The somewhat untamed nature of Slavonia and Baranja allows for an unforgettable active vacation for body and soul.

Run, exercise, pedal!

Slavonija and Baranja are intertwined with roads that cyclists and cycle-tourists travel to their favorite destinations: to nature parks, picnic spots or to Saturday lunches in the countryside. The offer offers an increasing number of Bed & Bike accommodation and campsites whose contents are adapted to the needs of this type of tourist. The region is bordered by two EuroVelo routes, no. 6 (Atlantic-Black Sea) and no. 13 (Iron Curtain route). The popularity of cycling in Slavonia is evidenced by the growing number of local recreational cyclists and tourists. They are joined by an increasing number of runners across the Slavonian-Baranja plains, hills and valleys.

The season of active-tourist treats begins, of course, with spring. April brings the Osijek half-marathon, and May the Tour de Slavonia & Baranja bicycle race. The longest bicycle race in Slavonia is also an opportunity for a dynamic panoramic tour of the area between Donji Miholjac, Našice, Valpovo, Osijek and Baranja. The Pannonian Challenge, a festival of extreme sports and music, the largest of its kind in the whole of Southeast Europe, has been held in Osijek for years. The event consists of BMX, SKATE and INLINE competitions. One of the most generous prize funds in Europe attracts the biggest names of the world scene, and consequently a large number of visitors (more than 300,000 so far). The early autumn part of the season (September) is reserved for the Baranjska Half Marathon, which is organized in the beautiful surroundings of Kopački Rit.

Since 2009 Every May, the World Gymnastics Cup competition is held in Osijek. How could it not, when it was right here in 1865. founded the oldest gymnastics club in Croatia - "Pervo Društvo Gombalacah". Today, the World Cup in Gymnastics - Dobro World Cup Osijek is broadcast in over 70 countries around the world, reaching more than half a billion households. You can watch it live in the Gradski vrt hall, and if the world's best "gymbolists" inspire you, go ahead - in Slavonia, it's great to dance, but you're also happy to practice!

The EuroVelo 6 route (Atlantic - Black Sea) is also known as the Danube route in Croatia. It goes from the Croatian-Hungarian border, along the route Batina – Osijek – Vukovar – Ilok, to the border with Serbia. It is about 150 km long. The EuroVelo 13 route in Croatia is also known as the Drava route. It stretches from the Croatian-Slovenian-Hungarian triple border, along the route Gola - Sopje - Donji Miholjac - Petlovac - Batina, all the way to the border with Serbia. It is about 190 km long. It largely overlaps with the route also known as the "European Amazon Mura-Drava-Danube Route".

Horse riding, fishing and hunting

Slavonians and Baranci have always lived with noble animals, horses. Once upon a time, working horses lived in farmyards and helped farmers, but today they are used by recreational and sport riding enthusiasts. On numerous farms, horses are bred for love. Visitors can ride them or walk along well-trodden forest paths.

Fishermen and hunters like to go to river backwaters and rivers, but also to the oak forests of Slavonia and Baranja. Rivers, lakes and ponds are particularly rich in freshwater species such as carp, perch, pike and catfish. The largest ponds in the County are located near Donji Miholjac and Našice, while the favorite places for fishing are Borovik and Jošava lakes in the vicinity of Đakovo, Našice Lapovac and the former Baranja river tributaries - Topoljski Dunavac near Draž and Stara Drava near Bilje. Not far from Bilje, in Kopačevo, the Fisherman's Days event has been held for twenty years. In addition to fishing, Slavonia and Baranja also have a rich hunting tradition. The local forests are rich in trophy game, among which the magnificent Baranja red deer stands out in the first place, followed by roe deer, wild boar and other feathered and small game.

The Podunavlje-Podravlje hunting lodge was founded way back in 1697. year, when Prince Eugene of Savoy received Baranja from Emperor Leopold I as a reward for his wartime merits. He soon built several hunting manors there and the already mentioned Bilje castle. Hunting ground is still the destination of many exclusive guests, among them quite a few crowned heads.

River, sand, sun

When was the last time you walked barefoot along the sandbar, looking for bird tracks, watching the flow of the river and the poplars swaying in the breeze? The somewhat untamed nature of Slavonia and Baranja will enable you to do just that – rest for body and soul. This is especially true for the rivers and lakes of Slavonia-Baranja. For example, have you heard of bistrigin? It is a Pannonian picigine played by cheerful boys on the most beautiful Drava sandy beach, the one in Bistrinci. In other words, a summer vacation on the continent can be a real treat, because enjoying the cultural heritage, the beauty of nature, and food and gastronomic specialties can simply be completed by swimming in the Drava, the Danube, or numerous lakes.

Next to the Baranja village of Draž, on the very border of Croatia, Hungary and Serbia, you will come across the most attractive Baranja beach, located along the 10 km of the above-mentioned Topoljski Dunavac. When it comes to city swimming pools, apart from Copacabana in Osijek, you can also enjoy swimming pools in Kneževi Vinogradi, Beli Manastir, Belišće and Đakovo.

Bizovacke spa - as if created for relaxation

Thanks to the source of salty, mineral-rich water, the village of Bizovac west of Osijek has become the center of continental health tourism. Experts believe that Bizovac thermal mineral water is unique in the world. With a temperature of 84°C, it is the hottest iodine hyperthermal water in Europe, three times saltier than the sea. In addition to spa facilities, Bizovačke toplice also offers the possibility of enjoying the attractions of indoor and outdoor pools, so-called. Aquapolis, or in the sauna and massage. There is also the possibility of recreation on the sports fields, or in short, enjoyment for the whole family 365 days a year!

The village of Brođanci, not far from Bizovec, has been hosting the unique Olympics of ancient sports for almost half a century, which takes place on the last weekend in August. The goal of this event is to preserve the old games of Slavonian villages from oblivion, and to kill a few of you in translation. However, after you have successfully mastered the theory and practice of kanjijanja, chula, banga, tokač and about 15 other disciplines, your cheerful hosts will be happy to reveal the secrets of old culinary recipes.