Eastern Slovenia

Maribor (historically German: Marburg an der Drau) is Slovenia's second-largest city (115,000 inhabitants) and the cultural heart of the Štajerska (Styria). Located on the banks of the Drava, at the foot of the Pohorje Mountains, the city combines university life, wine culture, and a surprisingly vibrant art and gastro scene. In 2012, Maribor was the European Capital of Culture — a boost that has sustainably changed the city.

The Oldest Vine in the World

Maribor's most famous attraction is over 450 years old and stands on a house wall on the Drava riverbank: The Stara trta (Old Vine) is the oldest documented grapevine in the world (Guinness Record). The Žametovka vine (Blauer Kölner) still bears grapes — the wine produced from it is given as a state gift to dignitaries in 25-cl miniature bottles. In the house next door: the Old Vine House (Hiša stare trte) with tastings of Slovenian wines and the history of viticulture. Admission: free, tastings from 10€.

Sights

• Lent — The Drava Riverbank: Maribor's historic river district with the old vine, the water tower, the court tower, and restaurants right on the water. In June, the Lent Festival takes place here — Slovenia's largest open-air cultural festival with 500+ events in 2 weeks.
• Glavni trg (Main Square): The central square with the plague column (1743), the Renaissance town hall, and elegant townhouses. Shopping streets radiate from here.
• Cathedral Sv. Janez Krstnik: The Gothic cathedral (12th–14th century) with its distinctive tower dominates the old town. The interior combines Gothic, Baroque, and Neo-Gothic elements.
• Pohorje Cable Car: In 7 minutes from the city to an altitude of 1,050 m. In summer: hiking and mountain biking on the Pohorje ridge. In winter: Mariborsko Pohorje ski resort (40 km of slopes, night skiing). Cable car: 14€ return.
• Maribor Art Gallery (UGM): Slovenia's second-largest art museum with an excellent collection of Slovenian art from the 19th century to today. Admission: 5€.

Wine in Maribor

Maribor lies in the heart of the Podravje wine region (Drava area) — Slovenia's second-largest wine region. The hills south and east of the city are a sea of vineyards. Main grape varieties: Laški Rizling (Welschriesling), Šipon (Furmint), Renski Rizling (Rheinriesling). The wine roads (Vinogradniška pot) around Maribor are ideal for cycling tours with tasting stops — signposted from the old vine.

Ptuj (pronounced: Ptuj, the P is pronounced) is the oldest city in Slovenia — and one of the oldest in all of Central Europe. The Romans already founded Poetovio here, one of the most important cities of the province of Pannonia. Today, a mighty castle sits atop the hill, at whose feet a charming medieval old town nestles against the Drava.

Sights

• Ptuj Castle (Ptujski grad): One of the largest castles in Slovenia with an excellent collection: weapons, musical instruments, historical costumes, and an extensive Kurentovanje exhibition. The view from the castle over the old town, the Drava, and the vineyards is fantastic. Admission: 7€.
• Old Town: Medieval alleys, baroque churches, the Dominican Monastery (13th century) with the oldest cloister in Slovenia, and magnificent townhouses. Ptuj is what Rothenburg ob der Tauber would be if no one knew it.
• Orpheus Monument: A 5-meter-high Roman tombstone from the 2nd century in the town square — it served as a pillory in the Middle Ages.
• Mithras Temple: Three Roman temples of the Mithras cult in the vicinity — the most significant north of the Alps. Exhibited in the city museum.

Kurentovanje — Slovenia's Carnival

Ptuj is famous for the Kurentovanje — the largest and wildest carnival in Slovenia, celebrated every year for 11 days before Shrove Tuesday. The Kurenti (plural of Kurent) are archaic figures in shaggy sheepskins with horned masks, heavy cowbells around their waists, and huge red tongues. They dance through the streets to drive away winter with their noise — a pagan ritual that dates back to pre-Christian times and is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The festival attracts over 100,000 visitors — to a town with 18,000 inhabitants. It is loud, wild, and unique. The Kurent masks and costumes are Slovenia's most iconic souvenir (from 30€ for a miniature).

Slovenia has over 80 natural thermal springs — one of the highest densities in Europe. The tradition of thermal curing dates back to Roman times, and the modern thermal resorts combine this tradition with contemporary wellness design. Most thermal springs are located in Eastern Slovenia, along a geological fault that pushes hot water from the depths to the surface.

The Best Thermal Facilities

• Terme Čatež: The largest thermal facility in Slovenia with 10,000 m² of water surface. Huge outdoor and indoor pools, slides, wave pools, sauna land, and a campsite right by the water. Perfect for families. Day ticket: from 22€. Water temperature: 33–36°C.
• Terme Olimia: Nestled in the gentle hills of the Kozjansko region, surrounded by vineyards. Elegant wellness resort with panoramic outdoor pools, chocolate spa, and the family area "Aqualuna". Day ticket: from 19€.
• Rogaška Slatina: The spa town with the famous Donat-Mg mineral water spring — the most magnesium-rich mineral water in the world. An elegant spa town since the 19th century with a drinking hall, grand hotels, and the historic Crystal Hall. Ideal for health cures and detox.
• Terme 3000 (Moravske Toplice): In Prekmurje, near the Hungarian border. Famous for its black thermal water (rich in paraffin, minerals, and humic acids), which is unique in Europe. Day ticket: from 18€.

Why Slovenia for Thermal Baths?

Slovenia's thermal facilities offer Western European quality at Eastern European prices. A wellness weekend with hotel, half board, and unlimited thermal access costs from 120€ per person — in Austria or Germany, you pay double for the same quality. The air is clean, the surroundings green, and many spas are located in wine regions — the perfect combination of relaxation and enjoyment.

In the far northeast, beyond the Mur, lies Prekmurje (literally: "Over-Mur-Land") — Slovenia's most hidden gem and a region so different from the rest of the country that it feels like its own little country. Flat, gently rolling hills with storks on the roofs, sunflower fields, Hungarian influences in the language, and the most independent cuisine in Slovenia.

Cuisine of Prekmurje

The cuisine of Prekmurje is Slovenia's heartiest and most independent, shaped by the Pannonian Plain and Hungarian influence:

• Prekmurska gibanica: THE dessert of Slovenia — a monumental layered cake of poppy seeds, curd, walnuts, apples, and cream between strudel dough sheets. Each layer tells a story. UNESCO candidate and national treasure.
• Bogračas: The Slovenian "goulash in a cauldron" — with pork, beef, and game, slowly cooked over an open fire. In autumn, many villages celebrate a Bograč festival.
• Dödole: Buckwheat dumplings — a simple peasant dish that brings the essence of the region to the plate.
• Pumpkin seed oil: Like in Styria: the dark green, nutty pumpkin seed oil is ubiquitous — over salad, soup, and even vanilla ice cream.

Sights

• Lendava: Border town with the Vinarium Tower — a 53 m high observation tower amidst the vineyards with a 360° panorama over four countries (Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, Austria). Admission: 7€.
• Cycling in the Mur Valley: Flat cycling paths along the Mur, through floodplain forests, past mills, and through sleepy villages. E-bike rental available on site.
• Goričko Nature Park: Hilly landscape with orchards, traditional clay houses, and one of the lowest light pollution levels in Europe — ideal for stargazing.