Is Maribor in Slovenia Worth Visiting? And Things to Do

Maribor is Slovenia’s second-largest city, and it’s well worth visiting, with plenty to do. It is also a great place to visit with a dog. It has a small-town feel, and there’s scenic countryside for hiking near the city centre.

The city has colourful squares, Maribor Castle, the Old Vine, the Drava riverfront and plenty of bars and restaurants. Just beyond the centre are hills, forests, vineyards and walking routes, making Maribor a good base for sightseeing and outdoor time.

A Brief History of Maribor in Slovenia

Maribor has an interesting history. It was first mentioned as a castle in 1164. It was then mentioned as a settlement in 1209 and, subsequently, as a city in 1254. The Habsburg Empire ruled it until 1918, after which it joined the Kingdom of Serbia to form the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.

Then in 1991, Maribor became part of independent Slovenia after a 10-day war of independence. In 2012, the city was named European Capital of Culture.

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Things to Do in Maribor

Many of Maribor’s tourist attractions are centrally located, except for those in the countryside. It is a fantastic area for those who enjoy getting out and walking, and it also has a ski resort for winter sports enthusiasts. You can book tours in the city and nearby parts of Slovenia on the Viator website.

The Old Vine

The Old Vine is the world’s oldest vine, over 400 years old. It still produces fruit and has done so for centuries, which is impressive. Visit the Old Vine House to learn more about the vine and winemaking in the area.

This vine grows grapes of the “žametovka” or “modra kavčina” variety. This was one of the first domesticated noble vine varieties in Slovenia. They also offer a virtual reality experience that takes you through the vine’s life. This covers the city’s history from the Ottoman invasion to the present day, and it is fascinating.

You can also enjoy wine tasting at the old vine house. They have a variety of options to suit your tastes and how many you want to try. We enjoyed tasting three locally produced white wines. After tasting, you can purchase a bottle or more of the wines or enjoy a drink on their outside seating.

Maribor Castle & Regional Museum

The castle in the city centre is a rather pleasant building to visit. The castle’s interior is now a museum covering local history. Maribor Castle borders a few town squares, making it easy to explore the grounds.

The castle has many architectural and stylistic features from various periods. It is described as a Baroque mansion. Emperor Friderik III built Maribor Castle between 1478 and 1483. The castle was built to fortify the northeastern part of the town wall. Over time, the castle became a grand feudal residence. Finally, it became the Regional Museum of Maribor.

The Regional Museum of Maribor lets you explore the castle’s interior and learn about the region’s history. Exhibits date back to the Stone Age. It also has a gallery and sections on local agriculture, including winemaking.

The festival hall inside is a rather special room, and so is the artwork on the ceiling. Other special parts are the balconies that overlook the town. The museum costs 5 euros to enter and is well worth it for the exhibits and interior decor.

Stolna župnija – Maribor Cathedral

Maribor Cathedral is a beautiful building in the city centre. It is Roman Catholic and dedicated to Saint John the Baptist.

Maribor Cathedral was originally built in the 12th century in the Romanesque style. Over time, it incorporated new features, including a Gothic-style long chancel dating from the 14th century. The central church nave dates from the 15th century. Its bell tower is relatively new, dating from the late 18th century.

Lent

The Lent area is the oldest part of the city and is right next to the Drava River. The area has many historic buildings, including the Old Vine House. Lent is a great place to go out for a drink, with café-bars with outside seating, most of which are pet-friendly. Each year at the end of June, they host a big arts festival held in Lent.

Lent is home to a few towers, namely the water tower, the Jew’s tower and Sodni stolp. It’s also an ideal place for a walk, with options for coffee or beer.

Visit Vodni stolp – Water Tower

Vodni stolp, also known as the Water Tower, is one of the main towers in the Lent area. The tower is next to the River Drava. This pentagonal tower dates from 1555 and was built in the late-Renaissance style.

Sodni stolp – The Judgement Tower

Sodni stolp is a medieval 14th-century tower near the river. Also known as the Judgement Tower, it stands on the southeast side of the city wall fortifications. The tower has been rebuilt several times, including in the 17th century, when the conical roof was added. After renovation, the tower now hosts cultural events.

Glavni Trg

Glavni Trg is the main city square. Many cafes and restaurants overlooking the square have outdoor seating, which is ideal on a blue-sky day.

The centrepiece of the main square is the Plague Column, or Kužno znamenje. Kužno znamenje is an ornate monument erected by “pious burghers” in gratitude for the end of the 1680 plague epidemic. The column is made of white marble and features a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary.

Maribor Town Hall is also in the main square and is a lovely building with a clock tower. Originally built in 1515, the town hall was remodelled in the Renaissance style in the 16th century. In the mid-19th century, it was renovated in the late Classical style. It has since been restored to its original 16th-century appearance.

Other beautiful buildings line its edges, mostly shops and businesses.

Spomenik NOB

Next to the castle is Spomenik NOB, an interesting monument. This is a national liberation monument which has graphic copies of proclamations about the shootings of hostages or rebels during World War 2.

Countryside & Vineyard Walks

Maribor is a fantastic destination for hiking, and the countryside is very near to the city. The local countryside includes lakes, forests, hills and vineyards. All the south-facing slopes north of the city have grapevines. These have many trails you can explore.

One of the more popular hikes is to the top of Piramida for a view of the city from above. You can ascend Piramida via vineyards near the city park. At the top is a chapel and some archaeological remains. You can hike onwards from Piramida into some beautiful countryside.

For those who enjoy longer routes, the lakes at Trije Ribniki are a fantastic place to hike too. It is hilly to reach and surrounded by hills and woodland.

For a circular walk, you can choose one of the routes to the village of Za Kalvarijo. The village is remote and has woodland and farmland trails leading to it.

Another hiking waypoint is towards Cerkev svete Barbare na Kalvariji. Cerkev svete Barbare na Kalvariji is a small chapel overlooking the vines above the city.

Finally, to the west of Cerkev svete Barbare na Kalvariji are some stairs up the hill. This has over 300 steps, and climbing them is quite the leg burner. The steps make a good starting point for a hike in the hills.

If you fancy a flat walk, heading towards Trije Angeli is a good option. Three statues stand in a field. A few friendly bars nearby are also popular with dog walkers.

Vinag 1847

For wine lovers, keep an eye out for Vinag 1847, a cellar tour and wine tasting in the square near Maribor Castle.

Basilica of Our Mother of Mercy

One of the prominent features of the Maribor skyline is the Basilica of Our Mother of Mercy’s towers. The church has two towers, each with a green spire top. This Roman Catholic building is maintained by the Franciscan order. The church is on the site of a 17th-century church building and a 12th-century monastery. It feels bright inside, thanks to the large stained-glass windows. There are lots of features to see, including the decorative altar.

Slovenian Food Tour

If you want to learn more about Slovenian food while visiting, the Food is Love tour is a good option. You get to learn about Slovenia’s medieval and culinary history. On the guided food tour, you get to try local food and also some wines.

Ljudski Vrt Football Stadium

The local football stadium is just out of the centre, and if you time your visit right, you can catch a game. Maribor FC play in the national league and sometimes in the larger European competitions. A notable and protected feature of this stadium is the main grandstand with a concrete arch.

Drava River

One of the many pleasant parts of Maribor is by the Drava River. It is also a great place for a dog walk or to take some photographs. You’ll see towers and buildings, with the occasional bar or restaurant for great views. The far bank of the river is a prime spot to watch the sunset in the evenings.

The Drava River is home to swans and other wild birds. To cross the river, there are a few bridges in the city centre, the most significant being Stari Most. Stari Most, also known as the old bridge, was built in 1913. Stari Most is a great place to see the city, offering splendid views of the Lent area.

General Maistra Square

Nice architecture surrounds General Maistra Square. The park has a few statues. General Maistra, the park’s namesake, took control of Maribor and occupied the border region until the signing of a peace treaty after World War I.

UGM Art Gallery

Umetnostna galerija Maribor, or UGM, is a small art gallery to visit in a pleasant building near the river. The museum is open every day except Mondays. They host a variety of exhibitions throughout the year, which you can find out about on their website.

Park na Slomškovem trgu

Near the cathedral and theatre is Park na Slomškovem trgu. Beautiful buildings line the edge of the square, including the distinctive post office and university buildings. A fountain and a few places for refreshments are also there.

Slovenian National Theatre Maribor

The Slovenian National Theatre in Maribor is in a beautiful building and has a stunning cafe inside. The theatre also regularly hosts opera and ballet. You can find out about upcoming performances on the theatre’s website.

Getting To Maribor in Slovenia By Train

Reaching Maribor by international train usually requires a change. It is pretty straightforward if travelling from Croatia, Hungary or Austria. For example, from Zagreb, it takes just over 3 hours with a change halfway. From Budapest, it takes just under 6 hours with one change. You can find a variety of transport options to get to the city on the Omio website.

Is Maribor Worth Visiting?

We had a memorable time in Maribor and think it is well worth visiting. First, the picturesque town centre is ideal for sightseeing. The nearby countryside is fantastic for those who enjoy the outdoors and hiking. Finally, it is a wonderful wine destination, and even the vines have history. As a bonus, Maribor is straightforward to reach by train.