Discover Vukovar-Srijem: Culture, Wine and Nature

Archaeology, wine traditions and nature experiences give Vukovar-Srijem many different sides. The Vučedol archaeological site is located in Vukovar-Srijem County, four kilometres downstream from Vukovar. On the banks of the Danube, at an archaeological site, the Museum of Vučedol Culture presents its historical and archaeological significance through a contemporary interpretation. The site and the museum thus offer two closely connected but different ways to explore it: the place itself and how its history is presented.

Museums and cultural attractions

In Vinkovci, Vukovar, Ilok and Županja, you can also encounter culture in a range of different settings. Vinkovci City Museum is considered a Baroque architectural monument; there, visitors can meet Ban Josip Šokčević through a hologram. In Vukovar, Eltz Castle houses the City Museum. The birthplace of chemist and Nobel Prize winner Lavoslav Ružička also offers the chance to meet him through a hologram. In Ilok, Odescalchi Castle is now home to Ilok City Museum and the city gallery.

In Županja, the Stjepan Gruber Local History Museum is housed in a 19th-century border guardhouse. The building is the only surviving example of Military Frontier architecture in Croatia. The Bošnjaci Forestry Museum offers a different perspective on the region: its exhibition presents the flora and fauna of the Spačva Basin, as well as the tradition of organised forestry, including exhibits and historic tools. Visits are by prior arrangement.

Wine and tradition in Ilok

For wine lovers, Ilok is a clear focal point. Almost all the wineries are located in the settlement of Ilok, along the Iločka Wine Route. You can explore the route on foot or on the Iločki podrumi tourist train; check before your trip whether the train is running. At the Old Cellars next to Odescalchi Castle, hosts show visitors around parts of the cellar complex and organise wine tastings. Prior arrangements may be required.

Iločko ljeto adds a cultural tradition: the event in Ilok helps preserve and promote the culture, language and traditions of the Slovak national minority. The wine route, cellar visit and cultural event therefore offer different highlights for a stay in Ilok.

Birdwatching and nature

The Nijemci Birdwatching Centre is spread across several locations in Nijemci, including the Arboretum Park and the Sopotac excursion site. There you’ll find birdwatching towers, as well as binoculars, telescopes and field guides. On the Bosut, the Sveta Katarina boat travels from Arboretum Park to Sopotac; the service may be seasonal. Check whether it is operating for the season before making plans.

Other places also offer different ways to relax. In the Kunjevci forest area, visitors can travel by eco-vehicle and look out for roe deer, fallow deer or red deer. Adica Forest Park in Vukovar is recommended for nature experiences and active recreation. Vukovarska Ada is a summer recreation area in Vukovar. The Poloji excursion site has a sandy beach, sports facilities and children’s playgrounds; these recreational facilities may be seasonal. The Vukovar Water Tower offers views of the city and the Danube.

Compare routes and excursions

The routes vary in length and type. The Virovi educational trail in the Otok area is 2,727 metres long. A three-kilometre walking and cycling path connects the archaeological park and excursion site of Sopot with the centre of Vinkovci; the park includes six Sopot houses.

At the Vukovo and Principovac viewpoints, two circular walking trails pass through vineyards, over Liska, the highest point at 297 metres, and via Skandala back to the starting point. The longer trail is 14 kilometres, and the shorter one is nine kilometres. Another trail, 22 kilometres long, runs from Bapska to Principovac. The Srijem cycling route connects the southern and north-eastern parts of Vukovar-Srijem County and links up with EuroVelo 6, the so-called Danube Route. As route conditions can change, it’s a good idea to check for the latest information before cycling.

To choose where to stay, you can start by deciding what you’d like to focus on: Ilok is known for its wine route and cellar visits, Nijemci for birdwatching, while museums and cultural attractions can be found in Vinkovci, Vukovar, Ilok and Županja, among other places. This lets you plan your trip around the experiences that interest you most.

Discover more destinations: Vinkovci, Vukovar, Municipality of Ilok, Municipality of Nijemci, Municipality of Bošnjaci, Municipality of Nuštar, Municipality of Vođinci, Županja, Drenovci, Trpinja.

For an overview of destinations: Croatia.