maribor tourist information

10 Best Things to Do in Maribor, Slovenia: A One-Day Itinerary

Last Updated on February 19, 2024

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

If you’re looking to get a bit off the beaten path in Slovenia and are wondering about the best things to do in Maribor, then you’ve come to the right place.

Located only 130 kilometres northeast of the capital of Ljubljana , Maribor is situated in the Styria region in the heart of Slovenian wine country.

It is a small city but it packs a lot of charm, history, and wine into its picturesque cobbled streets. Though diminutive in size, there is a lot to see and do in Maribor and its distinct lack of tourist crowds makes it an attractive alternative destination to some of Slovenia’s more popular destinations.

Table of Contents

Is Maribor Worth Visiting?

Before I dive into all of the attractions in Maribor, I need to answer the question that many travellers to Slovenia ask themselves: “Is Maribor worth visiting?” With a distinct lack of information about the city available out there (especially when compared to Ljubljana or Bled ), it is understandable why potential visitors might ask this.

However, if you’re wondering if it’s worth it to visit Maribor, the resounding answer is yes, it is. Maribor has a lot to offer — just as much, honestly, as the capital city of Ljubljana. With a lot of fascinating history and even more delicious wine, Maribor is a destination that is sure to charm any visitor to Slovenia.

Maribor also sees far fewer tourists than other destinations in the country, making it easier to make a local connection and understand day-to-day Slovenian life. Maribor is also a great winter destination to visit if you want to include some affordable skiing in your Slovenia itinerary.

There is a ski resort located fewer than ten kilometres outside of the city centre, meaning you can enjoy a quaint city break and a skiing getaway all in one location.

Maribor deserves more attention than it gets and it is very much a Slovenian destination to add to your itinerary.

Getting To & Around Maribor

As the second-largest city in Slovenia, Maribor is reasonably well-connected to other major cities in the region. Due to its proximity to Austria, you can easily reach Maribor by train from Vienna or Graz and there are also numerous bus and train connections from Ljubljana.

If you want to visit Maribor as a day trip from Ljubljana — which is very doable, though you may miss out on some things — you can easily do this independently via bus or train as it only takes about an hour to reach the city from the capital.

Once you are in Maribor, it’s easiest to get around on foot. The city centre and old town of Maribor is incredibly compact and walkable and there aren’t too many hills that will tire you out.

There are also numerous streetside cafes and wine bars that are sure to be inviting should you need to rest your feet from all of your exploring.

10 Best Things to Do in Maribor: A One-Day Itinerary

The city of Maribor is small and its highlights and main sites can be easily seen in one day. Whether you choose to spend the night in Maribor or visit as a day trip, follow this one-day itinerary to plan your perfect trip to Slovenia’s second city:

Start your day in Maribor’s charming main square — Glavni Trg (which literally translates to “main square” in Slovene). This cobbled square is incredibly charming and an excellent starting point to explore Slovenia’s second-largest city.

Here you can see the lovely Renaissance-style architecture of the Maribor Town Hall and also snap a few photos of the elaborate Plaque Monument — dedicated to the victims of the Bubonic Plague epidemic that claimed a third of the city’s population in the 15th Century.

There are a few streetside cafes here and a distinct lack of tour groups, ever adding to this square’s charm. Historically, this was home to Maribor’s merchants, however, today it is simply a meeting place in the city.

Rooster Coffee

After wandering through the main square, head into the Old Town and stop for a pick-me-up at Rooster Coffee .

This hip cafe has fully embraced the speciality coffee trend and serves up some delicious drinks from their freshly roasted beans at affordable prices. They also have a brunch and lunch menu that is sure to please if you’re feeling a bit peckish before you begin to properly explore Maribor.

Due to its relative proximity Vienna and to and its Austro-Hungarian roots, there is a strong cafe culture in Maribor and no visit to the city is complete without at least one stop in a streetside cafe.

Head to a Museum

After you’ve been sufficiently caffeinated, it’s time to learn a bit more about Maribor’s history at one of the city’s museums.

If you’re interested in the broad history of the city of Maribor itself, then make sure to head to the Regional Museum, which is located in what was once the Maribor Castle in the oldest part of Maribor. Here you can learn everything about the archaeology, ethnology, and history of Maribor.

If you’re more interested in Maribor’s modern history, then make sure to head to the Museum of National Liberation, which covers Maribor’s role, struggles, and occupations, through World War I, World War II, the formation of Yugoslavia and Slovenia’s independence. The museum is small and you will only need about an hour to see it all.

Old Town Walk

After learning about Maribor’s history in one of its museums, take the time to let your feet guide you through the charming cobbled streets of the Old Town – no trip to Maribor is complete without exploring this area. There is a great energy and laid-back pace of life in Maribor, along with some beautiful Austro-Hungarian architecture that is sure to enchant you.

Plan to spend some time just strolling along the lovely lanes, popping into some shops, and seeing where your feet may lead you. This is one of the best ways to get to know any European city and Maribor is no different.

Make sure to stroll by the Maribor Cathedral and if it’s a Saturday or Sunday, you can climb to the top of the bell tower free of charge.

In the bell tower, you will also find a small exhibition to the fire watch woman who used to live there while also being able to experience some beautiful views of the city. Also, make sure you walk by (or even go inside) the beautiful Franciscan Church on the other side of the old town.

You also can’t miss Liberty Square and the spherical WWII monument erected there. If you look closely at the monument, you will find that there are faces etched into the metal of some of the Maribor soldiers who fought in the war — including the former Yugoslav dictator Josip Broz Tito.

And of course, make sure to wander along the Drava River and check out some landmarks there, such as the medieval water tower.

Lunch at Sedem

After you’ve spent your morning leisurely exploring the old town, it’s almost certain that you’ve worked up an appetite. Luckily, there are numerous fantastic lunch options in Maribor depending on your particular tastes. However, if you want to sample some of the best Styrian cuisine to be found in the city, then make sure to head to Sedem .

This fine dining restaurant is a great lunch option because of its fantastic and affordable set menu option. There are varying degrees of the lunch menu, but you can get an incredibly high-quality meal with local specialities for a very affordable price. The restaurant also operates as a school and it is the only such restaurant in Slovenia.

If you want something a little bit more casual or more kid-friendly, we recommend heading to La Pizzeria in the old town. This pizza place serves a range of delicious thin-crust pizzas at good prices.

Maribor Synagogue

After lunch, it’s time to get back at it and head to the riverside to see the Maribor Synagogue. Though this building does not look like much and is not in active operation today — it does still operate as a Jewish cultural centre — it is one of the oldest preserved synagogues in Europe.

Jews were expelled from Slovenia in 1497 and while some did return before WWII, there isn’t much of a Jewish community in Maribor today, but the continued existence of this small house of worship is sure to bring to mind the Jewish culture that once existed in Maribor.

Old Vine House

Now that you’ve had lunch, visited the synagogue, and had a bit of a stroll, it’s time to visit one of Maribor’s most famous sites: the Old Vine House . The reason this house, located on the riverfront just down the hill from the main square, is so famous is that it is home to the oldest grape-producing vine in the world.

This vine, which winds its way around this historic house, dates back over 400 years and still produces between 35 and 60 kilograms of grapes for wine each year.

There is a small museum in the house explaining the history of this vine, however, the main attraction of the house is definitely to try some Slovenian wines. The Old Vine House offers numerous different levels of tastings that can introduce you to the world of Slovenian wine.

Vinag Wine Cellar

If you didn’t get enough of Maribor’s wine culture at the Old Vine House or you’re just interested in learning more, then it’s time to head to the Vinag Wine Cellar.

This is a wine bar and massive underground cellar that you can go down and explore. Though the cellar itself is not in use any more, it operates as a museum and it is an important aspect of the history and heritage of Maribor.

Guided tours of the cellar are available, however, you can also tour the cellar independently. You will receive a detailed map of the cellar with descriptions of what you’re looking at, so if you can’t make a tour it ensures you are not missing out.

After touring the cellar, you can sit up at the cafe and enjoy a glass or tasting of even more delicious Slovenian wines!

Mestni Park

After all of that wine in the late afternoon, it’s time to work it off by exploring some of Maribor’s lovely green spaces. Maribor’s City Park (Mestni Park) is an excellent place to start as its tranquil setting and tree-lined pathways just invite you to stroll through it.

The park is quite large and has everything from beautiful grassy spaces to numerous benches for relaxing, and even some duck ponds. This is the perfect place to go for a leisurely stroll with some people watching.

Pyramid Hill

If you want a bit more of a workout, want to see some great views of Maribor and the surrounding countryside, or just want to find a great place to watch the sunset, then you have to climb up Pyramid Hill – known as Piramida in Slovene.

This small hill overlooking Maribor is a popular place for locals to stroll up and there is a pathway that winds through the vineyard-lined hillside that will take about 20 minutes to summit, depending on your fitness level.

The path isn’t too steep and it is a very easy hike. If the weather is fine, it is also incredibly pleasant to enjoy the late sunshine with all of the grapevines surrounding you.

The views from the top of the hill are simply lovely and lend a panoramic vista of Maribor and some of the surrounding wine country, making it an excellent place to end your day and one of the top things to do in Maribor.

Where to Stay in Maribor

Whether you’re looking for a budget guesthouse, a private apartment or a comfortable hotel, there are lots of places to stay in Maribor to suit your needs.

Anna House — If you’re a more budget-conscious traveller in Slovenia looking for an affordable yet comfortable place to rest your head, then this hotel is a great option for you. It’s centrally located and there is a range of rooms available for all types of travellers.

Hotel Maribor — If you’re after a more plush hotel during your time in Maribor, then this is a fantastic choice for you. There are numerous clean and comfortable rooms available — all equipped with a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, and a patio with river views — and there is a great breakfast included in the room rate.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Maribor hotels!

Slovenia’s second city is such an underrated destination and truly deserves more visitors. There are numerous things to do in Maribor that are sure to delight any type of traveller.

Are you wondering what to do in Maribor? Have you been? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

7 Best Things to Do in Ptuj, Slovenia

A Guide to Driving the Vrsic Pass, Slovenia

The Perfect Lake Bled Day Trip from Ljubljana

About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

My Mom was born in Maribor in 1914. She came to America 6 years later. She never returned for a visit. Her family all came here. Would the town hall have a record of her birth ?

Hi Susan! Unfortunately, I have no idea if the Maribor town hall would have a record of your mother’s birth. I would recommend contacting them directly. 🙂

Maggie tell me more about hiking outside Marbor we do not have a car

Hi Marie, I don’t know a lot about accessible hikes outside of Maribor if you don’t have your own car, unfortunately. I’d recommend stopping by the tourist info centre while you’re there to see if they have any tips for you!

Yes. Take the bus number 6 to end up of the route (2$) to Vzpenjaca. You will exit at Vzpenjaca which is gateway to Pohorje Ski Center where many routes for walking or biking available. You can also take a cable car (10$) on top of the ski center and walk down into the town or explore walking routes on top of ski centre. If you not keen on slopes than walk by river Drava from City Centre toward Koblarjev zaliv or even further to Kamnica or Brestanica. Google Sidro pizzeria for final destination (nice place by river with amazing pizzas) or go to Mexican place next to it if you not fan of pizza.

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21 best things to do in Maribor (Slovenia) – Tips + Photos

Last updated on August 22, 2023 by Claire Robinson - this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I get a small commission ( more )

Let’s discover the best things to do in Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia. Very different from Ljubljana, Maribor is worth getting over the first impression and exploring to discover its rich history, beautiful buildings and charming surrounding hills. Below is my guide to plan your visit to Maribor with tips, maps and photos.

Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Slovenia:

My favorite platform to rent a car in Slovenia: DiscoverCars

My favorite adventure from Bovec: Kayak on the Soca River

My favorite excursion from Ljubljana: Postojna Cave and Predjama castle

My favorite places to stay:

• Lubljana , central – see the best rated hotels or my favorite hotel: Lesar Hotel Angel
• Bled , iconic – see the best rated hotels or my favorite hotel: Vila Bled
• Bovec , outdoorsy – see the best rated hotels or my favorite hotel: Dobra Vila
• Piran , historic – see the best rated hotels or my favorite hotel: Hotel Piran

Why visit Maribor in Slovenia?

Maribor is a large city. At first glance it can look cold and uninviting, but give it a chance. Strolling around the city is quite enjoyable and there is a good vibe. It is one of the best cities to visit in Slovenia.

Maribor History

• The area has been settled in the late Iron Age
• Its original name was Marchpurg which means the Castle in March 
• The city was first mentioned during the 12th century 
• It became an official city in 1254
• Its economic development is due to being part of the Vienna – Trieste Railway line

Maribor interesting Facts

• Maribor is the second largest city in Slovenia, after Ljubljana
• It is known for international sporting events, especially a ski competition on the ski resort at Pohorje
• The region is rich in vineyards, and Maribor hosts every year the Old Vine Festival
• It is located by the Drava River
• It was named the European Capital of Culture in 2012

Video – Virtual Tour

Below is a short video to show you what a visit to Maribor looks like: river, old vine, churches, and the views from Pyramid Hill! 

5 Best Things to do in Maribor Slovenia

Below is my selection of my favorite things to do in Maribor:

• Hike to the top of Pyramid Hill for magnificent views of the city and the region
• Walk along the river and appreciate the atmosphere
• Relax at one of the many terraces with a great selection of fruity drinks
• Admire the Franciscan church
• Check out the old vine

More about these activities and many others (with photos) after the practical information.

Planning Tips & Map – Maribor Slovenia

How to get to maribor location.

• Located in the North East of Slovenia
• Ljubljana to Maribor – 1h30 drive (by motorway)
• Zagreb (Croatia) to Maribor – 1h45 drive
• Graz (Austria) to Maribor – 1h drive
• Below is a map to get your oriented and to locate Maribor:

This town is included (with GPS coordinates, map of location and planning info) in my travel guide eBook that helps you easily plan your Slovenia road trip :

Plan your dream trip in Slovenia thanks to my guide

• 7 maps to easily plan your itinerary
• 100+ pre-selected locations
• 16+ extra ideas
• GPS + info to make the most of your time
• 190+ original photos to help you choose

And if you don’t want to drive:

• By Train – Maribor is also easily accessed by train – From Ljubljana it is a 1h50 to 2h40 ride (depending on the train) – Check out times and tickets
• By Tour – You can book a day tour from Ljubljana that covers Maribor, Ptuj and the beautiful Zice Monastery – Check out program and book

Getting around Maribor

The best way to explore Maribor is by walking, especially with several pedestrian only areas. This way you can admire the many remnants of old houses and the square setting of the town. Another option is to take the touristic train that departs near the visitor center. Sadly, there were no explanations given, but it is a nice way to get an overview of the city.

Practical Tips

• I recommend planning 1 day on your road trip to explore Maribor
• Parking in the old center is not free and limited
• Get a touristic map of the city at the visitor center (right next to the big red Franciscan Church)
• Regarding accommodations, you can find suggestions at the end of this article or you can already check out the best customer rated accommodations in Maribor

Need to rent a car in Slovenia?

• Compare prices on my favorite platform:   Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
• Choose a car with enough power for the mountain roads
• Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind! 
• Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See all my tips

#1 – Best view: Piramida Hill Walk (Pyramid Hill)

So, my favorite thing to do in Maribor was to climb to the top of Piramida Hill. It is one of the 2 hills in the town. It is quite a hike especially when the sun is shining brightly. I recommend doing the walk in the morning or late afternoon, because for most of it, there is no shade at all.

In the photo below you can see the top of the hill from the city. Its elevation is 386m (1266ft).

The hike from the visitor center to the top and return takes 1h15 if walking slowly. Along the way you are in the middle of the vineyards…

At the top you can find the ruins of the old castle, a chapel from the 19th century, a bar open in Summer and these amazing views of Maribor and of the region.

#2 & 3 – Maribor Castle & Museum

#2 – admire the castle form the outside.

In the city center stands the Maribor castle, on Castle square (Grajski trg). I don’t know what I did, but I don’t seem to have a proper photo of the castle… sorry

The Maribor castle was originally built in the 15th century but was modified and restored many times since. It is not as impressive as other castles in Slovenia  (my opinion).

#3 – Visit the Museum

Inside the castle is the Regional Museum of Maribor with many artefacts from the ancient city and the region. Different rooms offer different decors with paintings, oval ceilings, statues and staircases… It is like a small city inside the city.

#4 – Maribor Cathedral

The Maribor Cathedral is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. It is located on Slomškov Square. It is a Romanesque building from the 12th century.

The decor is austere without many paintings and ornaments. It has a very classic shape. The 57m high Bell Tower is from the 18th century. You can climb it during certain hours and on certain days ( check here ).

And don’t forget to turn around to admire the organ. It is a beautiful piece.

I don’t drink coffee

But I also like other drinks and sweets! Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…

#5 – Maribor Franciscan Church

However, the religious building that stands out the most in the city is the Franciscan Church. With the red brick, you really can’t miss it! It is the Basilica of Our Mother of Mercy.

It was built between 1892 and 1900. Before, the church of Our Lady used to stand there (dating back to 1613). It is a magnificent neo-Romanesque building with 2 towers.

Inside the decor is elegant and not overwhelming.

My favorite part was the surprising flooring:

#6 to 16 – What to do in Maribor City Center

Walk down to the side of the Drava River for a vibrant scene.

#6 – Discover the Old Vine & Wineries

One of the main stops is the old vine along a house. I have seen several times the claims of the oldest vines in Slovenia (with some subtle difference, some producing fruits every year for example). It is quite fun how it seems the be important to them. However, Maribor has the most famous of the vine titles. It is more than 400 years old. The House holding the vine has been restored and is now the Old Vine House Museum.

#7 – Stroll along Riverside for amazing views

I recommend you cross the bridge for some nice views of the old town and its orangy roofs. Take time to walk along the river and soak in the views. The Drava river is 710km long (440mi) and is a tributary to the Danube. Its source is in Italy, then it flows through Austria before crossing the Styria region in Slovenia. Learn more about the Drava River here .

#8 – Water Tower

You can walk quite a while along the river on the side of the old town. You will pass by the vine and several other historical buildings. One is the Water Tower that you can see in the photo below.

#9 – Enjoy Main square (Glavni Trg) & Plague Column

Just above the waterfront is one of my favorite squares in the town: Glavni trg. The series of old houses with interesting façades and orange/red rooftops is fascinating. In the middle is a baroque monument in commemoration of the 17th century Plague.

#10 – Have a look at the Maribor Synagogue

The building is modest, but it is one of Europe’s oldest synagogues (on Židovska Ulica – Jewish Street). It dates back to the 14th century.Inside is a cultural center and museum.

#11 – Have a drink and enjoy the vibe of the city

Near the castle, you can find many places to sit outside and enjoy a drink or an ice-cream (or both…)

#12 – Have a break in nature at the Mestni Park

Next to Pyramid Hill you can find a large park with greenery, trees and 3 ponds. Plus, there is an aquarium and a terrarium if you are looking for an activity.

#13 – Visit the National Liberation Museum

The museum covers the 20th century and the Germanization efforts during WWII: The Nazi occupation and how they were trying to reconquer it (as it was a German speaking town in the early 1900s).

#14 – Appreciate the Habsburg architecture

The Habsburg style (end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century) is typical of Central Europe. You can see its grand building in Vienna, Zagreb, Brno… and Maribor. You can find a few great buildings throughout the city (University, Post Office…)

#15 – Take a Drava River Boat Trip

In Summer, short cruises are offered on the Drava River.

#16 – Enjoy the Maribor Island Trail

The Island is a wooded nature reserve. There is a Nature trail around the island Mariborski otok. Plus in Summer, there is an outdoor swimming pool

#17 to 21  – Excursions and day trips from Maribor

#17 – visit the town of ptuj.

If you enjoy old towns, head to the nearby Ptuj. It is also along the Drava River and also offers a Castle Museum. Learn more in my article about Ptuj .

#18 – Escape the city to the Pohorje Mountain

Maribor is also famous for its outside nature resort at Pohorje . It is the South-easternmost part of the Central Alps, a mountain range rising to 1543m with lakes, waterfalls, and primeval forest.

In Winter it is a ski resort. It has the longest night skiing slope in Slovenia. And in Summer it is an adrenaline hot spot with hiking, biking, adrenaline park and other activities.

Bus 6 takes you from the center to the bottom of the Cable Car in just 10 minutes!

#19 – Drive around the wine country

The area around Maribor has beautiful rolling hills with vineyards. A drive without any plan could be really enjoyable.

#20 – Collect churches

Slovenia is full of small churches. In the Eastern region, they do stand out as there are less mountains. They all have something interesting to offer and you could have fun driving around without any destination in mind and finding those little gems.

#21 – Go abroad – Graz, Austria

Graz, the 2nd largest city in Austria, in only 1h drive away. So, if you are looking for a different cultural experience, it could be nice.

Where to stay in Maribor – Accommodations

Where i stayed.

I opted for a modern style apartment at 4flats with a small kitchen and a lot of space. It is located right by the Cathedral so within walking distance of everything. Photos of the building and the flat below. Check out latest prices and availability

Other Suggestions

• LUXURY – Hotel City Maribor is in Downtown by the Drava River with very spacious rooms – Check out photos and latest prices
• MODERN – If you are looking for very modern design, consider Hotel Maribor – Check out photos and latest prices
• LOCATION – Hotel Lent offers great location for price and intriguing decor – Check out photos and latest prices
• BUDGET – The Guesthouse Anna is centrally located with clean rooms and a friendly team – Check out photos and latest prices
• or check out the best customer rated accommodations in Maribor

Want to see more of the best Slovenia has to offer?

• Best things to do in Slovenia – read article
• Most beautiful landscapes in Slovenia – read article
• Best castles in Slovenia – read article
• Most beautiful waterfalls in Slovenia – read article
• Most beautiful towns in Slovenia – read article

Planning a trip to Slovenia?  

Check out my travel guide to help you:

And keep track of your own trip!

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Maribor – pohorje.

The Styrian capital at the base of the green Pohorje Mountains

Special offers and packages.

Autumn in the mountains

Blue holidays

Get to know Maribor – 3 days of unveiling Maribor

Dear readers.

Our mission is to inspire your visit to Slovenia by sharing the excellent and unique experiences Slovenian tourism has to offer at www.slovenia.info . Discover inspiring stories and plan for a time when we are able to travel safely again. Let’s be responsible today for a better tomorrow.

Maribor – Pohorje is a great starting point for those who want to discover the features of Eastern Slovenia. Ski slopes and hiking and mountain trails abound in the green hills of the Eastern-most part of Alpine Slovenia – and all just a stone’s throw from the city. The centre of the city boasts the oldest grapevine in the world.

I highly recommend a visit to the Old Vine House – taste and enjoy the finest wines in the presence of the oldest vine in the world.

His Excellency Juan Antonio Fernández Palacios , Ambassador of Cuba

DESTINATION AWARDS

Maribor – Pohorje is the recipient of the Slovenia Green Destination bronze label. More

Maribor was declared a European City of Sport in 2018.

Maribor was chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2012.

Alpine Slovenia Maribor

The black velvet grapevine (modra kavčina) is officially recognised as being more than 400 years old and is in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest grapevine in the world, still producing its noble fruit.

TOP 5 Attractions

Slovenia is replete with natural and cultural riches around every corner. Interested in a few must-sees in Maribor and Pohorje?

Maribor Regional Museum

In the heart of the city centre, the Maribor Castle houses a museum with exhibitions on archaeology, ethnology and the broad cultural history of Maribor and its surroundings.

Maribor Cathedral

The Cathedral is well-known, as the chapel boasts the grave of Anton Martin Slomšek, the first Slovenian saint. An ascent to the observation deck will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the city streets and green hills.

Vinag Wine Cellar

One of the largest and oldest traditional wine cellars in Europe is located in the centre of Maribor.

Lake Črno jezero

The peat moor with its lakes is one of the most alluring natural landmarks of Pohorje. The lake, along with its forest surroundings, is protected as a forest reserve.

The Old Vine

In the Maribor’s old city centre of Lent, the Old Vine – the oldest grapevine in the world – still grows today in front of the Old Vine House.

TOP Experiences

As a destination, Maribor and Pohorje make up a true treasure trove of gastronomical experiences and socialising opportunities. Taste the fine wines of Styria, even one made from the grapes of a graft of the Old Vine itself. Explore the nature by the Drava river and try one of the countless Pohorje activities.

• Get together
• Get relaxed

A treasure trove of viticulture

At Maribor’s Lent Festival by the Drava, the rich tradition of wine production is symbolically presented by the Old Vine. After a guided tour of the Old Vine House you can reward yourself with a tasting of Styrian wines in the plentifully stocked wine cellar. The Old Vine’s Festival is organised in the Old Vine’s honour every year and it is an excellent opportunity to learn about the rich viticultural tradition and the fine selection of the local wine producers and innkeepers.

Raft on the Drava River

Enjoy the Drava River from a raft. The experience is even better in the evening with a bit of music and dancing. Let the ‘flosar’ (raftsman) and ‘flosarska frajla’ (the raft hostess) reveal the magic of this once-respected profession. Rafting on the Drava is an unforgettable experience, which provides a whole new view of the city.

Top gastronomic pampering

Visit the best restaurant in Slovenia and one of the best restaurants in the world according to the prestigious French La Liste. Don’t expect a menu or a wine card at the Mak Restaurant – they don’t exist. Mak is a distinguished restaurant, where the imagination of Chef David Vračko knows no bounds.

The city of festivals and culture

Rich viticulture, alluring historic landmarks, remarkable architecture, world-class art and great cultural events – all of these led Maribor to the title of the European Capital of Culture in 2012. Every year, the city’s cultural vibrancy is brought to life by unique festivals such as the Lent Festival, the gastronomic Old Vine Festival, the Maribor Theatre Festival and the musical Maribor Festival.

The first cable car in Slovenia

Soak in the magnificent views while ascending above the capital of Styria. The lower station of the Pohorska Vzpenjača cable car is located only 5 km from the city centre of Maribor and serves to connect the hustle and bustle of the city to the serene, but lively Maribor Pohorje.

Drava Cycling Route

Explore the land between Maribor and Pohorje by cycling along the international Drava Cycling Route. You will pass by Fala, the oldest hydroelectric power plant on the Drava. Continue on the Apple Trail through the picturesque villages of the Maribor countryside. Cycle past the Maribor Island, a unique river island in Slovenia, and then take a rest in the city of Maribor. 

Skiing down Maribor’s Pohorje

Visit the largest ski resort in Slovenia, where the best female Alpine skiers in the world compete every winter. Well-maintained ski slopes, relaxing at wellness centres, pristine nature – all just a stone’s throw from Maribor. Enjoy the longest night skiing slope in Slovenia. In the warm months, the slopes become the site of a Mountain Bike World Cup and you can enjoy it on your bike too – or in a PohorJET slide.

A view of the city from the Drava

Go supping alongside the old centre of Lent and relive the close historical ties between the city and the river. The view of the oldest part of Maribor from the Drava will surely enchant you. While supping, you can hear the stories told by the city towers and streets alongside the river.

A tourist farm getaway

Vineyards, forests and the flavours of local kitchens. The tourist farms of the Maribor and Pohorje region have all of this and much more to offer. Spend the night in one of the rooms or in a hayloft. Rent a bicycle, help bake some bread, pick herbs or simply enjoy in the shade of a nearby tree.

A vineyard glamping resort

Chateau Ramšak Glamping Resort offers you an unforgettable getaway in boutique and glamorous tree houses or glamping tents. The Resort is located on an estate that is nestled within 15 ha of rolling green hills and vineyards just a stone’s throw from Maribor. A graft of the oldest vine in the world adorns the entrance to Chateau Ramšak, which prides itself on its wine cellar and the largest wine press in Europe.

Pristine nature of Pohorje right by the city

A natural oasis of lush forests and the Šumik ancient woodland, clearings and pastures, clean and drinkable Pohorje water, waterfalls and peat moors with lakes, the largest butterfly in Europe and other invaluable animal species, and the only silicate mountain chain in Slovenia are all natural peculiarities of Pohorje that will fascinate both nature lovers and professionals.

Green facts

Slovenia is writing its green story. Feel it at every turn.

Take a free ride in the centre of Maribor on an electric vehicle, or rent an electric bicycle and explore the city with the mobile app.

The families that run ecological tourist farms are dedicated to respecting nature and living in harmony with it. Hotels that have been awarded the EU Ecolabel environmental daisy also share this green mentality.

A heart-shaped bicycle trail weaves its way through the vineyards above the village of Svečina in the Maribor countryside.

The city beach on the green banks of the Drava is a popular location to relax, socialise or actively spend your free time.

The Pohorje omelette 

Legend has it that the Pohorje omelette was first prepared in the former Railway Home in 1950. The renowned omelette combines ingredients that provide the authentic Pohorje taste. Despite its easy preparation, it will surprise you with its perfect harmony of flavours. The sweet batter complements the lovely acidity of cranberries and the rich milky aroma of the whipped cream. The colour and the aroma of the peppermint liqueur will remind you of the vast spruce forests of Pohorje. This is a dessert worth waiting for as it is perfect when fresh and warm.

Try our recipe

Maribor – Pohorje: A destination full of surprises

Discover the land of vineyard hills, the secrets of the lush Pohorje forests, cultural treasures and adventures on the Drava in the second largest Slovenian city.

Discover the land between the Pohorje Mountains and the Drava River

Register of Tourist Guides

Local guides will help you discover local attractions and hidden treasures. Find a tourist guide that will present Slovenian cultural and natural heritage to you in more detail in your chosen language.

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Experience a pleasant getaway and have some rest

Would you like to stay a little longer and see and experience as much as possible? Then select suitable accommodation that is ideal for you in the nearby area.

Hotel City Maribor

Hotel Maribor ****

B&B Hotel Maribor

Grand hotel Bellevue

Hotel Vila Emei

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Book your adventure in Alpine Slovenia

Breathe in the fresh mountain air, feel the drops of crystal clear water on your skin and enjoy the splendid views of the green landscape. Choose and book your holiday today!

In the heart of the Julian Alps and the Bohinj glacial valley, you will find a first-class Alpine eco resort. Do you want to spend magical moments in...

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Enjoy our luxury wellness with a view of the Alpine landscape and the magical touch of hands that will relax you completely. Health and wellbeing on your...

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Pamper your body in our wellness centre Enjoy a massage and unlimited access to our luxurious saunas. Excellent half-board and evening musical relaxation...

Wellness holiday

Experience the ultimate vacation getaway with a half-board package: enjoy local flavours, unlimited swimming, adrenaline-packed summer tobogganing, Sauna...

Nearby destinations

Set off on a journey to these neighbouring destinations Follow the Drava to the oldest Slovenian city of Ptuj, a half an hour’s drive from Maribor. Take the hiking or cycling trails and explore the western part of Pohorje all the way to Rogla and Zreče where you can take your outdoor activities to the next level with some thermal pampering, or all the way to Carinthia, where amazing adventures await in the Peca Underground Mine and the Karavanke Geopark. It will take about an hour by car to both destinations. For a thermal experience visit the Pomurje region as well, a mere 45-minute drive away.

The oldest town in Slovenia, nestled between gentle wine-growing hills and the River Drava.

Rogla - Pohorje

A world in the heart of the Pohorje Hills with beneficial Alpine climate and green forests

A hidden gem and a treasure trove at the eastern edge of the Alps

The world of unique water sources and dreamy romance along the River Mura.

More details on Maribor – Pohorje

For more information, please visit the website of Maribor - Pohorje.

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• Maribor in 3 hours
• Maribor in 24 hours
• Maribor in 48 hours
• Tailor-made Maribor
• Maribor under an umbrella
• Maribor – green destination
• Nearby destinations and Slovenia

Top experiences

• Guided tours
• Events and shows
• Wine and culinary
• Active holiday
• Art and culture
• All accommodation
• Green Accommodation
• Camping and glamping
• Inns and boarding houses
• Mountain huts
• Tourist farms
• Vacation house
• How to get to Maribor
• Around Maribor
• Tourist information
• Practical information
• Why Maribor?
• Providers of conference services
• Special Venues
• Maribor Convention Bureau
• Incentive Programmes
• Business Hotels
• What not to miss

Maribor and its surroundings offer interesting experiences to suit all tastes.

Top unforgettable experiences

We have chosen top experiences in Maribor and its surroundings . They are a perfect choice for wine and culinary lovers and also for all who like enjoying beautiful vistas , discovering nature , activities and adrenaline .

Big guy`s wine highlights with the World`s Oldest Vine

Set out on a five-star wine journey.

Rock'n'Roll of tastes

A crazy Maribor mix of food, wine and music.

Virtual experience of the story of the World's Oldest Vine

Discover the secrets of the oldest vine in the world!

Guided tour of the Old Vine House

Visit the best restaurant in Slovenia

Experience magical dishes in the Mak restaurant.

Romantic view surrounded by vineyards

Visit the famous heart-shaped road!

Underground tunnels – the Tezno zone

The Tezno zone invites you to underground tunnels.

Rafting along the river Drava

Experience the past tradition of rafting on the River...

KULeBIKE - a e-bike ride to the countryside

Take an e-bike and experience a culinary trip!

Bike Park Pohorje Maribor

Nestled in the heart of the Pohorje nature, you'll find the...

Experiences to suit all tastes

There is always something interesting going on in Maribor and its surroundings. Discover first-class cuisine, vintage wines, explore the city on a guided tour, enter underground tunnels in the Tezno zone, take a ride with Jurček train through the city centre or go rafting on the River Drava, etc. For all who like physical activity there are XXL Football, “Pležuhi” competition and a walk with snowshoes.

• 1.1 Orientation
• 2.2 By train
• 2.3 By plane
• 2.5 By bike
• 3.1 On foot
• 3.4 By bike
• 3.5 By taxi

Maribor is the second most important centre and the second largest city of Slovenia . It has about 114,000 inhabitants (2021) who live embraced in its wine growing hills and the Mariborsko Pohorje mountain. Maribor is near Slovenian border with Austria , beside the Drava River and at the centre of five natural geographic regions. It is the capital of Štajerska, the Slovenian Styria.

Understand [ edit ]

Maribor was first mentioned in the 12th century. Though the city had been attacked by the Turks several times, it was constantly under the rule of the Austrian Habsburgs until the end of the World War I. After the war was over the city was claimed by both the Austrians and by the new state of Yugoslavia. Finally it fell to Yugoslavia. It was occupied by the Germans during World War II but became part of Yugoslavia again after the war was over. In 1975 the University of Maribor was founded and this has helped the city to become more and more an attractive, vibrant, student city. After Slovenia declared independence in 1991, the city suffered from the economic consequences.

Today, Maribor is a trans-regional financial, educational, trade and cultural centre. And since it's pleasantly small and lodged in the nature of Pohorje Mountain on the one side, the wine growing hills on the other, and with the river Drava wending its way through it, Maribor has grown into one of the country’s most important tourist destinations. Its key features are: the rich wine culture (the oldest vine in the world, numerous wine roads and wine cellars), the old town's cultural offer (theatre, traditional events, galleries and museums), and the recreational activities (hiking, cycling and skiing).

Orientation [ edit ]

Maribor sits among the Pohorje Mountain, the Slovenske Gorice Hills and the Kozjak Hills on the gravel terrace of the Drava Valley. The river Drava divides the city on the so-called left (north) and the right (south) bank. The city's old town core is on the left bank of the river Drava. On north, Maribor is embraced with the town (wine-growing) hills, and on the south-western part of the city, the foothills of the Pohorje Mountain start to rise.

A good first stop in the city is Infopeka , an information centre which gives out free advice, free internet usage and free rent-a-bicycle. They can be found across the old bridge from the Glavni Trg , on the right side of the street.

Get in [ edit ]

By car [ edit ]

By car, you can travel to the Maribor region from the direction of Ljubljana (Slovenia) on the A1/E57, from the direction of Zagreb (Croatia) on the E59, from the direction of Budapest (Hungary) on the E59/E65/E71/M7, and from the direction of Trieste (Italy) on the E57/E70. Maribor is a few minutes from the Austrian border: you can travel to Maribor from the direction of Graz on the A9/E57/E59, from the direction of Klagenfurt on the road B80/B70, and from the direction of Villach on the B80/B70/E66/B83.

In order to use motorways and express roads in Slovenia, a vignette is required. You can purchase the vignette at the border, at petrol stations in Slovenia and neighbouring countries, at post offices in Slovenia, at some kiosks etc. The monthly vignette is €30, while the weekly one is €15 (for motorcycles €7.50).

Between Maribor and other ex-Yugoslavia countries' capitals is a distance of: Ljubljana 123 km, Zagreb 110 km ( Croatia , Sarajevo 487 km ( BiH ), Belgrade 512 km ( Serbia ), Podgorica 703 ( Montenegro ) and Skopje 945 km ( North Macedonia ).

Between Maribor and other European cities is a distance of: Paris 1299 km ( France ), Venice 365 km ( Italy ), Prague 548 km ( Czech Republic ), Budapest 340 km ( Hungary ), Berehove 653 km ( Ukraine ), Shkodra 759 km ( Albania ), Hamburg 1163 km ( Germany ), London 1488 km ( United Kingdom ), Nordkapp 3699 km ( Norway ), Lisbon 2739 km ( Portugal ), Belgorod 1925 km ( Russia ), Thessaloniki 1134 km ( Greece ), Frankfurt 1050 km, Graz 68 km, Milan 622 km, Munich 493 km, Prague 595 km, Salzburg 352 km, Split 460 km, Trieste 216 km, Vienna 255 km, Zürich 803 km.

By train [ edit ]

• Vienna Meidling – Maribor (3 hr 30 min)
• Graz – Maribor (1 hr)
• Venezia Santa Lucia – Ljubljana – Maribor (9 - 10 hr)
• Zagreb – Dobova – Zidani most – Celje – Pragersko – Maribor (3 hr 30 min)
• Budapest – Vienna – Graz – Maribor (6 hr 30 min)
• Budapest – Murakerestur – Zagreb – Maribor (13 hr 30 min)
• Prague – Vienna – Maribor (9 hr)

You can find more connections and schedule information at Slovenian Railways [dead link] (Slovenske železnice).

By plane [ edit ]

Nearby airports are in Ljubljana (Slovenia), Graz (Austria), Zagreb (Croatia), and Klagenfurt (Austria). Airports in Ljubljana, Graz and Klagenfurt are also destinations of the low-cost carriers easyJet (Ljubljana) and Ryanair (Klagenfurt and Graz). Closest to Maribor is Graz Airport: trains from Graz Airport to Maribor leave six times a day, and the journey takes about an hour and a half.

By bus [ edit ]

The Maribor bus station is in the eastern part of the city centre (at Mlinska ulica 1), a few metres from the main train station. There are a few international bus connections running through Maribor:

• Ljubljana – Beograd ( Serbia )
• Beograd ( Serbia ) – Ljubljana
• Maribor – Sarajevo ( Bosnia and Herzegovina )
• Maribor – Neum ( Bosnia and Herzegovina )
• Maribor – Vienna ( Austria )* Maribor – Tuzla ( Bosnia and Herzegovina )
• Tuzla ( Bosnia and Herzegovina ) – Maribor

By bike [ edit ]

It is handy to visit the Maribor region by bike, since there are numerous widespread trails over the slopes of the Pohorje Mountain and in the picturesque Maribor surroundings.

If you're arriving to Maribor from the direction of Italy, Austria or Croatia, you can cycle along the Drava Cycling Route, starting in Dobbiaco (Italy), passing Lienz, Spittall, Villach (Austria), Dravograd, Ruše, Maribor, Ptuj, Ormož (Slovenia), and ending on the Slovenian-Croatian border.

Get around [ edit ]

On foot [ edit ]

Maribor is quite a small town, so it's easy to get around the city centre on foot. There are two tourist information centres in Maribor: one at Partizanska ulica 6a, next to the Franciscan Church (the red-brick one). The other one is in the Old Vine House on Lent, the oldest part of the town next to the river embankment (at Vojašniška ulica 8). The tourist information centres are open every day, provide free maps, and will help you arrange accommodations. Maps of central Maribor (aerial photos) can also be found in the streets fitted on the walls of houses.

Maribor has an extensive bus network, but there is no need to use it unless you want to go to the outer districts of the city. For tourists, bus No. 6 is the most interesting one - it takes you under the Pohorje Mountain (lower station of the cable railway, hotels, apartments and campsites, wellness centre, restaurants; recreational activities: hiking, cycling,skiing, etc.).

Some bus numbers are more regular (arriving at stops every 15 minutes) than others (arriving at stops every 30 – 45 minutes). The approximate operation time of the bus lines is from 05:00 to 23:30 on weekdays and from 06:00 to 22:30 on weekends. Two circulator buses run from Monday to Friday from 11:15 to 00:00. Bus ticket can be purchased either on the bus (€1.10 for single-ride ticket) or in advance (2, 6, 10 or 20 ride ticket) in kiosks or at the Main Bus Station (at Mlinska ulica 1).

For visiting the wider surroundings of Maribor, local bus isn`t the best transportation choice due to rather irregular bus frequencies and poor bus links. Car rental recommended.

Travelling around Maribor region and its wider surroundings is best by car. Thus, you can fully enjoy the picturesque countryside and visit the most hidden corners of the Pohorje Mountain and the wine hills. There's a good highway network around Maribor that directly connects the city with smaller places like Ptuj, Murska Sobota and Slovenska Bistrica. Regional roads are well maintained, as well.

If you go to the Maribor city centre by car, it might be difficult to find toll-free parking space during weekdays. Most of the inner city is covered by the "blue zone" that is payable. Alternatives are the parking garage below Trgovski centre City (€1.50/hour), the Forum parking garage (€1.00/hour), or the Kolosej parking garage (€1.20/hour). Usually, the longer you stay, the cheaper it gets. A good chance to find toll-free space might be in the area of the Mestni park. During the day, free parking is also possible in shopping centre Europark. Otherwise, parking in the blue zone gets free after 17:00 and on weekends.

Maribor has a wide network of cyclepaths. Using a bike to get around, at least the central areas of Maribor, is one of the best choices. Bikes may be rented at the Tourist Information Centre, city hotels Piramida and Orel, cultural centre Pekarna - magdalenske mreže, the main train station, and at the cable railway station (under the Pohorje Mountain). Tourist Information Centre provides city map for cyclists who want to get to know the city from the bike and other cycling maps with cycling routes on the Pohorje Mountain and around the Maribor-Pohorje region. Maribor also hosts annual Mountain Biking World Championship on Pohorje Mountain.

By taxi [ edit ]

Taxis are available 24/7. You can go to a taxi rank (at the main train station at Partizanska cesta 50 and along the Svetozarevska street next to the Trg svobode square) or simply order one by phone. There are several taxi companies providing services for a reasonable price (about €0.70/km), e.g., Taxi Micro, Taxi Štajerka, Taxi Plus.

See [ edit ]

• The Old Vine House ( Hiša Stare trte ). A temple of wine tradition and culture, selling point of souvenirs from the Maribor-Pohorje destination and a tourist information centre, exhibition room with guided tours, place for wine tasting, event room, and the honorary seat of Slovene and international associations, sworn to honouring wine and the wine culture.  
• Vinag Wine Cellar ( Vinagova vinska klet ), Trg Svobode 3 ( In the centre of the city ). With 20,000 m² surface and 2 km length, it has 5.5 millions litres of excellent wine.  
• 46.554664 15.645723 10 Trafika - Museum for one , Trg revolucije, 2000 . M-F 10:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-14:00, Su closed . A very small museum, information centre & souvenir shop. ( updated Nov 2023 )
• 46.56493 15.64963 11 Aquarium ( Akvarij-terarij Maribor ), Ulica heroja Staneta 19 . Small aquarium at edge of Mestni park. ( updated Nov 2023 )

Do [ edit ]

• Lent is a district located at the waterfront of Drava river. It's a beautiful place with lovely small avenues, restaurants and bars.
• Slovene National Theatre . With opera and ballet, drama, Simphony Orchestra SNG Maribor attracts audience from Slovenia and abroad. Opera is performed in original languages, drama in Slovene language.  
• Adrenalinski park Pohorje . Adrenaline park Pohorje with High Ropes Course, one track line PohorJET, summer sledding and Bike park Pohorje.  
• Watch football at NK Maribor , who play soccer in PrvaLiga, Slovenia's top tier. Their home ground Ljudski Vrt is 500 m north of city centre. Its renovation is way off schedule and capacity (as of 2021) is restricted to 11,700. Nevertheless it's sometimes a guest ground for other clubs with even smaller stadiums, e.g., for NŠ Mura in the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League.
• Festival Lent . It ranked among the Top 50 of Europe's Best Local Festivities. A variety of more than 400 performances and half a million visitors make “Festival Lent” one of the biggest festivals in Europe, moreover it is also known across the pond in America.  
• Pohorje Ski resort . The largest ski centre in Slovenia. There are a few parallel slopes with drag lifts. Moving between the different slopes can be hard work if the snow is sticky. Night skiing is possible as is snow boarding.  
• Terme Maribor . With well known wellness centre in Hotel Habakuk (thermal water), Hotel Bellevue and in Fontana (thermal water).  
• Planet Tuš - cinema multiplex (movies are presented in original audio language while equipped with Slovenian subtitles; this does not apply to computer-rendered and animated movies, which are dubbed for the children). Bowling centre. Shopping centre with free parking.
• Kolosej - cinema multiplex (movies are presented in original audio language while equipped with Slovenian subtitles; this does not apply to computer-rendered and animated movies, which are dubbed for the children). Bowling centre.
• Bowling centre Strike . Bowling centre Strike offers 16 highly equipped, computerised bowling tracks, restaurant and bar. ( updated Oct 2023 )
• Pekarna Cultural Centre - An alternative cultural centre in a former military bakery. It consists of several concert venues (the large Gustaf Hall and some smaller concert halls e.g. Supernova and Klub MC ), gallery spaces (Hladilnica Gallery, several studios), a spacious second-hand bookshop called Bukvarna and band practice rooms.

Buy [ edit ]

Be sure to buy a bottle of wine. Wines from the region surrounding Maribor are among the best in the world. Especially the white wine. You can buy good quality wine at wine producers or at the normal supermarkets.

Buy "bučno olje" (pumpkin seed oil). This oil is a specialty of the Austrian and Slovenian part of Styria and has a very unique and wonderful taste. You can buy good quality oil at the normal supermarkets.

There are many possibilities to go shopping in Maribor. Maribor is now a trans - regional shopping centre. Good places to shop are: Shopping in old city or in shopping centres as Europark, Tuš, Mercator, Qlandia or if you need furniture and gardening equipment the stores Rutar, Merkur, Bauhaus and BauMax.

• Evropark . It's one of the largest shopping centres in Balkan and Central Europe with a wide variety of service - from clothing stores to restaurants. Has a big free of charge parking house, which is convenient as you can walk from here to the centre. Free WiFi available.  
• TPC City is an old shopping mall in the heart of city offering plenty of clothing shops and a supermarket.
• Vetrinjska ulica is a small shopping street in the old centre starting at Grajski trg place offering loads of boutiques containing all sorts of international brands and very good ice cream at Iglu (on the corner next to the H&M).

Eat [ edit ]

• City Grill , Slovenska 18 . M-F 09:00 - 19:30 . Freshly-grilled ćevapčiči and other Balkan specialties with friendly service and low prices. ~€4 .  
• 46.560002 15.646703 1 Mr. Falafel , Gosposka ulica 30 ( close to Castle square ). Arabic restaurant. Large number of vegetarian dishes. ( updated Oct 2023 )
• Gostilna in Pivnica Štajerc ( Vetrinjska ulica 30 , Tel. 22344234) is a nice inn a few minutes away from Grajski trg . Offers rather traditional cuisine (including a great salad buffet) at reasonable prices. Starters are €3-6, main courses €7-10. Serves home-made beer, brewed in the cellar under the restaurant.
• Restavracija Mak , Osojnikova 20 ( take bus line 3 and get down at Osojnikova ), ☏ +386 2 620 00 53 . M-Sa 11:30 - 21:30 . If you need break after long journey this is one of the best slow food restaurant in town! Amazing food, nice music and ambient. You will be served by cook himself (you will be surprised how many languages he speaks). For meal you will pay from €18 up, but it is worth every cent. €18 .  
• Nana Bistro & Kavarna , Glavni trg 16 , ☏ +386 591 06256 . M 07:00-17:00, Tu 07:00-20:00, W 07:00-21:00, Th 07:00-22:00, F 07:00-23:00, Sa 08:00-23:00, Su 08:00-17:00 . Bistro serving various dishes; egg-based dishes, wraps, smoothie bowls and open-faced sandwiches of a very good quality are offered at reasonable prices. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Breakfast between opening & 13:00, brunch until 15:00, main courses 10:00 til 30 minutes before closing. ( updated Jan 2024 )

Drink [ edit ]

• Kavarna Astoria , ☏ +386 2 2515250 . Slovenska 2, - a nice coffeebar/restaurant right in the heart of the city. Serves excellent coffee. Open M-F 07:00-22:00, Sa 08:00-22:00.  
• Slaščičarna in kavarna Ilich , Slovenska 6 , ☏ +386 2 2502408 . M-Sa 07:00-21:00, Su 08:00-21:00 . Well known coffee bar and confectionery, usually full of people of all generation. Serves delicious homemade icecream.  
• [dead link] Fuego - latino club , Mesarski prehod 3 . Tu W 20:00 - 04:00, F Sa 20:00 - 05:00 . Latin club. Crazy barmen, funny DJs and delicious cocktails. Everyday opening day is Happy hour (all drinks are half-price) until midnight.  
• Piaf , Poštna ulica 1 ( Located in a small street between Glavni trg and Slomškov trg ), ☏ +386 2 620 08 88 . Small café in the city center with good coffee and cocktails. Both indoor and outdoor seating available. Popular with locals of all ages. Hosts a pub quiz (for which you'll want to arrive early, as the number of groups is limited) once a month and occasionally has live music. There is a piano inside which guests are allowed to play upon request. The decor is upscale, but the prices are reasonable. ( updated Jan 2024 )
• Eksperiment , Vetrinjska ulica 8 . M Th 10:00-22:00, F 10:00-02:00, Sa 12:00-02:00, closed Tu W Su . Cocktail bar playing mostly techno music. Very good cocktails & skilled barmen, which warrants the slightly higher prices. Offers sandwiches as well. Regularly hosts techno parties. ( updated Jan 2024 )
• Štuk , Gosposvetska cesta 83 , ☏ +386 591 24590 . M-F 07:30-04:00, Sa Su 16:00-04:00 . Particularly popular with the student crowd, especially on Tuesdays. Many parties, but also many events of the more laid-back & casual type, such as trivia nights, travelogues etc. Huge terrace and many indoor tables. ( updated Jan 2024 )
• Mladinski center Pekarna ( MC Pekarna ), Ob železnici 16 ( close to Hostel Pekarna ), ☏ +386 2 320 20 18 . M-Th Su 18:00-91:00; F Sa 18:00-04:00 . Small bar and concert venue catering predominantly to the alternative crowd. A staple in the city's alternative landscape. Located in what used to be a military bakery, hence the name ("pekarna" means bakery in Slovene). Dirt-cheap (but still good) drinks. Has a reading nook with a few bookshelves with books of various genres. Hosts mainly smaller bands from Slovenia & neighbouring countries. Goth club nights are hosted a few times a year. A used book store (Bukvarna Ciproš) and an indoor climbing center (Stenca) across the yard. ( updated Jan 2024 )

Sleep [ edit ]

• Hostel Pekarna , Ob železnici 16 , ☏ +386 59 180 880 , fax : +386 59 180 882 , [email protected] . Part of the cultural centre Pekarna, a building complex that used to be a bakery. Dorm bed from €18 .  
• Lollipop Hostel , Maistrova Ulica 17 , ☏ +386 40243160 . Check-out: 10:00 . Run by a very friendly English lady, this hostel is very conveniently located (less than 10 minutes from the train station). The owner could provide advices on everything from where to visit to the best place to hang out in town. €20 .  
• Hotel Orel - a hotel located at Grajski trg in the centre. Any sights are within 15-min walking distance. Has single, double and triple rooms.
• Hotel BAJT-garni .  
• Garni Hotel Tabor - close to Dvorana Tabor Hall and Ice Ring Tabor.
• Hotel Piramida - business hotel located in centre.
• Hotel Bellevue - on the Mariborsko Pohorje plateau. Wellness centre. Near the ski slope and cable car.
• Hotel Habakuk - one of the best Slovene hotels is in a beautiful natural setting at the beginning of the Mountain Pohorje, near the ski slope and cable car. Wellness-spa and conference centre. Reachable by city bus.

Connect [ edit ]

As of Sep 2021, Maribor has 5G from A1 and 4G from Telecom and Telemach. Wifi is widely available in public places.

Phone: The local area code is (0)2. The country code for Slovenia is +386. Internet TLD .si.

Go next [ edit ]

• Budapest via Székesfehérvár and Veszprém . Take a direct train,-or drive on the E59/E65/E71/M7,-to the amazing Hungarian Capital. One of the few places on the World, which is proud owner of three UNESCO World Heritage places. Visit the Castle Hill area, enjoy the panoramic view to the Danube River , walking on Andrassy Avenue around hundred years nobleman's mansions and palaces.
• Zagreb in Croatia is about an hour drive

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Home » Travel Guides » Slovenia » 15 Best Things to Do in Maribor (Slovenia)

15 Best Things to Do in Maribor (Slovenia)

In the Eastern Alps, Maribor is a mountain city with a deep winemaking heritage. For proof look no further than the Old Vine House, which as the name tells you is clad with an old vine. A very old vine in fact, which has been creeping along the facade of this building since the 1500s and has stems that looks like a venerable tree trunks. That vine is in the Lent neighbourhood, which backs onto the Drava River and has most of the oldest monuments.

Two indispensible sights are the Gothic cathedral and the castle, which has a museum that will keep you rapt for hours. Maribor is in a cauldron of wine-growing peaks, the highest of which are to the south and host Slovenia’s largest ski resort, where night ski runs show the city in lights hundreds of metres below.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Maribor :

1. Old Vine House

In the Lent neighbourhood beside the Drava grows the oldest fruit-bearing vine in the world.

This 440-year-old plant works its way along a trellis on the historic building’s facade, and its three trunks are fenced off by iron railings.

The earliest record of the vine is from 1657, and it’s remarkable to think of all the calamities it has survived, from the two World Wars to the phylloxera blight in the 1800s.

The vine bears “Blaufränkisch” grapes, and produces 25 litres of wine a year that is gifted in small bottles to important visitors.

For instance, Bill Clinton received a bottle when he visited in 1999. Appropriately the building houses a museum all about Styrian wine, and with special attention to this famous plant.

2. Glavni Trg

Your jumping off point for a breeze through Maribor’s history, Glavni Trg is Maribor’s central square.

A few of the city’s big monuments are here, like the Town Hall, Plague Column and former casino.

But most of the buildings on the square have something interesting in their past.

One has apothecary motifs in panels on its facade and long ago was the city’s pharmacy.

At the corner with Poštna Ulica is Ludwigshof, a fine Jugendstil house built by an industrialist family in 1905. The square’s market tradition has been revived with a farmers’ market on Friday mornings, selling seasonal fruit and vegetables, bread and regional treats like the pastry gibanica.

3. Water Tower

Standing alone on the Drava, this stone tower used to belong to Maribor’s city fortifications.

It was raised in the middle of the 16th century when a new defensive system was devised to repel Turkish raids.

Once the tower outlived its military value it was repurposed for wine storage, becoming the oldest wine cellar in Slovenia in the process.

The tower’s role hasn’t changed in hundreds of years: You can try a few Styrian wines on the upper floor or ask for a recommendation and sip it at your leisure beside the river.

4. Piramida

If you want to burn off some calories there’s no more scenic way to do it than by scaling the vine laden slopes of this hill.

You can reach the summit of Piramida in under 30 minutes from the banks of the Drava River if you’re a brisk walker.

Up to 1784 the hill was a plinth for the Upper Maribor Caste, which was brought down at the end of the 18th century.

An obelisk replaced it, and after this was destroyed by lightning in 1821 a small chapel has been the sole monument on the hilltop.

Take a peek inside to see the statue of the Virgin, and savour those views of Maribor and the Pohorje Range.

5. Maribor Cathedral

Begun in the 1100s, the oldest portions of Maribor Cathedral are in the Romanesque style.

But when the city’s congregation ballooned in medieval times there was a Gothic overhaul.

A lot of the nave and chancel are from this period: The pointed arches, ribbed vaults and lancet windows in the apse are all Gothic and rendered in the local yellowy sandstone.

The Baroque tower came later, in the 17th century and is open until 18:00 in the summer.

A new stained glass window was designed to commemorate the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1999.

6. Plague Column

On Glavni Trg, Maribor’s Plague Column is a memorial to an outbreak of plague that wiped out a third of the city in 1680. The first monument to the epidemic was erected just a year later, but this splendid column took its place in 1743. Such is the workmanship on the Plague Column that it is held as one of Slovenia’s outstanding Baroque monuments.

Josef Straub was the sculptor, and he carved a Corinthian column with a golden statue of Mary resting on the capital.

The column is fashioned from marble and stands on a marble plinth with plaques and reliefs, surrounded by statues of saints.

These sculptures are all replicas, as the originals are kept out of the elements in the Maribor Regional Archives.

7. Maribor Castle

Now, if you’re searching for the castle in Maribor you couldn’t be blamed for walking straight past it.

That’s because it looks much more like a palace.

In truth the building only briefly had a defensive role to beef up the northeastern walls.

Instead it was more of an opulent residence and has gone through hundreds of years of updates and extensions.

The castle was begun by Habsburg King Frederick III in the 1400s and was repeatedly reshaped up to 1843.There’s a fusion of Renaissance and Baroque design, and the most beautiful element is the arcaded gallery on its upper floor.

Go in for the Regional Museum, which follows below.

8. Regional Museum Maribor

In its day the castle’s interior was famed for its luxury, and you’ll see what all the fuss about on the rich main stairway and in the ceremonial hall, which has stunning ceiling frescoes framed by a riot of stucco decor.

The museum first moved in at the end of the 19th century and spells out the region’s cultural history, archaeology and ethnology.

It’s a big treasure chest filled with compelling objects like a collection of Frankish swords from 1200-1300,Iron Age Celtic weapons, coins from Roman times, ceremonial banners, 19th-century photography and paintings dating to the 1300s.

For a glance at primitive medicine the pharmacy exhibit has pots, scales, mortars and cabinets going back to the 1600s.

9. Maribor Synagogue

One of Europe’s oldest synagogues is on Židovska Ulica (Jewish Street) in what was Maribor’s ghetto in medieval times.

The synagogue, dating to the 1300s, is also one of only two remaining in the country.

In the middle ages this now solitary edifice was part of an enclave that had a ritual baths, Talmudic school, house for the rabbi and a cemetery.

The Jews were expelled from Maribor in 1497, and after that the synagogue became a church, then a military warehouse and finally a private home before reverting to its first role.

This modest, but historic building is now a cultural centre and museum with artefacts from the city’s Jewish population.

10. Mestni Park

The lower part of Maribor’s main park is inserted into the fabric of the city, where there are tree-fringed avenues, sculptures, lawns and a space for concerts on summer weekends.

There’s also an aquarium with more than 120 freshwater and saltwater species, as well as a terrarium inhabited by venomous and other reptiles.

But the park also continues for a few kilometres up the slope and into the countryside where its forest mingles with vineyards.

At the transition to these wilder expanses are three large ponds, the lowest of which has a stately pavilion and boathouse on its south side.

11. National Liberation Museum

At the start of the 20th century Maribor lived through some of the most turbulent decades in its history.

In the early 1900s eight out of ten households spoke German, and come the Second World War this put the town in the sights of the Nazis who vowed to make it German again.

The wartime Germanization efforts are documented at this museum , which goes into detail about the Nazi occupation and recounts the activities of the Partisans in the Lower Styrian uplands from 1941-44. All this information is relayed with graphics and photos, with some artefacts like uniforms, cold-weather equipment and posters to add colour.

12. Viticulture

Maribor gets more than 260 sunny days a year, and the warm summers and cool winters are just right for growing wine grapes.

This tradition is ancient and rich, and there are lots of points of contact if you want to know more.

The Vinag Wine Cellar is a thrill, with an entrance under Liberty Square that grants access to 2.5 kilometres of tunnels crammed with metallic vats and wooden barrels at one of the oldest cellars in Europe.

Throughout autumn there’s a festival for the Old Vine, throwing parties, tasting sessions and a putting on a culinary market.

This covers the birthday of the 19th-century Bishop Anton Martin Slomšek, now a patron saint for winemakers.

And in summer you should hire a bike to ride out into picturesque countryside to sample wine at the Ramsak winery, the Meranovo estate and many more.

Immediately south of Maribor is Slovenia’s largest ski resort, hoisted up in the Maribor Pohorje range with a maximum elevation of more than 1,300 metres.

In three distinct areas are 42 kilometres of ski runs, more than half of which are blue runs with well-groomed pistes and shallow gradients.

Good news if you’re just getting started.

Some ten kilometres of these runs are also equipped for night skiing, when the north-facing slopes grant a romantic view of the Maribor in lights.

There’s also first class competition on the upper slopes when the resort stages the “Golden Fox” FIS Alpine Alpine Ski World Cup races for slalom and giant slalom.

14. Lent Festival

The name of this cultural extravaganza has nothing to do with the time of year, but refers to the riverfront neighbourhood in the old part of Maribor.

The festival arrives at the end of June when gigantic grandstands are erected facing stages on the riverbank.

Call it a cliché, but there’s something for everyone, whether you’re into opera , ballet, jazz, or pop, rock and dance music.

There’s also entertainment for kids, and countless fringe events going on at venues around Maribor.

You’ll also have every chance to immerse yourself in Slovenian culture at folk concerts, theatre performances and street food stalls.

In its first decade after launching in 1993 Lent Festival hosted legends like Ray Charles and James Brown, while in 2017 Bob Geldof was the special guest.

15. Drava Boat Trip

You could cap a summer stay in Maribor with a lazy cruise along the Drava.

Your boat, the Dravska Vila has an observation deck on up stairs and a bar below so you can sip a cool drink as the Lent embankment and its historic monuments scroll past.

You could book a 45-minute cruise to the Studenici footbridge, or venture out into the countryside to Maribor Island, a wooded natural reserve with a leisure complex at the centre.

Perhaps you want to make your river trip more authentic, and in which case you can navigate the Drava on a timber raft.

Maribor’s loggers would ride on these to transport timber from the Kozjak and Pohrje ranges as far as Belgrade and Osijek.

15 Best Things to Do in Maribor (Slovenia):

• Old Vine House
• Water Tower
• Maribor Cathedral
• Plague Column
• Maribor Castle
• Regional Museum Maribor
• Maribor Synagogue
• Mestni Park
• National Liberation Museum
• Viticulture
• Lent Festival
• Drava Boat Trip

TRAVELSLOVENIA.ORG – All You Need To Know To Visit Slovenia

Welcome to maribor, the city of wine, friendly people and wonderful sights and monuments, introducing maribor.

Maribor is a beautiful city filled with lots of friendly people and wonderful sights and monuments. It is Slovenia’s second largest city and the economic, educational, cultural and sports centre of the north-eastern part of the country. At the same time Maribor is an ideal base for tourists from which to discover what eastern Slovenia has to offer.

Maribor lies at the heart of central Europe, at the historical and geographical crossroads of western, northern and south-eastern Europe, so it is not a surprise that it’s well connected to the rest of the continent in all directions, as well as to all corners of Slovenia through road, rail and air (Edvard Rusjan Airport: MBX). Major airports close to the city are Graz in Austria (58 km), Zagreb in Croatia (88 km) and Ljubljana (98 km). And since it is situated along the banks of the Drava river and lodged in the nature of Pohorje mountain range on the one side and the wine growing hills on the other side, Maribor has grown into one of the most important tourist destinations in Slovenia.

Maribor was first mentioned back in the 12th century and has experienced ups and downs in its nine hundred years of history. It gained town rights in the 13th century. The city owes its present character and appearance to a number of historical monuments, including a beautifully preserved old town centre with a 15th-century castle, a picturesque late 13th century church of St. John the Baptist, the remains of a town wall with four defence towers (in the Late Middle Ages the town had to ring itself with strong walls to ward off the Turkish army), a medieval market and several other monuments from different historical and architectural periods from the Renaissance to the present day.

Maribor is also known as the city of great wine and the city where the oldest vine in the world can be found. The over 400 year old Zametovka vine growing outside the Old Vine House in the historic city centre called Lent is registered in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest vine in the world. The house is now a museum dedicated to teaching visitors all there is to know about the wine culture of the region. There’s also an enormous collection of over 300 different brands of wine, which can be bought at discount prices. The city also boasts a huge wine cellar covering an area of 20,000 square metres.

Thanks to a calendar packed with events, there’s always something going on in this lively city. Every month of the year there are internationally known events taking place in the city. Entertainment, sports, cultural, ethnological and other events – something for everyone!

The Maribor Tourist Information Center is the best place to begin a visit. It’s well-stocked and you’ll receive a wealth of information there on all of the sights both in the city and the surrounding areas, and various souvenirs are also available for purchase in addition to free brochures.

A diverse tourist offer is available also in the surrounding areas of the city. Thera are several spa resorts and wellness centres in the near vicinity and the Pohorje mountain range is a very popular destination for hikers in the summer and skiers in the winter.

Maribor Pictures

View our image gallery with 42 high-resolution photos that proves you absolutely have to visit Maribor!

Location of Maribor on the map

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12 thoughts on “welcome to maribor, the city of wine, friendly people and wonderful sights and monuments”.

After all these years, we still haven’t made a visit to Maribor, hopefully we can do so on our next visit. 😊😊

Me and hubby love Maribor! Greatest atmosphere and amazing people. We loved the restaurants and clubs by the river, and beautiful centre… smell of roasted chestnuts in the streets on a cool October evening… perfect.

Such an amazing place! One of our favourite stops.

A beautiful city and the winery with the oldest vine is stunning 💕love Slovenia

Even though it’s a large city, it has a really quaint feel to it. Love the river walk too.

What about the oldest grape vine?

I love my place i know it sometimes a little drowsy it works

Stunning and the winery is amazing.

Didn’t have time to stop in Maribor on my last two trips, will be on the list for the next trip!

Maribor is a lovely town with several significant museums that reflect its rich history. It’s really a shame it is so often overlooked by visitors to Slovenia.

Maribor is a beautiful city in a very pleasant setting, it seems like a great easy-going place, and is a fantastic base for exploring eastern parts of Slovenia that fewer tourists tend to vist. Nearby Ptuj is a charming small, old town.

Maribor is a very welcoming and charming little city.

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The Top 10 Things To See And Do In Maribor

Maribor is a place of rich history and multicultural heritage, as well as a town offering amazing adventures, picturesque landscapes and some of Slovenia’s top wines and cellar doors. Here is our guide to the top 10 things to see and do in Maribor, the second biggest city of Slovenia .

Visit the The Old Vine House

Maribor’s Old Vine is the oldest grape vine in the world, with over 400 years of history recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. Years ago, it used to be a part of the town’s defensive wall, while today it is arguably the biggest tourist attraction in Maribor. The Old Vine House is a temple to the wine traditions of the city, region, and the whole of Slovenia, with an exhibition room presenting the rich wine heritage of the country and offering tasting of excellent wines from the surrounding Štajerska wine region. Throughout the year, the city organizes many events in honor of the Old Vine, such as the ceremonial grape harvest and pruning of the vine. The Old Vine House, Vojašniška 8, Maribor, Slovenia , +386 2 25 15 100

Escape rooms first became popular in Asia , however, Central and Eastern European cities quickly picked up the idea and fell in love with this kind of adventure game. In Maribor there are three awesome spots where people get locked in one room and need to connect with their inner detectives to solve series of puzzles and find clues that will help them get out within a set time frame. Escape Room Enigmarium provides a fun and educative experience with a range of different storylines. Escape Room Enigmarium Maribor, Vetrinjska ulica 8, Maribor, Slovenia , +386 41 33 44 10

1. Restavracija Villa rustica

Restaurant, Italian

2. Visit the Jewish district

Cemetery, Synagogue

Visit the Jewish district

The Jewish district of Maribor is locted in Lent, the oldest part of the town. On the Židovski trg, the Jewish square, visitors will find the Synagogue , now serving as the Center of Jewish Cultural Heritage in Maribor and organizing exhibitions, concerts, and other social events. Across from the Synagogue, there is a Jewish Tower that was once used for defense purposes, while beneath the plaza there is a medieval Jewish cemetery and a mikvah, the ceremonial bath. Center of Jewish Cultural Heritage Synagogue Maribor, Židovska ulica 4, Maribor, Slovenia , +386 2 252 78 36

3. Plan a trip up Pohorje

Plan a trip up pohorje.

The Pohorje, green mountains surrounding Maribor, are a great place to spend some time surrounded by nature. It is a haven for hikers, cyclists, and horse riders, who will find amazing forest trails with beautiful waterfalls, vine roads, and peat moors. During the winter, Pohorje is one of the most attractive ski centers in the country. On the way to the mountains, visitors will find tourist homesteads and vineyards welcoming them with homemade culinary delights, and mountain wellness centers offering relaxation and spas. Pohorje, Pohorska ulica, Maribor, Slovenia

4. Visit the first Romani restaurant in the EU

Restaurant, Romanian, European, Slovenian

Go on a balloon excursion

Balon Center gives adventurous visitors a unique opportunity to see the stunning countryside of the town from an all new perspective. A balloon excursion is a great way to create unforgettable memories and to take wonderful photographs of the Pohorje area from above. Balon center, Obnove 4, Maribor, Slovenia , +386 41 629 054

Spent an adventurous day at the Altitude Polygon

Those who love adrenaline should be sure to hit the Altitude Polygon . Adventurous challenges such as the Giant Swing, wall climbing, the Pillar of Courage, Hanging Bridge, and steel cables await daring visitors who are not afraid of heights and speed. Each person is tested on the ground before participating in the tasks, while the most fearless guests will be taken 14 meters above the ground, the equivalent to the top of a six-story skyscraper. MarTurA, Gosposka 16, Maribor, Slovenia , +386 83 88 91 60

5. Take a walk in Lent

Take a walk in lent.

Lent is the oldest part of Maribor and is the best example of the town’s rich cultural heritage. The great fortress of the town dates back to the 16th century and can be seen from one of the oldest city streets, Usnjarska ulica. Centuries ago, this was renowned as the dirtiest street in town because of the leather workshops that used to be found here. Now, the street leads explorers past the Water Tower, all the way to the heart of the Jewish district. Another interesting part of the fortress is the Judgement Tower, linked to the witch trials that once took place in Maribor. Judgement Tower, Maribor, Slovenia

Lent Mariboru © breki74 / Flickr

6. Explore the Drava river

Explore the Drava river

Maribor’s history has close ties with the river Drava and its various bridges. As many merchant routes lead through the town, bridges symbolized the wealth and power of the city during times of peace, while in times of war, they made the town a strategic center in Europe. The Old Bridge that was built at the beginning of 20th century was one of the most beautiful bridges of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was damaged during the World War II but was finally restored in 1998. The other interesting bridge is the Titov, built when Slovenia was a part of Yugoslavia. Old Bridge, Maribor, Slovenia

Maribor’s history has close ties with the river Drava and the various bridges over it © Andrey / Flickr

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Must-see attractions in Maribor

About 150m east along the Pristan embankment is Maribor's most celebrated attraction, the so-called Old Vine, which still produces between 35kg and 55kg…

Maribor’s marketplace in the Middle Ages, Glavni trg is just north of the river and the main bridge crossing it. In the centre of the square is Slovenia’s…

Just north of the pentagonal 16th-century Water Tower on the waterfront, a set of steps leads up to Židovska ulica (Jewish St), the centre of the Jewish…

Plague Pillar

In the centre of Glavni trg, Maribor's marketplace in the Middle Ages, is perhaps the most extravagant Plague Pillar found anywhere in Central Europe…

National Liberation Museum

Housed in a stunning 19th-century mansion, the collections here document Slovenia’s struggle for freedom throughout the 20th century, with particular…

Old Vine House

Learn about Maribor's 400-year-old vine and Slovenian viniculture at Old Vine House, where you can taste local wine from its enormous collection. And don…

Maribor Regional Museum

Housed inside 15th-century Maribor Castle, this museum has one of the richest collections in Slovenia, though much of it is not on show. The most…

Maribor Cathedral

Maribor's cathedral faces the square named after Anton Martin Slomšek (1800–62), the Slovenian bishop and politician beatified in 1999 and the first…

City Park is a lovely arboretum with 150 species of trees and three ponds. Here you’ll find the small but diverting Maribor Aquarium-Terrarium, with its…

Water Tower

About 300m east of the main bridge is the pentagonal Water Tower, a 16th-century defence tower. Just north of it is a set of steps leading to Židovska…

Minorite Monastery

At the western end of the riverfront Pristan is the renovated 13th-century Minorite Monastery, closed by Joseph II in 1784, later used as a military…

To the northeast of City Park is Piramida (386m), where the titans of Marchburg once held sway and a chapel now takes pride of place. There's some lovely…

Judgement Tower

To the south of the former Minorite monastery along the riverfront, the round Judgement Tower is the first of four defence towers still standing, with…

Maribor Aquarium-Terrarium

Small but diverting combination aquarium-terrarium in City Park, with a diverse collection of fresh- and salt-water critters, reptiles and other exotic…

Maribor Art Gallery

The Maribor Art Gallery, southwest of Slomškov trg, has a permanent collection of modern works by Slovenian artists and excellent changing exhibits.

Behind the plague pillar in Glavni trg is the Town Hall, built in 1565 by Venetian craftsmen living in Styria.

More destinations you need to see

Top 10+ Must See Attractions in Maribor

Maribor is the second largest cities in Slovenia. It is a city with many special tourist attractions, most of which are located in the center of the city and accessible on foot. Go sightseeing in Maribor then relax in the City Park or one of the pretty cafes that can be found on every step on the way through the city.

The Best Sights in Maribor

The best sights in Maribor are almost entirely free. Make sure to take a selfie with swans on Drava River.

1. Main Square or ‘Glavni Trg’

Main square is the center of Maribor and the biggest square in the city. There are many historic sites visible from the square. Along with Poštna ulica and its cafes, it is a gathering place for locals.

2. Plague Column

In the middle of the main square, there is an important monument, the Plague Column. It was set up in gratitude for the end of the plague in the 17th century, when the disease killed one third of the population of Maribor.

3. Town Hall or ‘Rotovž’

Facing the Plague Column is the Town Hall, or ‘Rotovž’ as the locals call it. It was built in the 16th century, with the balcony representing the city coat-of-arms: two lions and the year 1565.

4. The Old Town Lent

Along the left bank of river Drava, there is a part of old town Maribor, called Lent. There you can find many cafes, which are packed with locals. Especially during a couple weeks in June when there is a famous festival Lent, which hosts many concerts and shows.

5. Old Wine or ‘Stara Trta’

Stara trta is the oldest vine in the world with its 400 years of age. You can find the ‘Žametovka’ vine on Lent, in front of the House of the Old Vine where it still bears grapes every year.

6. River Drava

River Drava is a long and wide river that flows though the city of Maribor, splitting it in two. Riverbanks on both sides are arranged in pathways and cafes in the old part, which both offer beautiful sights of the river and the city.

7. The Judicial Tower

The Judicial Tower is situated on Lent, next to the Maribor market. It dates back to the 14th century when it was one of the defense towers of the town wall. Later it got its name from the trials of women, recognized as witches.

8. Vodnik Square

Vodnik Square is located near the Main Square, above the riverbank of Drava. It serves as a place for the city market, which is filled with sellers of fresh local vegetables and fruit. Therefore the best time to visit it is in the morning when there is a lot of fresh food on the stands.

9. Vinag Wine Cellar

One of the oldest and biggest classical wine cellars in Europe is situated in the center of Maribor, under the Freedom Square, near the Maribor Castle. Walk through the cellar filled with wine barrels and enjoy some of the local wines.

10. Maribor Castle

Maribor castle was built in the 15th century and is located on the Castle square (Grajski trg). The Castle used to be part of the town wall, later a rich feudal residence and today it is the home of the Provincial Museum of Maribor.

11. Franciscan Church

In the old city center next to important roads that go through the city, stands the Franciscan Church. The red church is a peculiarity among other churches in Maribor and it was built at the start of the 20th century along with a Franciscan Monastery.

12. The Church of John the Baptist

Stolna cerkev is a church from the 12th century, located on Slomšek Square in the center of the city. You can visit the church every day and it is also possible to climb up to the bell tower and step on the observation deck, where you can see Maribor from above in every direction.

13. Museum of National Liberation Maribor

Museum of National Liberation is located only 10 minutes from the Main Square. The museum has many temporary and also permanent exhibitions of materials from the 20th and 21st century.

14. Monument of National Liberation or ‘Kodžak’

On the Freedom Square or ‘Trg svobode’ there is a monument of National Liberation, known to the locals as Kodžak. It depicts graphical copies of public proclamations about the shootings of hostages and rebels during World War II.

15. Maister’s Monument

The monument of general Rudolf Maister stands on the Square of general Maister. He belongs to the most important Mariborians for his role in the formation of Slovenia’s northern state frontier.

16. Synagogue Maribor

One of the oldest synagogues of the Central Europe stands in Maribor on the Jewish Square. It’s about 600 years old and today mostly serves as a cultural space for different events.

17. City Park and Pyramid Hill

If you want to get away from the city life, but still remain in Maribor, walk through the City Park, which is a popular visiting place for locals to relax in. It is only a 12 minute walk from the Main Square. From the park, you can walk up the hill Piramida, which offers beautiful views of the city.

18. Mariborsko Pohorje

Mariborsko Pohorje is the biggest ski center in Slovenia. However, without snow it is one of the most visited places to go hiking. Mariborsko Pohorje is only 6 km away from the center of Maribor.

Related Guides

Public transport in slovenia, top 5 slovenian restaurants in maribor, the 10 best things to do in maribor, top 10 day trips from maribor.

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How to spend a weekend in Maribor, Slovenia

Against a backdrop of a restored old town, the Slovenian city is embracing its cultural identity, from colourful festivals to age-old winemaking.

On the banks of the Drava River, Slovenia’s second-largest city cuts a handsome dash. A riot of colour, the medieval, red-roofed houses and turquoise church spires of Maribor stand against a forested backdrop of the Pohorje Mountains. As the seasons change, so too does the landscape, shifting from green to orange to brown and then snowy white.

The city itself is no stranger to transformations, either. After decades of war and occupation, Maribor has been revitalised. It’s no clearer than in the car-free centre, where restored baroque buildings are now home to fine dining restaurants and boho   cafes serving speciality coffee and vegan ice cream. With six of its restaurants receiving Michelin stars for the first time in 2020 and now the 2021 European Region of Gastronomy, Slovenia is enjoying its culinary moment in the sun — palpably so in Maribor, where the streets smell of freshly baked rye bread and tarragon-filled dumplings, and restaurants serve buckwheat stews, and Slovenian ales are sipped kerbside on candle-lit Poštna Street.

The country’s largest wine region is right on the doorstep, too. Here, family-run vineyards age their wines just as the Romans did, with the finest bottles appearing on tables across the city.  

Day one: old towns and old vines

Morning Glavni Trg, Maribor’s main square, in the old town, was once a marketplace. Second World War bombing badly damaged many of its pastel-coloured, 14th-century buildings, but most have now been restored to their former glory, and there are plans to reintroduce a farmers’ market — a tradition dating back to medieval times. Take it all in from the terrace of Nana, a cafe serving brunches made using local ingredients such as pumpkin seeds and honey.

Afterwards, head to Gosposka Ulica and Jurčičeva Cesta, the main shopping streets, to browse Idrija lace in Slovenski Zakladi or handmade souvenirs at ARTmijeMAR. Refuel with homemade vegan ice cream at Slaščičarna Ilich, a cafe dating back to 1909.

Afternoon It would be remiss to visit Maribor without experiencing its wine culture. A five-minute walk from Glavni Trg is Vinag Wine Cellar, one of Slovenia’s largest and oldest underground wineries. Walking through dimly lit tunnels lined with bottles and barrels is an adventure in itself, but the wine-tasting, which takes place inside a room-sized concrete tank and involves squeezing feet-first through a metal hatch, is quite the experience, too. For an extra fee, you can enjoy local cheeses with more wine, all by candlelight.

Afterwards, cross the river to the Lent area to visit the Old Vine House. Home to the world’s oldest productive vine (at the ripe old age of 400), this small museum tells the story of Slovenian winemaking and offers tastings and purchases.

Evening There was a time when the neighbourhood of Lent didn’t have a great deal to tempt visitors, but the growing number of wine and cocktail bars are slowly pumping life back into this historic riverside hangout. Vinoteka Maribor, housed in a former 16th-century fortress known as the Water Tower, has an extensive list of ecological wines from the Podravje region, plus views over the Drava.

A few minutes’ walk away, the recently revamped Piranha Cocktail Bureau serves some of the city’s best cocktails from a menu of 277 spirits, while Kavarnica Rokaj, a bar where posters of Queen and AC/DC grace the walls, is the place for Slovenian craft ales with a generous side of rock ’n’ roll.

Day two: wine country and Roman ruins

Morning Maribor is the ideal base for exploring Podravje, the largest of Slovenia’s three wine-growing regions. Family winemakers here preserve age-old viticultural traditions, such as using amphoras to age wine underground, or using all-natural methods. You can hire a car in Maribor and explore the many vineyards yourself — mostare best-known for their white varieties. Call ahead for tastings.

Alternatively, take a half-day tour with local sommelier Jernej Lubej, who focuses on boutique ecological wineries near the Austrian border, such as Ducal, Doppler and Kušter. Be sure to make time for Dreisiebner, a guest house, winery and restaurant in Špičnik with great views of a much-photographed heart-shaped road nearby.

Afternoon Take a short detour on your way back to Maribor to visit Ptuj, Slovenia’s oldest settlement. The ruins of Roman temples discovered here suggest this riverside town has been continuously inhabited since the first century AD. Today, Ptuj is a picturesque mix of medieval churches, Roman ruins and cobbled streets lined with cafes, wine bars, art galleries and craft shops. Climb to the top of Ptuj Castle to look out over the Drava, then head down to its 700-year-old cellar for a peek at Slovenia’s oldest vintage, bottled in 1917.

Afterwards, indulge in some of the 100 beers served at Kavarna Bodi, or fuel up on coffee and a slice of gibanica (a pastry made with cottage cheese and eggs) at Kavarna Kipertz, a cafe roasting its own beans since 1786.

Evening The east of the country played a key role in securing Slovenia’s title as European Region of Gastronomy, with a focus on sustainable, experimental, yet traditional, cooking. It’s the sort of cuisine you’ll find at Mak, a menuless Maribor restaurant that was recently awarded the Michelin Plate. Maverick chef David Vračko is bold with his choice of flavours, but his interaction with guests — theatrical and memorable — is even bolder.

If you finish your meal early enough, dive back into the town centre for a nightcap along Poštna Street. It’s Maribor’s liveliest thoroughfare past 8pm, with wine bars such as LeVino Wine Bar and Kavarna Isabella often spilling out onto the pavement at weekends.

Top five vineyards to visit   from Maribor

1. Vadhuber The Vadhuber family have been producing dry white wines in the Slovenian Hills, close to the Austrian border, since 1931. Today, they host guided wine-tastings, which you can enjoy with a selection of cold cuts and homemade bread. Don’t want to leave? Stay the night in one of the vineyard-view apartments.  

2. Ducal The design of Ducal justifies a visit in its own right. Modern touches — floor-to-ceiling windows, various interesting sculptures — sit alongside a century-old wine cellar. Wine here is aged using qvevri, Georgian-style vessels made from clay. ducalwines.com

3. Hisa Joannes Protner This award-winning winery in the Šempeter Hills, just above Malečnik village, is most famous for its Rhine Riesling, but also produces excellent Pinot Noir, Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Wine-tastings come with home-made pate and cottage cheese drizzled with pumpkin seed oil.  

4. Leber-Vracko Eco-conscious Leber-Vračko has been cultivating Styrian white wine varieties since 1795. Today, the family estate is largely solar powered and pesticides and herbicides, are banned. The wines are aged in oak barrels and amphoras.  

5. Freser In the hills of Ritoznoj, seventh-generation winemakers Matjaž and Andreja Freser are at the helm of this family vineyard, which has been producing wine since 1832. Sommelierled tastings include a tour of the winery.  

Three culinary souvenirs from Maribor

1. Pumpkin seed oil If you notice something unusual about your salad in Maribor, it’ll be the pumpkin seed oil. This nutty, almost spicy, dark brown elixir is produced in the regions of Styria and Prekmurje, and often replaces olive oil in salad dressings and marinades. Pick up a Kocbek-brand bottle at the Old Vine House’s on-site shop. staratrta.si

2. Borovnicevec Crimson borovničevec is a sweet liqueur made from wild Pohorje blueberries. Home distilled by families in eastern Slovenia for centuries, it’s a popular aperitif served before an evening meal, particularly in the cold winter months. You’ll find it served in most restaurants, and you can buy a bottle at Zadruga Dobrina .  

3. Honey There are more than 10,000 beekeepers in Slovenia, producing a range of honey varieties, from acacia and spruce to chestnut and linden. In Maribor, you can buy local honey-based products in Medičar in Svečar, or, for a more hands on experience, visit nearby apiary Čebelarstvo Vogrinčič .

Five of the best festivals in Maribor

Locals will tell you that there’s no bad time to visit Maribor because there’s always something to celebrate. The city hosts dozens of events throughout the year, from classical music concerts and puppet shows to grape-picking ceremonies and street food festivals.

1. Lent Festival Hosting more than 500,000 visitors each summer, the Lent Festival is one of the biggest multi-genre performance events in Central Europe. For two weeks at the end of June, a number of venues operate in the neighbourhood, including a floating stage on the Drava that hosts jazz concerts, ballet performances, theatre shows, folk music, comedy and much more. Street food stalls, meanwhile, serve regional delicacies from around the country. festival-lent.si

2. The Old Vine Festival This festival in late September serves as a tribute to a local vine that’s said to be the world’s oldest. Celebrations include wine-tasting events led by the region’s vintners.   There are also food stands, brass bands and folk dancing. The event concludes with the ceremonial harvesting of the 450-year-old vine, followed by a public tasting of the freshly picked grapes in front of a crowd of hundreds.

3. Festival Maribor Slovenia’s most famous classical music event sees the country’s biggest chamber and orchestral music stars come together for two weeks of nightly performances in September. The shows are staged in venues across the city, including the fin-de-siècle Union Hall and the Slovenian National Theatre Maribor. festivalmaribor.si

4. Summer Puppet Pier   For over a century, puppet theatres have been a popular form of entertainment in Slovenia. Every August, Maribor Puppet Theatre hosts national and international puppeteers, who stage shows for adults and children alike. Puppet-making workshops and exhibitions are also on the programme. lg-mb.si

5. International Festival of Chilli and Chocolate It was Trappist monks who first introduced chocolate-making to Slovenia, in the late 19th century, yet few people outside the country have tasted Slovenian chocolate. This festival, held in October, aims to raise the profile of independent chocolate-makers in the country. Expect spicy chocolate cocktails, chilli-eating competitions and live music.

How to do it

EasyJet flies from Stansted to Ljubljana year-round, while British Airways offers summer flights from Heathrow. Maribor is then around a two-hour bus or train ride away. Hotel City Maribor offers doubles from €185 (£159), B & B.  

Published in the September 2021 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)

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Tourism in Maribor

Slovenia - Discover Maribor, the city of world`s oldest grape vine and the capital of culture and sport

Hotels in Maribor

The city of Maribor is a charming cultural, culinary, and educational centre in the northeastern part of the country. The city’s deep cultural and historical roots date back to the Middle Ages, and therefore the old city centre offers rich heritage and a wealth of genuine experiences. In particular, the locals are proud of their Guinness World Record holder, the oldest grapevine in the world .

Maribor – the European Capital of Culture in 2012 – has a reputation as a happy and hospitable city , hosting numerous international cultural and sporting events throughout the year. Don’t miss the lively atmosphere of summer festivals, and enjoy an active city break just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the city centre on the green Mt. Pohorje. The picturesque natural scenery offers endless opportunities for hiking, biking, skiing, and adrenaline sports.

Maribor and its surrounding wine region are also a treasury of excellent wine and cuisine. Discover the world-class wines of the Slovenian Štajerska region and make a toast with master chefs, whose culinary creations reach even to the Michelin stars .

Maribor holds the title of Green Destination and many of its local providers offer sustainable and authentic experiences . Enjoy Maribor, a tourist gem that is still waiting to be discovered by the masses!

TOP FACTS ABOUT MARIBOR:

Maribor is …

- The city of the world's oldest grapevine , recorded in the Guinness Book of Records.

- The title holder of European Capital of Culture 2012 & European City of Sport 2018.

- A hub of top international events & festivals such as the multicultural Lent Festival, the Maribor Theatre Festival, the Opera Night, the classical Maribor Festival, the wine and culinary Old Vine festival, the Magical December, and the Golden Fox Trophy in alpine skiing.

- A city in the immediate vicinity of Mt. Pohorje with the largest ski centre in Slovenia .

- The second-largest Slovenian city with a very favourable position at the crossroads of important European routes and surrounded by three international airports .

Best hotels

Hotel Orel    ★★ ★

Located in the centre of Maribor's old town

All famous sights are only a few steps away

Hotel City Map Maribor   ★★ ★

Set 2.8 km from Shopping centre Europark Maribor

Maribor Thermal Spa is 3.9 km away

Hotel Piramida   ★★ ★★

Located in a quiet area in the very centre of Maribor

Guests can enjoy breakfast in the room

Hotel City Maribor   ★★ ★★

Located in downtown Maribor

Car rental service offered at the City Maribor

Hotel Bajt Maribor   ★★ ★

5-minute drive to the town and to the ski centre

Numerous mountain and forest paths

Nesting resort

Maribor Thermal Spa is 8 km away

Guests can enjoy hiking and skiing nearby

image gallery

Activities & tours

Top things to do, world’s oldest grapevine.

A noble grapevine, which has been growing and twisting through its trellis for over 450 years, is Maribor’s most unique and most inspirational attraction. The grapevine grows in the oldest part of the city, called Lent, on the side of a building that was once a part of the old city walls. Today, however, the Old Vine House is the central point of excellent local wine producers and lovers of top-notch gastronomy. Don’t miss the authentic flavours served here at wine tastings, the joyful atmosphere of a proper wine event, or the fascination of a unique virtual tour through this oenological Guinness World Record holder.

Maribor Regional Museum

The dominant castle building in the old town houses the Maribor Regional Museum, showcasing the city’s history from the Neolithic period to the beginning of the 20th century. A walk through the castle treats visitors to an exhibit on archaeological excavations in the region, including the founding of the medieval town, and presents them with a wealth of painting, sculpture, historical furniture, and fashion heritage from the region. Don’t miss the magnificent Knight's Hall and leave the castle in style through the Rococo staircase.

Vinag Wine Cellar

Explore the Maribor underworld – the wine tunnels under the city’s old town comprise one of the largest and oldest traditional wine cellars in Europe! The oldest part of the cellar spreading over 15,000 m2 and boasting 2.1 km of underground passages was built in 1847. Don’t miss the precious wine archive, where bottles of the best vintages are stored. After exploring the tunnels, ascend to the tasting room and indulge in an unbeatable wine experience. You can also buy wines there.

Lent Festival

The international Lent Festival is Slovenia’s largest open-air festival and one of the largest in Europe. It is also known as the festival that brings not only summer to the city but also about 200,000 visitors. More than 20 venues, stretching from the banks of the Drava River to the City Park, are only a few minutes' walk away. The eclectic program allows everyone to find something for themselves – don’t miss the opera & ballet, theatre & dance performances, jazz & classical music concerts, world music, folklore evenings, and street theatre performances.

Pohorje Mountain

Known as the green lungs of Maribor, Mt. Pohorje is a natural oasis just a stone’s throw away from the city. It is an excellent location for biking, hiking, and horseback riding – or simply enjoying the many beauty spots, such as the old-growth forest, fresh lakes, and stunning waterfalls. In winter, Mt. Pohorje turns to the biggest ski centre in Slovenia! Don’t miss the beautiful view of the city from the cable car, a concert in the mountain’s church, and the famous “Pohorje omelette” desert!

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15 Stunning Things to Do in Maribor

Maribor, the capital of Slovenian Styria, is surrounded by Pohorje and wine-growing hills. It represents a perfect destination for wine lovers, for those longing for an escape to nature, and to enjoy sight-seeing medieval architecture.

The second-largest city in Slovenia, Maribor was first mentioned as a castle in 1164, as a settlement in 1209, and as a city in 1254.

Due to its favorable strategic location, it quickly developed and became an important industrial center by the 20th century. Maribor was also declared European Youth Capital in 2013.

Read on to discover the most wonderful things to do in Maribor, Slovenia!

Can’t read now? Pin for later!

Where to Stay in Maribor

Here are our top recommendations for where to stay in Maribor. Generally, budget means singles/doubles for around $40, mid-range is from about $40-100 per night, and luxury will cost over $100 per night.

Budget: If you’re looking for a nice place to stay in Maribor without spending too much, we recommend either of these places, Anna House or 4Rooms .

Mid-Range: If you want a nicer hotel in Maribor without breaking the budget, we recommend the bed and breakfast Guesthouse Hiša Budja or  Pension Black Baron .

Luxury: For a luxurious stay in Maribor, we suggest Hotel Maribor & Garden Rooms or Hotel Vila Emei .

We are working on hotel guides for Slovenia’s major cities – after all, you’ve just read one! Ljubljana is still on the way, but if you’re visiting Bled, you can start with our guide to  where to stay at Lake Bled  and the best  hotels near the Straza Lift in Bled . 

When traveling to Slovenia, we recommend checking out  Booking.com  as early as possible. The country is gaining in popularity as a tourist destination, so some of the best spots do sell-out early!

Great Things to Do in Maribor

What I like the most about Maribor is the variety of activities for all ages. In addition to the most typical tourist spots, Maribor features a large selection of wine labels for tasting, traditional gastronomy, and endless natural beauty.

And the best thing is that everything is so close by. So if you want to spend the day in nature, attend a festival, or go wine tasting you can do all that in one day. So here you have, in no particular order, the best things to do in Maribor…

Visit the Old Vine

So to start with, let’s go visit a place that everyone in Maribor is proud of: The Old Vine, the oldest vine in the world!

This vine can be found in the Guinness World Record since it’s the oldest noble vine in the world. and you can find it in the center of the old town of Maribor!

The Old Vine House offers visitors a wine cellar with a tasting room where you can sip top-quality wines from the wine-growing region of Styria in Slovenia.

They also offer guided tours through the rich wine heritage and museum exhibitions. In the souvenir shop, you can choose your favorite souvenir, including delicious Slovenian chocolate for yourself or your friends.

So if you are searching for some great wine tasting, you are at the right place. In case you travel in September you can take part in the Old Vine festival as well.

Discover Maribor Castle

Since you are already in the center of the old town, why don’t you just stop for a peaceful visit to Maribor Castle? This is one of the most remarkable monuments in the city.

The castle is the largest and most beautiful building in the city, it has three doors outwards and a fourth one that opens to a lovely garden. It was built by Emperor Frederik III in 1478.

Once inside, you can discover the wonders in Maribor Regional Museum and check out some exhibitions. Entrance is free on February 8, May 18, the 3rd Saturday in June, and December 3.

The castle is closed on Mondays, on public holidays, on December 24, and on December 31. The entrance fee is € 5.

Check Maribor’s Main Square (Glavni Trg)

The main, central square in Maribor is a beautiful place to visit when walking around the city, it’s really old as it was first mentioned back in 1315.

Throughout the Middle Ages until the first half of the 20th century, the place has witnessed a very lively commercial activity.

In the middle of the square stands Mary’s sign which was built in 1743. It was made by Joseph Straub at the request of Maribor citizens in appreciation for the end of the plague in the city.

You can also find the Townhall or Mariborski Rotovz in the same main square area. All around, there are many cafes, restaurants, shops, bakeries, and more

Admire the Water Tower

Take a walk in Lent, which is the oldest part of Maribor and is the best example of the town’s rich cultural heritage.

On the left bank of the Drava River, right next to the water, a mighty Renaissance fortification has been standing since the 16th century. It has an unusual, pentagonal shape that once defended the walls of the Styrian capital.

The Water tower stands on the banks of Drava River, in fact, next to the huge reservoir lake of the Zlatoličje Hydroelectric Power Plant. It was built in 1555 out of stone and has massive walls with firing lines.

Although it seems like is only a monument, that’s not the case. The water tower is the intersection of Maribor’s past and present as well as the city’s past and future.

The ground floor of the Water Tower has been transformed into a modern wine cellar, where, since May 2009, they offer a tasteful combination of top quality wines with a pleasant, intimate, and innovative atmosphere. 

They also prepare a variety of snacks, dishes that are chosen specifically to ensure that the experience in the winery meets the taste of guests surrounded by modern and friendly vibes.

Enjoy a Visit to Maribor Synagogue

Luckily, Maribor is quite small compared to other European cities. So once you are in the center, you can find many interesting and historic monuments to visit. One of them is the only synagogue in Slovenia.

This building is one of the most important monuments of the Jewish culture in the country.

And it’s also one of the oldest European synagogues as well, counting over 600 years! Since 2011, it has been the home of the Jewish Cultural Heritage Center.

The Synagogue hosts various cultural events on the subject of Judaism and Jewish culture, and the restored cultural and historical monument is also an interesting place for visiting students.

Increasingly, local and foreign travel agencies are also taking part in the program. The Synagogue particularly inspires tourism from Israel.

Explore the Basilica of Our Mother of Mercy

Continuing with religious monuments, make a point not to miss the most beautiful church in Slovenia. Situated in the old town of Maribor, the Franciscan Basilica of Our Mother of Mercy is worth a stop in your itinerary in town,

The basilica presents a really rich interior. Built in Neo-Romanesque style, the building is 57.5 meters long, 24 meters wide, and 17.5 meters high.

You can enter any day from 7 am to 9 pm. In 1906 Pope Pius X elevated the former pilgrimage church to the status of a minor basilica, an event commemorated by the coat of arms on the front of the church, carved by the academic sculptor Viktor Gojkovich.

It was the first church with this title in the Austria-Hungarian Empire.

Have a Cuppa at Moja Kavarna (My Café)

Since you are there, right across the street from the Basilica, you can find one of the best coffee places in town, Moja Kavarna (which translates into my café).

It’s in the heart of Maribor and they serve one of the best coffees in town and some great gourmand desserts. It’s elegant and has a nice atmosphere. On the plus side, the staff is really welcoming.

I specially love to visit it during December as they have the best Christmas atmosphere in Maribor. During the merry season, don’t miss the Christmas carols that you can even hear as you walk past the cafeteria.

Prices are a bit expensive for local standards, but it’s worth a visit.

Have Dinner at Ancora Restaurant

I have eaten in many restaurants in Maribor, if not all, since I really love food and like to try new dishes in every place I explore.

Generally, I would say whichever restaurant you choose in the old part of town will provide excellent value for money, trust me, you won’t regret any! You can find anything from Slovenian to Mexican, Italian, Balkan, and Middle Eastern food.

Most of them offer both vegetarian and vegan options top.

I personally love to eat at a café & restaurant known as Ancora. They have many options, including delicious Italian dishes such as pasta, pizzas, and more.

My friends love to order patata con Pollo (or potatoes with chicken), while my favorite food is risotto with seafood,  the best risotto with seafood I’ve ever eaten.

The staff is friendly and the prices are fair. The dining room is spacious and there’s also a lovely rooftop terrace.

Check Out the Local Gastronomy at Gostilna Maribor

For those who want to try Slovenian food, I recommend checking out Gostilna Maribor. The restaurant is located on the Main Square of Maribor and they offer local Styrian cuisine.

They serve freshly baked bread, beef soup, fried curry, esigflays, buns, and goulash. They also take pride in their apple strudel and apricot dumplings as well as in other delicacies typical in Slovenian cuisine.

I personally love the way the restaurant is set, the decorations… but most of all the truly delicious food.

You’ll find many options for vegetarians too. The staff is also friendly and the prices affordable. This is definitely one of the best restaurants in the Styrian region.

Take a Walk in Calvary

For those who love to spend their day in the open, I highly recommend going for a walk in Calvary, which is a favorite walking point both for locals and visitors.

Calvary is a 375-meter-high hill from where you have a wonderful view of the city. from the bottom of the stairs, it takes about 20 minutes to get up to Calvary. After the short path through the forest, you can see the church of Saint Barbara.

Other than the nice views, this is also a great way to get some exercise and prepare yourself for some more exploring in the rest of the city.

Hike Up to the Pyramid

Another great place quite similar to Calvary is the hill known as called Pyramid, one of my favorite places in Maribor.

I think the path is much easier than the one going up to Calvary, and more enjoyable too.

It’s a 25-minute wall from the old town to get by the foothills of Pyramid. The view from up there is also fantastic! Just imagine watching the entire town and the slopes of the vines as you also breathe some fresh air.

At the top of the hill, there’s a gorgeous chapel with a statue of the Virgin Mary.

Spend Some Time at the Three Ponds

Another favorite of mine in Maribor is the Three Ponds or Trije Ribniki (in Slovenian). They are located north of the city center, near Maribor City Park and Pyramid hill.

The ponds are man-made lakes filled with water from nearby streams. The first pond features a fountain, the second has an artificial island for nesting ducks and swans, and the third one is the warmest and freezes only occasionally in winter.

This is an awesome place for walking, jogging, cycling, doing yoga, or just enjoying the beauty and peace of the place.

Although the ponds are beautiful in all seasons, I mostly prefer them in fall, when the warm color of the season lightens up the whole atmosphere.

Check Pohorje

You can’t mention Maribor, without mentioning Pohorje. Maribor Pohorje is just a short drive from the city and offers various activities in the area including skiing, hiking, cycling, and wellness. Wine roads stretch across Pohorje, offering visitors various culinary pleasures.

Pohorje is surrounded by natural sights such as waterfalls and rainforests, with hiking and biking trails leading through the forests.

If you are searching for some adrenaline you can check Pohorje Adrenaline Park taking a ride in the summer sleighs. Pohorje is a green oasis of beautiful nature and countless opportunities for relaxation and recreation.

Here, you’ll find one of the largest winter resorts in Slovenia. It has about 45 kilometers of ski slopes and 20 different ski lifts. Pohorje is suitable for all skiers and has established itself as a family ski resort.

Marvel at the Beautiful Svecina

For romantic souls and wine lovers, Svečina is a small town about 18km away from Maribor and one of the best tourist spots in the Styrian region.

The beautiful view on the heart-shaped road opens on the edge of the hill near the Dreisiebner Touristic farm, where you can also find a monument of St.Yuri. Dreisiebner Tourist Farm is also known for its long tradition of viticulture and winemaking.

On this often sun-kissed position of Špičnik, they produce white wine varieties including Laško and Rhine Riesling, Yellow Muscat, Sauvignon, Traminer, Kerner, Chardonnay, White and Gray Pinot, Risan and Zemling. In addition to wine, they also prepare several homemade delicacies.

So, what better way to spend your day than drinking delicious Slovenian wine and sampliny delicious food while watching the sunset with the amazing view of a romantic heart? This tour from Lubljana takes you there to spend the day.

Boat Trip on the Drava

Enjoy Maribor from another perspective and embark on a Drava boat trip. This way, you’ll pass by many historic monuments while drinking a cup of coffee and enjoying the landscape.

The course of the river goes from Quay to Lent, passing the Studenška footbridge, and then back towards Lent, under the railway bridge, to the two-level bridge, and back to the starting point.

The boat ride is about 45 minutes and you have to book in advance when traveling from October to March.

If you travel from April to September, they offer regular rides on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays for around € 5 per person.

As you just could see, plenty are the things to do in Maribor during your time exploring the area. Bookmark this post for your next adventures in Slovenia and come back for more Slovenia content soon!

5 Things to Pack for Slovenia

We have a full  Slovenia packing list , but in case you just want the quick version, here are a few essentials you shouldn’t forget to pack!

A good guidebook:  While travel blogs are great, we still think a good guidebook is always handy. We suggest  Lonely Planet Slovenia  if you’ll be traveling quite a bit around the country, or if you are planning a multi-country Balkan trip,  Lonely Planet Western Balkans  includes Slovenia and many of its neighbors.

Pacsafe Citysafe  or Other Anti-Theft Bag:  This is the bag both Allison and I use (it’s unisex, so even men can enjoy it). It has a pouch with RFID technology so our credit cards can’t get scanned from afar, interlocking zippers to make it harder to pickpocket, slash-proof mesh inside, and it’s roomy enough to be a perfect sightseeing day bag. We also think it’s stylish enough that it’s just our everyday bag!

A Sturdy Moneybelt :  If you don’t want to get a new bag with anti-theft features as I use, you can use a money belt instead. I prefer to have these features built into my bag instead, but I know for a lot of people a money belt is a less expensive investment than a new bag. 

Grayl Water Filter :  While the water in Slovenia is safe to drink, you’ll want this if you plan to do a lot of hiking or you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors (or if your stomach is sensitive to tap water from different countries). If you don’t want to be buying millions of plastic water bottles, you can get a reusable water bottle that comes with a water filter so that you can stick to the tap water and reduce your plastic waste. 

Rain jacket:  Did you know Ljubljana is one of the wettest cities in Europe? It’s also quite rainy in Maribor and other destinations around Slovenia, so pack wisely! I strongly recommend this Marmot PreCip jacket ( here’s  the women’s version;  here’s  the men’s), which is totally waterproof and will keep you going strong throughout whatever weather is thrown your way. If you don’t want to carry a rain jacket, at least pack a  travel umbrella .

Read Next:  Essential Slovenia Packing List: What to Wear & Pack for Slovenia

More Slovenia Travel Resources

If you’re just starting to prepare for your trip to Slovenia, read our guide to  planning a trip to Slovenia  which features an 11-step checklist!

If you’re an avid photographer, you’ll find our Instagram guide to  Bled helpful (Ljubljana on the way!). For more info about places to stay in Maribor, check this Maribor hotel guide too .

If you need more Slovenia travel inspiration, check out the  best places to visit in Slovenia,  the  best Slovenian castles , the most  breath-taking Slovenian waterfalls , and what  Slovenian souvenirs  you should bring home.

If you’re headed to Slovenia in the off-season, check out our guide to  what to do in Slovenia in winter.  We also have a guide to visiting the  Lake Bled Christmas Market  and the best  Lake Bled winter activities  if you’ll be here from the end of November through the beginning of January!

We publish new content nearly every day! Bookmark our pages on  Slovenia  and the  Balkans  so that you don’t miss out on any new info or resources that we publish before your trip!

Don’t Forget About Travel Insurance!

I’m sure you’re aware that travel insurance is a good idea for traveling in Slovenia (or really, any part of the world)! Stephanie and I have both been paying customers of  World Nomads  for the last three years. We love the peace of mind it gives us in case of emergencies, accidents, illnesses, theft, or trip cancellation or disruption.

While the Balkans are perfectly safe to travel around, there’s always a risk inherent in everyday travel – so it’s better to play it safe.

>>  Get a travel insurance quote for your trip here  << 

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Maribor Travel Essentials

Ideal duration: 1-2 days

Best Time: May - September

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"Wine and Culture in Maribor"

Maribor tourism.

Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia, is a great destination for travelers from all over the world. Located in the northeast of Slovenia, Maribor is surrounded by the Drava River and the Pohorje Mountains, providing a picturesque backdrop to the city.

The main reason why visitors should come to Maribor is its many attractions and activities. There are plenty of attractions to explore, from the Old Vine House, the oldest vine in the world, to the Maribor Castle, a 13th century Gothic castle. Other highlights include the Lent district, the Old Town, and the Maribor Synagogue. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of activities such as rafting on the Drava River, skiing in the Pohorje Mountains, and exploring the surrounding countryside. In addition to the attractions, Maribor also offers a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars. Visitors can enjoy traditional Slovenian dishes as well as international cuisine. Shopping is also popular in Maribor, with many local stores, boutiques, and markets offering goods from around the world. When planning your visit to Maribor, it is important to remember that Slovenia is part of the Schengen Area, and visitors must have valid visas to enter the country. It is also important to plan your trip in advance, as some of the attractions can be difficult to access without prior arrangements. Finally, when visiting Maribor, be sure to bring comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing, as the city can be quite hilly.

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6 Marvelous Reasons To Visit Maribor, Slovenia

Welcome to JetSetting Fools, here you will find our best travel tips for destinations worldwide. Some of the links on this site are Affiliate Links and if you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a commission. For more information, read our Disclosure Policy .

Maribor is Slovenia’s second largest city, but somehow often overlooked as a tourist destination. Granted, Ljubljana seems to steal all of the attention, but there a many great things to do in Maribor!

While there is no disputing that seeing Ljubljana is a must, be sure to visit Maribor for a distinctly different vibe. The city offers a ‘real-life’ feel, yet the area abounds in nature retreats and an incredible wine culture. 

6 Marvelous Reasons to Visit Maribor

If you’re wondering if you should plan a visit to Maribor, here are six marvelous reasons to convince you!

Save, Pin or Bookmark our Maribor Things To Do to plan your trip to Slovenia!

#1 Maribor Castle Ruins and Pyramid Hill Views

On the northern edge of the Maribor city center is Pyramid Hill (Piramida), a vine-covered, 1,250-foot high hill with a small chapel overlooking the region. In the 12 th century, the old Maribor Castle was built on the hill and stood here until 1790. Remains of a well and part of the Maribor Castle floorplan are visible today. The Pyramid Hill chapel, that is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was erected in 1821.

The easily walkable path leads visitors on a half hour stroll to the top through hillside vineyards. The vines, which at one time were left to wither, are maintained and harvested by a collaboration of wineries in Maribor. In addition to the lovely Maribor views, it’s a great spot to enjoy a picnic. No doubt, standing atop Pyramid Hill is one of the top things to do in Maribor!

#2 The Old Vine House and Vinag Cellar Wine, Maribor

There is a long history of winemaking in the Maribor region. In fact, Maribor is home to The Old Vine: a 400-year-old vine, which is the oldest known producing vine in the world. The Old Vine grows on the front of The Old Vine House – a building that was once part of the city wall along the Drava River.

Today, the house is used as a wine museum and tasting room. The vine was planted during the Middle Ages, but still produces between 75-120 pounds of grapes each year – making the wine highly valuable and only offered as prestigious gifts rather than for sale or tastings. For more information about The Old Vine, visit the official website . 

The Vinag Wine Cellar isn’t quite as old as the vine – only dating back to 1844. However, it still ranks as one of the largest classic wine cellars in Europe, stretching 1.5 miles below Maribor’s city center. The Vinag Wine Cellar was the biggest producer of wine for Yugoslavia, but is now a museum, storage facility and tasting room.

Featuring 100-year-old oak barrels, a 16,920-liter barrel built in 1862 and a concrete tank that was used from 1888 to 1915, the highlight (besides the tasting, of course) is the cellar where cobweb-covered bottles of wine from around the world are stored.

#3 Lent District on the Drava River

Lent, the oldest district in Maribor, is laid out along the banks of the Drava River and was once a busy trading port full of rafts carrying products to shops and inns. In the 16 th century, protective walls and towers were built to fortify the city of Maribor, which successfully secured the residents from Turkish invasion. When the railway reached Maribor in 1844, however, the river and Lent fell out of favor, only recently revived in the 1980s.

Home to the Old Vine, Lent is marked by defensive towers, historic churches and the old Jewish Quarter. The Lent District is also home to many cafes, top Maribor restaurants and bars; making it a hot spot for Maribor nightlife! Promenading through Lent’s preserved sights provides a history lesson on the region, however, the best views of the district are from across the Drava River.

#4 Best Maribor Food and Drink Places

At the center of Maribor are a number of pedestrian-only streets and wide squares lined with impressive architecture. And on those streets and squares are a copious number of outdoor cafes and Maribor restaurants.

Top Maribor Eats

Start with a cup of coffee or glass of wine on the main square, Glavni Trg (or head across the street for a better view of the square). The square features Maribor’s Town Hall, built in 1515, and a white marble Plague Column, dating to 1743.

From the northwest corner of the main square, Postna Ulica heads north to the Maribor Cathedral. The narrow street is packed with outdoor tables to enjoy craft beer and regional fare. Some of the best Maribor restaurants and bars along this street are: Fudo , Isabella and Bascarsija . 

In the Maribor Lent District, trendy restaurants, bars and clubs line some of the oldest streets. Take a stroll down Dravska Ulica and find Rooster Lent and Mesarski Prehod for more Maribor nightlife. Along the riverside, there is a wine bar in the Maribor Water Tower, craft beer at a rocker bar ( Rokaj ) just east of the Glavni Most Bridge and ridiculously good burgers at Jack & Joe .

Enjoying a meal or drink outdoors isn’t limited to dining establishments. City Park Maribor, located on the north side, has ample benches and grassy knolls perfect for a picnic.

#5 Maribor Cathedral Bell Tower & History

The bell tower at the Maribor Cathedral, St. John the Baptist , has been multi-functional since its inception. Built in 1325 next to the town’s parish church, it served as both a defensive structure and the church steeple.

In 1792, after earthquakes and fires, the Maribor Bell Tower was redesigned to include a balcony and apartment, which was the home of the city guard. The duties of the guard were to look out for and alert the brigade of fires in the area, a service that was performed until 1933.

Steps to the balcony and preserved apartment can be climbed for free (donations accepted). The stairs wind around the interior of the tower, passing the enormous hanging bells that ring out the time. The apartment is full of interesting historic details and views from the balcony stretch across the rooftops of the Maribor city center to the surrounding hills.

#6 Pohorje Mountain Maribor

Pohorje Mountain is a mile-high range to the southwest of Maribor, easily accessed by Maribor’s #6 bus . The wintertime Maribor ski resort transforms in the summer to a green space for hiking, biking and outdoor activities. Check out the Pohorje Webcam here to see what conditions are like currently!

A cable car transports guests to one of the peaks where trails scatter in all directions. For a real workout, however, there are hiking paths that lead to the top of Pohorje from the lower cable car station.

Maribor, Slovenia Map

Use this link to Google to find your way to all the Best Things To Do in Maribor, Slovenia!

Our Top Tips For Your Trip to Maribor

• The best time to visit Maribor is…anytime. The city always has something going on! 
• EuroPark is the biggest Maribor Shopping Mall.
• Need more reasons to visit Maribor? Check out the official tourist office website for more things to do!

Where To Stay in Maribor, Slovenia

During our visit to Maribor, we stayed in a great Airbnb Apartment . We have found that staying in apartments is often less expensive than hotel rooms – with the added benefit of a kitchen and, usually, more space. 

However, for those who prefer staying in traditional accommodations , there are many Maribor Hotels to choose from in – or close to – the city center. Check out these top-rated hotels in Maribor (based on guest reviews) for your upcoming trip: Hotel City Maribor or Garni Hotel Terano – or start your Maribor hotel search on Booking.com . Budget travelers can search for Maribor Hostels – like hostel Maribor  4Rooms or Hostel Pekarna . 

Getting To Maribor, Slovenia

Visitors typically travel to Maribor by train, bus or car. The Maribor Bus Station and Maribor Train Station are co-located on the east side of the city center, but within walking distance to most central Maribor accommodations. We arrived by bus from Ljubljana and opted for a train on the return journey onward to Zagreb .

However, our preferred method of getting anywhere is by flying (we are JetSettingFools, after all!). When we need to purchase plane tickets , we start our search for the best deals on airline tickets on Skyscanner.

See All The Best Of Slovenia !

Before You Visit Maribor, Slovenia

• Maribor is a walkable city…but only if you pack the right travel shoes ! Don’t forget a pair of lightweight and comfortable walking shoes for your trip. I (Sarah) have always packed these shoes by Columbia , Skechers and Reef . Kris prefers wearing these shoes by Merrell and Sanuk .
• We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos during your trip to Europe . Rather than relying on your mobile phone to capture the sights, upgrade to an actual camera for high quality photos. We travel with a Canon Rebel (which takes amazing photos) and a Canon PowerShot ELPH (which takes beautiful pictures and is a slim and lightweight budget camera ).
• It’s easy to get turned around in any foreign city! Make sure to have a good city map and/or guidebook before arriving.
• If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip, consider traveling protected with World Nomads .
• Whether you travel with a backpack or a suitcase , you’ll also want to have a great Day Bag to carry all your everyday travel essentials in!

Start planning your trip to Slovenia ! Search for the lowest airfares , the best accommodations and fun things to do …then start packing !   Want more travel advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page !

Looking for more things to do in Slovenia?  Read our complete guides to Ljubljana , Lake Bled , Piran , Lake Bohinj , and Kranj along with the Best Slovenian Castles & Slovenia Caves !

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