Štajerska 3rd Best Destination in Europe 2026
Experience Urbanatural Štajerska
Štajerska, located in the northeastern part of Slovenia — the only country in Europe with the word “love” in its name — offers a unique destination concept where you don’t have to choose between urban and natural experiences, as you can enjoy the best of both in a seamless blend.
Even during a short visit, you can immerse yourself in art and culture, adrenaline-filled adventures in nature, fine and local gastronomy, outstanding wine stories in both urban and natural settings, explore vibrant cities and picturesque countryside, and much more. The longer you stay in Štajerska, the more you will fall in love with it.
There are countless reasons to visit Štajerska, but in the context of being ranked among the three best destinations in Europe, Štajerska highlights ten top reasons to explore this remarkable region
Štajerska, Urbanatural pleasure
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Urbanatural Štajerska
Maribor, Ptuj, Jeruzalem Slovenia, Haloze, Slovenske gorice, Ravno polje, and Pohorje together create a diverse yet cohesive experience. Each destination brings its own character, and together they form a region you can explore for days, always discovering something new.
They are connected by short distances, genuine hospitality, and the feeling of always being close to nature—even when you are in the heart of a vibrant city. Among vineyards and rolling hills, scenic views, wine cellars, local stories, and flavors unfold, while rivers and forests offer space for movement, relaxation, and peace. Let curiosity guide you: one day culture and city streets, the next wine roads, the third a green escape to Pohorje—each day different from the last.
Start in one destination, continue to the next—and let Štajerska surprise you.
Maribor, the Wine Capital
Maribor holds a truly special place in the world of wine: the city has been named European Best Wine Capital 2026. Located in the heart of one of Europe’s oldest wine-growing regions, it is home to the world’s oldest vine—a living symbol of more than 450 years of tradition. Vineyards rising above the city create a unique backdrop, inviting visitors to explore scenic views, wine cellars, wine stories, and outstanding local gastronomy.
In Maribor, wine is not just part of the offer—it is part of the city’s identity. From walks along the Drava River and through the Lent district to experiences in wine bars, cellars, and nearby wine roads, urban energy meets the rhythm of the vineyards. Here, every glass tells a story of the landscape, its people, and time itself.
Ptuj, the City of Cultural Heritage
Ptuj, the oldest city in Slovenia and newly crowned Best Cultural Heritage Town in Europe 2026, offers cobblestone charm, medieval rooftops and a castle overlooking the Drava River. Its compact centre feels like a living museum, yet full of warmth, festivals and local life.
Wine-Growing Štajerska
Wine-Growing Štajerska is a landscape of gentle hills, sun-drenched slopes, and panoramic views unfolding above the vineyards—a place where wine is not only a tradition, but a way of life. Among neatly arranged vineyard terraces, wine cottages, and cellars, distinctive Štajerska wines are created, renowned for their freshness, aromatic character, and strong sense of terroir.
Along the wine roads, boutique wineries, farmsteads, and inns welcome visitors with authentic local cuisine, seasonal delicacies, and heartfelt hospitality. The experience is enriched by walks among the vines, tastings with winemakers, wine festivals, and scenic views that invite you to pause—and savor the moment.
Wine-Growing Štajerska is ideal for a multi-day exploration: each day brings a new wine story, a new glass, a new view—yet always the same feeling of relaxation and warmth.
Cultural Štajerska
From Ptuj, the oldest town in Slovenia, to majestic castles, monasteries, museums, and preserved industrial heritage—here, culture is not just something to see, but something to experience. It is a journey through centuries, where Roman stories, medieval squares, and contemporary art coexist side by side.
Cultural Štajerska brings together a rich historical legacy and the creative energy of the present. Festivals, concerts, galleries, ethnological treasures, and traditional customs give the region its rhythm throughout the year. Here, heritage is not confined within walls—it breathes with the towns and villages, with the people and their stories.
Each visit reveals a new layer—an architectural detail, an artistic interpretation, or a local narrative that connects the past with the present. Cultural Štajerska is a place where history becomes an experience.
Active Štajerska
Pohorje, the Drava Cycling Route, and panoramic trails offer active holidays all year round—from hiking and cycling to winter adventures. The diverse landscape of forests, rivers, and wine-growing hills provides countless opportunities for outdoor activities, regardless of the season or level of fitness.
In spring and summer, well-maintained cycling paths, hiking trails, and water experiences along the Drava invite exploration; in autumn, scenic views unfold among colorful vineyards; and in winter, the snow-covered slopes of Pohorje offer winter sports and relaxation embraced by nature.
Active Štajerska combines energy, fresh air, and authentic experiences—for families, recreational enthusiasts, or those seeking a challenge. Here, movement is not just an activity, but a way to truly connect with the landscape.
Culinary Štajerska
From pumpkin seed oil, wines, and homemade specialties to contemporary gastronomic experiences—Štajerska is savored slowly, authentically, and with character. Here, tradition is passed down from generation to generation, while also gaining modern interpretations on the plates of creative chefs.
Fragrant homemade cuisine, seasonal ingredients from nearby fields and gardens, and outstanding wines create a harmony of flavors that reflects the landscape—fertile, diverse, and welcoming. From farmhouse tables and wine cellars to renowned restaurants, every culinary experience tells a story of people, land, and respect for nature.
Culinary Štajerskais not just a meal, but a gathering, a moment of slow enjoyment, and a pause in time. Flavors that stay in your memory—and invite you back again and again.
Natural Štajerska
Natural Štajerska is a land of diverse landscapes, where the forests of Pohorje descend toward the Drava River, wine-growing hills transition into fertile plains, and views stretch far beyond the horizon. Here, nature is not just a backdrop—it is the heart of the experience.
Vast forests, scenic trails, waterfalls, lakes, and riverbanks offer peace, fresh air, and a sense of freedom. Each season brings a different atmosphere—spring awakening, vibrant summer greenery, autumn colors among the vineyards, and the quiet beauty of snow-covered winter slopes.
Natural Štajerska invites exploration, retreat, and reconnection. It is a place where you slow your pace, take a deep breath, and truly feel the authentic power of the landscape.
Short Distances, More Experiences
Štajerska is ideal for a relaxed travel rhythm: in a single day, you can combine city life, vineyards, castles, and nature—without long transfers. Everything is close at hand, connected by well-maintained roads, cycling paths, and scenic panoramas that turn even the drive itself into an experience.
In the morning, enjoy urban energy and culture; in the afternoon, discover wine stories among rolling hills; in the evening, indulge in culinary delights or unwind surrounded by nature. Transitions are quick, impressions are diverse—each day offers a different combination, without rushing.
It is this proximity that creates a sense of ease: you see more, experience more, and still have more time to simply enjoy.
The Energy of Events and Traditions
From Kurenti and festivals to cultural and sporting events, Štajerska comes alive throughout the year, offering visitors something that can truly be felt. Here, events are not just dates in a calendar, but part of the heartbeat of the towns and their people.
Traditions passed down from generation to generation intertwine with contemporary festivals, music stages, culinary celebrations, and sporting spectacles. City venues, squares, vineyards, and natural settings become stages for experiences that connect communities and inspire visitors.
No matter the season, Štajerska always offers a reason to visit—a celebration of heritage, creativity, and life itself. The energy you experience here stays with you long after the event has ended.
