If you ask us Otočec Castle is simply the most beautiful castle in Slovenia. Not only it rises like a jewel from the mists of the Krka River and is the only water castle in Slovenia, you have to love this castle because it is not as crowded as fBled or Predjama Castle can be and because it offers so many photo opportunities.
Leave your car on the parking space just near the river (you can’t miss it) and start taking photos. Immediately! Some of the best views of the castle can be captured from there. Most of the time you can find some boats in the river that can make a great addition to your photo (we all know boats are a must:)
Also some birds are often on or near the water to pose in the foreground.
Sitting on the island in the middle of a very slow river some fog is not unusual to find and it can make the whole place very mysterious and mystical.
Two wooden bridges which connect the castle with the river banks are very photogenic by themselves or with the castle in the composition.
When you are done with the first few photos cross the first wooden bridge & start exploring. The island on which the castle stands is really small, it is basically just a park and you can walk all around it. You can capture photos of the wooden bridges, trees, paths, river, swans, ducks, flowers … and the castle itself.
The castle is a popular wedding destinations, and a hotel with a bar and restaurant. Keep in mind that it is very expensive and – whenever I was there – the coffee sucked and the service too.
The views from the right bank are different and no less beautiful.
After crossing the second bridge you can turn right to find a path going up the river through some nice woods. Follow it. You will come across some great views of the castle and the river and finally (after a half of an hour walk) you will end up on a bridge near Village Otočec. The place also offers some great photo options.
You can return to the castle (& your car) on the other side of the river (from Otočec Village).
To see everything there is to see – 2, 3 hours should be more than enough. If you are looking for great photos you already know to be there early in the morning or late in the afternoon. There are some other nice places to visit nearby so you can spend a day or two in the area.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to send me an e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.org or leave a comment.
Sanja Leban Trojar – @sanya_lt