Ptuj is the oldest documented town in Slovenia (Stone Age settlements, then Roman Poetovio with a population of 40,000). Today about 18,000 people live here, and the entire historic center can be walked in two hours. The main landmark is Ptuj Castle on the hill above the Drava, housing regional museum collections (€10 entry, €5 for children). Below it: the 12th-century City Tower, the Orpheus Monument (a 2nd-century Roman grave marker in its original location), and the 13th-century Dominican Monastery. Ptuj is also a winemaking hub: the Ptuj Wine Cellar stores Slovenia's oldest wine from 1917 (Zlata trta). Every February, Kurentovanje takes place – a carnival with Kurent masks inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Ptuj is located 30 km southeast of Maribor and 140 km from Ljubljana. Train from Ljubljana – about 2 hours with a transfer at Pragersko (ticket ~€12). Direct train from Maribor – 40 minutes. Buses also run but have less convenient schedules. By car from Ljubljana – 1.5 hours via the A1 motorway (eVinjeta required). The town is compact – no car needed inside, but for wine routes through the Haloze and Slovenske Gorice hills a car rental is useful. One full day covers the castle, old town, and a wine tasting. If you want spa time, Terme Ptuj is 15 minutes' walk from the center. Best months: September (warm, few crowds, grape harvest) and February (Kurentovanje).
