Slovenska Bistrica is a town located in eastern Slovenia, situated south of Maribor. It serves as the seat of the Municipality of Slovenska Bistrica, which is recognized as one of the largest municipalities in the country.
The town is part of the traditional region of Styria and is included within the Drava Statistical Region. Together with the neighboring town of Slovenske Konjice, it forms a regional center for the Upper Dravinja valley and southern Pohorje, an area sometimes referred to as the Dravinja region (Dravinjska).