Ptuj is the oldest recorded town in Slovenia, on the Drava river in the north-east, about 135 km from Ljubljana. Trains take about 2h15m to 2h45m with a change, and driving the A1 takes about 1h30m. The old town centres on Mestni trg, with the City Tower, the Orpheus Monument (a Roman tombstone) and the Dominican monastery. Ptuj Castle sits on the hill and holds a museum of weapons, musical instruments and the Kurent masks tied to the Kurentovanje carnival in February, when costumed Kurenti in sheepskin walk the streets. The castle and the old town can be seen in half a day, and Ptuj's wine cellar holds some of the country's oldest bottles. Maribor, Slovenia's second city, is about 25 km further, with the Old Vine, said to be among the oldest grapevines in the world, on the Drava riverside. It lies on the main railway and can be reached directly from Ljubljana in about 1h45m to 2h. A full day by train can cover one of the two, and visitors who want both usually stay overnight. Summer evenings bring terrace dining and wine tasting, while February brings the carnival crowds.
| Distance | About 135 km north-east of Ljubljana |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 1h30m by car |
| Getting there | Train: SŽ from Ljubljana railway station (Železniška postaja), Trg OF 6, timetable at potniski.sz.si to Ptuj (change at Pragersko), about 2h15m-2h45m, roughly EUR 12-15 (~$13-16) each way |
| Cost | Train about EUR 12-15 (~$13-16) to Ptuj; Ptuj Castle museum entry roughly EUR 7-10 |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Mestni trg, 2250 Ptuj, Slovenia |
How to get there
- Car: A1 motorway, about 1h30m; Maribor is about 1h20m
- Train: direct SŽ services to Maribor, about 1h45m-2h, roughly EUR 11-14 (~$12-15)
- Bus: some intercity services run to Maribor and Ptuj
Location
Mestni trg, 2250 Ptuj, Slovenia
46.4201, 15.8697 View on map
Highlights
- See Ptuj Castle and the Kurent masks
- Visit Mestni trg and the Orpheus Monument
- Taste white wine in Ptuj's historic cellar
- See the Old Vine in Maribor
- Experience Kurentovanje in February
Tips for visiting
- Take an early train and plan to return in the evening.
- Book accommodation early for Kurentovanje.
- Confirm train connections at Pragersko.
- Combine Maribor and Ptuj only with an overnight stay or a car.
When to visit
April-October; February for the carnival.
Accessibility
The old town is cobbled and mostly flat; Ptuj Castle sits on a hill with steep access.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get to Ptuj?
About 1h30m by car and 2h15m to 2h45m by train.
What is Kurentovanje?
It is a February carnival at Ptuj where masked Kurenti in sheepskin costumes parade through the streets.
Can Maribor be added?
Yes. It is on the same railway line, about 1h45m to 2h from Ljubljana.