Municipality of Bilje

• The Tikveš Presentation and Education Centre is located in the northern part of Kopački rit Nature Park.
• The “Blago močvare” educational trail has two observation hides: one for wildlife, especially deer during the rutting season, and one for birds by the Čarna Canal.
• Cycling is among the activities available in Tikveš and Zlatna Greda; in Zlatna Greda, groups need to arrange it in advance.
• The Ribarski dani in Kopačevo are held regularly in early September.

At the Tikveš Centre, a multimedia and interactive exhibition presents the key features and natural phenomena of Kopački rit. Those interested in the park’s natural environment can combine their visit with the “Blago močvare” educational trail, where the two observation hides each offer a different focus. One is for observing wildlife, particularly deer during the rutting season. The other is intended for birdwatching by the Čarna Canal.

The Tikveš area also offers ways to spend time outdoors. It is mostly surrounded by oak forest and is suitable for cycling, horse-drawn carriage rides and other activities in nature. Anglers may consider the Vemeljski dunavac, right next to the Tikveš settlement. Fishing also takes place at Lake Bilje, where anglers are regularly seen on the shore or in a boat.

In Zlatna Greda, groups can arrange activities in advance for any day of the week, including cycling, paddling through Kopački rit and photo safaris. The route to Zlatna Greda passes through the dense forests of the nature park and by Tikveš Castle. The castle complex dates back to the 19th century and includes the New Castle with its annex and the Old Castle. This allows you to take both nature and cultural interests into account when exploring Tikveš and Zlatna Greda, without treating their offerings as identical.

The Reformed Christian Church stands in the centre of Lug and is considered a landmark of the settlement. The simple pilgrimage church was visited by pilgrims from its early days. One of the three road connections to Kopački rit Nature Park starts in Lug. The name Lug is also closely associated with the Paprika fest, traditionally held on the occasion of the village day. In Kopačevo, meanwhile, the Ribarski dani keep the settlement’s fishing tradition alive. The pages on Lug, Zlatna Greda, Kopačevo and Bilje offer starting points for further exploration within the municipality.

At the Ribarski dani in Kopačevo, held regularly in early September, visitors can enjoy traditional fish specialities, game dishes and wines from Baranja. The festival is an opportunity to discover regional food and learn more about the settlement’s fishing tradition.

The Paprika fest in Lug puts a different culinary tradition in the spotlight: it highlights ground paprika as a particularly defining ingredient in Baranja cuisine. Visitors can also learn about the culture and customs of Hungarians in Croatia. Vardarac is also home to an ethno house with an extensive ethnographic collection, which is to be made increasingly accessible to tourists. An equestrian club in Vardarac offers recreational horse riding for visitors. Kakasütés, the symbolic cock-beating ritual, is the final event in the carnival celebrations.

A newly renovated cycling path connects Osijek with Lake Bilje, which locals call Stara Drava. In Tikveš and Zlatna Greda, further cycling opportunities add to the range of nature activities; in Zlatna Greda, groups need to arrange activities in advance. When choosing accommodation, you can consider whether you would like to focus your trip on wildlife watching, regional culture, or events and cuisine. For information about other municipalities, see the pages on the Municipality of Bizovac, the Municipality of Darda, the Municipality of Belišće and the Municipality of Popovac.

When are the Ribarski dani in Kopačevo held?

The Ribarski dani are held regularly in early September. Visitors can enjoy traditional fish specialities, game dishes and wines from Baranja.

Where can you observe animals and birds in Kopački rit?

On the “Blago močvare” educational trail, one observation hide is for wildlife watching, particularly deer during the rutting season. The other is intended for birdwatching by the Čarna Canal.

What activities does Zlatna Greda offer groups?

Groups who arrange activities in advance can take part in cycling, paddling through Kopački rit and photo safaris, among other activities, any day of the week.

For the broader travel overview: Osijek-Baranja County.