In short: thermal spas in Slovenia are open all year and are at their best in winter. We drive to Ptuj, where Terme Ptuj is a fifteen-minute walk from the old town, to Maribor, and to Celje, near which are Terme Olimia, Thermana Laško and Terme Zreče. The transfer is door to door, from €70 per person one way.
A winter break need not mean skis. Thermal water, indoor pools and saunas are why Slovenia works in January too — and it is closer to Belgrade than any of our summer destinations. This guide covers the spas reached from the towns we drive to.
Thermal spas in Slovenia: where we drive and what is nearby
We drive to six Slovenian towns. Three matter most for a spa break: Ptuj, where the spa is practically in the town itself, Maribor, and Celje, near which several well-known thermal centres lie.
The difference matters when planning. The spas in Ptuj and Maribor are reached on foot or within a few minutes, while the centres near Celje are separated from the town, so you need onward transport to reach them.
Terme Ptuj — a fifteen-minute walk from the old town
Ptuj (Belgrade to Ptuj transfer) is the oldest town in Slovenia, and Terme Ptuj sits on the right bank of the Drava, about fifteen minutes’ walk from the old centre. For travellers without a car that is the most convenient combination in our whole offer — you stay in the town and walk to the pools.
The thermal park covers around 4,200 m² and has six indoor pools, along with massage baths. The town itself is a reason to come as well: Ptuj Castle above the Drava, the Roman Orpheus Monument and the Kurentovanje carnival, held towards the end of winter.
Thermal spas in Maribor
Maribor (Belgrade to Maribor transfer) is Slovenia’s second city and, alongside its spa offer, gives you everything a larger town has — restaurants, an old centre along the Drava and the world’s oldest noble grapevine. The thermal spa in the town is Fontana.
Maribor is a sound choice when a group wants different things: some head off skiing on Pohorje, others stay at the spa, and everyone sleeps in the same place.
Thermal spas near Celje
Celje (Belgrade to Celje transfer) is the starting point for several well-known centres in Styria and the Savinja valley:
- Terme Olimia in Podčetrtek — the thermal water is drawn from wells up to 520 metres deep and reaches 24 to 44 °C at the source, containing magnesium, calcium and bicarbonates.
- Thermana Laško — pools of natural thermal water under a glass dome.
- Terme Zreče — a source of 35 °C and pools between 27 and 35 °C, at the foot of Rogla.
All of these lie near Celje rather than in the town itself, so it is worth checking in advance how you will travel from your accommodation to the centre.
Thermal spas in Slovenia all year round
Unlike the sea, spas do not depend on the season — indoor pools, saunas and wellness facilities run in January as well. A winter date therefore has two advantages: you avoid the crowds, and the cold outside is exactly what makes thermal water so welcome.
It also means there is no need to wait for summer. A long weekend at a spa works in any month.
Thermal spas in Slovenia without your own car
Driving to Slovenia in winter means snow, ice and a night on the road — plus winter tyres, chains and the chance of delays. With a minibus none of that is your concern.
We collect you at your address in Belgrade and drop you off in front of your accommodation. Departure is at night, around 23:00, the journey takes six to eight hours depending on the town, and the border check is passed only once, at Batrovci. More on the route: minibus transfer Serbia to Slovenia.
The school break and long weekends
The winter school break is the busiest period because a spa suits the whole family — children in the pools, the older ones in the wellness area. Accommodation is sought earliest then.
Outside the break, spas are ideal for a long weekend: Ptuj and Maribor are six to seven hours away, so you arrive in the morning and gain a full first day.
Transfer price and booking
The transfer to every Slovenian destination starts from €70 per person one way — the lowest price in our offer. A return ticket costs less than two one-way tickets, and there are better terms for children under two and for groups of four or more.
Payment is made to the driver on the day of departure, with no deposit. All prices are on the price list, and what the amount depends on is explained in the guide on how much a minibus transfer costs. Spa entry and accommodation prices change by season, so check those with the centres themselves. The whole region is covered by the northern Slovenia (Belgrade to Northern Slovenia transfer) page, and the full offer is on the Slovenia (Belgrade to Slovenia transfer) page.
Frequently asked questions
Which Slovenian spas do you drive to?
We drive to the towns. Terme Ptuj is a fifteen-minute walk from the old centre of Ptuj, Fontana is in Maribor, and near Celje are Terme Olimia, Thermana Laško and Terme Zreče.
Which spa is closest to where you drop us off?
Terme Ptuj — it is about fifteen minutes on foot from the old centre, so no onward transport is needed.
Are the spas open in winter?
Yes. Indoor pools, saunas and wellness facilities run all year, which makes winter one of the most pleasant times to visit — fewer crowds, and the cold outside makes the thermal water all the more welcome.
How much does the transfer to Slovenia cost?
From €70 per person one way, for every Slovenian destination. Exact amounts and return fares are on the price list.
How long is the journey to Ptuj and Maribor?
Ptuj is about 485 km and 6–7 hours, Maribor about 510 km and 6–7 hours. With a night departure at 23:00 you sleep through most of it.
Can I combine a spa break with skiing?
You can, most easily from Maribor — the spa is in the town and the gondola to Pohorje sets off close to the centre. More in the guide to skiing in Slovenia.
