This historic Croatian town on the Danube River has rebuilt itself since the 1991 siege. Its restored baroque buildings and war memorials tell stories of resilience.
Vukovar sits along the Danube River as Croatia's main river port. You can walk through its baroque streets, visit the 18th-century Eltz Castle, or explore the Franciscan monastery with its 15th-century library. The city has two significant museums: the Vukovar Hospital Museum and the Vučedol Culture Museum, where you can learn about one of Europe's earliest Indo-European settlements.
Getting to Vukovar
Direct buses run from Zagreb multiple times daily and from Osijek approximately every hour. The train station, Borovo-naselje, lies 3 miles north of the center with connections to Osijek and Vinkovci. Many travelers arrive at Osijek Airport and take a one-hour bus ride to Vukovar.
Walking Through the City Center
A 20-minute walk covers most of Vukovar's central area. The baroque buildings, Franciscan monastery, and cultural institutions cluster together in the center. Inside the monastery, you'll find Croatia's third-largest library collection, including books dating back to the 15th century. Clear signs mark the walking routes between these landmarks.
Memorial Sites
The Water Tower still bears bullet marks and shell damage from 1991. The Vukovar Hospital museum maintains its original rooms where you can see medical equipment and personal belongings of staff and patients who sought shelter during the conflict. At the Ovčara memorial and museum, photographs, documents, and personal items tell stories of wartime events.
Museums and Culture
The Vučedol Culture Museum, recognized with the 2022 European "Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism" award, contains pottery, tools, and everyday objects from one of Europe's earliest Indo-European cultures. In Eltz Castle, the Municipal Museum houses archaeological finds and historical collections from the region.
Local Food and Drink
Restaurants in the city center prepare smoked pork and Danube fish dishes. Try local specialties like šunka (smoked ham), kulen (spiced sausage), and švargl (head cheese). The local Vukovarsko pivo beer pairs well with these traditional meals.
Annual Events
The Vukovar Film Festival sets up screens along the Danube riverbank, showing films from countries along the river's path. From November 18-20, the Column of Memory brings thousands of people walking from the Vukovar Hospital to the Memorial Cemetery in remembrance of the city's past.
Day Trips
Take a 30-minute drive to Ilok to see Castle Ilok and the Church of St. Ivan Kapistran. The city of Osijek lies one hour west, while Novi Sad in Serbia is one hour east by car or bus.
