The 30 Most Unnusual And Special Venues In Alpe-Adria

The Editorial Board of Kongres Magazine has this year – once again and for the third year in the row – prepared a shortlist of the most Special Venues in the Alpe Adria region.

Event organisers want their participants to remember the experience as much as possible and for all the right reasons. The first step is in choosing a venue that is special in itself.

The listed venues are suitable for larger, smaller or boutique events and they all have the potential for implementing a technical programme. In most cases they also offer organisation and catering. Not only from a technical perspective, but also from cultural, historical, technical and architectural standpoints do the venues have outstanding value.

1. Porto Montenegro, Tivat, Montenegro
The Mediterranean’s leading luxury yacht homeport and marina village, Porto Montenegro welcomes groups of every kind, from large scale business and incentive programmes to smaller VIP groups.

2. Ethno Village Stanišić, Bijelina, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Stanišić Ethno Village is a village of some 20 authentic wooden houses, including a milk house, a smithy, an “ambar” (a wooden structure for storing grain), old houses and a large guesthouse, all of them brought there from villages of the Vares Municipality and villages of Mount Zvijezda and Mount Romanija.

3. Kalemegdan Fortress, Belgrade, Serbia
Kalemegdan Fortress was one of the most powerful military strongholds in Europe. The Belgrade fortress is today a cultural property of great importance and a venue for frequent cultural, artistic and entertainment events.

4. Lady of the Rock Island, Perast, Montenegro
The island was created artificially by scuttling old ships and depositing stones around a small crag.

5. Otočec Castle, Otočec ob Krki, Slovenia
Otočec Castle’s setting on an islet affords a great deal of privacy and exclusivity to business events and state ceremonies. The energy of the medieval castle – a cultural and natural monument – ensures an unforgettable experience.

6.Kunsthaus Graz, Graz, Austria
The Kunsthaus floats between the roofs of the historic city centre like a mysterious blue balloon. Kunsthaus Graz functions as a multifunctional exhibition and events space for contemporary art, new media and photography. It has no depot or permanent collection of its own.

7. Ljubljana Castle, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana Castle is the symbol of Ljubljana and its most recognisable feature. The 11th century castle is an important event venue and most of the events take place in its Stanovska Hall, although smaller halls are also available. For protocol receptions the castle is one of the most attractive spots set in a picturesque environment.

8.Aman Sveti Stefan, Budva, Montenegro
The island, together with its Villa Miločer, is closed to the public. Events can be organised on it, however, directly through the chain and Aman Sveti Stefan offers venues for every occasion and event experts to ensure that every detail is unique.

9.Čatovića mlini Tavern, Morinj, Montenegro
With a stone structure, refined wood, picturesque nature, cold water, a flock of ducks, peacocks and luxurious terraces, a very special atmosphere has been created here. The interior of the tavern, which is made of stone and wood, is perfect for all types of events.

10.Roman amphitheatre – Arena Pula, Pula, Croatia
Elliptic in shape, the largest ancient building in Istria is open for sightseeing during the day, after which it becomes the perfect place for pop/rock concerts, operas and ballets at night-time, as well as its own film festival with a 50-year tradition.

11.Revelin and Lovrijenac, Dubrovnik, Croatia
For a real experience of historic Dubrovnik there is the possibility to organise an event at the Revelin fortress that guards the town to the eastern side, or the Lovrijenac fortress to its west. The large space behind the wall and the outdoor terraces cater for events and offer magnificent views over the town.

12.Blue train, Belgrade, Serbia
‘Blue Train’ is a popular name for the special train used for the needs of Josip Broz Tito, ex-President of the previous Socialistic Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The train will take you back in time to the era of Marshall Tito’s incredible life.

13.Meneghetti Estate, Bale, Croatia
Whether it is a business deal struck over delicious food and good wine, a meeting of board members or a corporate event for clients, colleagues and shareholders, with its luxurious accommodation, superb chefs and impeccable service Villa Meneghetti is able to meet all of your needs.

14.Morića Han, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Morića Han is the only surviving hotel of the Ottoman era and has been turned into restaurants with a varied offer. Its beautiful cobbled courtyard is surrounded by old stables, storehouses and lodging rooms upstairs resting on large wooden pillars.

15.Šipčanik Wine Cellar, Podgorica, Montenegro
The tasting room has a 50-seat capacity and is technologically fully equipped, thus being an ideal venue for meetings, seminars and conferences. In addition to conferences and presentations it is also possible to organise buffet cocktails in the cellar.

16.Postojna Cave, Postojna, Slovenia
The world-renowned Postojna Cave is a natural phenomenon and one of the most unusual locations for organising events. The experiential value of the cave itself is complemented by the quality congress infrastructure of Mansion Jamski dvorec. This makes Postojna Cave one of the most unique and special congress venues in the world.

17.Bled Castle, Bled, Slovenia
Bled Castle is undoubtedly the symbol of both Bled and Slovenia. It is a remarkable venue for protocol events, ceremonial receptions and anniversaries. The image of the castle set above the lake with a romantic island in the middle is one of the most recognised in the world.

18.Smederevo Fortress, Smederevo, Serbia
Smederevo Fortress has been described as “one of the most striking and monumental pieces of architecture surviving from medieval Serbia”. The fortress is currently used as a venue for festivals, concerts and events. A stage has been built in the inner city.

19. Pyramiden Kogel, Wörthersee, Austria
Pyramidenkogel is a 100-metre high wooden viewing tower, the highest such wooden tower in the world, making it a unique tourist attraction. The location offers quite a few options for organising an interesting incentive or teambuilding event, ranging from an adventure slide to coffee drinking in a panoramic restaurant.

20.The Golden Hall Zagreb, Croatia
This is a neo-baroque hall with frescoes and sculptures by the most famous Croatian artists of the time. It is for this reason that some call it an ‘eternal gallery of Croatian painting’. The Golden Hall is the right place for organising exclusive meetings, banquets or cocktail parties.

21.Sečovlje salt-pans, Piran, Slovenia
The saltpans hide another treasure besides their top quality salt: where some parts of the saltpans are deserted but production is still taking place around it is where you will find the Lepa Vida Thallasso Spa, a venue unique in the world and perfect for different meetings and events.

22.Strmol Castle, Cerklje, Slovenia
Strmol Castle has retained its original form, making it one of the oldest and best-preserved castles in Slovenia. Today, Strmol Castle is a hotel offering a unique living experience and a luxurious venue for business meetings and personal occasions.

23.St. Michael’s Fortress, Šibenik, Croatia
The fortress of St. Michael rises above the city as a particularly attractive monument and a unique stage with a perfect atmosphere for concerts and many other staged events. The fortress has become an indispensable historical, cultural and geographical landmark of the town of Šibenik, as well as a venue for top cultural events.

24.Viječnica, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Vijećnica is the most extravagant building constructed in Sarajevo. Since it first opened on April 20, 1896, the building has become the most important symbol of Sarajevo and is featured as an iconic motif in many photographs of the city.

25.Herbal Glamping Resort Ljubno, Ljubno ob Savi, Slovenia
A luxurious environment set in an oasis of peace and surrounded by wonderful nature, this is the ideal location to make your business ideas and social goals come true.

26.Švicarija, Ljubljana, Slovenia
With this new venue one can decide on hosting an event in the middle of the city, but at the same time in the middle of a natural setting, thereby enjoying the best of both worlds. The multipurpose space is available for hosting various events, next to which a smaller coffee shop is located.

27.The Garden Brewery, Zagreb, Croatia
The Garden Brewery team revived the industrial area of Zagreb by putting a production facility into this newly renovated venue. It is now a place where you can have a craft beer straight from the source and enjoy some delicious burgers made by Submarine, the best in town.

28.Castle Hochosterwitz, Carinthia, Austria
In a spectacular medieval castle, the restaurant atmosphere invites you to savour the Carinthian cuisine. In addition, they offer the opportunity for corporate events, incentives and much else besides to be celebrated in a unique setting.

29.Ethno village Sirogojno, Serbia
The “Old village” Museum of Folk Architecture in Sirogojno is the only open-air museum in Serbia. One of its houses serves as a gallery for the exhibitions, promotions, seminars and summer schools, for which it has different interiors.

30.Villa Polesini, Poreč, Croatia
This finely renovated 19th century villa captivates with its elegance and superb location. The garden that allows for accommodating larger groups is especially impressive, as are the four halls available for events.