September the 8th, 2025 – Nicknamed “Little Vienna”, this beautiful city in northern Croatia was once (albeit very briefly) the capital of the country! It’s the perfect weekend trip.
As Putni kofer writes, it’s famous for the much loved Špancirfest, a festival that transforms the city’s streets into the largest open-air stage in this part of Europe year after year. Varaždin, however, is so much more than that. Even when the spotlights fade and the jugglers and musicians pack up their props and head home for another year, Varaždin doesn’t lose its magic. On the contrary, “Little Vienna” in northern Croatia remains just as exciting and tempting for a trip. It’s actually called “Little Vienna” because of its elegance and gorgeous Baroque charm, and it’s also special for its palaces that testify to the eye watering wealth and importance of the city throughout the many centuries.
the home of noble families and political power
A stroll through the historic core of “Little Vienna” feels like you’re entering a fairy-tale backdrop of an old film, not just northern Croatia. The facades of luxurious Baroque palaces line up one after another, and each of them has its own story, written on stone portals, elegant bay windows and spacious inner courtyards. It’s precisely these palaces, magnificent and imposing, that have earned Varaždin many a flattering title.
The palaces in Varaždin were built back during the 17th and 18th centuries, when the city was the seat of many powerful noble families. It was also once the political centre of Croatia. Behind names like Patačić, Drašković, Sermage, Erdödy and Herzer lies an entire exciting era. In these palaces, important decisions were made, conversations took place that changed history, and the ballrooms shone in their full splendour, home to all kinds of luxurious balls.
architectural beauty in the face of constant changes of government
Today, Varaždin’s palaces are open-air museums. Some of them have been converted into galleries and cultural institutions, while others are still privately owned. Their facades, richly decorated with Baroque and Rococo details, are an ideal backdrop for photographs, also acting as a reminder that Varaždin was never just a quiet provincial town, but a real centre of power and culture.
A special impression is made by the fact that most of these palaces are located in a relatively small area, in the very heart of the city. Walking along the Korzo or Franciscan Square means walking among centuries-old witnesses who have survived fires, wars and very many changes of government. Their persistence and beauty speak best of the wealth and importance that Varaždin held in the past, as well as of its current role as one of the most beautiful Croatian cities.
Varaždin is often called “Little Vienna”, shining the spotlight on northern Croatia, an area often overlooked when compared to the glamorous coastline and islands. It stems from the rich Baroque heritage that makes this city unique on the Croatian map. Back during the 17th and 18th centuries, Varaždin was at the very heart of political, cultural and social life. For a short while, it was even the capital of Croatia. It was then that a series of imposing architectural buildings were constructed, whose facades still exude pure elegance.
rich musical traditions
It is precisely because of this touch of glam, as well as the rich cultural life that the city has developed over the centuries, that Varaždin has been compared to Vienna, the great European centre of art and music. Add to that the fact that Varaždin has a very long and impressive musical tradition, from baroque concerts to the modern Špancirfest, and it’s clear why visitors see it as a small, more intimate reflection of the former imperial capital. “Little Vienna” is so much more than just another romantic nickname, but an acknowledgement that this city in northern Croatia was historically one full of elegance, culture and artistic creativity that still enchants with its atmosphere today.
The city is small enough to explore in a single weekend, yet rich enough to surprise you at every turn, from hidden courtyards and small, independently owned shops to excursions into the surrounding countryside. Varaždin combines the warmth of a small town with the atmosphere of European elegance, making it the perfect choice when you want to get away from the daily stresses of life.
