This bilingual town near the Hungarian border has thermal spas, a hilltop castle from 1192, and the tallest lookout tower in Slovenia at 53.5 meters.
Lendava sits in Slovenia’s Prekmurje region, where the borders of Slovenia, Hungary, and Croatia meet. The 18th-century Lendava Castle stands on a hill above town, with a museum inside displaying items from the area’s past. Natural thermal springs feed the local spa, which has pools and wellness treatments. You’ll find a historic synagogue restored for concerts and a wooden Hungarian Community Centre designed by Imre Makovecz. Each year, the Vinarium Festival fills the streets with wine tastings, and Bogračijada serves steaming pots of meat stew. Trails lead through vineyards and hills, and the Petišovci Stadium holds speedway races drawing international teams.
Lendava Castle and Museum
Lendava Castle dominates the town from its hilltop position, rebuilt in the 18th century by the Esterházy family after medieval origins. Inside, the museum holds tools, clothing, and art from Prekmurje’s history, along with records tracing Hungarian and Slovene ties. Archaeologists found evidence of fortifications here dating back to before the 12th century. The castle later became a school and army barracks before becoming a public museum in 1972. Walk up to the terraces to see views stretching over rooftops and vineyards. The gallery inside rotates exhibits of modern and traditional works.
Thermal Spa and Wellness
Thermalbad Lendava uses natural hot springs for its indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, and massage services. Stay at the spa’s hotels or campsite to easily visit nearby spots like the Mura River wetlands or the 1931 Lutheran church. Rent bicycles to follow trails that link villages and wineries. Some wellness programs include visits to local vineyards for wine sampling. The spa also organizes guided trips to nearby farms and historical sites.
Cultural Sites and Architecture
Lendava’s street signs appear in both Slovene and Hungarian, reflecting the town’s bilingual community. The Hungarian Community Centre, with its curved wooden beams and carved details, hosts theater and music events. The restored synagogue now holds art shows and classical concerts. Compare the baroque altars of Saint Catherine’s Catholic Church with the plain benches of the Lutheran church a short walk away. The castle’s gallery displays paintings and sculptures by artists from Slovenia and neighboring countries.
Annual Events and Festivals
In late August, the Vinarium Festival lets you taste Prekmurje wines like Ranfol and yellow muscat, with grape-stomping and folk dances. September’s Bogračijada fills the main square with teams competing to make the best meat-and-paprika stew. November brings Martinfest, where locals roast goose and serve new wine in cellars. Smaller events include grape-picking days in October with workshops on making traditional jams. These gatherings mix local families with visitors, filling the town with music and chatter.
Hiking, Cycling, and Speedway
Thirty-nine marked trails start near Lendava, including a 6-mile loop through vineyards and a 42-mile route toward Romania’s Sebeş. Use free 3D maps from the tourist office to find paths like the 14-mile trail past Gaberje’s farms and forests. The Petišovci Stadium hosts speedway races from April to September, including qualifiers for global championships. Join guided bike tours along the Mura River in summer or walk the castle grounds in winter when snow covers the gardens.
Local Food and Wine
Prekmurje’s kitchens serve bograč stew simmered in copper pots and gibanica pastry layered with cheese, apples, and poppy seeds. Wineries near Lendava let you sample crisp whites in cellars or at the Vinarium Festival. Restaurants by the thermal spa cook trout and carp from the Mura River. During Martinfest, try roasted pork with tangy new wine. Some farms offer stays where you can eat homemade sausages and honey cakes.
Getting to Lendava and Visitor Tips
Drive to Lendava via the Dolga Vas–Rédics border crossing from Hungary or Mursko Središće from Croatia. Graz Airport in Austria is 90 minutes away; Zagreb Airport takes two hours by car. Buses run regularly to Murska Sobota and Maribor. Most locals speak Slovene and Hungarian, and many understand basic English. Check www.lendava.si for updated festival dates and trail conditions.
