We had just come from Germany – where we had been forced to stay an extra night due to car troubles – and it almost felt as if our journey was only truly beginning now. The first stop on our trip south was Maribor in Slovenia – a destination we had already planned as a stopover on the way to Croatia.
None of us had been to Slovenia before – so I was curious to see what the city had to offer. It quickly became clear that it had even more to offer than we had expected – even though we had less than a day to explore.
Maribor is Slovenia’s second-largest city – and is situated in the beautiful Styria region. At the same time, it’s not a city most Danes are familiar with. Already upon entering Slovenia – you could sense that the country was something special. And when we arrived in Maribor – it felt as if a very particular calm settled over us – even though the city was buzzing with life at the same time.
The old town quickly became the place where we just wanted to slow everything down – it’s lively and full of charm, yet compact enough to easily wander through and let yourself be carried along. Right in the middle of it all stands the world’s oldest grapevine – close to the Drava River – which still produces grapes to this day – a small but beautiful reminder of how deeply wine traditions run in Maribor.
The promenade along the Drava River is simply amazing – a little oasis full of restaurants, cafés, and life – and at the same time incredibly beautiful. It’s as if the city has found a rare balance between calm and energy – a discipline that only a few cities truly master.
Green beer and dinner
After a quiet afternoon in the old town, hunger began to set in – and we wandered a bit through the city to find a place where we could get both food and a beer. The place we came across was “La Cantina CENTER pizzerija in špageterija” – it seemed like we could get good food here, different from the German fare we had been living on for the past three to four days.
Naturally, the first thing I noticed was that they served green beer – which I of course had to order. Lise was a bit less daring with her beer choice – and I think perhaps her choice was probably the better one.
Of course, we also ordered food – Lise had a salmon salad, and both Sebastian and I had a pasta dish. Both tasted really good – but if I had to choose again, I’d probably go with Lise’s dish, as it was fresher in flavor – though that’s probably just a matter of personal taste.
The surroundings of the restaurant were cozy – and there was plenty of life in a good way, without it ever turning into noise or chaos. And it was simply wonderful to sit there in the warmth, with a cold beer, good company, and the feeling that our journey was only just beginning.
The old town of Maribor
Maribor isn’t a big city – so it’s easy to get around and explore. Especially the old town has many beautiful spots – spots that may not be attractions in themselves, but simply add atmosphere and soul to a city.
Here are some of the things we experienced – and that you can also experience – when wandering around the old town.
Maribor Castle
One of the first places we passed was Maribor Castle – undoubtedly one of the city’s most iconic buildings. The castle was built between 1478 and 1483 by order of Emperor Frederick III – and at the time served as a defense for the northeastern part of the city walls. Today, it stands as a beautiful reminder of the city’s history. Since we weren’t in the city for long – and because it had by then become evening – we had to be content with viewing the building from the outside. But if you have more time, you can learn much more about its history at the Regional Museum – which is said to be a fascinating experience. The museum is located right next to Maribor Castle.
Monument NOB
Very close to Maribor Castle, we noticed a monument at Trg Svobode Square. At first glance, it might not seem particularly impressive – or especially beautiful. But as we got closer, I noticed that the entire monument was covered in text – which made me curious.
The monument was made of bronze by Slavko Tihec in 1975 – the name NOB is an abbreviation for “Narodnoosvobodilna borba,” which means “national liberation struggle” – referring to the Slovenian resistance movement during World War II. Engraved on the monument are graphic copies of public notices about the executions of hostages and rebels – a total of 667 people – as well as a farewell letter from Jože Fluks, a man who was himself sentenced to death.
Suddenly, the monument gained meaning – and what at first seemed anonymous became an important reminder of history. It’s precisely experiences like this that make me repeatedly excited to travel – when you discover the stories behind things you almost walked past.
Maribor Cathedral
In the heart of Maribor’s old town rises the cathedral – also known as the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist – as one of the city’s most prominent landmarks. The church was originally built in 1248, but over the years it has undergone many renovations and expansions – which is evident, as there is an intriguing mix of architectural styles gathered in a single building. Even though we didn’t spend much time inside the cathedral, you could still sense the breath of history there.
Breakfast at the square by the Old Town Hall
The next morning, of course, we wanted breakfast before continuing our journey to Croatia. The day before, we had noticed that there seemed to be good options at “Stara mestna hiša” – which translates to the Old Town Hall. We had heard there was a nice breakfast café there, so it was natural to head for the square – which also seemed to be a place with plenty of dining options.
The place recommended to us was “Nana Bistro & Kavarna” – not the cheapest place to eat, but the food was really good. We all ordered avocado sandwiches for breakfast – Lise and I had a café latte, and Sebastian had a juice. The food tasted wonderful, and it was lovely to soak in the last atmosphere and pulse of the city before continuing on to Croatia.
The Drava River and farewell to Maribor
After breakfast, we took one last walk down to the Drava River – which looked beautiful in the morning sun. Some people were running along the river, others were strolling, and some were heading to work – there was life, but at the same time a truly pleasant and calm atmosphere at that time of day.
Across the river is a pedestrian and bicycle bridge – Splavarska brv – made of warm wood and steel beams, with a wavy shape. Perhaps precisely because of its undulating form, it created light effects on the river – enhancing the atmosphere rather than breaking it.
After one last farewell to the Drava River, we returned to the hotel – packed our things – and set off on another adventure in our car, this time heading for Croatia.
Our short stay in Maribor was a pleasant surprise on a trip that had otherwise been marked by misfortune. It’s definitely a city I would like to experience again – and it has made me curious about what the rest of Slovenia has to offer.
Was Maribor worth a stopover? Absolutely – in fact, it was one of the positive surprises of the trip. Would I recommend the city to others? Definitely! I feel that it was a lovely little adventure on our journey.
