The leading European platform for the promotion of culture and sustainable tourism, European Best Destinations, has awarded Ptuj the prestigious title Best Cultural Heritage Town in Europe 2026.
With a thousand-year-old Ptuj Castlerising above the Drava river, with a long wine-making tradition and a plethora of cultural and sports events , Ptuj offers a rare combination throughout the whole year: it is a city that not only preserves its history but keeps it alive.
Slovenia's oldest town invites you to visit in every season:
• Discover UNESCO-listed heritage at the international Kurentovanje Carnival, the Kurent House museum, and during traditional Kurent door-to-door rounds.
• Explore the protected historic old town at your own pace, free from crowds.,
• Experience the city’s ever-changing cultural pulse –from poetry, art, and music festivals to historical, wine, and culinary events.
• Embark on sustainable guided experiences off the beaten path, deeply connected to Ptuj’s cultural heritage.
• Enjoy boutique wine cellars, cozy cafés and restaurants, charming shops, and unique accommodations.
• Indulge in the soothing embrace of thermal waters.,
• By bike or on foot, discover the thermal and wine-growing countryside and
• Feel the warm and genuine hospitality hospitalitythe locals are famous for.
Welcome to Ptuj – where the past shapes the present.