Strmol Castle, below Dvorjanski hill

Eight centuries of history

Its roots go back to the 13th century, when the Strmol knights lived here and gave it their name. It changed hands several times but kept the name, and Brdo presents it as one of the few castles in Slovenia to have kept its Slovenian name throughout its history. Both the Slovenian Tourist Board and Brdo count it among the oldest and best-preserved castles in the country, and highlight how it has kept the authenticity of its historic and stylistic heritage.

Its last private owners were the Hribar family, and the interior still holds their rich art collection and the original pre-war furnishings. It became a cultural monument of national importance in 2004 and underwent a full restoration from 2010 to 2012. Today it’s run by the Brdo estate, the same organisation that manages Brdo Castle, about 10 km away.

The Strmol Castle guided tour

Inside, visits are guided only. The tour lasts about an hour and takes in the central tower, with its most luxurious salons and rooms, while the guide tells the story of the building and its owners. Groups are limited to 20 people, you need to book by Wednesday for the following week, and the meeting point is the courtyard in front of the entrance, five minutes before the start. The price and the times published for autumn 2026 are in the table.

The lake, the café and golf

Around the castle, the Strmol estate has landscaped grounds, the lake below and a café in the old castle farmstead, with views of the whole complex. The Slovenian Tourist Board also mentions the Hribar golf course. The castle is much sought after for weddings and photo shoots, and in 2018, according to Brdo, it won the Unique Castle of the Year prize from Travel & Hospitality magazine.

For small meetings, the castle hires out its salons, such as the ground-floor Red Salon, the library in the north wing and the Golden Salon, and the stone terrace takes standing receptions of up to 40 people. The tourist board also highlights the cooking of the chefs who cater Brdo’s protocol events, and the castle holds the Green Key certificate for its sustainable management. It’s a peaceful place to linger for an hour or two after the tour.

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Staying the night

Strmol operates as a four-star boutique hotel, with rooms furnished in original pieces from before the war. Guests park free at the castle entrance and pets aren’t allowed because of the restored furniture. If you enjoy this kind of visit, the guide to castles in Slovenia has many more.

If you are short on time, see the best tours in Strmol Castle and pick one that fits your day.

To sleep close to everything, search places to stay in Cerklje na Gorenjskem on Booking.com and filter by area before price.