Celje and Žalec, Slovenia: Castles and a Beer Fountain
Slovenia’s Celje and the nearby town of Žalec are where medieval stories, dramatic landscapes, and a one-of-a-kind beer experience come together.
This part of the country surprised us in the best ways. One minute we were sampling Slovenian craft brews from a futuristic fountain, and the next we were wandering through a massive medieval fortress perched above a quiet valley.
Celje has more than 2000 years of history under its feet, and Žalec has something we never knew we needed in our lives until this trip: a beer fountain you can drink from. Both stops felt like essential pieces of Slovenia’s cultural puzzle, and exploring them added layers of depth to our road trip.
Short on Time? Here Are the Key Takeaways:
- Head straight to Celje Castle, the largest medieval castle in Slovenia, for sweeping valley views, historic towers, and the dramatic story of Frederick and Veronica.
- Stop in Žalec to drink from the world’s first Green Gold Beer Fountain, where you can sample Slovenian craft beers using a souvenir tasting mug.
- Explore Celje’s compact old town to see remnants of its Roman past, medieval city walls, and landmarks like the Saint Mary Shrine.
- Try the local specialty, the Celje roll, a walnut, chocolate, and whipped cream dessert that’s a ten out of ten for both of us.
- Use Celje as a convenient home base for exploring eastern Slovenia, with easy access to Maribor, Žalec, and nearby wine regions.
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The Green Gold Beer Fountain in Žalec
We had been excited about the beer fountain long before this trip, and it ended up being even better than we imagined. Located in the small town of Žalec, the Green Gold Beer Fountain is the world’s first public beer fountain and a celebration of the hop-growing tradition in this valley. Slovenia is actually the sixth-largest producer of hops in the world, and this town proudly showcases that heritage.
Here’s how it works. You pick up a souvenir mug embedded with a microchip, load it with your chosen tasting package, and then go station to station sampling different Slovenian craft beers. The beers rotate regularly, each tap featuring a different brewery with tasting notes printed on plaques. We chose the six-taster option for €12, which felt like excellent value.
What We Drank
The taps featured several Slovenian breweries offering lagers, pale ales, and specialty brews. Each pour was generous, cold, and incredibly fresh. We especially loved how clean the flavors were compared to some heavier European styles. It was easy to see why Slovenia’s hops are so respected.
Vibes and Our Review
This stop was pure fun. The setting was laid back, the concept was clever, and the beer was genuinely good. We would come here again in a heartbeat. The souvenir mug is something we’ll actually keep, and the experience felt unique without being gimmicky. If you’re road tripping through the region, make this a priority.
Dinner at the Park
Since we had no dinner plans, we ended up grabbing kebabs from the restaurant right in the park. They were huge, flavorful, and exactly what we needed. Chris ordered a classic kebab, and Sam tried a wrap. Both came with fries, and we enjoyed our last beer of the night with dinner. For a spontaneous meal, it was perfect and inexpensive.
Celje Castle
Celje Castle is the largest medieval castle in Slovenia, and it absolutely commands its hilltop position above the city. Its history stretches back hundreds of years, and it was once home to the powerful Counts of Celje, a noble family influential enough to challenge rival dynasties and even marry into European royalty.
We arrived just as the castle opened at 9 AM. For a while, it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. The walkways, towers, and courtyards were wide open to explore, and the morning light over the valley made the scene even more dramatic.
A Walk Through History
Celje Castle is tied to one of the most tragic stories in Slovenian history: the forbidden romance between Frederick II and Veronica. After the suspicious death of his first wife, Frederick married Veronica, a woman far below his noble rank. His father, Herman II, was furious.
Accusations of witchcraft, political tension, and family betrayal escalated quickly. Veronica was cleared in court but later executed by drowning at Herman’s command. It’s a haunting piece of history that adds weight to the castle’s atmosphere.
Inside the Castle
We climbed one of the main towers, which rises 23 meters in height and has walls 10 meters thick. Walking up the narrow staircase and seeing how much stone separated us from the outside world put the engineering of the time into perspective. It was an impressive climb with an even more impressive view.
The Torture Chamber
The castle also features a small torture chamber exhibit displaying historic replicas of medieval punishment devices. Some were shockingly inventive, others disturbingly cruel. One device resembled the chokey from Matilda, and we couldn’t help but laugh at the unexpected reference.
The museum uses mannequins to recreate scenes, which helped bring the rooms to life and made it easier to imagine how the castle functioned centuries ago.
Wine at the Castle Cafe
Entry to the castle was €7 per person, which included a €1 voucher you could use at the on-site cafe. Even though it was only 10:15 in the morning, we couldn’t resist trying the Slovenian red wines available for €1.70.
Sam’s red tasted like proper wine, while Chris’s leaned more toward fruit juice. Both were enjoyable and, for the price, a fun addition to the experience.
Our Review
Celje Castle quickly became one of our favorite castle experiences in Europe. It’s extensive, walkable, and packed with fascinating history. The dramatic views and storytelling made this stop unmissable.
Celje City Walk
While Chris took a work call, Sam explored the historic center using one of the walking tour booklets from the hotel. Celje is compact, easy to navigate, and full of little historical surprises.
One of the highlights was seeing one of the four original city towers right outside our hotel.
Another was the Saint Mary Shrine, built on the spot where a notorious criminal was once executed. The statue was added to protect the city from further atrocities, and it’s one of those details that brings the past into sharp focus.
Celje is small but full of charm. The castle is undeniably the main attraction, but wandering the old streets reveals the quieter side of the city.
Celje Roll Dessert
No visit to Celje is complete without trying its signature dessert, the Celje roll. We had no idea what to expect, but it turned out to be delicious. It’s made of walnut dough wrapped in chocolate and filled with whipped cream.
Chris described it as a hard Hoho, which honestly isn’t wrong. It was rich, satisfying, and easily a ten out of ten for both of us.
Watch Our Celje and Žalec Video
You can watch our full adventure, including the castle climb, beer fountain tastings, and city walk, in our YouTube video here.
FAQ for Celje and Zalec
Is Celje worth visiting?
Absolutely. The castle alone is worth the trip, and the city’s Roman and medieval history adds depth to any Slovenia itinerary.
How many days should I spend in Celje?
We stayed for 2 nights and honestly, we ran out of things to do. We aren’t the biggest museum people so if you’re into art or museums, you can fill up 2 full days between those and the castle.
How much time do you need at Celje Castle?
Plan for 1.5 to 2 hours if you want to explore the towers, exhibits, and grounds.
Is the beer fountain in Žalec open year-round?
It generally operates seasonally, so check current hours before visiting. It can close in the winter.
Do you need a ticket for the beer fountain?
You purchase a tasting mug, which gives you access to the taps based on the number of tastings you select.
Where We Stayed
We based ourselves at Hiša Barbara Celje, and it ended up being the perfect home base for exploring Celje, Žalec, and the surrounding region. The location couldn’t be better, with the old town just steps away and several historic landmarks visible right outside the door.
Our room was comfortable, quiet, and easy to settle into after long days of castle climbing and beer tasting.
What we loved most was how walkable everything felt. From the hotel, we had instant access to the city’s walking paths, shops, cafes, and historic sites, and parking nearby made day trips effortless.
If you want a convenient, centrally located stay while road tripping through eastern Slovenia, we highly recommend booking at Hiša Barbara Celje.
Celje and Žalec offered some of the most memorable moments of our Slovenia road trip. From sampling craft beer at a fountain to wandering the halls of the country’s most impressive medieval castle, this region blends fun, history, and culture in a way that feels effortless. The stories we learned and the flavors we tasted made this part of Slovenia stand out in unexpected ways.
If you’re planning a route through eastern Slovenia, add Celje and Žalec to your list. Visit the castle early, try the local dessert, and don’t miss your chance to drink from a beer fountain.
This part of the country pairs perfectly with any wine-focused itinerary and adds a bit more depth to your adventures.
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