Celje & the Savinja Valley
The Land of Dukes and Green Gold: Celje & the Savinja Valley
About This Trip
The Savinja Valley is a landscape where the haunting echoes of a powerful medieval past meet the vibrant tradition of "green gold" farming. At its heart lies Celje — once the seat of the House of Celje, the last great Slovenian dynasty that rose to the heights of European aristocracy. This is a place where grand castles, Roman ruins, and the dramatic life stories of counts and countesses intertwine with an endless sea of hop fields, creating a unique fusion of high-culture history and authentic rural heritage.
Our journey begins with a drive from Ljubljana toward the east, into the lower Savinja Valley, where the horizon is dominated by the tall wooden poles of the hop plantations. We climb to the Old Castle of Celje — a 14th-century fortress that shaped the political fate of Central Europe — before descending into the city to explore the Prince's Mansion, the "Counts of Celje" exhibition, and the Roman streets of Celeia, the town beneath the town.
After a traditional lunch in Celje, you choose your afternoon: the vibrant Green Gold Beer Fountain at Žalec, where you taste local Savinja-hop beers straight from an architectural fountain — or the ancestral Žovnek Castle, a peaceful ruin allegedly built under Charlemagne as a stronghold against the Avars. A relaxing drive through the emerald valley brings you back to Ljubljana in the late afternoon.
Where this trip goes
The destination of this trip, marked on the map of Slovenia.
Program
Departure from Ljubljana — toward the City of Counts
Our journey begins with a drive from the capital toward the east, entering the lower Savinja Valley, where the horizon is dominated by the tall wooden poles of the hop plantations.
The Old Castle of Celje — A Sentinel Over the Valley
Our first stop takes us to the Old Castle of Celje, which dates back to 1323. This fortress was the architectural manifestation of the Counts' power and had a substantial impact on the political fate of Central Europe. A walk to the top of Frederick's Tower offers a commanding panoramic view of the valley and the Alps — standing where the counts once stood, you feel the scale of their ambition.
The Prince's Mansion — A City Under the City
We move to the city center to visit the Prince's Mansion, once the only location in the Slovenian lands where European cultural and artistic traditions truly flourished. The guided tour of the exhibition *"The Counts of Celje"* reveals the meteoric rise and tragic fall of the lineage. Below the mansion lies *Celeia — A Town Beneath the Town*, where you walk original Roman paved streets, experiencing a living history that spans over two millennia.
Gastronomic Celje — A Taste of Princely Traditions
During our lunch break in the Celje area, you will immerse yourself in the flavors that define the region's identity. The town is a culinary crossroads where the hearty traditions of the Savinja Valley meet the refined tastes of a former European capital.
Choose Your Afternoon Experience
Option 1: The Brewing Heritage — Žalec & The Beer Fountain
For those who wish to experience the modern soul of the valley, we drive through endless hop fields to Žalec, the hop-growing capital. The highlight is the Green Gold Fountain, a world-first architectural tribute to the region's brewing heritage. You will taste several varieties of beer brewed with local Savinja hops, poured directly from the fountain in the heart of the town square.
Beer Fountain: 12 EUR per person. Seasonal — open April to October only.
Option 2: The Ancestral Cradle — Žovnek Castle
For history enthusiasts who want to see where the story began, we travel deeper into the valley to Žovnek (Sanneck) Castle. Allegedly built under the rule of Charlemagne as a stronghold against the Avars, this is one of the oldest fortresses in the country. As the original ancestral seat of the Lords of Sanneck before they moved to Celje, Žovnek offers a peaceful, reflective contrast to the grandeur of the city.
Return Journey
The tour concludes with a relaxing drive back through the emerald landscape, arriving in Ljubljana in the late afternoon.
Included
- ✓Professional guide in your choice of English/German/Spanish/Russian
- ✓Private transportation
- ✓Parking and tolls
- ✓Tour organization
- ✓Panoramic drive through the Savinja hop valley
Not included
- ✗Old Castle of Celje entrance (7 EUR/adult; 5 EUR/senior; 4 EUR/student; 3 EUR/child 6–15; free under 5; 15 EUR family)
- ✗Prince's Mansion with 'Counts of Celje' exhibition (9 EUR/adult; 7 EUR/senior 65+; 5–6 EUR/student; 15 EUR family; +50 EUR foreign-language guide surcharge)
- ✗Afternoon option entrance (Beer Fountain 12 EUR or Žovnek Castle)
- ✗Traditional Celje lunch
- ✗Personal expenses and tips
Book This Trip
Please select booking details before booking.
Private tour
580 €
Subject to confirmation
Where should we pick you up? Choose a meeting point in central Ljubljana, or enter your own address (within 10 km of the centre).
7 EUR/adult, 5 EUR/senior, 4 EUR/student, 3 EUR/child (6–15), free under 5, 15 EUR family. 1 EUR of the adult fee is redeemable at Kavarna Veronika on the day of visit.
9 EUR/adult, 7 EUR/senior 65+ or groups of 10+, 5–6 EUR/student, 15 EUR family (2 adults + 3 children), under 6 free. +50 EUR foreign-language guide surcharge (per group up to 25).
12 EUR per person. Taste several beers brewed with local Savinja hops, poured from the world's first beer fountain. Seasonal — open April to October only.
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