Town in Slavonia
Đakovo
- Best time to go
- May, June, July, Sept
- Part of
- Slavonia
Đakovo is a small Slavonian town dominated by the twin towers of its huge red-brick cathedral, visible across the flat fields for miles.
The cathedral was built in the 19th century by Bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer, a key figure in Croatian culture and politics. The town is also home to the state stud farm, which has bred Lipizzaner horses here for centuries. It makes a relaxed half-day trip from Osijek, or a pleasant stop on the motorway between Zagreb and eastern Slavonia.
Things to do
Don't miss in Đakovo
- Step inside the Cathedral of St Peter, Strossmayer's neo-Romanesque masterpiece, to see its painted interior and stained glass.
- Visit the state stud farm's stables in town to see the white Lipizzaner horses, a breed Đakovo has raised since the 16th century.
- Drive out to the stud farm's pastures at Ivandvor, just outside town, where the young horses are raised.
- Learn about the bishop's life and work at the Strossmayer memorial museum.
- See the Church of All Saints, a former Ottoman-era mosque that was later converted into a church.
- Come in early summer for Đakovački vezovi, a festival of Slavonian folk costume, music and dance with a parade of horses and carriages.
- Eat a long Slavonian lunch of kulen, čobanac and homemade pastries at a local restaurant or farm stay.
Where to stay
Pick your neighbourhood
Town centre
first-time visitors who want to walk to the cathedral, the stud farm stables and the cafés of the main street
Quiet streets near the parks
families and those who like peaceful evenings within a short walk of the centre
Countryside farm stays
food lovers with a car who want home cooking and a slower pace in the villages around town
Tours and getting around
Day trips from Đakovo
Đakovo is usually visited on a day trip from Osijek, often paired with a visit to the stud farm and lunch in the countryside. Wine tours from here can head west to the Kutjevo area, and Vukovar is about an hour away. During Đakovački vezovi the town fills with visitors, so plan ahead if you want to stay overnight.
The town centre is compact and flat, so you can walk or cycle everywhere you need. A car is useful to reach Ivandvor, the surrounding villages or wineries further afield, and to combine Đakovo with other Slavonian towns. There is no need for a scooter or boat.
Getting there
How to get to Đakovo
Đakovo lies about 35 km south of Osijek, about half an hour by car on the A5 motorway, which also connects it with the A3 for Zagreb, about two and a half hours away. The nearest airport is Osijek, with Zagreb the main international option. Buses run regularly to Osijek and other Slavonian towns. Parking near the cathedral is usually easy outside festival days.