Lendava between the castle, vineyards and the Mura floodplains

Lendava Castle rises on a steep hill above the old town, surrounded by vineyards. Its history dates back more than 800 years. Together with its museums, paths through the wine-growing landscape and natural areas along the Mura and Ledava rivers, it shapes the destination’s many facets.

Castle, museums and historic sites

The castle houses permanent museum exhibitions and memorial rooms dedicated to local artists, including György Zala and Štefan Galič. The Lendava Gallery-Museum presents permanent archaeological, historical and ethnological exhibitions, as well as a memorial room dedicated to Zala. The permanent local history exhibition “Bürgertum, Druckwesen und Schirmherstellung in Lendava” (Civic Life, Printing and Umbrella Making in Lendava) offers a different insight into local history. It is housed in a former town house at Glavna ulica 52.

The Chapel of the Holy Trinity was built in 1728 on Čonka Hill, known in Hungarian as Csuka-domb. It is home to the mummified body of military commander Mihael Hadik. Services are held in the chapel twice a year: on Trinity Sunday and the Feast of the Guardian Angels. Check current dates before visiting.

The synagogue is also part of the cultural scene, serving as a venue for concerts and exhibitions. The current exhibition explores the history of the Jewish population in the Lendava region; check the programme before your visit. In Dolga vas, the Jewish cemetery has 128 inscribed gravestones. Like the synagogue, it is a protected monument. Access arrangements may change, so it is advisable to check before visiting.

Wine country and routes through the region

The Lendavska vinska turistična cesta (Lendava Wine Tourist Road) runs for nine kilometres from Dolga vas to Pince. Its routes also lead to Dolina, Čentiba and the Dolgovaške gorice hills. Along the wine route, you can stop at a wine tavern or tourist farm; check current opening hours in advance. Local wines and culinary specialities are available along Dolinska pot, including organic produce from an organic farm. The route offers an easy walking or cycling experience.

There are several cycling routes to choose from. The signposted international EV13, the Iron Curtain Trail, runs for 79.3 kilometres between Martinje and Pince in the Slovenian-Hungarian border region. The Dolinsko Route starts and ends in Lendava and passes through Trimlini, Petišovci, Benice, Pince-Marof, Pince, Dolina pri Lendavi, Čentiba, Lendavske Gorice and Dolga Vas, among other places. Check the current signage and route before setting out. The Border Trail runs along the Slovenian-Hungarian state border between Dolga vas and Pince. For the most part, it follows former border guard paths over the ridges of the Dolgovaške gorice and Lendavske gorice hills.

Floodplain forest, the Mura and recreation

Murska šuma is a 361-hectare floodplain forest in the lowlands at the confluence of the Ledava and Mura rivers, south of Pince Marof and Benica. It is home to numerous bird species and is considered one of Slovenia’s most important areas for ornithology. Part of the forest remains untouched to this day. Muriša, a former meander of the Mura, is nearby. Together, Muriša and Potkova are notable for their rich plant and animal life.

Mura Adventures offers cycling tours around Lendava and the Mura, through vineyards and deciduous forests, on trekking or electric mountain bikes. The offering also includes hiking tours along the Mura and around Murska šuma. Special nature-watching tours give visitors the chance to spot species including the black stork, kingfisher and snakehead. On the Mura, visitors can enjoy boat trips and experiences by raft or stand-up paddleboard. Check current tour options before planning, and check water conditions for water-based activities.

The Vinarium Tower offers 360-degree views across Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia and Austria. Its dome hosts changing exhibitions of local and regional art. An elevator goes to the dome and the open-air viewing platform; the exhibition programme may change. The Vinarium Zipline starts near the Piramida viewpoint and ends near the tower. It is just over 500 metres long and reaches speeds of 50 to 65 kilometres per hour.

Terme Lendava is known for its fossil-rich, therapeutic thermal mineral water. The facilities also offer sauna visits, relaxation programmes and cosmetic treatments. Check the current options before your trip. Visitor mobility information for Lendava includes public transport, electric vehicle charging stations and bicycle hire; these services may also change.

Events and travel planning

The Vinarium Festival brings together Bogračfest, the Lendava Grape Harvest Festival, the tower anniversary celebration, and cultural and culinary events. The Bograč cooking competition is considered Slovenia’s largest, and visitors can take part. If you plan to attend one of the festivals, check the dates and participation requirements. When looking for a hotel in Lendava, consider whether cultural sites, wine and food, cycling routes or nature experiences will be the focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Velika Polana, Lendava, Metlika, Trebnje, Velenje, Grosuplje, Ribnica, Postojna.

Back to the main travel overview: Slovenia.