Ilok: where the best view of the Danube meets the best wine

Ilok is one of the smaller towns in Croatia with approx. 6,000 inhabitants. What Ilok enhances are the vineyards, excellent wines, and rich history. Ilok is the easternmost city in Croatia, and it is the place where the best view of the Danube meets the best wine.

A bit of history

Before you come to Ilok, be sure that you will move around this place that exists for thousands of years. It is no wonder when you know that the neighboring city called Vinkovci is the birthplace of the emperors, and the Vučedol culture flourished nearby. Ilok had an important position on the map of the Roman Empire. What we can see today in the town belongs to the legacy of the 18th and 19th century. Due to its position - on the slopes of Fruška Gora and along the great river Danube, Ilok was always attractive. When you come to Ilok, the first thing I recommend to you is to visit the castle and its wine cellars.

Walls of the city and Odescalchi Castle

The defending walls with towers are preserved from the 15th century and are now visible in the city center. Odescalchi Castle that dominates the city on a hill originates from the 15th century, and its present form was acquired in the 18th century. Today, in the castle, the city museum is located. The wine cellars of the castle itself are the most attractive location in the city. There is a very valuable wine collection in those old cellars. Some of them today cost up to several thousand euros, and the same wines have been and still are served at large European castles. From the castle terrace and its courtyard, a beautiful view of the Danube opens in front of you. With a glass of wine and some Slavonian typical food, this view will be even better.

Wine from Ilok

The region around Ilok is famous for its wines. Ilok's Gewürztraminer is the most famous and rewarding wine. When you visit the city museum, the castle and the city park (in the city park there is a tree of Gingko Biloba), I would recommend you to walk to the nearby vineyards. The kind hosts will tell you the story of their wine cellar, show you their production and vineyards. In each place, you will have the best possible local guides.

How and when to come?

Ilok is easily reachable from Vukovar, Osijek or Vinkovci, and also from Zagreb. Ilok is located on the border with Serbia, so it is easy to come from Novi Sad (Serbia). The closest airports are in Osijek and Belgrade. It is also possible to visit Ilok from the Danube if you take part in the river cruise tours. The best time to visit Ilok is September because you will have a chance to taste the most brilliant wines of the previous and present seasons. Welcome to the place where the best view of the Danube meets the best wine.