About Ptuj, Slovenia

Ptuj is the oldest town in Slovenia and one of the oldest of whole Europe. It is set on the Drava river and oozes charm thanks to its lovely medieval core with a medieval castle, museums, monasteries, churches and other historic buildings. It is small, friendly and overwhelmingly picturesque. It’s a town that is almost impossible not to fall in love with on your first visit, and if you only have time for a day trip you’ll likely want to make plans to return.

Ptuj is located in the northeast of Slovenia, 30 kilometres (18 miles) from Slovenia’s second largest city Maribor and 140 kilometres (87 miles) from the capital Ljubljana. It has about 18,000 residents.

Ptuj Photo Gallery

A beautiful picture gallery containing 30 high resolution Ptuj photos, taken either by professional photographers or amateur photo enthusiasts!

A great view over the town of Ptuj from Ptuj Castle. Image by Mihael Grmek / CC BY-SA 3.0

Another wonderful view over Ptuj with Lake Ptuj in the background. Image by Bmaric / CC0

Views over the town and red-tiled roofs are stunning. Image by János Korom Dr. / CC BY-SA 2.0

A beautiful view over the town of Ptuj from an aerial photography platform. Image by Jure Korber and Tjasa Borsnak

Ptuj is set on the Drava river. Image by Jure Korber and Tjasa Borsnak

The must-see sight in Ptuj is Ptuj Castle, towering above the town. Image by Mihael Grmek / CC BY-SA 3.0

Ptuj oozes charm thanks to its lovely Gothic centre (with Renaissance and baroque additions) along the Drava River. Image by (Mick Baker)rooster / CC BY-ND 2.0

Ptuj is a charming historic town in the Styria region of Slovenia best known for its historic buildings with red-tiled roofs and its Kurentovanje festival. Image by Peter Zajfrid

Set on the Drava river, Ptuj is the oldest town in Slovenia and one of the oldest of whole Europe. Image by Piotr Skrzypiec

Night view of the town of Ptuj with pedestrian bridge across the Drava river. Image by Peter Zajfrid

Looking down at the town of Ptuj from the castle grounds. Image by null0 / CC BY 2.0

Another view from Ptuj Castle. Image by János Korom Dr. / CC BY-SA 2.0

Old historic houses with red-tiled roofs. Image by János Korom Dr. / CC BY-SA 2.0

A beautiful view from Ptuj Castle. Image by János Korom Dr. / CC BY-SA 2.0

Ptuj’s best-known landmark is the mid-12th century castle. Image by Ljuba brank / GFDL

The historic houses in the Castle street. Image by János Korom Dr. / CC BY-SA 2.0

The picturesque houses in the Jadranska Ulica street. Image by Gibalec / CC BY-SA 3.0

A street view in the old part of the town with the town tower in the background. Image by János Korom Dr. / CC BY-SA 2.0

Another street view in the old part of the town. Image by János Korom Dr. / CC BY-SA 2.0

And another street view. Image by János Korom Dr. / CC BY-SA 2.0

A detail of the Preseren street with colorful facades. Image by Rosino / CC BY-SA 2.0

The town square in the historic centre of Ptuj. Image by AAAAAAAAA / CC BY-SA 2.0

The town tower in the centre of Ptuj. Image by Husond / GFDL

Located at the eastern edge of the old town, the Minorite Monastery dates from the 13th century. It features a Gothic church of Sts Peter and Paul, a library and a summer refectory with painted ceiling panels. Image by Husond / GFDL

Erected in 1907, the Town Hall is the most prominent building in the Mestni Trg square.

Kurents are the central carnival characters in the traditional Kurentivanje carnival in Ptuj. Their aim is to chase the winter away and welcome spring. Image by Andrejj / CC BY-SA 3.0

An excellent old postcard of Ptuj from the early 20th century.

This is how Ptuj looked way back in 1687!

All You Need To Know To Visit Ptuj

PTUJ – the oldest town in Slovenia and one of the oldest of whole Europe Set on the Drava river, Ptuj is a charming old town with beautiful historic buildings (which are all protected as monuments), many interesting churches and monasteries, lovely squares, a medieval castle built in the mid-12th century, Slovenia’s oldest wine cellar, a lovely thermal spa, lots of storks nesting on its red-tile roofs and one of the most impressive carnivals in Europe called Kurentovanje, which draws tens of thousands of visitors each year!