Overview
A seven day Slovenian cycling adventure staying in various four-star thermal spa hotels along the way. This is an easy to moderate holiday, cycling Ptuj to Moravske Toplice’s trail of sunflower-filled fields, vineyards and ancient villages. There are also some historical towns en route, starting with Ptuj itself, which is the oldest town in Slovenia, as well as Radenci, and some historic spots over the border in Austria and Hungary, where there are options for day trips.
- Ptuj
- Maribor
- Radenci
- Moravske Toplice
- Thermal baths
- Cycle trails into Austria and Hungary
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Ptuj
Arrive in Ptuj, the oldest town in Slovenia. Depending on your arrival time, we recommend exploring the city’s cultural highlights, starting with the medieval Old Town, Ptuj Castle and also the Dominican Monastery and Minorite St. Petrus and Paulus Monastery. If time allows, visit Ptuj City Tower or consider a stop at Ptujska Klet, the oldest wine cellar in Slovenia.
- Accommodation: Grand Hotel Primus or similar in Ptuj
Day 2: Ptuj – Maribor – Ptuj | 60km
Follow the Drau Cycle Path along the Drava River, cycling through forests and villages. Stop in Spodnji Duplek to visit Duplek Castle or in Vurberk to take in views from the castle ruins. Continue to Maribor, home to the world’s oldest grapevine. We recommend taking time in Maribor’s Old Town, famous for its historic squares such as Slomškov Square, Castle Square or Main Square. On your way back, visit the Church of Saint Nicholas in Miklavž na Dravskem Polju and explore Hajdina Archaeological Park and the Church of Saint Martin in Zgornja Hajdina.
- Accommodation: Grand Hotel Primus or similar in Ptuj
- Cycling for the day: 60km
Day 3: Ptuj – Radenci | 50km
Cycle from Ptuj through the vineyards of Slovenske Gorice, cycling through Ribniki Podvinci Nature Reserve’s forests and ponds. We recommend visiting the Puh Museum in Sakušak pri Juršincih, dedicated to Johann Puch, the inventor and founder of the Puch brand, or stopping by a tavern to taste local wine and freshly pressed pumpkin seed oil. In Radenci, explore the Neogothic Chapel of St. Anne and the Radenska Museum, which highlights the local mineral water and thermal spa tradition you then get to benefit from back at your hotel.
- Accommodation: Hotel Radin or similar in Radenci
- Cycling for the day: 50km
Day 4: Circular trail into Austria | 52km/67km
Here are two options for today’s cycle:
Option one (53km): start in Radenci and cycle into Austria along the Murradweg route to Bad Radkersburg. Here we recommend visiting the Main Square, the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist, and the Renaissance Town Hall. Continue through the Vulkanland region, cycling past vineyards along the Klöch Wine Road. Visit Halbenrain for its historic castle and stop at Deutsch Goritz for a perfect refreshment break. Cycle through Ratschendorf and Gosdorf, enjoying views of the Mura River, before returning to Radenci.Cycle through Ratschendorf and Gosdorf, with views of the Mura River, before returning to Radenci.
Option two (67km): begin in Radenci and cycle to Mele, continuing to Gornja Radgona and crossing into Austria at Bad Radkersburg. Follow the Mura Cycle Trail to Donnersdorf, then continue to Unterpurkla, Oberkarla, and Frutten-Gießelsdorf. Ride on to St. Anna am Aigen, where we recommend stopping at the Gesamtsteirische Vinothek winery for a glass of local wine, before continuing to Castle Kapfenstein. Enjoy a rest stop at Liebmannsee, located along the Murradweg-Mura cycling route. Return to Radenci via Bad Radkersburg, just 2km off the main route.
- Accommodation: Hotel Radin or similar in Radenci
- Cycling for the day: 52km (option one/67km (option two)
Day 5: Radenci – Moravske Toplice | 50km
Cycle from Radenci into the plains of the Prekmurje region. Then cross the Mura River taking in the Island of Love and continue through Murska Sobota, where we recommend visiting the Ethnological Museum which is located in the parks of Murska Sobota Castle. Stop at Turnišče to visit the 14th-century church before arriving in Moravske Toplice, where we recommend visiting St. Martin’s Church, an example of traditional Slovenian architecture, as well as Bukovnica Lake. If time allows, take a stroll around Park Aleksander before concluding your day at Hotel Termal, located within the Terme 3000 thermal spa complex.
- Accommodation: Hotel Termal or similar in Moravske Toplice
- Cycling for the day: 50km
Day 6: Circular trail into Hungary | 55km
Begin today’s ride from Moravske Toplice, cycling through the Pomurska region to the Hungarian border. Ride to Velemér, where we recommend the Sárgaliliom Trail, known for its rare yellow lilies. Continue to Szentgyörgyvölgy and stop at a pottery workshop to learn about the local ceramic-making. On the way back to Slovenia, stop off at Bukovnica Lake, stroll through its forest trails and stop at the Chapel of St. Vid, located above the lake, next to the healing spring of St. Vid.
- Accommodation: Hotel Termal or similar in Moravske Toplice
- Cycling for the day: 55km
Day 7: Departure
Depart after breakfast or extend your stay in Moravske Toplice.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is in four-star thermal spa hotels. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria, including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to natural adventures. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Grand Hotel Primus (Ptuj)
- Hotel Radin (Radenci)
- Hotel Termal (Moravske Toplice)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Accommodation is on a B&B basis. When no restaurant location is available on route lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops or you can pre-order a packed lunch at your hotel. Dinner is available either from the restaurant in your accommodation or the ones in the town.
Difficulty and terrain
This trip is graded easy-moderate and includes daily cycling routes of 50-60km (read more about difficulty grades). The routes are mainly flat and include some slightly hilly sections. The route is on dedicated bike paths, quiet paths in fields or side and country roads with little or no traffic. If you are having doubts about the difficulty, it is possible to rent an e-bike as well. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available every Saturday from April to October.
During these months, Slovenia boasts an ideal weather for outdoor activities. Spring months bring blooming landscapes and moderate temperatures, typically ranging between 10-20C. Summer days are warmer, with temperatures often reaching between 25-30C. Autumn introduces cooler yet pleasant weather, with temperatures from 10-20C and autumn colours adorning the countryside.
Weather conditions are similar in Austria and Hungary due to their proximity to Slovenia. In both countries spring features mild temperatures while summer can be quite warm, with Hungary reaching 30C. Autumn brings cooler days and colourful foliage. For more information, see our blogs on the Best time to go to Slovenia and Best time to go to Austria.
Getting there
FCO up-to-date travel advice on Slovenia, Hungary and Austria.
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival and departure airports for this tour are Graz Airport (GRZ) and Ljubljana Airport (LJU).
By train or bus
Arrival in Ptuj
- If you are able to travel to Slovenia without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with railway stations in Ptuj and Murska Sobota. For more details, see the national rail operator Slovenske železnice or use the Omio planner above.
- Take a direct 3hrs train journey from Ljubljana Airport to Ptuj.
- There are train services from Ljubljana, Kranj, Maribor and other major Slovenian cities to Ptuj. For more details, visit Slovenske železnice or use the Omio planner above.
- If you are travelling by car, a free car park is available at your hotel in Ptuj.
Departure from Moravske Toplice
- From Moravske Toplice, take a 15mins bus journey to Murska Sobota, then take a direct train to Ljubljana before catching a direct train to Ljubljana. From the capital, take a shuttle to the airport. For more details, see the national rail operator Slovenske železnice or use the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 6 overnights with breakfast and private facilities
- Thermal spa access in Radenci, Ptuj and Terme 3000
- Luggage transport Ptuj – Moravske Toplice
- Handlebar bag with roadbook, maps and informational material
- Detailed travel documents and cycling guide app with voice navigation and GPS tracks
- 24/7 phone support by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable locally)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers
- Half board upgrade (six dinners)
- Bike and e-bike rental
- Extra nights can be booked on request
Bike rental
We offer 24-speed bike and, e-bikes. All rental bikes are equipped with a waterproof pannier (saddlebag). Riders are liable for any damage, loss, or theft of the bicycles during the tour. Optional bike insurance can be arranged for peace of mind.
Sample pictures attached below, note that the exact models may differ depending on the availability, but the standard will be the same.
