Experience exciting new adventures by visiting the town of Zalec, best known for its beer fountain. Tastings of Slovenian beers, lively entertainment, and warm gatherings in the market square… This must-see destination on any Slovenian journey promises true escape from the everyday.

Discover Zalec

Welcome to the land of green gold, where hop cultivation and beer production align to honor the town of Zalec and Slovenia itself. Located in the Lower Styria region, in south-central Slovenia, Zalec is the heart of the country's hop-growing culture—a fact reflected proudly on the municipality's coat of arms. It nestles between the capital Ljubljana and Maribor. It is in Zalec and the Lower Savinja Valley in Slovenia that you'll find some of the world's finest hop varieties. The municipality spans 117.1 km² and is home to 21,521 residents.

Beyond its primary economic activity—hop cultivation—the town of Zalec (like the Lower Savinja Valley) is also a major center of beer production. In tribute to its rich heritage of hop farming and a brewing tradition spanning more than 150 years, it became home to the world's first beer fountain. This iconic attraction draws countless tourists eager to taste the six different types of Slovenian beers served here. Thus, Zalec cannot be separated from its famous beer fountain: its fountain of green gold.

History

Hop cultivation in Zalec began in the Lower Savinja Valley during the era of Empress Maria Theresa. The region's first hop field was established at Novo Celje Manor. Zalec itself already had its own brewery, which closed its doors after World War I. Later, hop cultivation and brewing elevated the region's standing—so much so that Slovenia became the world's 5th largest hops producer.

The beer fountain was constructed in Zalec's municipal park in 2015. Arranged in two semi-circles, the green-gold fountain symbolizes the hop flower. The two arcs are adorned with copper lace reflecting beer foam. The work was designed by the Remont company starting in April 2016 and inaugurated on September 6, 2016. Its innovative character impressed the Slovenian Tourist Board, which awarded it the Sejalec 2017 title.

Thus, when visiting Zalec, your first stop should be the fountain of green gold for a tasting of local beers.

Exploring Zalec

The Fountain of Green Gold

You'll find six taps serving six different beers: Kukec, ambassador beers, Slovenian blonde beers, Saxon region beers, trendy beers, and experimental brews from the Slovenian Hop Research and Brewing Institute.

To sample them, purchase a glass mug equipped with a chip, available at various points throughout the city. It costs €8. Bring it to the beer fountain. When you place the mug under a tap, the chip is detected and 10 cl of beer is dispensed. The same happens for each tap. You can keep the mug as a souvenir of your culinary adventure in Zalec from your trip to Slovenia. It's worth noting that the mug you'll drink from was designed by world-renowned Slovenian designer Oskar Kogoj.

The Ecomuseum

Don't miss a visit to the Hop and Beer Ecomuseum. Opened in November 2009, it reveals the secrets of this long tradition of hop cultivation and beer brewing that began in the region in 1876. You'll discover artifacts linked to both economic activities: documents, photographs, hop cultivation and processing tools, period clothing, and more. Visiting the Ecomuseum helps you understand the profound importance of this industry to Zalec and the region.

Other Experiences in Zalec

Beauty Salon Urska is a wellness spa where you can unwind in their spa facilities and rejuvenate. We also recommend interesting shops for shopping: Hisica Zakladov, Zeleno zlato, and others.

When to Visit?

The best time to visit Zalec is July and August. These months feature moderate rainfall and temperatures of around 110 mm and 20°C respectively. Be aware that temperatures drop significantly from October through April, ranging from −4 to 10°C.

January is the coldest month of the year, while June sees the heaviest rainfall.

Zalec lies approximately 70 km from Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital. You can take a direct bus from Avtobusna postaja Ljubljana. The journey takes around 1.5 hours and is the most economical option.

A faster alternative is to travel by taxi from Ljubljana—just 45 minutes—though it costs more than the bus fare.