Lendava Castle rises on a steep hill above the old town, surrounded by vineyards. It looks back on a history spanning more than 800 years and houses permanent museum exhibitions as well as memorial rooms for local artists, including György Zala and Štefan Galič. In Lendava, cultural history and wine country come together, but there is more to discover than just the castle.
Museums, Synagogue and Memorial Sites
The Lendava Gallery-Museum features a permanent archaeological, historical and ethnological exhibition; it also includes a memorial room for György Zala. The local history exhibition “Bürgertum, Druckwesen und Schirmherstellung in Lendava” (Civic Life, Printing and Umbrella Making in Lendava) offers insight into the town’s history. It is housed in a former town house at Glavna ulica 52.
The synagogue serves as a venue for concerts and exhibitions. The current exhibition focuses on the history of the Jewish population in the Lendava region; check the programme before your visit. The cemetery in Dolga vas is also part of the Jewish heritage: it contains 128 inscribed gravestones. Like the synagogue, it is a protected monument. As access arrangements may change, it is advisable to check before visiting.
The Chapel of the Holy Trinity was built in 1728 on ÄŚonka Hill, known in Hungarian as Csuka-domb. The mummified body of military commander Mihael Hadik can be seen inside. Services are held twice a year, on Trinity Sunday and the Feast of the Guardian Angels. If you would like to attend a service, check the date in advance.
Wine Country and Routes for Different Interests
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 way, you can stop at wine taverns or tourist farms; check their current opening hours in advance. The Dolinska pot offers a distinct experience: local wines and culinary specialities are available along the route, including organic produce from an organic farm. It is considered an easy hiking or cycling experience.
The cycling and border routes also vary in character. The marked international EV13 route, the Iron Curtain Trail, runs for 79.3 kilometres between Martinje and Pince through the Slovenian-Hungarian border region. Check the signs and route before setting off. The Border Trail runs along the state border between Dolga vas and Pince, mostly following former border guard paths over the ridges of the Dolgovaške gorice and Lendavske gorice hills. 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.
Mur Floodplains, Wildlife Watching and Views
Murska šuma is a 361-hectare floodplain forest in the lowlands, where the Ledava and Mur rivers meet, south of Pince Marof and Benica. Numerous bird species live there, and the area is considered one of Slovenia’s most important for ornithology. Part of the forest remains a primeval forest to this day. Muriša, an oxbow lake of the Mur, lies very close to Murska šuma. Mura Adventures offers hiking tours along the Mur and around the forest. The activities also include wildlife and plant watching, where you may spot, among other species, the black stork, kingfisher and snakehead. Check the current tour conditions in advance.
From Vinarium Tower, the 360-degree view stretches across Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia and Austria. An elevator takes you to the dome and the open-air viewing platform; the dome hosts rotating exhibitions of local and regional art. Check the current exhibition programme before your visit. The Vinarium Zipline starts near the Piramida viewpoint and ends close to the tower. It is just over 500 metres long and reaches speeds of 50 to 65 kilometres per hour.
Thermal Waters, Cuisine and Trip Planning
Terme Lendava is known for its fossil, healing thermal mineral water. The facilities also offer sauna visits and programmes for relaxation and cosmetic treatments. As wellness offerings may change, check what is currently available before your trip. Public transport, electric vehicle charging stations and bicycle rental are among Lendava’s mobility options for planning your routes; check their current arrangements in advance as well.
You can also discover local cuisine at events. The Vinarium Festival brings together the Bogračfest, the Lendava Grape Harvest, the tower anniversary celebration, and cultural and culinary events. Bogračfest is considered Slovenia’s largest bograč cooking competition; visitors can take part in the competition. Check the dates and participation requirements for individual events in advance.
Discover more destinations: Lendava, Velika Polana, Trbovlje, Ptuj, Jesenice, Laško, Kočevje, Slovenske Konjice.
For the main travel overview: Slovenia.
