In short: in Ptuj it is worth seeing Ptuj Castle above the Drava, the old Roman core of Poetovio, the Orpheus Monument and the City Tower, and in winter the Kurentovanje carnival (UNESCO heritage).
Ptuj is the oldest town in Slovenia — the Roman Poetovio on the river Drava, with a medieval castle above the red roofs, the famous Kurentovanje carnival and thermal spas nearby. In this guide we go through the sights, the excursions and where to eat, and if you are also planning the Belgrade to Ptuj minibus transfer, how to get there is at the end.
The oldest town in Slovenia
Ptuj is the oldest recorded town in Slovenia — under the name Poetovio it was a powerful Roman settlement, first mentioned in AD 69. The old core with its narrow lanes, the Town Tower and Baroque monuments is walked in an hour or two, and above it all dominates the castle on the hill. Traces of the Roman past are seen in the stone monuments scattered around the town.
Ptuj Castle — the best-preserved fortress
Above the town rises Ptuj Castle — one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Slovenia, with the oldest fortifications from the 9th–10th century. Today it houses the Regional Museum with collections of furniture, weapons and musical instruments, and from the ramparts opens a view of the roofs of the old town and the Drava valley.
Kurentovanje — the biggest carnival in Slovenia
Ptuj is known for Kurentovanje, the biggest carnival in Slovenia and one of the best known in this part of Europe. The main figures are the kurenti — masked in sheepskins, with bells and long tongues, who with their noise drive out winter and call in spring. The kurenti’s round from house to house is inscribed on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.
The Orpheus Monument and Roman Poetovio
In front of the Town Tower stands the Orpheus Monument — a Roman tombstone from the 2nd century with a relief of Orpheus, one of the most important ancient monuments in Slovenia. Along with it, around the town are other traces of Poetovio, so Ptuj is a real stop on the trail of Slovenia’s Roman past.
Ptuj with children — Terme Ptuj
Near the town is Terme Ptuj, a thermal complex with the largest system of water slides in Slovenia and indoor and outdoor pools — a real hit for families with children, in summer and winter. Along with the spa, children also find the climb to the castle and the colourful kurent masks in the town museum interesting. Nearby is also Maribor with Pohorje.
Where to eat in Ptuj — wine and Ptujska Klet
Ptuj lies in a wine-growing area, so wine and home cooking are to the fore — Ptujska Klet is one of the oldest wine cellars in Slovenia, and in the inns of the old town Styrian specialities, cheese and cured meat are served. A glass of white wine with a view of the Drava is a fitting end to the tour.
When to go to Ptuj and how many days
Ptuj is toured throughout the year: February for the Kurentovanje carnival, summer and autumn for the old core, the wine routes and the harvest, and Terme Ptuj operates all year round. For the town and the castle a single day is enough, and with the spa and a trip to nearby Maribor it is nice to set aside two to three days.
How to get to Ptuj from Belgrade
For the Belgrade to Ptuj minibus transfer we drive door to door, departing from Belgrade. Departure is at night, at around 23:00h, by the route via Croatia and the Bregana border crossing. Ptuj is one of the closest Slovenian towns — the journey is about 485 km, a drive of 6–7 hours, so you arrive early in the morning.
The price is fixed and free of hidden costs — see the price for Ptuj or the whole price list, and we also drive to the other towns of northern Slovenia (Belgrade to Northern Slovenia transfer). Before the trip, check the border crossings and live cameras, and read about the whole region in the guide northern Slovenia. Nearby are also Maribor and Celje.
Frequently asked questions
What to see in Ptuj?
Ptuj Castle above the Drava, the old Roman core of Poetovio, the Orpheus Monument, the Town Tower and Terme Ptuj nearby; in winter, the Kurentovanje carnival too.
Which is the oldest town in Slovenia?
Ptuj — the Roman Poetovio, first recorded in AD 69. It is the oldest recorded settlement in Slovenia, with a rich Roman and medieval past.
What is Kurentovanje?
The biggest carnival in Slovenia, in which the masked kurenti in sheepskins and with bells drive out winter and call in spring. The custom is on the UNESCO list of intangible heritage.
Is Ptuj good for families with children?
It is — Terme Ptuj has the largest system of water slides in Slovenia and pools for the whole family, and children also find the climb to the castle and the kurent masks in the museum interesting.
How far is Ptuj from Belgrade?
About 485 km, a drive of 6–7 hours — one of the closest Slovenian towns. With a night departure from Belgrade (around 23:00h) via the Bregana crossing, you arrive early in the morning.
When is the best time for Ptuj?
The town is toured throughout the year: February for Kurentovanje, summer and autumn for the wine routes and the old core, and Terme Ptuj operates all year round.
