24 hours in Osijek

For sure, Osijek deserves your attention more than 24 hours, but if you are just passing by eastern Croatia, do not miss to explore this beauty on the Drava River. The city is located in the northeastern corner of Croatia,** and **it will greet you with a smile on their people's faces, an awesome eastern Croatia food, exciting history, and beautiful nature.

This will be a stroll I did in June 2018, and it's the best way to explore the city for the first time. So, get in your shoes or hop on a bicycle and follow me. There are many reasons to like Osijek. One of my favorite reasons is a famous Osijek Pedestrian Bridge (Pješački most). So, let's start here. As a bicycle enthusiast and an everyday pedestrian, you got to love it. Made in 1981, architectonically it is beautiful, and it's on the river, with no cars around - do you need more reasons? So, start your stroll next to Drava River and enjoy fresh air and colors of nature. Since this only pedestrians area, there is no traffic, no pollution, no noise.

Picture © Credits to Zdenko Brkanić

Feel free to cross the bridge, take a photo of Osijek from the other side and come back. Your next stop will be Perivoj kralja Tomislava, a huge green park on the right bank of the river Drava. This is a place to rest, maybe sleep a bit, eat or have a coffee.

Drava River gives a special look to Osijek, but back in time, it gave life to the city, and also a danger. That's why a huge fortress was built. So, our next stop is Osijek's fortress called Tvrđa. This place hides many interesting stories from Osijek's history since the 17th century.* Tvrđa was a defending wall against the intruders, but it was also an important entrance to the city during the merchant businesses. This fantastic citadel was made to protect the city but nowadays it serves as an "old town". Tvrđa is home to few thousand Osijek citizens, a place where you can find schools, a library, nice squares and a famous Museum of Slavonia (Muzej Slavonije). If you are not lucky enough to find a local guide, then try to get more information in the Museum of Slavonia. Besides all mentioned, Tvrđa **has many bars and restaurants. So, take a rest, make a break while drinking legendary Osječko pivo, a local *beer.

Picture © Credits to xbrchx

In the photo below, you can see the areal view on the citadel with the most important buildings and the river Drava behind.

Picture © Credits to Predrag Ivankovic Pjer

From the citadel, take the European Avenue and head to the main square - Ante Starčević Square. On the way, meet the locals and let them tell you more about their city. At the end of this avenue, you will end up at the Ante Starčević Square, and you will be amazed by the beauty and hight of the Osijek Co-cathedral. The Cathedral made of three and a half million bricks is something special, something to stop by and stare for a moment, or a bit longer.

Picture © Credits to Rocky031

Next day, if you decide to stay a bit longer, you should definitely go to visit Kopački Rit Nature Park or just get lost in this cute place and spend additional 24 hours in Osijek.

Picture © Credits to grubisicigor