Historic towns of Slovenia

Historic towns and old town centres of Slovenia

Creativity, vibe and pleasures in the preserved historic town centres of Slovenia.

Picturesque towns with historic charm

The charm of Slovenian towns is not in their size but in their compactness. Within their streets, they are hiding centuries, even millennia of history and stories. You can learn about them on the walks through their streets and squares, between castle walls, in galleries and museums, and in traditional craft workshops. Every Slovenian town has its own authentic and unique character, shaped by its people, natural features and rich history.

Towns with enchanting historic centres

Old Slovenian towns, proud of their unique features, are united in the Association of Historic Towns of Slovenia. The architectural heritage of these easily accessible towns reflects the diversity of culture, from prehistoric times and the Middle Ages to the Baroque period and the present day. As many as one third of Slovenian towns are protected as cultural monuments. The towns in the association ensure that their special features are preserved and revitalised and that various events available to visitors throughout the year. Why visit only one? In Slovenia you can make a series of town visits in just a short time!

Discover historic towns

Experience the charming historic towns of Slovenia

When the streets are taken over by lace makers or cobblers, the courtyards of eminent houses by poets and winemakers, town squares and castle halls by musicians, thespians, film makers and other creatives of all kinds, or the roads by runners, cyclists and other competitors, the historic towns of Slovenia become the venues of lively action in which modernised and new forms of tomorrow's traditions are born. Leave the time behind. Take a look into the future of city life at festivals and other events.

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Top museum pieces in historical towns

Museum pieces in historical towns worth seeing.

Historic towns with a wine tradition

Visit historic towns boasting rich wine tradition.

Gastronomic image of Slovenian historical cities

Discover mouth-watering experiences in historical cities!

Best tales and experiences of castles in historical towns

The tales of castles in historical Slovenian towns that inspire and welcome you to explore them.

Best scenic viewpoints in historical towns

Views of towns that will make your heart skip a beat.

One-day hikes in historical towns

A perfect day in the town – sightseeing and gastronomic delicacies.

Green oases in historical towns

Find summer freshness in green oases by the water in the historical towns of Slovenia.

Famous people who have marked historical towns and cities

Learn about the important historical personalities who have left their mark on Slovenia’s historical towns and cities.

Charming old town centres of historic towns

Discover the old town centres of historic towns, living museums of time.

Cultural atmosphere of historic towns

Celebrating culture and art in historic Slovenian towns.

Top experiences of Slovenian historical towns

Experiences that will make your stay in Slovenian towns worthwhile.

Dark secrets of Slovenia’s urban history

Odkrivajte pretresljive zgodbe slovenskih mest, ki razkrivajo mračnejšo plat njihove zgodovine.

Top experiences of historical towns for families

Historical towns invite you to take part in fun family events.

Discover the towns of culture!

Pore over a map of Slovenia and make a list of towns you want to visit. You can get to many of them by train or even by bike. Connect them into a network of extraordinary experiences!

Brežice – At the confluence of the Sava and the Krka rivers

The architectural features of the centre of Brežice, a town first mentioned in 1249, make a great venue for various events. The mighty castle, now housing the Posavje Museum, invites visitors to learn about the Posavje hills and plains, while the town's streets tell the stories of its crafts- and tradespeople. The evidence of town's progressive nature is the water tower built in 1914 as part of the town's water supply system. The first electric power plant was built next to the tower. Nearby is the confluence of the rivers Sava and Krka and renowned thermal spas are also not far.

Discover more about Brežice

Climb to the top of the Water Tower and admire the wonderful view over the town and far beyond.

A wooden bench with a heart-shaped cut-out stands in the middle of a narrow paved street, surrounded by flower planters and potted plants; between historic houses, a tower with a red roof rises in the background under a clear blue sky.

Take a walk on Gasa, the charming street where the Brežice craftspeople used to live.

A person in a light-colored dress stands on a wooden balcony overlooking a richly painted hall with rows of empty chairs; ceiling and wall frescoes and warm light highlight the historic interior.

Discover the Posavje heritage at the mighty Brežice Castle whose Baroque style Knight’s Hall will take your breath away.

Celje – The Princes' Town

The romantic streets in the old city centre, green nooks for secret conversations in the city park, magnificent architecture reflecting the diversity of the past and the future whose links are revealed in museums, galleries, the theatre and more. All this awaits you in the city centre. The diversity of experiences in a small area is what gives Celje, the Princes' Town, its special charm. Everything is just a few steps away in Celje.

Get to know Celje

Krekov Square in Celje with the picturesque Celje Hall and a statue of the writer and traveler Alma M. Karlin.

At Krek Square, look up at the picturesque Celjski dom and greet the statue of Alma M. Karlin – a pioneering Slovenian woman writer and world traveller.

The archaeological exhibition preserves the stone remains of the Roman city of Celeia, arranged in a contemporary underground space with discreet lighting that highlights former streets, walls, and the foundations of the ancient urban layout.

Check out the unique archaeological exhibition "Celeia – The city under the city" at the Prince's Mansion.

A historical photography studio with a large camera on a stand; a person beside the apparatus frames the scene while another person in elegant vintage attire poses in front of a painted backdrop, evoking the atmosphere of the early 20th century.

Check out the house of the master photographer Pelikan, the outstanding documentarist of Celje everyday life.

Črnomelj – Town life from Antiquity to the present day

The town's name, Črnomelj, literally means ‘black mill’ in Slovenian. According to legend, it comes from a tale about a miller who tried to deceive a good fairy disguised as an old woman. Instead of grinding white flour as she asked, he gave her black flour – and was punished for his dishonesty. However, Črnomelj is not famous solely for its name, but also for the town’s layout in the shape of a star, connecting roads from Ljubljana, Novo mesto, Zagreb and Rijeka. This natural pier between the Lahinja and Dobličica rivers holds 3,000 years of history. During the times of the Ottoman invasions, a canal was dug to turn it into a river island, preventing the Turks from conquering the settlement despite sieges. The tourist information centre will gladly arrange a walk around the town, organise a creative workshop with Easter egg decorators and linen makers from Bela krajina, or recommend good places to eat or interesting events in the region.

Discover more about Črnomelj

A contemporary exhibition center in a stone interior with information panels on the walls and an interactive table in the foreground; visitors explore the exhibition

In the basement of the town's largest building – the Črnomelj Castle, is the Treasury, where you will learn all about Črnomelj and the region of Bela krajina.

A view of the historic town center with colorful building façades along the river, above which a church rises on a hill, while a stone bridge and compact architecture create the recognizable image of the old town.

Climb to the top of Griček Hill and enjoy the peace and the great view of the town.

A bridge over a river, decorated with flags and ornaments, along which a crowd of people walks; the lively urban setting creates a festive atmosphere.

If you take the stairs down from the main Črnomelj bridge, you will come quite close to the confluence of the two rivers that for centuries have been closely linked to the life of the people of Črnomelj.

Idrija – UNESCO heritage pearl

The mercury from the Earth's underground, the lace from the lacemaking pillows, žlikrofi dumplings from home kitchens – Idrija is a town of outstanding cultural heritage. The oldest Slovenian mining town is known for the world's second largest mercury mine, which already centuries ago attracted explorers and travellers from all over Europe and left the town with unique technical heritage monuments related to water and other special features of the area.

Visit Idrija

An underground mining tunnel with wooden supports and a narrow track, softly lit to reveal stone walls and the authentic environment of a historic mine.

Enter the Anthony's Main Road, the oldest part of the Idrija mine, with a guide.

The inner courtyard of Gewerkenegg Castle in Idrija, featuring arched walkways, stone walls, and wooden galleries, where the interplay of historic architecture and open space creates a calm, castle-like atmosphere.

At the mighty Gewerkenegg Castle immerse yourself in more than 300 hundred years of Idrija lace history.

The industrial interior of a former smelting plant with a high metal ceiling, large furnaces, and technical equipment, where robust materials, pipes, and exhibition elements testify to the former production process and the site’s industrial heritage.

Learn all about mercury, which put Idrija on the UNESCO heritage list, at the interactive Hg Smeltery.

Jesenice – A town of steel and flowers

Visit Stara Sava in Jesenice, where the main elements of the ironmaking settlement are still preserved: the manor, church, workers' flats, blast furnace with its auxiliary plants, millrace and mill. The built heritage forms an integrated area dedicated to museum, cultural and tourist activities. The renovated square is developing into a new social events centre and a place to meet with friends. A town were time comes to a halt...

Explore Jesenice

Stara Sava Square with historic industrial buildings, paved paths, and greenery along the river, where the open summer space blends technical heritage with relaxed urban life.

Drink a cup of worker's coffee and experience a bit of ironworking past in the authentic museum area of Stara Sava.

The settlement of Murova with scattered houses and the Church of St. Leonard, distinguished by its characteristic bell tower, set in a green landscape.

Explore Murova, the oldest part of the town centre.

A contemporary gallery interior with white walls, wooden floors, and displayed artworks arranged in an open exhibition space.

The town of Jesenice is also known for hockey and skiing. You can feel the true sporting spirit in the interestingly furnished Ejga guesthouse.

Kamnik – A town nestled among mountains

A great variety of flavours, homeliness, relaxation, nature, history and adventure – these are the things visitors can experience in Kamnik, a town in the heart of the Kamnik Alps. In the Middle Ages Kamnik was already a flourishing trading town. Its architectural and religious heritage still reminds us of the time when Kamnik was the capital of Carniola. The Kamniška Bistrica River gave life to the stone, which provided strength, safety and refuge to the town over centuries. The river is still the town's link to nature and the mountains. Kamnik's inhabitants like living there and visitors like to come back to the heart of the mountains.

More about Kamnik

Šutna Street in Kamnik with paved ground and a compact row of historic houses featuring characteristic façades that form the image of the old town center.

Take a walk on the most beautiful street in Kamnik – Šutna with many important buildings, such as the house where the general and poet Rudolf Maister was born.

The main square with an open paved space, surrounded by historic buildings and urban architecture that form the city’s central social hub.

In the main square, take a look at the most picturesque facade –which happens to be only one of the variants proposed to Kamnik by the master architect Plečnik. Find his other identifiable works around the town.

The ruins of an old castle on a hill above the town, with preserved stone walls and views of the surrounding landscape.

Climb up to Stari grad and enjoy the wonderful view of the town and beyond, as far as the eye can see.

Koper – A sunny city

This Mediterranean city surrounded by sea and mountains shows its rich millennia-old history at every turn. A walk around the old city centre is a walk through a sunlit history. The mysterious Koper countryside in the Land of Refosco offers a unique range of culinary delicacies and wines. Real Istrian delights can be enjoyed at many traditional events. The sunny present also provides opportunities for new seaside experiences.

Discover Koper

A marina with moored sailboats and boats, with city buildings and coastal architecture in the background beneath a dramatic cloudy sky.

Enjoy fresh sea air listening to seagulls in the Koper marina.

A stone relief of a sun with a face and wavy rays, carved into the wall of a historic building.

Take a walk among the city palaces, which tell the stories of the Venetian Republic era. Don't leave out the last remaining city gate Muda.

The historic old town of Koper with a central square, historic Venetian palaces and a tower, with people strolling across the square.

Rest a bit in the Tito Square and decide where to go next. Perhaps to the Praetorian Palace or to the top of the Bell Tower.

Kostanjevica na Krki – The smallest town for the greatest experiences

Where the lowland Krakovo Forest slowly climbs up the green Gorjanci mountain range lies Kostanjevica na Krki, the smallest and one of the oldest Slovenian towns. It is also the only one built on an island. Every person is bound to find something for themselves here, whether enjoying the sight of the lazy Krka River, walking through the old town centre, viewing the art collections or studying the local natural and cultural heritage.

Get to know Kostanjevica na Krki

A couple walks across a wooden bridge leading to a small old town center with low houses and a church bell tower.

Start your exploration of Kostanjevica by crossing one of the famous oak bridges over the Krka River.

A long building façade with a large contemporary wall mosaic depicting a historical scene with numerous figures, while an individual walks along the grassy path in front of the building.

Walk to the largest mosaic in Slovenia depicting the battle of Krško polje.

The entrance to a historic castle complex with fortification walls, two round towers, and a painted archway, through which three visitors are walking.

At the Božidar Jakac Art Museum you can admire an amazing collection of works by Slovenian artists and taste the excellent Cviček wine.

Kranj – The cultural heart of Slovenia

Kranj boasts 6000 years of history and rich culture. Behind the wall lies a city full of art and architectural design. We must also not forget fresh creativity. In the city centre, welcoming tradespeople offer locally produced organic food, craft products and artworks. The charming historic city invites you to discover its attractions. In the protected city centre, you can relax and enjoy many events and culinary delicacies in a welcoming atmosphere. Here, the traditional is lovingly combined with modern.

Want to know more about Kranj?

An underground concrete tunnel with illuminated paths and curved walls, where two visitors walk in opposite directions.

Descend into the Kranj underground and walk through the tunnels under the old town.

Stone steps in the old town center, with a stone column topped by a statue, surrounded by colorful historic houses and a flower-filled balcony.

Walk up the Plečnik stairs and enter Pungert, the old part of Kranj. Take a look from the viewing platform into the canyon under the city.

A town square with an obelisk topped by a golden statue, surrounded by historic houses and a church tower with a clock.

Climb to the top of the bell tower of St Cantianus' Church and admire the magnificent view.

Krško – Full of energy

This late medieval town on the Sava River was one of the centres of the Slovenian Reformation and is today a hub of energy production and home to the interactive World of Energy centre. Visitors are filled with renewed energy through the town's stories, nature, culture and gastronomy. Krško is also a town of books and scholars. The Valvasor Library Krško houses rare and valuable works, including original copies of Dalmatin's Bible and Valvasor's The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola. Throughout the town, you can discover traces of linguists and other notable figures.

Discover Krško

A viewpoint overlooking a river valley with a meandering river, forested hills, and a castle with a red roof by the river in the foreground.

Rajhenburg Castle in Brestanica is an exceptional monument of medieval castle architecture. It was once managed by knights and later by Trappist monks. Today, it also houses a sparkling wine cellar.

A park with portrait busts displayed on stone pedestals along gravel paths in a grassy area, with trees in the background.

Krško is a town of important reformers from the 16th century. In the Grove of the Deserving Citizens there are busts of Jurij Dalmatin and Adam Bohorič.

An exhibition interior with an interactive plasma globe, where a visitor triggers electric currents using a glowing wand.

The World of Energy is the first interactive centre dedicated to energy and the energy sector in Slovenia. Visitors can try out experiments with electricity.

A contemporary library with curved shelving, large windows, and an open space where visitors move among bookshelves.

The oldest book in the Capuchin Library is Calepino's Latin dictionary from 1502. The Capuchin Library is a museum collection within the Valvasor Library Krško.

Metlika – It's best to come and see

The region of Metlika Municipality is a land of many faces. Due to its remoteness, it remains mysterious, pristine and clean. Its diverse landscape is full of magical places, perfect for relaxation and fun. Although geographically remote, Metlika was already a trailblazer in many areas a century ago. Today, it still boasts traditional cultural practices, culinary specialities and events not found in many a developed and wealthy place.

Get to know Metlika

An inner courtyard of a historic complex with arcaded walkways, white walls, red roofs, and tables with parasols on a paved surface.

At the Bela krajina Museum in Metlika Castle you can learn about the history of the Bela krajina region. You can also visit the Slovenian Firefighting Museum in the neighbouring building.

A church with a bell tower topped by a red onion-shaped roof, surrounded by cemetery gravestones under a clear blue sky.

Visit the interesting pilgrimage site in Rosalince with three gothic churches.

A hillside vineyard with rows of vines overlooking a town with houses and landscape in the background.

Go down to the Obrh stream, where they used to wash laundry. There is also the Obrh Educational Trail.

Novo mesto – A city of situlae

Novo mesto is proud of its cultural heritage extending over a very long period, evidenced by the incredible archaeological finds and the sights of the old town centre. The story of Novo mesto has always been shaped by its connection to nature. Unforgettable discoveries await you in Novo mesto: from the idyllic Otočec Castle in the middle of the Krka River and Trška gora with its vineyards and vineyard cottages to the green slopes of Gorjanci mountain range.

Discover Novo mesto

A paved town square with rows of historic houses, street lamps, and a church bell tower in the background under a cloudy sky.

Spend some time in the Glavni trg, the main square of Novo mesto and the largest medieval square in Slovenia surrounded by old city houses with arcade walkways.

A view of a river alongside an old town with colorful houses, red roofs, and a church on a hill.

The most renowned view of the city centre is from the famous Kandija bridge.

A museum exhibition room with display cases, wooden flooring, and visitors viewing archaeological and historical exhibits.

Discover the interesting history of the Hallstatt era at the Dolenjska Museum.

Piran – Tartini's town

This Mediterranean pearl is a really special town. Violins and other instruments can still be heard at various concerts and festivals held in the Guiseppe Tartini's birthplace, the music spreading through the narrow medieval streets, uphill between the crammed houses. Piran is a monument of diverse architecture of the past millennia. The town's squares are places of social gatherings pulsing in the rhythm of the sea.

Let yourself be charmed by Piran

A bronze statue of a composer on a stone pedestal in front of historic town houses with ornate façades.

Discover the legacy of the Piran's most famous citizen, the violinist and composer Guiseppe Tartini, whose monument is watching over the Piran's main square.

A seafront with two small lighthouses on a pier and a view of the old town with colorful houses by the sea.

Stroll through the picturesque streets of Piran to Cape Madonna, the tip of the Piran peninsula.

Two people standing by a stone wall at a viewpoint overlooking a coastal town with red rooftops and a marina by the sea.

Climb the stairs to St George’s Church and admire the most beautiful view of the town and the blue sea beyond.

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Towns that reflect the past

The historical towns of Slovenia are unique narrators of stories of the past. Where will the path take you?

Ptuj – Old city, new experiences

The city on the Drava River is a natural meeting point of winegrowing hills and vast fields of north-eastern Slovenia. People have been settled here continuously since the Roman times. Ptuj is one of the oldest towns far and wide, its statute dating from 1376. The protected medieval town centre holds the stories of the past in its churches and monasteries, vaulted wine cellars and castle halls. The city's mystique is maintained by Kurents who chase away everything evil.

Discover more about Ptuj

A paved castle wall with a gate, a row of trees, and a view over the red rooftops of the town below.

Go see one of the richest museum collections in Slovenia at the Ptuj Castle. There is a wonderful view of the city centre from behind the castle walls.

A group of carnival kurents in sheepskin costumes stands in front of a circular monument bearing the inscription Ptuj, with the old town in the background.

Visit the Kurent House and learn about the famous carnival character Kurent, whose carnival rounds were included in the UNESCO world heritage.

A Roman stone monument in a town square, with café visitors seated nearby, surrounded by historic buildings.

Find the Orpheus Monument, a mysterious gravestone from the 2nd century standing in the most beautiful Slovenian square.

Radovljica – Chocolate and honey

In the Alps, between Jelovica and the Karavanke mountain range, on the terraces above the confluence of the Sava Bohinjka and Sava Dolinka rivers, a town has been standing since the 14th century, boasting unique medieval houses decorated with frescoes. Behind the wall and the only preserved moat in Slovenia, you will find the town's attractions, castle park, museums and galleries and the town square, where many festivals and other events are held. Radovljica is also the centre of Slovenian beekeeping. Bled, the famous tourist site with its picturesque lake, island with a church and the castle standing on the mighty cliff, is a mere seven kilometres from Radovljica.

Discover Radovljica

An old town street with historic houses, outdoor café tables, and people walking along a paved square.

The old centre of Radovljica will impress you with its charming and colourful old houses.

A museum exhibition room with display cases, wooden flooring, and visitors viewing painted beehive panels.

At the Museum of Apiculture housed in the Radovljica Manor you will learn about the rich beekeeping tradition in Slovenia in an interactive way. Don't miss the wonderful beehive panels.

Assorted chocolate pralines on a white plate, dusted with cocoa, with one piece cut open to reveal the filling.

Treat yourself to a chocolate creation of the boutique chocolatier Radolška čokolada.

Ravne na Koroškem – The heart of Koroška

The largest town in the Koroška region, a town of ironworkers, sport, forma viva iron sculptures and rich literature. Its cultural growth is reflected in the vast collection of the Central Library of Koroška, its ironworking history in the interesting museum collection. The cottage of Prežihov Voranc on Preški Vrh above Kotlje is a memorial museum dedicated to the writer Lovro Kuhar who penned under the pseudonym Prežihov Voranc. The town's attractions include Lake Ivarčko, a water paradise under the mighty Uršlja gora, a modern sports centre in the middle of the town and the technical heritage on the site of the old ironworks.

Get to know Ravne na Koroškem

A red abstract metal sculpture standing on a grassy park area, surrounded by trees under a blue sky.

The Ravne forma viva can be an adventure! Find sculptures scattered around the town centre.

A symmetrical historic building with a yellow façade, arcades, and a red roof, surrounded by a lawn.

Learn about the history of this steel town at the Ravne Castle.

A narrow cobbled street with colorful houses leading toward a church bell tower with a clock in the background.

Visit the old church of St Egidij and admire the view from the rise above town.

Ribnica – A little woodenware making town

Ribnica is a charming little town renowned for its rich craft heritage. It offers visitors a unique mixture of cultural history, medieval attractions and art, which makes it an attractive destination for those who like to explore Slovenian historic and creative traditions.

More about Ribnica

Aerial view of a castle complex with arcades, a semicircular amphitheater, and a formal garden, surrounded by trees.

Check out the Ribnica Castle, which, uncharacteristically, stands on a plain close by the river.

A stone bridge over a calm river with fortifications, trees, and historic buildings along the riverbank.

Turn towards the bell towers of St Stephen Church and you will recognise the master Plečnik's style. Go see the precious artworks inside the church.

A museum exhibition hall with display cases showing baskets and wooden objects.

Learn about the extraordinary woodenware making and other handcraft heritage of the town and test your skills at a handcraft workshop at the Ribnica Handcraft Centre.

Semič – Among vineyards and birches

Hidden in the heart of Bela krajina, Semič weaves a rich tapestry of history, culture and natural beauty. The view of the town surrounded by green hills and vineyards is marked by the Parish Church of St Stephen, while narrow streets and rural paths lead you to the Krupa River, a hidden gem of pristine nature.

Taking a trip to Semič?

A contemporary museum building with a white façade, set next to an older historic house with a bell tower in the town center.

Learn about the extraordinary biodiversity of this region by exploring the natural history collection of the Semič Museum House. You will be invited into a real karst cave.

A yellow church building with a bell tower, with a semicircular wall featuring a colorful mosaic in the foreground.

Take a walk along the encampment wall by the St Stephen's Church, one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Bela krajina. It will transport you to the times of merciless Ottoman invasions.

A calm karst water pool beside a rock cliff, surrounded by trees and grass in a natural setting.

Take a trip to the emerald green source of the Krupa River. This is also a home of the only known cave bivalve in the world.

Slovenj Gradec – A herald of peace

This ancient city standing in the basin between Pohorje and Uršlja gora is a Slovenian synonym for a cultural centre where the rich heritage intertwines with the modern vibe. Walking through the city and its centre, you will feel the venerable urban tradition. The city has been granted the highest award by the Tourist Association of Slovenia "My Country – Beautiful and Hospitable" for many years. The vibrant cultural pulse will be complemented by the countryside's pristine nature and culinary specialities to satisfy your senses in any season.

Discover Slovenj Gradec

A two‑storey historic house with a greenish façade, red roof, and a memorial plaque by the entrance along a town street.

Visit the house where composer Hugo Wolf was born and learn about the turbulent life of this master of European art songs.

A decorated gingerbread heart with white icing, pink flowers, and green patterns on a white background.

Enter the honey paradise Perger 1757 and try the delicious honey bread hearts and biscuits. The secrets of their making have been passed from generation to generation.

A landscaped grassy square with paved paths, a church, and a contemporary public building surrounded by trees.

Check out the highest preserved town walls in Slovenia.

Slovenjske Konjice – The town of noble stories

The town with the picturesque layout of a medieval market town lies between the mysterious Konjiška gora and the golden sunny hills of winegrowing Škalc. It is an example of friendliness and neatness. Slovenske Konjice is praised as the most beautiful town for day trips in Slovenia. The town also received two golden awards (in 1998 and 2014) of the Entente Florale Europe competition, thus joining the group of the best managed European towns. Experience Slovenske Konjice. The feeling of tradition, homeliness and friendliness will stay with you long after you leave.

More about Slovenske Konjice

A town square with a large horse‑head sculpture in the foreground, a fountain with figures, flowerbeds, and a pedestrian path among historic buildings.

Explore the Konjice's medieval squares, where you will encounter various depictions of horses, the town's symbol.

A café table with a cup of coffee, a glass of water, and a printed text sheet held in a person’s hands.

Find a bench with the bronze statue of poet Ivan Minatti, who was born in Konjice, and stop at the Tattenbach Pub for a cup of unique Minatti coffee.

An elongated historic building with a yellow façade and red roof, set beside a grassy slope with trees and a walking path.

Cross the beautiful park and you will come to the Baroque Trebnik Mansion.

Šentjur – A song about the southern railway

This town, embraced by forests, gentle hills and ponds, is famous for the music of the Ipavec family. The rhythm of their music was perhaps complemented by the clickety-clack of trains, which first passed through the town as early as 1846. The town at the foot of Rifnik Hill invits you with beautiful nature in the surrounding area, the opportunities for outdoor adventures and the hospitality of the locals. The area has been continuously settled since the end of the Late Stone Age and was the site of one of the largest Late Antiquity settlements in Slovenia.

Let Šentjur enchant you

A large old tree with a wide canopy casts shadows on a gravel path beside a building and a small stone well.

Visit the Ipavec Family House commemorating this family of Šentjur composers. In its garden you will find a fountain designed by master Plečnik.

Two children stand before walls densely covered with framed historical photographs and documents in a museum room.

Listen to the stories of a long-serving station master in the Southern Railway Museum.

An aerial view of green hills with the remains of stone foundations in a meadow, surrounded by forest and a valley in the background.

Check out the Rifnik Museum collection counting more than 600 exhibits, the oldest dating from the Late Stone Age.

Škofja Loka – The city of the Passion

The best-preserved medieval town with guild tradition and a black man in its coat of arms inspires with many a story. Every seven years, the town at the foot of Loka Castle becomes the stage of the Passion Play performance based on the oldest preserved drama text in the Slovene language about the suffering and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The variety of events and authentic Škofja Loka cuisine bring to the town curious people from near and far.

What to do in Škofja Loka?

A quiet town square with a large tree at its center, surrounded by historic buildings and a paved open space.

Stay for a while at Mestni trg, Škofja Loka's main square, and admire the picturesque facades of the noble houses or find the products of the Loka's handcraft masters.

A hilltop castle above an old town, glowing in blue evening light, with a bell tower in the foreground and forested hills behind.

Visit the Loka Castle and explore its rich historic collection, including the presentation of the Škofja Loka Passion Play, which is included in the UNESCO list of intangible heritage.

A river channel reflecting old houses and a stone bridge, topped with red roofs at the base of green hills.

Impress the view of the famous, more than 600 years old Capuchin Bridge into your memory, and take a photo, just in case.

Tržič – The dragon's town of the skilful and enterprising

As there has been a lot of traffic here since the Roman times, Tržič people became excellent and very enterprising ironworkers, wheelwrights, textile and leather workers, and in particular shoemakers. The town's famous crafts and trades history is presented in the Tržič Museum and at the Šuštarska nedelja (Shoemakers Sunday) event. Today, Tržič is a nice old town, protected as a cultural monument. It is a good place to stop and listen to its countless stories.

Get to know Tržič

An old town house with a wooden balcony and steep roof is lit by warm evening light on a quiet street.

Learn about the life of townspeople in the 18th and 19th centuries and bake a famous tržiška flika at the Kurnik House, the best preserved old Tržič building.

A museum gallery with a vaulted ceiling displays old wooden skis, while visitors examine the exhibits.

Feel the spirit of the best Slovenian skiers at the Tržič Museum.

A white facade window with open black shutters and a stone frame juts out from a smooth wall.

At Trg svobode (Freedom Square) find the "firbc vokn", the last preserved window specially designed for keeping an eye on what is happening in the town.

Žužemberk – The cradle of heroes

The main medieval market town with the mighty Žužemberk Castle on the cliff above the Krka River. In 1560, monk Jahannes Faitanus described the castle's historic role and strategic importance in his poem Seisenbergensis Tumultus. "In the heart of Iliria, a castle rises above a deep gorge, a mighty fortress, defying and defending against any weapon. A place tamed by the Auersperg family..." See for yourself that time runs differently here.

What to do in Žužemberk

A stone castle courtyard with walls and towers, where a historical reenactment with swords takes place in the open space.

Discover the venue of great stories of Žužemberk Castle and its famous residents, the commander Andrej Auersperg and the diplomat Janez Auersperg.

A black stone memorial plaque bearing text about the birth of Zalla Zarana, the first Slovenian film actress in Hollywood, with a small portrait at the top.

Go down to the Breg street and find the house in which Zalla Zarana, the first Slovenian to become a Hollywood film actress, was born.

A bright exhibition hall with wooden beams, large windows, and flowing white tables for interactive museum displays.

Pass the 13th century church of St Nicholas and walk up to the cast-iron fountain made in the former Auersperg's iron foundry in Dvor.

Slovenia’s cultural gems

Slovenia is a treasure trove of interesting stories that solidify the Slovenian identity. Discover the most interesting facts about the people, places, and things that also made world history.

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Galleries

Galleries – home to art and design.

Iconic attractions

The images of Slovenia that will leave a lasting impression.

Contemporary architectural sights

The architectural landscape of Slovenia was characterised by various stylistic periods, economic and political conditions, and cultural components.

Creative art centres and venues

Some of the most exciting locations for lovers of art, culture and creative industries.

Arts and Culture

Culture is an expression of human creativity. Slovenia features cities, towns and spaces designed for people. That is why people feel good wherever they are.

Plečnik's Slovenia

Learn about the masterpieces of Jože Plečnik, the greatest Slovenian architect!

Sacred heritage of Slovenia

Discover interesting stories about Slovenian churches and monasteries and visit pilgrimage sites.

Castles and manors

Majestic castles and elegant manors open the door to a world of extraordinary historical experiences.

Museums

Museums – treasure troves of millennia of extraordinary stories.

Historic Towns of Slovenia

Browse the guide to Slovenia’s historic towns and discover 25 towns that combine urban experiences, culture, contemporary art, local flavours, and nature close at hand. Choose your own combination of town stops and experiences, and discover Slovenia across all four tourist regions – your way, accessibly and sustainably.

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Historic towns and old town centres of Slovenia

Picturesque towns with historic charm

Towns with enchanting historic centres

Experience the charming historic towns of Slovenia

Discover the towns of culture!

Brežice – At the confluence of the Sava and the Krka rivers

Celje – The Princes' Town

Črnomelj – Town life from Antiquity to the present day

Idrija – UNESCO heritage pearl

Jesenice – A town of steel and flowers

Kamnik – A town nestled among mountains

Koper – A sunny city

Kostanjevica na Krki – The smallest town for the greatest experiences

Kranj – The cultural heart of Slovenia

Krško – Full of energy

Metlika – It's best to come and see

Novo mesto – A city of situlae

Piran – Tartini's town

Towns that reflect the past

Ptuj – Old city, new experiences

Radovljica – Chocolate and honey

Ravne na Koroškem – The heart of Koroška

Ribnica – A little woodenware making town

Semič – Among vineyards and birches

Slovenj Gradec – A herald of peace

Slovenjske Konjice – The town of noble stories

Šentjur – A song about the southern railway

Škofja Loka – The city of the Passion

Tržič – The dragon's town of the skilful and enterprising

Žužemberk – The cradle of heroes

Slovenia’s cultural gems

Historic Towns of Slovenia

Stories from Slovenia

Share with friends

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Historic towns and old town centres of Slovenia

Picturesque towns with historic charm

Towns with enchanting historic centres

Experience the charming historic towns of Slovenia

Discover the towns of culture!

Brežice – At the confluence of the Sava and the Krka rivers

Celje – The Princes' Town

Črnomelj – Town life from Antiquity to the present day

Idrija – UNESCO heritage pearl

Jesenice – A town of steel and flowers

Kamnik – A town nestled among mountains

Koper – A sunny city

Kostanjevica na Krki – The smallest town for the greatest experiences

Kranj – The cultural heart of Slovenia

Krško – Full of energy

Metlika – It's best to come and see

Novo mesto – A city of situlae

Piran – Tartini's town

Towns that reflect the past

List: Towns that reflect the past

Ptuj – Old city, new experiences

Radovljica – Chocolate and honey

Ravne na Koroškem – The heart of Koroška

Ribnica – A little woodenware making town

Semič – Among vineyards and birches

Slovenj Gradec – A herald of peace

Slovenjske Konjice – The town of noble stories

Šentjur – A song about the southern railway

Škofja Loka – The city of the Passion

Tržič – The dragon's town of the skilful and enterprising

Žužemberk – The cradle of heroes

Slovenia’s cultural gems

Historic Towns of Slovenia

Stories from Slovenia

Share with friends

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Essential cookies

Functional cookies

Statistical cookies

Segmentation cookies

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