Which Cultural Attractions in Pomurje Are Suitable for Kids?
Planning a family getaway with kids often comes with the same old dilemma: how to explore the cultural heritage in a way that is also engaging for our little ones? Luckily, a trip to Pomurje doesn’t have to include dragging them through endless museums and castle tours. We’ve rounded up our top cultural highlights that genuinely work for all ages, from restless little adventurers to seasoned travellers.
Expano Pavilion: A Unique Experience for Young and Old
If you can only fit one stop into your schedule, make it Expano. This striking piece of architecture essentially brings the best of Pomurje together under one single roof. Situated just off the Murska Sobota highway exit, it sits right along the picturesque shores of Sobota Lake (Soboško jezero), which is also suitable for swimming or stand-up paddleboarding in the summer months. With an outdoor playground and dedicated picnic spots right by the water, you can easily turn your visit into an all-day family adventure.
Arriving is entirely hassle-free thanks to the spacious parking lot right outside the pavilion. Or, if you’re staying nearby, you can hop on your bikes and take a smooth, family-friendly cycle path that leads straight to the entrance.
Interactive Experience Park: The Gateway to Pomurje
The main exhibition area inside Expano is the ultimate launchpad for a family journey through the region. It showcases the rich natural beauty and culture of the towns along the Mura River through hands-on, modern displays that place visitors right in the middle of the action.
You can dive into local music, literature, and art simply by stepping inside giant clay vessels fitted with built-in screens and sound. Inside, you can listen to traditional stories and regional poetry, or groove to everything from classic folk melodies to contemporary hits from the area.
Fly Wherever You Wish
Two of the absolute crowd-pleasers inside Expano are the Panoscope and Panofly. The heart of the Panoscope is a massive display where you and your kids can zoom in on virtually any spot in Pomurje, from the rolling hills of Goričko to medieval castles or the winding curves of the Mura River.
For an even bigger thrill, take to the skies! Powered by virtual reality, Panofly gives you a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of local landmarks while keeping your feet securely on solid ground. A total game-changer for anyone who usually dislikes heights.
Nature lovers will also appreciate the Magical Meadow and Pomurje Forests zones, where life-sized holograms of native regional wildlife bring the surrounding nature to life for wide-eyed younger visitors.
Island of Love: Not Just for Romantics
Set near the village of Ižakovci, just minutes from Beltinci, the Mura River has spent centuries carving out a peaceful island steeped in a very special legend. Count Maria Zichy is said to have found her true love right on these shores. Today, the Island of Love (Otok ljubezni) is best known for its working floating watermill and traditional cable ferry, which still carries passengers across the river to this day.
A Monument to Tradition That Captivates Young Minds
Dozens of floating watermills once lined the banks of the Mura. Today, that rich heritage is preserved by the mill in Ižakovci (built in 2024). Watching its giant wooden wheel churn in the water is a mesmerizing sight for all ages, while kids will be utterly enchanted by a ride on the Mura cable ferry (brod na Muri).
It stands as one of only six traditional river ferries still connecting the two banks of the Mura, serving as a living piece of local culture. Driven entirely by the river's current via an overhead steel cable and pulley system, it glides silently and gracefully across the water, giving families a genuine taste of historic river life.
Slightly older kids will also find plenty to learn at the onboard Büjraštvo Exhibition, which highlights the büjraši, the historical riverbed workers whose job was to reinforce the riverbanks and protect local villages from flooding.
Motorhome Travelers Are Welcome Too
Since ferry operations depend entirely on current weather and river water levels, checking conditions in advance is highly recommended to make sure you avoid disappointed faces.
If you’re touring Pomurje in a motorhome you will love the year-round motorhome stopover located right by the mill entrance, fully equipped with fresh water and power hookups.
Beltinci Castle
Beltinci Castle (Grad Beltinci) truly offers a little something for every age group. Adults can dive into its long and dramatic past, marked by Ottoman raids, while younger guests usually head straight for the unusual exhibits.
Particularly captivating is the display of replica antique bicycles, taking you on a fun journey through the evolution of two-wheeled travel. Seeing bikes that look so wildly different from today’s models is guaranteed to make an impression on younger visitors.
Whatever you do, don't skip a relaxing stroll through the sprawling castle park, where hundreds of exotic trees once bloomed. Hidden within the grounds is the domed castle ice house (grajska ledenica), where children can see how food and drinks were kept icy cold long before modern refrigerators existed. As the last surviving structure of its kind in Central Europe, it makes for a truly memorable stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is the Expano Pavilion perfect for families?
Expano by Lake Sobota offers a full day of family fun with an interactive park that showcases Pomurje in a nutshell. By the lake, visitors can also enjoy a children's playground, picnic areas, as well as opportunities for swimming and stand-up paddleboarding.
2. Why is the Island of Love in Ižakovci appealing to children?
On the Island of Love (Otok ljubezni), children are captivated by the large mill wheel and the traditional cable ferry (brod), which silently crosses the Mura River without an engine using a steel rope and pulley system. A nearby motorhome parking area with electricity and water also makes for an easy family visit.
3. What can families with children visit at Beltinci Castle?
At Beltinci Castle, young visitors are enchanted by an exhibition of replica unusual old bicycles and a stroll through the extensive castle park. A special highlight is the preserved domed ice house, which demonstrates how food was cooled before the invention of refrigerators.
