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Celje, Slovenia ranks as the 3rd largest city in the country, yet it is often overlooked as a tourist destination. We, too, might have skipped it if we had not heard about the incredible Celje Castle, which happens to be the largest medieval castle in Slovenia. We were pleasantly surprised when we discovered that there is much more to see in Celje than the famous castle!
On a Day Trip from Ljubljana, we found a plethora of things to do in Celje – from exploring the Old Castle to sightseeing the City Center to feasting on Slovenian food.
Celje, Slovenia: Best Things To Do, See and Eat
In this article, we include the top sights and honest travel tips for visiting Celje, Slovenia. Plus, we share what you will need to plan your trip – such as how to get there, where to stay and what to see in Celje!
Save, Pin or Bookmark our Celje Travel Guide for your trip to Slovenia!
#1 Tour Celje Castle
The Celje Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in Slovenia and a must see sight! The impressive fortification – which has a fascinating history – sits on a hilltop offering expansive views of the Savinja River and Old Town Celje.
Celje Castle History
The oldest part of Celje Castle dates to the 1100s. When it was built, it was just a simple structure consisting of one small building, a courtyard and ramparts. Since then, the castle has changed form – and ownership – several times over. Before visiting Celje Castle, it helps to have an understanding of its long and intriguing history.
The Castle and the Counts of Celje
When the castle changed ownership to the Counts of Celje in the 14th century, it was expanded to include residential quarters. The Counts also built the distinctive 75-foot-tall defense tower with walls that are 10-feet thick.
The importance of the Celje Castle increased in the 15th century when two Counts of Celje were elevated to the rank of Princes of the Holy Roman Empire. However, it was short-lived. The male blood line of the Counts of Celje ended in the year 1456 and all of their estates– including the castle – were transferred to the Habsburgs.
Fun Fact: The tower is nicknamed Frederick’s Tower because Count of Celje Frederick II was imprisoned inside it after defying his father. Frederick was only freed when it was time for him to become his father’s successor.
Celje Castle Expansion Under the Habsburgs
Defensive expansion of Celje Castle continued under the Habsburgs, with additions of an outer wall, military facilities and trenches. In the 16th century, new ramparts were built, and the Castle Celje was redesigned as a fortress and place of refuge for citizens in times of war. However, by the 18th century, the castle was left uninhabited. Rather than preserving the relic, parts of it were looted and used as building materials for other structures in the region.
Visiting Celje Castle
Today, Celje Castle has been renovated and the fort and grounds are open to be explored by visitors. Frederick’s Tower can be climbed for 360˚ views of the surrounding area and green hills in the distance. The Tower above Pelikan’s Trail, built in the 16th century, is also open to guests and has interesting displays. The oldest part of the castle hosts a medieval playground (of sorts) and fantastic views of the city of Celje.
Travelers can join a guided tour or explore on their own. Check the current Celje Castle Price and hours of operation and consider buying your tickets in advance of your visit.
An on-site cafe provides refreshments, which is great for a coffee, but we recommend eating at one of the top restaurants in Celje (we share our suggestions below).
#2 What To See in City Center Celje
While it was the Old Castle in Celje that prompted us to visit, we were compelled to venture into the city center during our day trip – and were not disappointed! We are sharing a quick history of the area, followed by our recommendations of the top things to see in Celje City Centre.
History of Celje
The region of Celje has been inhabited since 300 B.C.; first by the Celts, then by the Romans. It was during the Middle Ages and the reign of the Counts of Celje, however, that it was developed as an economic center.
In 1846, the railway was constructed, connecting Celje and Central Slovenia to Vienna and Trieste – and, thus, the rest of Europe. As it is today, the city of Celje is a combination of preserved past and an urbanized center.
Celje Town Centre
Although our time was short, we were able to see many of Celje highlights on a looping walk through the city and along the River Savinja,
Celje Hall
The Neo-Gothic Celje Hall – or Celjeski Dom – dates to the early 1900s. It was built by Celje’s German inhabitants and is painted a pale yellow. Celje Hall now houses the local Tourist Information Center; stop in for a free, detailed brochure!
Celje Cathedral
St. Daniel’s Church – or the Celje Cathedral – was built as a single-nave church, but has been renovated and expanded throughout the centuries. The interior houses historic artwork and beautiful stained glass windows.
Celje Old Counts’ Mansion
Built between 1580 and 1603 as part of the city walls, the Old Counts’ Mansion is a beautiful Renaissance structure. Inside, visitors will find the famed ‘Celje Ceiling.’ The mansion houses the Provincial Museum of Celje and the lapidary is part of the Regional Celje Museum.
Celje Central Library
While not a historic attraction, the modern and bright Celje Central Library is certainly worth stepping into. Built in 2010, it is the 3rd largest library in Slovenia and offers more than 370,000 pieces of reference materials.
#3 Where To Eat: Celje Restaurants
Celje is a fantastic place to get a taste of traditional Slovenian cuisine. There are numerous restaurants in Celje, Slovenia for you to choose from – but two that we personally recommend.
Gostilna Kmetec
If you are looking for a place to dine near Celje Castle, look no further than Gostilna Kmetec. The restaurant serves delicious traditional fare – and the views of the Celje Castle are stunning. Make sure to ask for a table on the patio or by a window!
Gostilna in Pivnica Stari Pisker
Stari Pisker is known for its incredibly delectable grilled meat, and we got a taste of their scrumptious beefy burgers during a food festival in Ljubljana. We can whole heartly recommend the Holesterol Burger!
More Things To Do in Celje, Slovenia
We covered as much ground as we could with our one day, but visitors on a longer trip can partake in more of the fun things to do in Celje!
Celje Museums
We mentioned the museums in the Old Count’s Mansion, but there are several other museums in Celje, Slovenia that travelers can visit.
The Muzej Novejse Zgodovine Celje (Museum of Recent History) contains fabulous exhibitions featuring toys and objects from the 20th century.
Families traveling to Celje and looking for things to do with kids, however, will likely want to check out Tehnopark Celje, which features interactive, hands-on displays based in science.
Mestni Park
A beautiful green park along the riverside, Mestni Park is ideal for walking, picnicking, playing and relaxing. Of course, there’s also excellent views looking up at Celje Castle!
Celje FC
The NK Celje football club (soccer) is part of the Slovenian PrvaLiga. The Celje FC team won the league title in the 2019/2020 season.
Attractions in Celje Map
Use this Google Map for an online version of our map of Celje, Slovenia things to do.
More Slovenia Sightseeing
The small size of Slovenia makes it easy to see a lot of the country in a short amount of time. We outline all of our favorite sightseeing adventures in our guide to the best Ljubljana Day Trips, but we have a few suggestions below, too!
Celje-Maribor Combination Trip
When visiting Celje, consider extending the trip to include Maribor – one of our favorite Slovenian towns! Known for its wine production and abundant nature, Maribor is a fabulous place to visit. If you can even further extend the trip, include Ptuj, Slovenia’s oldest town. Because all three cities are in the same region, you can actually create a Celje-Ptuj-Maribor day trip!
More Castles in Slovenia
Ninety-six. That is the number of Slovenia castles listed on the official tourism website. While visitors would be hard pressed to see them all, in addition to seeing Celje Castle, we highly recommend visiting these, too. The beautiful Lake Bled Castle, gorgeous Ljubljana Castle, ancient Skofja Loka Castle and fairytale Predjama Castle.
Travel Tips for Celje, Slovenia
Whether taking a day trip to Celje or staying for a weekend, we have a few final tips that will help make it easier to plan your visit!
How To Get to Celje, Slovenia
The Ljubljana-Celje distance is approximately 50 miles and the drive should only take about an hour. Both buses and trains make the trip between Ljubljana and Celje. However, there is no direct bus to the Celje Castle, but you can pick up a local bus to the castle from the station. Note: We’ve found the train can be cheaper and faster than the Celje-Ljubljana bus, but check at the station for the current times and prices.
Where To Stay in Celje, Slovenia
When looking for a place to stay in Celje City Center, there are a handful of choices – including hotels, hostels and Airbnb Apartments. We are sharing a few top picks, but before making a reservation, be sure to read our tips for Finding Hotels at the Best Rate.
Evropa Hotel Celje, Slovenia
If you want to stay in a Celje hotel in the center of the city, check rates and availability at Hotel Evropa Celje; it gets rave reviews from fellow travelers. See rates!
MCC Hostel Celje
The MCC Celje Hostel is a good option for travelers looking for budget accommodations in the city center. The hostel offers free bikes and Wi-Fi, too. Check reviews!
Celje Holiday Apartments
Visitors who want their own space and a kitchen can book a holiday apartment. The Fazarinc Apartments get great reviews for location and affordability. Find availability!
Start your search for top Celje, Slovenia hotels on Booking.com!
What To Pack for Your Trip to Celje, Slovenia
We have a few essential packing hacks for your Celje trip, but for all of our advice, go to our Packing Tips Page. For now, grab your FREE Packing Checklist!
Comfortable Shoes
Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring the Old Celje Castle grounds and the City Center of Celje. I prefer to wear these casual shoes and Kris goes with trail shoes – but you can read reviews about our Top Picks for Travel Shoes.
Travel Camera
Celje is incredibly photogenic! Make sure you capture the sights with a quality camera. For our travels, we use a Canon Rebel with an everyday 18-135mm lens, which takes phenomenal photos. Find more of our advice and additional reviews in our article on The Best Travel Cameras.
Weather Appropriate Gear
The weather in Celje is seasonal – and you will want to be prepared! In the summertime, bring sunscreen and a wide-brimmed travel hat. In the spring and autumn, carry an umbrella and lightweight raincoat. In the wintertime, don’t forget your hat and gloves.
Day Pack
Of course, it’s a smart idea to bring a day pack to carry everything in – like the everyday travel items we always have on hand. There are several types of day packs, which we outline in our Best Day Packs for Travel article.
Organize Your Celje, Slovenia Trip
As you make your plans for your Celje trip, organization is key. Use our Printable Travel Planner to stay on top of all the details of your vacation!
Start planning your trip to Slovenia! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more travel advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
More Places to go When Visiting Slovenia
Slovenia is an exceptional and largely underrated destination! Our guides can help you plan your perfect Slovenia vacation.
- How To Spend 1 Day in Ljubljana
- Hiking at Lake Bled and Vintgar Gorge
- The Best of Lake Bohinj
- Things To See in Seaside Piran
- What To Do in Kranj
- Touring Slovenia Wine Country and the secret region of Bela Krajina
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