconic figure to learn about and visit.

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

This famous cathedral was built in the mid 17th century by the Jesuit Order (Architect George Malot). It’s not a huge place, but still very beautiful and intricate with its rich baroque decorations and design.

Not only is it a church & cathedral, but it also doubles as a concert hall in Varazdin with its stunning organ, and ability to host an orchestra!

Angels Museum

The Angels Museum in Varazdin is a unique place in Croatia. It’s a themed museum where visitors can meet with angels in various artistic forms. There are statues, paintings, and other fascinating art installations throughout that are very beautiful and intriguing.

There are actually no entrance fees, so you can walk through, admire the beauty for free! They do sell little gifts, though, if you’re looking to pick up some gifts for friends back home.

My personal favorite things to do in Varazdin include walking around the high banks surrounding the castle, stopping for coffee at a cafe, then heading to the craft square to pick up some locally made products!