Slovenia is an undiscovered gem. Located in the Southeast part of Europe, this region has been the eyeing zone for invaders from both the west and the east. It is a place of rich history. Slovenia has a lot of historical structures owing to the culmination of various cultures at Slovenia. There are a number of castles in Slovenia which makes your jaw drop. These are the top 10 castles you must visit on your trip to Slovenia. The best part about these castle visits is that you get to tour around the towns and other locales surrounding it thereby eventually enjoying a full-fledged package.
10 Best Castles In Slovenia
Here is a list of the best castles in Slovenia that will show a glimpse into the glorious history of the country. Take a look!
1. Idrija Castle
The castle otherwise known as Gewerkenegg castle was originally raised to supervise the mercury mining in the area. It served as the administrative center of the mercury mining in the Idrija town. It is located very close to the capital Ljubljana. It takes only about an hour and a half to reach the castle. It also holds the tag of UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is now converted into a museum, which speaks of the glory of the town of Idrija, its lifestyle and contains documents related to mercury mining.
Location: Prelovčeva ulica 9, 5280 Idrija, Slovenia.
Entry fee: No entry fee. One can freely access the internal square of the building. A booklet is also provided to serve as a guide.
Must Read: Lake Bohinj: Your One Stop All Inclusive Guide For This Serene Lake In Slovenia
2. Bogensperk Castle
This is the kind of castle you get to spot in dreamy wedding shoots. Taking after the renaissance architecture, the castle is located very close to the main city centre of the capital. This is the go-to destination for wedding occasions. The beautiful park, small museum add beauty to the effervescent structures. Earlier, Bogensperk Castle served as the confluence of science and cultural activities. Various art forms were performed in the 16th century to entice the audience. The castle’s history is so mesmerizing and it was changed from hand to hand over the past centuries.
Location: 1275 Šmartno pri Litiji, Slovenia.
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3. Celje Castle
This is the largest castle in the Slovenian territory. Built atop a hill, you can enjoy the view of two rivers meeting each other. One of the oldest castles in the European region, Celje Castle is currently undergoing the process of renovation. It offers a panoramic view of the city below it. The rivers meandering through the mountains is another lovely view from this Castle.
Location: Cesta na Grad 78, 3000 Celje, Slovenia.
Timings: 9 am to 9 pm.
Entry fee: ~4 euros per person.
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4. Lake Bled Castle
The city of Bled in Slovenia Castle Lake takes its name after the Lake Bled that flows through it. The Lake Bled Castle in Slovenia is built on a hillock overlooking the Lake Bled. It is one of the largest flocked tourist destinations of Slovenia. Some parts of the castle were built in the Middle Ages and some in the Renaissance Age. One can get to see an amalgamation of both the types of architecture in this castle. It first belonged to the Bishops and later was transferred to the Habsburgs family.
Location: Grajska cesta, 4260 Bled, Slovenia.
Timings: Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec: 8 am – 6 pm;
Apr, May, Sep, Oct: 8 am-8pm;
Jun, Jul, Aug: 8 am to 9 pm.
Entry fee: 11 EUR for adults, 7 EUR for Students and 5 EUR for children below the age of 14. When visited in groups, one can avail concessions in the entry fee for every category mentioned above.
5. Predjama Castle
One cannot simply miss out on visiting the castle featured in Game of Thrones. Predjama Castle is built in a wide cave mouth and that is the fascinating part of the Gothic architecture of the castle. This is located on the southern part of Slovenia. This castle has been featured in a lot of movies due to its uniqueness. There is a shaft that connects the Predjama Castle to the outside world. This was used during times when the castle was under siege.
Location: 6230 Predjama, Slovenia.
Entry fee: You can visit the cave along with the castle by purchasing a joint ticket.€31,90 for adults, €2 EUR for children up to 5 years, €19,10 for children up to 15 years and €25,50 for students.
Timings: Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec: 10 am to 4 pm.
Apr, Oct: 10 am to 5 pm.
May, June, Sept: 9 am to 6 pm.
July, Aug: 9 am to 7 pm.
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6. Ljubljana Castle
This is the first castle you would be visiting as soon as you land in Slovenia. Located in the epicenter of the capital city, Ljubljana Castle built in the medieval ages kisses the skies. It was renovated a number of times as it aged over the period. One can not only get to oversee the town from the top, but also a wonderful view of the Julian Alps mountain ranges at a distance. Now, the castle houses several small museums that offer you a sneak peek into the history of Slovenia. There is a funicular which takes you around the castle for it is too huge. It is indeed ravishing to gaze at the castle from the funicular.
Location: Grajska planota 1, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Entry fee: If you want to use the funicular then you need to pay 12 EUR for adults otherwise it is only 10 EUR for adults. You can also avail family package options.
Timings: Open from 10 am to 8 pm on all days of the week.
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7. Zuzemberk Castle
As the river Krka flows alongside Zuzemberk Castle, it stands majestically with its cylindrical towers and cone domes. The castle has been destroyed several times in the past due to devastating earthquakes but was restored. The park with a small sit out area offers much peace and serenity to one’s soul.
Location: 8360 Žužemberk, Slovenia.
Entry fee: Free
Timings: The timings vary according to months and days of the week. Most of the time the castle is open to visitors only in the weekends. So, if you are planning your trip to Slovenia, visit the Zuzemberk Castle in the evenings.
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8. Otocec Castle
This castle is located near the Zuzemberk Castle and also shares its boundaries with the Krka River. You cannot visit the castle anymore as it has been converted into a hotel. This is a great option for those who are planning to enjoy a castle life. Though you are not allowed inside the castle, you can drop by and enjoy a sip of coffee and take a walk along the riverside.
Location: Grajska cesta 2, 8222 Otočec, Slovenia.
9. Bistra Castle
If you are an automobile enthusiast and you wish to have an idea of the transport options in the olden centuries, then you should be visiting the Bistra Castle. There are also a lot of fun activities to try out with kids in the castle.
Location: Bistra 6, 1353 Borovnica, Slovenia.
Timings: Tuesday to Friday 8:00-16:00, Saturday 9:00-17:00, Sunday and public holidays 10:00-18:00. In July and August open Tuesday to Friday 10:00-18:00, Saturday 9:00-17:00, Sunday and public holidays 10:00-18:00. Mondays closed. The museum is closed on 1 November and during winter from 4 December to 28 February.
Entry fee: €4.50 for adults; €3.60 per person for groups of at least 20 people.
10. Zice Monastery
If you are a zen lover and you are looking for a place with not much crowd, then you should visit the Zice Monastery. It is just an hour drive from the capital city. The visitors need not pay any amount and they can visit the monastery free of cost. They are also provided with an audio guide to get a deeper idea about the place.
Location: Špitalič pri Slovenskih Konjicah 9, 3215 Slovenija, Slovenia.
Further Read: 31 Festivals In Europe That Will Up The Fun Factor Of Your Euro Tour In 2022
It is estimated that there are more than 500 castles in Slovenia and this list includes the monasteries and the mansions as well. One can clearly see that any region surrounding an important economic activity has a castle adjacent to it to carry out the tasks associated. Slovenia castles beam with a rich history. Visit Slovenia to enjoy more of it.
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Exploring new places and trying out new food cuisines are two things that bring Seema all the happiness. Travel freak and a die-hard foodie are the synonyms that define her the best. Popular on social media by the name of ‘PandaReviewz’, lazing around the beaches, exploiting the sunset points, visiting the farthermost villages, exploring the renowned cities, trying out new food cuisines, and blogging about them are few things that keep Seema occupied, and happy!
