Ptuj, Slovenia’s oldest town, boasts a rich and colourful past. Most of the town centre is protected as a monument of cultural and historical significance. Walk around the old town centre, enjoy the beautiful view from Ptuj Castle and relax on the shores of the Ptuj Sea. From Terme Ptuj, the town can be reached on foot or by bus. There is a bus stop next to the resort.

Situated on a hill overlooking the town centre, this majestic fort boasts enchanting views of Ptuj, its surroundings and Lake Ptuj. In the castle, you can see the sumptuously furnished rooms, furniture from the feudal period, carnival masks, collections of weapons and musical instruments and the castle gallery.

Distinguished by over 700 years of tradition, the Ptuj wine cellar is the oldest in Slovenia. The oldest wine in its archive is Zlata trta (Golden Vine), which dates back to 1917. The wine cellar features sound and light effects that make the beautiful carved wooden barrels even more memorable.

There is a long tradition of wine-growing in the Ptuj area. Haloze is a landscape of low, rolling hills. To the south across the Dravinja, there are steeper hills such as Donačka gora and Boč that are popular hiking destinations. Between Ptuj and Zavrč, Borl Castle stands on an imposing rock overlooking the Drava.

There are a number of themed, cycling and hiking trails in Slovenske gorice, the hilly wine-growing area between the Mura and the Drava. The countryside is dotted with countless small churches and agritourism farms, where visitors can enjoy a homemade lunch and a tasting of local wines.

Kurentovanje is the largest organised carnival event in Slovenia and Central Europe. It usually begins on Candlemas (2 February) and lasts until Shrove Tuesday. During this time, Ptuj and the surrounding area are taken over by masked characters. The main event is the traditional international carnival parade on Shrove Sunday.

The Kurent is the most popular of all the traditional carnival characters in the Ptuj region. For generations, the Klinc family in Spuhlja near Ptuj has been involved in making the traditional Kurent costumes. They are created in the “Kurent workshop” by the renowned costume-maker Marko Klinc.

Held in the second half of August in Ptuj, the Roman games bring to life the customs and events of the year 69, when the Roman encampment of Poetovio hosted a meeting of the commanders of all the legions in the Podonavje region. The stories of the nobles, soldiers, free citizens and slaves of the day play out in various shows and performances.

In the area around Ptuj, you can relive the Medieval adventure of Parsifal’s quest for the Holy Grail and other hidden treasures and visit one of the ancient temples dedicated to the god Mithras, the mystical Ptujska gora mountain or the Jupiter temple on Grajski grič. These are believed to be special areas of harmonious balance.

For our active guests, a visit to the Ranca sports and recreation centre on the shores of the Ptuj Sea is a must. From Terme Ptuj, it can be reached on foot or by bike. Cycling and running enthusiasts will enjoy the trail that loops around the lake. In the summer, the lake offers a wealth of water sports and activities.

During your visit to Lake Ptuj, don’t miss the Šturmovci Nature Park, where a completely different world awaits: gravel deposits, shoals, floodplain forests and beautiful meadows sparsely dotted with trees and resembling a manicured castle park.

Ptujska Gora is a village nucleated around a square and an imposing Gothic church, which stands atop a hill and is visible from a considerable distance. The beautiful views of Dravsko polje and Haloze make the hill a popular destination for hikers and cyclists.

Mariborsko Pohorje is the largest ski centre in Slovenia. Visitors can take a ski lift to the summit to enjoy the magnificent views. In the summer, Pohorje offers a bike park, a summer sledding track and countless hiking trails. It can also be explored on horseback.

Visit the remains of the mysterious Vurberk Castle near Ptuj and absorb the healing energy at the many energy points there. The Vurberk Adventure Park is situated nearby. Climbing enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies can try their hand at three treetop courses of various difficulty levels.

Enjoy a family adventure in Little Red Riding Hood’s fairytale forest (Mohorkova graba). In the fairytale houses set in natural green surroundings, you will find scenes from famous fairytales. The fairytale houses are open from Friday to Sunday.

The perfect choice for classic car enthusiasts, this museum houses exhibits created by the inventor Janez Puh, the man who laid the groundwork for the Rossis and Lorenzos of today. During World War I, he built the famous Puch motorcycle and one of the most reliable cars.