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What to See in Upper Međimurje? Viewpoints, Wine Roads, Thermal Spas, and Bike Trails Through Croatia’s Greenest Corner

Rolling hills blanketed in vineyards, wine cellars stocked with indigenous grape varieties, and panoramic views stretching across four countries — Upper Međimurje is the kind of place that reveals itself slowly, but never really lets you go. Tucked along the borders of Slovenia and Hungary, this hilly region offers a perfect escape from city life. Its nature, culture, and food scene have long made it one of the most beloved destinations in continental Croatia.

Top Attractions in Upper Međimurje

Mađerkin Breg Viewpoint — Four Countries, One View

The crown jewel of this region is undoubtedly the Mađerkin Breg viewpoint, perched near Štrigova at the highest point in the area. On a clear day, you can see all the way into Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, and Slovakia — a view you simply won’t find anywhere else in Croatia. The surrounding hillsides are covered in terraced vineyards that look like a living painting no matter the season: lush green in summer, deep gold and red in fall.

Mađerkin Breg is also one of the most photographed spots in all of Međimurje County. Don’t miss it on a sunny afternoon, when the shifting light works pure magic on those storybook hills.

The Međimurje Wine Road — The Pride of the Region

Opened in 2004, the Međimurje Wine Road winds through four municipalities of Upper Međimurje for just over 30 kilometers, with most of its route running through Štrigova and the surrounding area. Along the way, you’ll find around forty wine cellars, tasting rooms, and rural homesteads. In 2007, it was named the best original tourism product in continental Croatia.

Most winemakers offer tastings where you can sample indigenous varieties like moslavac (šipon) and pušipel, and many have gorgeous views stretching across the rolling hills toward Slovenia and Hungary. You can drive, bike, or walk the route on your own — or join an organized tour on the one-of-a-kind wine train.

Terme Sveti Martin — Wellness at the Heart of Wine Country

Terme Sveti Martin sits right in the heart of the Međimurje Wine Road and is a true oasis of relaxation and well-being. The story of these thermal springs goes back to 1911, when entrepreneurs drilling for oil and coal accidentally struck thermal water at 34°C (93°F). Today it’s a modern resort with a full wellness offering and recreational activities, including a summer aqua park with multiple pools and slides.

The Terme make an ideal home base for exploring all of Upper Međimurje. Accommodation options in the area range from the resort’s own hotel to apartments and vacation rentals for every budget.

Hotel and Restaurant Terbotz

The Hotel Terbotz was born from the transformation of the Terbotz manor house — a protected cultural landmark built in the 19th century as the aristocratic residence of the Zichy and Terbócz families. The right wing of the manor has kept its classic appearance and been converted into rooms that breathe old-world elegance, while the left side is an entirely new wing offering luxury accommodations with jacuzzis, a wellness area, and a terrace overlooking the Međimurje hills. Beyond its comfortable rooms, the hotel features a dedicated tasting hall and a wine cellar showcasing the best of Međimurje wines. This is the kind of place where you soak in a jacuzzi on your balcony with a glass of wine and a view of the vineyards — a passion project by the Jakopić family and a genuine gift to this region.

The Mura River Mill — Living History on a Mysterious River

At one point, nearly ninety mills lined the Mura River. Today, only one survives, carefully restored to preserve the ancient craft of flour milling. The mill has been transformed into a visitor center dedicated to Franc Žalar, the last miller in the Međimurje region. Step inside and travel back in time to an era when wooden mill wheels fed an entire community.

For those who want to stay active, the mill is the starting point for the Svetomartinska Mura loop — a 4.5-kilometer eco-hiking and biking trail. The restaurant on-site has a unique multimedia exhibition on its upper floor, where a dark corner holds an encounter with the legendary Međimurje Dekla, a mysterious local folk figure. Right next to the mill, a preserved traditional ferry still crosses the river to a nature trail on the other side. The Slovenian border is just about 500 meters from the river at this point.

Mursko Središće — Nature, Mining History, and Hometown Charm

Mursko Središće hides one of the most beautiful riverside promenades in continental Croatia. The St. Barbara Promenade stretches seven and a half kilometers along the mystical Mura River, from the center of Croatia’s northernmost town all the way to the country’s northernmost point in Žabnik. Along the way you’ll find interpretive panels, playgrounds, and places to grab a bite. The path’s most distinctive landmark is the St. Barbara Bell Tower, shaped like a mining shaft, which comes with an old local legend — whoever rings the bell that was once lost in the Mura’s floodwaters is said to bring good luck upon themselves.

Spomen Dom Rudarstva Cimper — Mining Heritage Museum

Mursko Središće has carried the nickname “City of Miners” since 1925, when a coal deposit was accidentally discovered along the Mura riverbank and the first mine shaft was opened. At its peak, the mines employed up to 1,700 workers and were the economic backbone of the entire area. The last shaft was sealed in 1972. Generations of locals spent their working lives underground, and the mining industry shaped the rhythm of daily life for decades. Today, that rich and difficult history lives on at Spomen Dom Rudarstva Cimper — a modern interpretive center housed in a restored coal separator, where multimedia displays and authentic artifacts bring to life what it truly meant to be a miner in this corner of Croatia.

The “Med Dvemi Vodami” Visitor Center — Nature Between Two Rivers

The Med Dvemi Vodami Visitor Center in Križovec brings the stunning natural landscape between the Mura and Drava rivers to life in a genuinely engaging way. It takes you on a journey through the plant and animal life along the riverbanks, and traces the human relationship with this environment from ancient times to the present day. One fascinating discovery: the nearby village of Peklenica was home to the world’s first commercial oil well — a few years older than the famous one in Pennsylvania. The center has won multiple interior design awards, which is reason enough to visit — and it works equally well for kids and adults.

Štrigova — History and the Spirit of the Vineyard

Štrigova is a small town with an outsized significance. It’s the heart of the Međimurje Wine Road and one of the most picturesque spots in all of Upper Međimurje. The Church of St. Jerome is striking both visually and spiritually, serving as the quiet soul of the area. The surrounding vineyards and cellars make Štrigova the perfect combination of sightseeing and tasting in one stop. The Štrigova Cultural Center is the hub of local community life and the venue for exhibitions and the beloved Urbanovo wine festival. Inside, you’ll also find the interactive Pušipel World Center Štrigova museum, dedicated entirely to the story of this unique indigenous grape variety.

Riding Upper Međimurje on Two Wheels

Međimurje sets the bar high when it comes to cycling infrastructure. Trails are well-marked with road signage, rest stops with information panels, and self-service bike repair stations throughout. The hilly terrain means routes here are a bit more challenging — but the rewards more than make up for the effort.

Pušipelova Route (33.5 miles) — A moderately challenging ride with several climbs, leading from Čakovec through Štrigova across the scenic Međimurje hillside. It runs right through the heart of wine country, making it perfect for anyone who wants to mix a solid workout with a few well-earned cellar stops. Open to all fitness levels — the winery breaks make it as enjoyable as it is physical.

Tour de Mur / Mura Bike (R2) — An international cycling route that follows the Mura River from its source in the Austrian Alps, through Slovenia and Croatia, all the way to its confluence with the Drava. A rare opportunity to explore three countries on two wheels, taking in a richly varied landscape, culture, and local food scene along the way.

Riders can choose between easier and more demanding sections, paved roads and off-road trails, with terrain options available for XC and cross riding as well.

The effective, large-scale capitalization of local tangible and intangible heritage along cycling trails remains weak, as inclusive community-based initiatives are rare and poorly connected.

The IBC — Inclusive Border Cycling project aims to unlock the value of natural and cultural assets in disadvantaged border areas through the transnational development of cycling trails, with a focus on engaging local vulnerable groups. IBC pilot projects and solutions for inclusive trail management and outreach to silver-age demographics, supported by transnational marketing and promotional activities, will result in an accessible network of socially inclusive cycling trails.

Shifting the focus from cycling infrastructure planning to socially inclusive trail development and management will mobilize cultural assets and the social capital of local communities, strengthening social cohesion at all levels. The creation of innovative, tailored tourism products for silver-age travelers will unlock the growing demand potential of cycling tourism, while shared marketing strategies and transferable models will help socially inclusive cycling products become more competitive, with a focus on socially responsible consumers from Europe’s most developed markets.

Getting There and Getting Around

Upper Međimurje is easy to reach from Zagreb — about an hour by car on the A2 highway toward Varaždin, then on toward Čakovec. Sveti Martin na Muri is an ideal base for exploring the whole region, with the thermal spa ready to ease your muscles after a day of discovery. The area has several excellent restaurants. On our latest trip, we had lunch at Potrti Kotač, coffee on the Mura riverbank at Beach Bar Trska, and made a stop on the way home at Mala Hiža in Mačkovec — one of the best restaurants in this part of Croatia, full stop.

The best time to visit is spring and fall, when the vineyards are at their most beautiful and the temperatures are perfect for biking and hiking. Fall weekends during harvest season and the wine festivals are especially popular.

Upper Međimurje doesn’t shout for attention. It’s the kind of place that simply welcomes you, feeds you well, pours you something good, and sends you home smiling. Places like this are getting harder to find in Croatia. This one is still here — untouched, authentic, and waiting to be discovered.