I can’t resist adding castles to any travel itinerary. They encompass many elements of travel in one location. It is common for many of them to be either decorated or filled with museum exhibits, some have cafes or restaurants with local fare, and others you can even sleep over for the night.
Slovenia has no shortage of castles with over 500 across the country. The Ultimate Guide to Castles in Slovenia is a great resource for planning your castle adventures. There are over 40 castles featured including photos and visiting information.
In this article, I will share some castles that can be easily reached from Ljubljana by car.
Table of Contents
1. Grad Bogenšperk
Distance: 46 km (29 miles)
Approximate driving time: 53 minutes
Official Website: https://www.bogensperk.si/en
While it is second closest castle to Ljubljana it takes just as long as the furthest one on the list, but don’t let that deter you from visiting. I think it is a really interesting castle to visit because it has a really great museum within it. Janez Vajkard Valvasor was a famous Slovenian who lived in this castle, and the museum shows reconstructions of his study, printing press, and other items such as a map collection. This is best for those who have an interest in documenting the natural and human world around them and learning about Slovenian history.
2. Grad Turjak
Distance: 25 km (15 miles)
Approximate driving time: 32 minutes
Website: https://www.visitljubljana.com/en/visitors/things-to-do/sightseeing/turjak-castle/
While this castle might qualify as being in ruins, as it is no longer being maintained, or even open, I still enjoyed my time here. We used a unique opportunity of virtually no visitors to take some photos, videos, and drone shots of the empty castle and grounds. My second reason for recommending this castle is because it is really close and easy to get to. Lastly, but maybe most importantly, not far from the castle, at the town square (yes, it is that parking lot with just a couple stores next to each other) there is a restaurant there called Rozika. Go to that restaurant (http://www.skarpa.si/), sit outside (castle views!), order a dish called Rozika Zrezek (which means steak, but it is made of chicken!). Thank me later.
Check out my time at Turjak Grad.
3. Celjski Grad
Distance: 78 km (48 miles)
Approximate driving time: 53 minutes
Official website: http://castle.grad-celje.com/
If you love castles and European history this one is not to be missed. I did a guided tour while I visited and it was not regrettable. You can reserve a foreign language tour for 35€ (up to 5 people) which takes about 45 minutes. You can visit the castle for just 4€, self-guided, but you miss a lot of the history and importance of the Celje Castle. Celje itself can be a whole day trip and I will be adding a post in the near future all about it!
4. Loka Castle
Distance: 25 km (15.5 miles)
Approximate driving time: 33 minutes
Official website: https://loski-muzej.si
Škofja Loka is a very quaint town just a half hour drive from Ljubljana. I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary to experience more of the medieval side of Slovenia. The Loka Castle was destroyed several times and has since been rebuilt, and now contains an excellent museum.
5. Otočec Castle
Distance: 70 km (43 miles)
Approximate driving time: 50 minutes
Official website: https://www.grad-otocec.com/
Another personal favorite, Otočec Castle is located in the Dolenjska region about an hour drive southeast of Ljubljana. It is a very easy to reach castle and the grounds are free to wander. Inside the castle is housed a luxury hotel and top rated restaurant so consider it for a stay one evening.
Read | 15 Unique Things You Can Do In Dolenjska
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