Celje: the princely town on the Savinja
Celje lies where the Savinja opens into width and where, below the hill with the old castle, the third-largest Slovenian city spreads out. Its nickname, the ducal town, is not an ornament but a memory of the Counts of Celje, the most powerful noble dynasty in Slovenian territory. If you are looking for a city with a Roman and a medieval layer and with hills right above it, Celje is a surprisingly compact choice.
Why Celje
Celje is interesting for a visitor because it has three historical layers in a small space: Roman Celeia below ground, the medieval town on the surface and the castle above it. It received town rights in 1451, and its importance was determined precisely by the dynasty that ruled a wide territory from it. It is precisely for this reason that in a single day you can walk through periods that elsewhere you look for in different places. For those not interested in history, the hills and the thermal surroundings remain.
What to see in the town
The centre is compact and entirely reachable on foot, and you can start at the Celje Regional Museum, which has collections in the Old Count's Mansion and the Princes' Court. Above the town stands the Old Castle of Celje, an extensive castle complex with an observation tower, which you can reach on foot by a path from the town or by car to the car park. Below the town core Roman Celeia is preserved, which you can see in an underground exhibition, and for a quiet walk through the whole core it is good to allow two to three hours.
Where to go in the hills above the town
Above Celje is the Celje Lodge, a starting point for hikes and cycling descents, which you reach in a few minutes' drive. North of the town lies Lake Šmartinsko, an artificial lake with a flat path around the shore, suitable for a walk and for cycling with the family. St Nicholas Hill with the city park is the nearest green point, which you can reach on foot from the core. All together it means that in Celje you do not need a longer drive to get into nature.
What you can do in Celje in winter
In winter it is worth checking in advance what is open, and you can round off the programme with a ski slope or an ice rink. On the portal you will find the winter offering in Celje, where you can see what is available. Conditions depend on the snow and are published on the website of Celjska koča, while for more serious skiing you can drive towards Pohorje or Rogla.
What and where to eat
Styrian cuisine in this part of Slovenia means hearty meat dishes, soups and pastries made from leavened dough, accompanied by wines from the surrounding hills. The dining offer in the town is most concentrated in the old core, where everything is reachable on foot. If you are looking for an offer tied to experiences, you can view experiences in Celje. At the weekend a reservation makes sense, especially if you are planning dinner in the old core.
Where to go on a trip from Celje
Thanks to its position between Ljubljana and Maribor, Celje is a good starting point for spa and city days. To the south lies Laško with a spa, towards the north Dobrna and Velenje, while to the east Rogaška Slatina and Podčetrtek. If you are planning several days, take a look at the whole destination Thermal Pannonian Slovenia.
Where to stay
Look at the offering in the town together with the hotel offering and with lodgings by the ski slope. If you are looking for more choice, you will find it in nearby Laško or in Dobrna, where the offer is spa-based. For a city weekend a location near the old core is enough, because everything is reachable on foot.
When to come
The town core and the museums are rewarding all year, so the season decides more about the hills than about the town. Spring and autumn are the best for the Old Castle, the Celje Lodge and cycling around Lake Šmartinsko. Summer is hot, so it is better to plan sightseeing for the morning or the evening. In winter the museums, the castle and the nearby spas remain, which is enough for a short visit.
