Municipality of Krapinske Toplice: Thermal Waters and Culture

The Municipality of Krapinske Toplice grew up around a thermal spring. This origin shapes its health-related offerings as well as the Aquae Vivae water park. The area also features historic chapels, archaeological traces and a spa park with a long history. For planning your trip, this makes for a mix of thermal waters, culture and a range of leisure ideas.

Thermal Waters, Wellness and Exercise

The municipality’s health-related offerings include sauna visits and wellness. Aquae Vivae covers more than 18,000 m² and includes five indoor pools and an outdoor pool. The pools are filled with natural, healing thermomineral spring water. The water park is therefore a destination in its own right alongside the other thermal and wellness offerings.

Aquae Vivae features more than 160 water attractions, including waterfalls, geysers, underwater side massages and massage loungers. There is also an offering for divers: the 4.5-metre-deep diving pool is equipped with professional gear and instructors. These details give an impression of the variety of water experiences available locally.

The Toplički pješački prsten groups its trails into medical, recreational and fitness-trail categories. Medical use is intended to take place under professional supervision. The D507 state road connects the entire municipality along the Valentinovo (D206) – Krapinske Toplice – Gubaševo (D205) route with the Zagreb–Maribor motorway, providing a useful reference for travelling to the municipality.

Spa Park and Historic Traces

The spa park was laid out in 1861 alongside the health resort. Today, it has the character of a square in front of the old spa building. An avenue of horse chestnuts lines both sides of the road between the health resort and the former Bellevue restaurant. These features link the spa town’s history with its present-day appearance.

The Chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene stands on Zašat Hill, east of the centre of Krapinske Toplice. It was built in 1874 on the site of an older wooden chapel. Archaeological investigations in the area uncovered finds that point to a prehistoric hilltop settlement. The preliminary dating places them between 1200 and 800 BC, in the Late Bronze Age.

Other sacred buildings also offer insight into different periods of construction. The Chapel of Saint Anthony stands on a hill in Hršak Breg, 2 km from Krapinske Toplice; it was built in 1899. The octagonal Chapel of Saint Nicholas was built by Zagreb lawyer Nikola Valičić in the first half of the 19th century. In 2007, it was extensively restored by a new owner. The organ in the parish Church of the Holy Trinity dates from 1860 and was built by Leonard Ebner of Maribor.

The traditional BadlFest, held every year in Krapinske Toplice, is part of the cultural calendar. Cinema Toplice reopened in mid-2022 after more than 20 years. The festival and cinema history adds a different perspective on the municipality’s cultural life alongside its longstanding historic sites.

More Experiences and Information

If you are looking for another activity alongside thermal waters and culture, you can explore a range of interests: horseback riding is available at the Horses for Champions centre, while Heli Center offers a flight simulator experience. The Petrač winery and its vineyards are on Hršak Breg, near Krapinske Toplice.

Krapinske Toplice is also home to the Srce Zagorja tourist office, a point of contact for visitors to the wider destination.

Attractions in the Wider Destination

The wider destination of Krapinsko-Zagorska also offers cultural points of interest. The Krapina Neanderthal Museum presents its permanent exhibition across 18 themed areas. The Staro Selo Kumrovec open-air museum conveys the authentic appearance of a Zagorje village from the beginning of the 20th century and includes around 40 restored buildings of traditional architecture. These attractions belong to the wider destination and should be distinguished from the offerings of the Municipality of Krapinske Toplice.

Discover more destinations: Krapinske Toplice, Mala Erpenja, Municipality of Pregrada, Municipality of Zagorska Sela, Municipality of Donja Stubica, Municipality of Gornja Stubica, Municipality of Veliko Trgovišće, Municipality of Jesenje.

View the wider travel overview: Krapinsko-Zagorska.