Rogaška Slatina combines a 400-year spa tradition with mineral water, architecture and excursions on foot or by bike. Donat Mg is at the heart of the spa town; glassmaking and historic buildings are also among the experiences on offer here. When choosing a destination for your stay, you can weigh up different priorities: the spa park and drinking hall, views and craftsmanship, or routes into the surrounding area.
Spa Park, Promenade and Donat Water
The spa park is a central part of Rogaška Slatina and, together with the promenade, forms the heart of the spa complex. Its 10,000 m² are home to 4,500 boxwood shrubs, 7,400 annual plants, 7,500 perennials and 700 roses. The promenade runs between Secession-style buildings and has connected the spa town with its world-class medical centre for centuries.
A modern drinking hall for Donat water, with eleven fountains, was built next to the spa building in 1967. Spa guests and visitors can still draw water there themselves. Donat drinking-water therapy takes place in the mineral water drinking hall at the Medical Center Rogaška. Drawing water independently at the drinking hall and drinking-water therapy at the medical centre are thus two specific aspects of the spa tradition.
The history of the area stretches back even further: the first mention of the healing properties of the waters in the Rogaška Slatina area dates from 1572. Together with the 400-year spa tradition, this gives the mineral water story a long historical dimension.
Views and Crystal Glass
The Crystal Tower is the tallest tower and the tallest building in Slovenia. Its observation deck offers views over all of Rogaška Slatina from a height of 100 metres; there is also a virtual tour with the winged Pegasus. The open rooftop terrace lets visitors walk around at the highest point of the building. The tower thus combines views of the town from above with a virtual perspective.
The Steklarna Rogaška tourist route offers a different way to explore the subject of crystal glass. Visitors can see every stage in the production of high-quality crystal glass: from preparing the raw materials, through blowing and shaping, to the manual grinding and finishing of the products. The views and glassmaking offer two different highlights if you would like to focus your stay more on architecture or craftsmanship.
Routes and Seasonal Options
In the immediate area, peaks can be reached via nine hiking trails of varying difficulty. The Polžkova Trail follows marked paths to the nearby elevations of Janina, Tržišče, Cvetlični and Grilov hrib. The nine trails offer different levels of difficulty, while the Polžkova Trail leads to four specific destinations. Rogaška Slatina and its surroundings also have a 22-kilometre cycling network.
Janina is home to Slovenia’s lowest-altitude ski resort. Its operation may vary by season, which is worth bearing in mind when planning a ski trip. The Janina route leads from the Grand Hotel Donat past Palčkova hišica and the Janina observation tower, then along Izletniška ulica to the car park of the Municipality of Rogaška Slatina. As trail conditions may vary, it is advisable to check the current conditions before planning your visit.
Museums, Architectural History and Events
Anin dvor presents eight thematic museum collections on the rich history and main attractions of Rogaška Slatina. Villa Zlatorog is a cultural monument of local importance. Its articulated exterior and high-quality wooden architectural elements make it a picturesque example of a residential villa.
Juneževa domačija is a protected open-air ethnographic museum. It includes a restored old farmhouse with a 19th-century black kitchen, as well as original furnishings and household items from that period. Calska gorca in Cerovec pod Bočem is designated a cultural monument. The building dates from the second half of the 19th century and includes a vaulted cellar, a black kitchen, living quarters and a wine press.
The Temple Pavilion stands above the former main spring and was designed by the Trieste architect Matteo Pertsch. Cultural events are held in the oval temple; if you are planning to attend a specific event, check the event dates in advance.
A Culinary Taste
At an authentic culinary experience, GAJA members welcome visitors with Slatina jerpica, a yeast cake speciality; zavihjenča, a pastry filled with curd cheese; and mlinčofka, a multi-layered bread baked in a traditional wood-fired oven, along with a glass of homemade wine. Arrange your participation before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Lesično, Gabrce, Pristava pri Mestinju, Roginska Gorca, Podsreda, Bistrica Ob Sotli, Podčetrtek, Šmarje Pri Jelšah.
Back to the main travel guide: Šmarje Pri Jelšah.
