About this place
Stubičke Toplice is a thermal spa settlement in the Zagorje hills below Medvednica, shaped by hot springs and a long bathing tradition. Rather than a large historic centre, the place is experienced through parks, thermal facilities and a hilly landscape that quickly rises towards Medvednica. Hotel Matija Gubec still uses spring thermal water and has two indoor pools and a large outdoor bathing area, while the centre is marked by Maksimilijan Vrhovac Park and the Chapel of St Catherine, built in 1814 as part of an early spa complex developed by Bishop Maksimilijan Vrhovac. Above the settlement, Kapelščak provides views over a Zagorje mosaic of vineyards, orchards, meadows and woodland. Stubičke Toplice therefore suits a slower stay combining thermal bathing with short walks and an excursion towards Medvednica rather than a dense programme of urban sights. Its proximity to Zagreb also makes it practical for a day devoted mainly to spa time and countryside.
Stubičke Toplice derives almost its entire identity from thermal water and the Zagorje landscape. There is no large urban historic core; green spaces, bathing facilities and traces of the spa’s early nineteenth-century development matter more. The Chapel of St Catherine, built in 1814, formed part of the spa complex developed by Bishop Maksimilijan Vrhovac, and the nearby park still carries his name. Hotel Matija Gubec continues the thermal tradition with indoor and outdoor pools, while Kapelščak above the settlement opens views across the characteristic Zagorje patchwork of vineyards, orchards, fields and woodland. This layout gives Stubičke Toplice a deliberately slower character: its value lies less in a long list of attractions than in the ability to combine thermal bathing, a park walk and nearby countryside without long transfers.
Stays
No stays listed here yet
Things to see
The Chapel of St Catherine is the most important small historic structure in the central spa area of Stubičke Toplice. It was built and consecrated in 1814 as part of the complex developed from 1811 by Zagreb bishop Maksimilijan Vrhovac. Maksimilijan Vrhovac Park lies beside the chapel, allowing visitors to follow the early spa story without a long walk. The second key attraction is not a building but Kapelščak, a viewpoint above the settlement looking across Zagorje hamlets, vineyard huts, orchards, meadows and woodland. Hotel Matija Gubec represents the modern continuation of the thermal tradition through pools using spring water. Together these three elements explain the destination clearly: early spa history, continued thermal use and the landscape of Hrvatsko zagorje.
Things to do
The simplest plan in Stubičke Toplice begins with thermal bathing and then expands into the park and surrounding viewpoints. Hotel Matija Gubec has two indoor pools and a large outdoor bathing area supplied with spring thermal water, making it easy to spend several hours without leaving the settlement. Afterwards, a gentle walk through Maksimilijan Vrhovac Park and past the Chapel of St Catherine works well, followed by Kapelščak for a broader view of the Zagorje landscape. More active visitors can continue towards Medvednica, whose natural slopes rise above Stubičke Toplice. A short visit does not need a crowded schedule: thermal water, the park and one viewpoint already create a distinctly local experience, with the day ending over a cake or traditional Zagorje dish in the centre.
Food and drink
For food in Stubičke Toplice itself, the official tourist board highlights two clear options. Kavana Maksimilijan in the centre has a terrace over the stream and serves cakes together with Zagorje favourites such as bučnica and štrukli, as well as kremšnita and pancakes. Hotel Matija Gubec at Viktora Šipeka 31 has an à la carte restaurant offering both domestic and international cooking, making it convenient when lunch is paired with thermal bathing. For a more local choice, štrukli or bučnica reflect the destination better than a generic hotel dish. The café works well for a shorter stop after walking through the park, while the hotel allows pools, wellness and a meal to be combined in one place without additional transport around the settlement.
Practical information
Practical information
The Stubičke Toplice tourist board is located at Ulica Viktora Šipeka 24 and publishes information on thermal facilities, excursions and local attractions. Hotel Matija Gubec is nearby at number 31 and has two indoor pools, a large outdoor bathing area and wellness facilities using thermal water. The centre is compact, so Maksimilijan Vrhovac Park, the Chapel of St Catherine, Kavana Maksimilijan and part of the thermal offer can be linked on foot in a single walk. For Kapelščak and broader excursions towards Medvednica, a car or a deliberately planned walking route is more practical depending on the length of the stay. The short distance between the tourist office, hotel and central park reduces the need to move a vehicle during a day focused on the thermal facilities.
Frequently asked questions
Which chapel in Stubičke Toplice dates from 1814?
The Chapel of St Catherine was built and consecrated in 1814 as part of Maksimilijan Vrhovac’s early spa complex.
Does Hotel Matija Gubec have thermal pools?
Yes. The official tourist board lists two indoor pools and a large outdoor bathing area using spring thermal water.
Where can you see a panorama of the Zagorje landscape above Stubičke Toplice?
Kapelščak viewpoint overlooks the hamlets, vineyards, orchards, meadows and woodland of Hrvatsko zagorje.
Which Zagorje pastries and dishes are served at Kavana Maksimilijan?
The tourist board lists bučnica and štrukli alongside kremšnita, pancakes and other cakes.
Nearby
Oroslavje
Town · Central Croatia
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Photo credits
- Stubičke Toplice — MOs810 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Oroslavje, Donja Stubica — Suradnik13 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Tuhelj — Ex13 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Sveti Martin na Muri — Silverije · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
