RURAL LUXURY IN CROATIA: RAMARIN IS A TRUE HIDDEN GEM YOU MUST VISIT!

If you’re searching for rural luxury in Croatia, Ramarin is the place for you!

While many visitors head straight to Dalmatia or Istria to spend their holiday by the sea, it’s time to discover Slavonia in eastern Croatia and everything it has to offer. One of its true hidden gems is Ramarin, a beautiful countryside estate where you can escape the crowds and enjoy slow living, incredible food, luxury accommodation, and plenty of activities surrounded by nature.

We had the opportunity to partner with Ramarin to help introduce more people to this amazing part of Croatia, and I genuinely can’t explain just how wonderful a stay here can be. We visited as a couple and absolutely loved it, but it’s just as perfect for families or groups of friends looking for a relaxing countryside getaway. If rural luxury away from the coast sounds like your kind of holiday, keep reading!

WHERE IS RAMARIN

Ramarin is an estate located in Garcin, a small village near Slavonski Brod. Since it’s located in eastern Croatia, it’s in one of the most authentic parts of the country, a region that is still largely untouched by mass tourism. Getting to Ramarin is also quite easy, especially from Zagreb, as it’s around a 2-hour drive from the capital. I’d highly recommend it if you’re looking for a slower way of travelling through Croatia and want to truly experience the region you’re visiting rather than just passing through.

HOW RAMARIN BECAME A TOP DESTINATION FOR RURAL LUXURY IN CROATIA

The story of Ramarin started from a simple love for nature, animals, and spending time together. It all began during an Easter gathering at their grandparents’ home in Garcin, when a neighbour’s pony inspired the first horseback riding experiences. Soon after, the first horses arrived, a stable was built, and the equestrian club was founded in 2008. As more visitors started coming, the idea of creating something bigger slowly grew.

Ramarin, named after Rea, Anja, and Marin, was never planned as a business at the beginning. It grew naturally from passion and from listening to what guests wanted. Today, it is one of Croatia’s best rural luxury destinations, offering authentic Slavonian experiences, amazing food and wine, wellness, comfortable accommodation, and many activities. What started as a family’s love for nature has become a place where people can slow down and enjoy a different side of Croatia.

WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT RAMARIN

I have already mentioned that Slavonia is one of the most authentic parts of Croatia, and that is exactly because so much of it has remained untouched by tourism. Unlike many coastal destinations that have been shaped around visitors, Slavonia has spent years preserving its traditions, history, and culture.

When you visit, you are not coming to experience something created just for tourists. You are simply invited to discover the region, meet the locals, enjoy the food, and truly immerse yourself in the Slavonian way of life. This type of travel is much slower and more meaningful, and it allows you to connect with the destination instead of rushing from one attraction to another like often happens on the coast.

Ramarin is exactly one of those authentic places where you can experience the beauty of life in Slavonia. Horseback riding, delicious local food, lively evenings, friendly locals, and excellent wine are just some of the experiences that make your stay special. If you want to truly slow down, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, and have the kind of relaxing holiday that stays in your memories long after you leave, you need to visit Ramarin!

EXPERIENCES, ACTIVITIES, AND THINGS TO DO ON RAMARIN

ACCOMMODATION

Ramarin has quite a few accommodation options, so depending on your preferred type of travel, you can easily find something that works for you.

HOTEL

If you’re looking for a rural luxury stay in Croatia, Ramarin is the way to go! We got the chance to stay here and I can honestly say the hotel is absolutely incredible. The hotel is actually an albergo diffuso, which means it follows a scattered hotel concept where different parts of the accommodation are spread throughout the estate, allowing guests to experience authentic local life.

The rooms have beautiful views over the estate and come with everything you need for a comfortable stay. The hotel also has an amazing spa and wellness area with a sauna, two whirlpools, and incredible views over the Slavonian plains. You do have to visit different parts of the estate for breakfast, dinner, and other amenities, but that’s actually part of the charm and what makes this place such a unique experience.

BUNGALOWS

If you’re looking for something authentic but not necessarily luxurious, their bungalows are a perfect choice. They have 11 bungalows located around small lakes on the estate, which makes them especially charming. The interiors are beautiful and remind you of traditional Slavonian bedrooms, with heavy wooden furniture and a cosy atmosphere. You also get a small porch where you can enjoy slow mornings with your coffee while overlooking the lakes. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine a more peaceful place to relax!

CAMPING

Finally, if you’re a camper, there are several camper spots on the estate where you can stay for a few nights. This is a great option if you don’t need traditional accommodation but still want to enjoy everything the estate has to offer. They also have bathroom facilities available on the estate, so you can have a comfortable stay while experiencing Ramarin in your own way.

RESTAURANT

For me, the restaurant is the absolute star of the show here. I might be a bit biased since I’m Slavonian and this is the cuisine I grew up with, but trust me when I say Ramarin does food unbelievably well.

We had the pleasure of trying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the restaurant, and everything was absolutely incredible. Whatever you choose, you really can’t go wrong, but here are a few of my recommendations: pork crackling pâté, carp chips, pulled pork dumplings made with black Slavonian pig, black Slavonian pork Tomahawk steak, risotto with wild mushrooms and bacon, and Dubravka’s pancakes and baklava for dessert!

Everything we tried was exceptional, and I highly recommend pairing your meal with their local wine and spirits. Make sure to try the elderflower rakija because it’s AMAZING!

ACTIVITIES

Ramarin offers a wide range of activities you can try and use to fill your days there. If you visit only for a day, you’ll probably even have a hard time choosing what to do, which is why I’d recommend staying at least one night, if not longer, depending on your type of travel.

HORSEBACK RIDING

This is probably their most popular activity, especially because Ramarin originally started as a ranch focused mainly on horses and horseback riding. Today, you can choose between a short horseback ride for kids under 7 and a longer ride for everyone over the age of 7. The experience is also very affordable, costing only €5 or €15 depending on the option you choose, and it’s something you’ll remember for a long time.

AIRPLANE FLIGHTS

Believe it or not, you can also get on an airplane and do a scenic panoramic flight over the plains of Slavonia. The views are absolutely incredible, and if you’re looking for something unforgettable and a little more adventurous, this is definitely a unique experience. You can do the flight with a certified pilot for €80 per person. Ramarin even has its own runway where you take off and land, so if you happen to have your own plane while travelling through Europe, you can actually fly directly to Ramarin!

SPORTS FACILITIES

There are quite a few different sports facilities on the estate, including tennis courts, padel courts, pickleball courts, and volleyball courts. You can rent them for €10-20 per hour and have a great time with your partner, family, or friends. We actually played padel while we were there, and it was really fun. It’s also a great way to get some exercise after all the incredible food you’ll enjoy at Ramarin, trust me. Overall, if you’re a sporty person, you’ll definitely have an amazing time at the estate.

SPA AND WELLNESS

If you’re not a particularly sporty person, don’t worry at all. Ramarin also has a lovely spa where you can completely relax and enjoy your time at the estate. The spa has two huge whirlpools, a sauna, and comfortable lounge chairs with incredible views over the surrounding area. You can easily spend a few hours here if you’re looking for a slower and more relaxing experience. We had a great time in the spa, and it was honestly the perfect way to relax after exploring the estate. I’d definitely return!

MINI GOLF

Ramarin also has mini golf, which we found particularly fun, so I wanted to include it separately from the other sports facilities. The course has 18 stops and it takes around an hour to complete, but trust me, you’ll laugh and get frustrated at the same time! Some of the holes are really unique and seem almost impossible to finish, which makes the whole experience even more fun. It’s a great activity for couples, families, or groups of friends looking for something relaxed but entertaining to do during their stay.

WINE AND SPIRITS TASTINGS

Ramarin produces its own wine and spirits, and this is definitely something you have to try during your stay. They have three different wines (two white and one red), as well as several spirits that have even won awards in Croatia for their quality. You can enjoy them in the restaurant while having a meal, or you can ask them to organize a tour of the distillery room where you can learn more and taste their drinks.

I tried two of their wines which I really enjoyed, but the most memorable one was definitely their elderflower spirit. It was honestly incredible and something I would highly recommend trying!

CONCLUSION: RAMARIN SHOWS YOU HOW THE RURAL LUXURY IN CROATIA LOOKS LIKE

As a Slavonian local, I’ve always known that this region has a lot to offer. While it might not have the sea like the Croatian coast, it has so many other incredible experiences that make it special. But visiting Ramarin was honestly mind-blowing even for me.

I had heard so many positive reviews about this place, and it still managed to completely exceed my expectations. The hotel and spa were amazing and incredibly relaxing, the food was on another level, and we had so much fun that we didn’t even manage to experience everything they offer during our day and a half there.

If you’re looking for a luxurious place where you can truly slow down, relax, and enjoy a few peaceful days away from the crowds, Ramarin is the place for you. Whether you’re coming with family, friends, for a group trip, or even a romantic getaway, I’m sure this place will absolutely blow you away!