Renovated Opeka Arboretum opens near Varaždin, entry free

The Opeka Arboretum in Marčan near Vinica, about 20 kilometres west of Varaždin, has officially opened after a renovation costing more than 10 million euros. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and county prefect Anđelko Stričak opened the park on Thursday 29 October 2026 (Varaždinske vijesti). It is open Monday to Saturday, and entry is free for now. For day-trippers based in Varaždin or Zagreb, the park is a new option for a morning out.

What was renewed

At the opening, prefect Stričak listed what went into the park: more than 25,000 square metres of redesigned grounds, about 6.5 kilometres of renewed paths with 132 lamp posts, more than 12,000 shrubs, more than 15,500 perennials and flowers and more than 3,000 botanical labels (eVaraždin). Workers removed almost 5,000 cubic metres of silt from the lake. A historic ice house and a pool with a water wall have been restored, and a new sensory garden serves visitors with disabilities.

The county's nature agency, Priroda Varaždinske županije, adds 270 new trees and more than 1,000 old trees cleared of climbing plants and mistletoe (Priroda Varaždinske županije). It puts the project at more than 10.2 million euros, while media report about 10.5 million. According to Varaždinske vijesti, just under 6.6 million euros come from the EU recovery programme NextGenerationEU and the county pays the rest. The project also includes a website, a mobile app and ticketing software.

A park from the 19th century

The landscape park beside the manor of the same name took shape in the mid-19th century, when Count Marko Bombelles took over the estate. He brought exotic species back from his travels, and some trees are now more than 150 years old (Priroda Varaždinske županije). The county tourist board lists origins such as Japan, China, Tibet, the Caucasus and North America, planted into a wood of sessile oak and sweet chestnut (Varaždin County Tourist Board). The park has been protected since 1947 and is number 1 in Croatia's register of protected areas. The protected area covers 50.43 hectares, and Opeka is the only protected arboretum in inland Croatia.

What it means for visitors

• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 08:00 to 16:00, closed on Sundays and public holidays (Varaždinske vijesti). On a weekend trip, plan for Saturday. 18 November, Vukovar Remembrance Day, is also a public holiday.
• Entry: free for now, until the visitor car park is finished. The project's ticketing software prepares for paid entry later; no price has been announced.
• Plan half a day: with 6.5 kilometres of paths and closing at 16:00, the park fits into a morning. The afternoon leaves time for the Baroque centre, see Varaždin city guide.
• In December: visitors heading to Advent in Varaždin can see the park in the morning, since the town's lights only come into their own in the evening.
• Accessibility: the new sensory garden is designed for people with disabilities.