Located in northern Croatia, this calm market town has a medieval castle, central square with weekly farmers' markets, and lies close to the Slovenian border.
In Čakovec, Croatia's northernmost county seat, you can explore the red-brick Zrinski Castle, walk through streets lined with baroque buildings, or join locals at the August Porcijunkulovo Festival where craftspeople demonstrate traditional skills. The city's traffic circles, which replaced all traffic lights in the 1990s, make driving through the center smooth and efficient.
Getting Around Čakovec
Traffic circles replaced all traffic lights in the late 1990s, creating steady traffic flow throughout the inner city. You'll find electronic information spots at Republic Square, Franciscan Square, and Saint Anthony of Padua Square to help you navigate between the seven city districts. The expressway puts you 90 kilometers from Zagreb, with direct connections to Hungary's border crossing at Goričan and routes to the Adriatic coast.
Zrinski Castle and Museum
The medieval Zrinski Castle, built with hewn stone and red brick, rises from the center of Zrinski Park. The Međimurje County Museum inside holds 17,000 items, including archaeological artifacts from the region, medieval weapons, and local artworks. From June through September, you can watch theater performances in the castle's open atrium. The castle's current baroque appearance dates to its 1738 reconstruction after an earthquake.
Parks and Public Spaces
Zrinski Park surrounds the castle with 800 meters of paved walking paths, stone monuments, and a central fountain. You can reach the main square directly from the park, where locals gather daily near the fountain. The pathways, shaded by century-old trees, include information boards detailing the park's evolution since the 13th century.
Cultural Events and Festivals
During the Porcijunkulovo Festival in August, food vendors and craftspeople fill the streets, while local musicians perform on multiple stages. The Zrinski Guard, dressed in period-accurate uniforms, performs with their drum orchestra several times monthly, continuing medieval military traditions. Local punk bands like Bakterije and Motorno Ulje play regular weekend shows at Club Metalac and Klub Prostor.
Sports and Recreation
The northwestern sports complex includes a 7,000-seat stadium for football matches and track events. You can watch handball, basketball, and volleyball matches throughout the week in the indoor sports hall. The swimming facility next door maintains separate 25-meter lap pools and recreational pools, with year-round swimming lessons available for beginners through advanced swimmers.
