When to Go

Slavonia can be swelteringly hot in summer (which is considered the low season), when many establishments close because everyone, including the locals, has fled to the coast. The best time to visit is spring or early fall, which are conveniently the same months when hundreds of thousands of birds gather at the Kopački Rit Nature Park. Late August and September are harvest season, when there are plenty of local festivals throughout the region; it's a great time to visit a winery or farmhouse and maybe even lend a hand. It gets cold and snowy in Slavonia in winter, but there are traditional Christmas markets (including a fantastic Advent Market in Osijek, complete with a skating rink, live performances, and a Christmas tram), winter festivals, and local mulled wine to keep you warm.