Visit the Best Castles in Slovenia (+ Map)
Slovenia, a small yet enchanting country in Central Europe, is known for its diverse landscapes, from the breathtaking Julian Alps to the lush Pannonian Plain and the idyllic Adriatic coast. Nestled between Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia, Slovenia has a rich history marked by the influences of various cultures, including the Roman Empire, the Habsburg Monarchy, and the Venetian Republic.
This unique blend of historical influences can be observed in the country’s remarkable architecture, particularly in its castles, which dot the Slovenian countryside and stand as proud reminders of its storied past. In total, you can find more than 500 castles, fortresses, and manor houses in Slovenia.
This post shows a list of the best castles in Slovenia. These Slovenian castles now include castle museums, regional museums, hotels, and cultural venues. The fascinating castles and historic buildings all have a rich history making them worthy of a visit.
Ljubljana Castle
Perched upon Castle Hill in Slovenia’s capital city stands Ljubljana Castle. Originally built as a wooden Medieval fortress in the 11th century, the current castle dates from later centuries. From the castle, you have a great view of the city, and when you climb the panoramic tower, you can see a third of Slovenia.
Whether you like art, history, or food, a trip to Ljubljana Castle is a must if you find yourself in the city. Guided tours will teach you more about the history of the castle, or you can take an audio tour and discover the castle on your own.
Where: Ljubljana
Built: 15th-17th century
Visitor information: The castle is open daily. Visit the website for more information.
Bled Castle
Bled Castle, set on a steep cliff overlooking Lake Bled, is the oldest castle in Slovenia. The castle was first mentioned in 1011. From this period, the Romanesque tower and wall have been preserved. But the majority of the castle building dates from the Middle Ages and was built in the Renaissance style.
At the castle, you will find a Knight’s Hall, a castle chapel, and a museum about the history of Blejski kot.
Where: Bled
Built: 1011
Style: Romanesque and Renaissance
Visitor information: The castle is open daily. Visit the website for more information.
Predjama Castle
Located within a cave mouth, Predjama Castle is perhaps the most unique castle in Slovenia. The largest cave castle in the world is located 9 kilometers from the famous Postojna Cave. The history of the castle goes back 800 years though its current shape dates from the 16th century.
The castle’s most famous resident is Erasmus of Lueg, he was Lord of the castle in the 15th century. Erasmus was in conflict with the Habsburgs, frequently attacking their estates and towns. He built a hidden passageway to supply the castle with food and help him with his robberies. Rumor has it that he still haunts the castle.
Where: Predjama
Built: 1570
Style: Renaissance
Visitor information: The castle is open all year round, while the cave is only open from June til August. During these summer months you can take a shuttle service from Postojna Cave to the castle. Visit the website for more information.
Celje Castle
Celje Castle (or the Old Castle of Celje) is a ruined castle that was the seat of the Counts of Celje. The first written record of the castle dates back to the 12th century, and it was once the largest fortification in Slovenia and the most important castle in the Eastern Alps.
The castle is located on a hill overlooking the town of Celje. From here, you have a gorgeous view of the town, the Posavje Hills, and the Alps.
Where: Celje
Built: 12th century
Visitor information: the castle is open to visitors throughout the year. Visit the website for more information.
Ptuj Castle
Standing on top of a hill next to the Drava River and overlooking the town stands Ptuj Castle. The 12th century castle was built on a Roman temple’s remains and helped defend the city against the Hungarians.
In the 17th century, Holy Roman Field Marshal Walter Leslie rebuilt the castle in Baroque style. After that, the castle was owned by the Princely Dietrichstein family until it became part of the nation after the Second World War.
Where: Ptuj
Built: 12th century (rebuilt in 17th century)
Style: Baroque
Visitor information: the castle is now a museum of regional history. Visit the website for more information.
Bogenšperk Castle
Bogenšperk Castle is a 16th-century Renaissance castle standing on a low four-tower tower castle was built over several periods. The north tower is the oldest part of the castle and used to be a standalone fortification.
In 1672, the castle was bought by natural historian Johann Weikhard von Valvasor (a fellow of the Royal Society in London). He renovated the castle and added a library, a graphic studio, a printing press, and a collection of curiosities.
He was forced to sell his library and later his estates due to the enormous cost of issuing his book “The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola”.
The castle is now a museum that shows the history of the castle, Valvasor’s work, a cartographic collection, and more.
Where: Šmartno pri Litiji
Built: 16th century
Style: Renaissance
Visitor information: the castle and museum is open to visitors. Visit the website for more information.
Maribor Castle
Located in the old city center of Maribor stands Maribor Castle. The town castle was built by Emperor Friderik III between 1478 and 1483 to fortify the northeastern part of the town wall. Later, the castle transformed into a stylish feudal residence.
In the castle, you can find elements from several style periods. The Festive Hall has rich interior furnishings and paintings (including a painting by Johann Gebler). And there is also a Baroque staircase and a Loretto chapel.
Where: Maribor
Built: 1478
Style: Multiple
Visitor information: the castle is open Tuesday-Saturday. Visit the website for more information.
Slovenska Bistrica Castle
Bistrica Castle is a Renaissance-Baroque palace in northeastern Slovenia. Many noble families have lived in the palace, such as the Lords of Walsee, the Habsburgs, the counts of Celje, and the Counts Attems.
In the 17th century, the mansion was rebuilt in Renaissance style, though the foundations adjoin the defensive towers of the fortified manor that stood in its place. The castle has a painted staircase, a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and a richly appointed Great Hall.
Where: Slovenska Bistrica
Built: 17th century
Style: Renaissance-Baroque
Visitor information: the castle houses 15 permanent museum collections, a wine shop, and a castle kitchen. The castle is open Tuesday-Saturday. Visit the website for more information.
Brdo Castle
Brdo Castle is an estate and manor house used by the Slovenian government to host diplomatic meetings and other events.
The manor house was built in 1510 by Carniolan nobleman Georg Egkh, though it has been frequently renovated since then. The manor was also owned by Prince Paul of Yugoslavia, who transformed it into a refined summer estate. King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom was one of his guests.
The interiors of the manor house feature paintings, frescoes, and sculptures by famous Slovenian artists such as France Mihelič, Maksim Sedej, Boris and Zdenko Kalin, and Karel Putrih.
Where: Predoslje
Built: 1510
Visitor information: the castle is only open during European Heritage Days. But the estate and golf course can be visited. You can stay at Brdo Hotel during your visit.
Snežnik Castle
Snežnik Castle is a romantic white castle that was built in the 13th century. In 1853, the castle was bought by German Prince Oton Viktor Schoenburg-Waldenburg. His son, Prince Jurij, remodeled the castle into a summer house and hunting lodge. He added a story to the castle, two turrets, a terrace, and an English-style park.
The interiors of Snežnik Castle are exactly how they were in the second half of the 19th century. You can see the parlors and bedrooms of Princes Herman and Ulrich and Princes Ana.The castle also has an Egyptian room dating to the early 20th century.
Where: Stari trg pri Ložu
Built: 13th century
Visitor information: the castle is open to visitors. Visit the website for current opening hours.
Otočec Castle
Otočec Castle is located on an island in the middle of the Krka River. It is the only island castle (or water castle) in Slovenia. It’s a picturesque castle from the 13th century, surrounded by water only connected to the mainland with two wooden bridges.
Today, the castle is a small luxury hotel with a world-class restaurant, a golf course, a castle park with indigenous and exotic tree species, and an adventure park for children.
Where: Otočec
Built: 13th century
Style: Gothic style & Renaissance
Visitor information: the castle is now a hotel. Book your stay here.
Branik Castle
Branik Castle (or Rihemberk Castle) is a 13th century castle located on a hill overlooking the village of Branik. The castle is built on the site of a Roman castrum. In 1528, the estate was acquired by the noble house of Lanthieri, who owned the castle for more than 400 years until Partisands burned and dynamited the castle in World War Two.
All of the furnishings were destroyed, but since the 1980s, the castle has been carefully restored.
Where: Branik
Built: 13th century (current appearance date from the 17th/18th centuries)
Style: Baroque
Visitor information: the castle is open to visitors. Visit the website for more information.
Strmol Manor
Strmol Manor is a 15th century manor house located on a hill above the old town of Rogatec. The manor was first a fortified tower owned by the Counts of Celje. This tower house is partly preserved in the newer mansion.
Today, the manor house is a museum and cultural building. It houses an art gallery, a chapel with restored Baroque murals, a restaurant, a historic dungeon, and a wine cellar/tasting rooms.
Where: Rogatec
Built: 15th century
Visitor information: Visit the website for current opening hours.
Strmol Castle
Strmol Castle is located at the foot of the Dvorjanski hrib (Mansion Hill). The castle is one of the oldest and best-preserved castles in Slovenia. The area had twelve medieval castles, but only Strmol Castle survived. Surrounding the castle lies a 17th century park.
Strmol Castle is currently a hotel. Book your stay here. (*affiliate link, for each purchase, we’ll receive a small fee)
Loka Castle
The history of Loka Castle dates back to 1202 when the Freisings of Škofja Loka built the original castle. This castle was destroyed by an earthquake in 1511, but Bishop Filip restored the castle.
Today, the castle is one of Slovenia’s finest museums with archeological, historical, cultural, artistic, natural science, and ethnological collections. In the castle garden stands a well-preserved 16th-century farmhouse, Škopar’s House.
Where: Škofja Loka
Built: 1202 (later rebuilt)
Visitor information: For the opening times of the museum, you can visit the website.
Velenje Castle
Velenje Castle is one of the best-preserved Renaissance castles in Slovenia. The castle is located in the Šalek Valley, which in medieval times was also known as the “Valley of Castles” as some twenty castles were built in this region.
The castle was first built in 1270 in a strategic location controlling the routes from the Celje Basin to Carinthia. The Wagon von Wagensberg family completely restored the castle in Renaissance style in the early 16th century.
Today, the castle houses a museum with a diverse collection, including African art (the only one of its kind in Slovenia). But also contemporary art and artifacts connecting to the local history of the valley.
Where: Velenje
Built: 1270
Style: Renaissance
Visitor information: Visit the website for opening times.
Raka Castle
Raka Castle is one of the oldest castles from medieval times in Slovenia. The castle is located on the northern edge of the valley of the Krka River. The interiors of the castle are still original, dating from the 17th century to the 19th century.
Today, the castle’s 43 rooms house a museum with more than 450 pieces of furniture and 1600 other works of art.
Where: Raka
Built: 12th century
Style: Medieval
Visitor information: A guided tour is offered in Slovenian, Croatian, Russian, and English. Visit the website for more information.
Posavje Castles
The Posavje region is known as the region of castles. In the landscape between the rivers Mirna, Sva, Krka, and Scotla you can find many castles that are now used as museums, hotels, wedding venues, and more.
Rajhenburg Castle
Rajhenburg Castle stands on a rocky prominence overlooking the River Sava. It is one of the country’s most important medieval buildings, and for centuries, it protected the region.
In 1881, Trappist monks bought the castle and turned it into a monastery. German forces occupied the castle in the Second World War.
Today, the castle is a museum. Visit the website for opening hours.
Brežice Castle
The original castle was built in the 12th century as a defensive structure. Emperor Ferdinand I built its current Renaissance castle in the 16th century. It was turned into a residence by the noble Attems family.
Today, the castle is a museum with archeological, ethnological, and historical exhibitions. Visit the website for current opening times.
Mokrice Castle
Mokrice Castle is a medieval castle that was first mentioned in 1444. The castle has been the home of several noble families, such as the Erdödy and Auersperg families. The castle was rebuilt in the 16th century and later in 1941.
After the Second World War, the castle was turned into a hotel with restaurants and a golf course.
Podsreda Castle
Podsreda Castle is a 12th century castle in the heart of Orlica and the Kozjansko park. The castle was owned by the Counts of Celje until their extinction and later Duke Weriand Windischgrätz who gave it its current apparance.
Today, the castle is a museum. In the oldest part of the castle in an exhibition of France Slana, there is a memorial room to pay tribute of St. Emma (the castle is located on Emma of Krka’s pilgrimage route) and there are exhibitions on Slovene and foreign artists and photographers. In the castle cellars is an information centre on Kozjansko Park.
Where: Podsreda
Built: 12th century
Visitor information: the castle is open April 1 – October 31.
Sevnica Castle
Located on a hill overlooking the old town of Sevnica stands Sevnica Castle. A castle has stood in this place since the 12th century. Unlike many other castles it was not damaged during the Croatian-Slovenian peasant uprising in 1573.
Today, the castle is a much loved destination. You can tour the castle and learn more about its history, visit the castle chapel, or take a walk through the castle park and castle vineyard. On the castle hill you have a gorgeous view of the Sava river valley.
Where: Sevnica
Visitor information: the castle is open to visitors April-October.