Starše lies on the right bank of the Drava. The municipality includes both Drava terraces and the low-lying plain along the river; the D5 Drava cycling route also passes through the municipality. This gives you several specific areas to focus on during your stay: the river landscape and its birdlife, cycling, local history and regional products. If you are looking for accommodation in Starše, you can first decide which of these aspects you would like to shape your stay.
Drava landscape and birdlife
Drava Landscape Park is part of the European Natura 2000 protected areas network; part of the park lies within the municipality of Starše. The old channel of the Drava, with its side channels and oxbow lakes, riparian forests and meadows in the Starše area, provides a habitat for 250 bird species. Of these, 38 are considered significant at the European level. The landscape park also includes river terraces, numerous gravel bars and marshy meadows. Floodplains may be flooded in rainy weather.
Cycling on the Drava cycling route
The D5 Drava cycling route passes through the municipality of Starše, mostly following existing local roads and, in places, farm and forest tracks. In June 2018, the section in the municipality was described as complete. You can therefore choose between two distinct ways to experience the Drava: a specific cycling route and a protected area that highlights the river landscape and birdlife.
Church and local history
The Church of St John the Baptist in Starše belongs to the parish of Št. Janž na Dravskem Polju. It was consecrated in 1833, and its bell tower dates from 1861. Starše was formerly known as Stara vas. The entire parish was called Šentjanž; the name derives from a manor farm named after St John, dating from the time of the Ravno polje estate. The history of the name adds to the church connection: Šentjanž also refers to St John.
Three traditional events take place in the municipality in May and September. If you are travelling specifically for an event, check the dates in advance. As specific examples from 2023, the Starše Sports Association held the Mirko Dobnik Memorial Tournament for the 37th consecutive time. On 2 May 2023, the Zlatoličje Volunteer Fire Brigade organised a traditional cycling tour through the municipality for its members and residents.
Farm visit and regional products
At Kmetija Selinšek in Starše, farm tours and tastings of the farm’s own products are available by prior arrangement. The farm shop sells homemade yoghurts, curd cheese, curd cheese spreads and several types of cheese.
A local tradition is training grapevines along houses, known as brajde. The protected wine brand “La brajde” was also created.
Picnics and celebrations by the Drava
The Tejek fishing hut is located by the Drava. It is managed by the Starše branch of the Ptuj Fishing Association and can be rented for picnics and celebrations. Check availability before making specific plans.
Discover more destinations: Limbuš, Hočko Pohorje, Fram, Bresternica, Dobrovce, Spodnje Hoče, Malečnik, Loka
For the overview of the wider area: Maribor.
