Maribor

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

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

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

By car

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

The 🌍 Maribor railway station is in the eastern part of the Maribor city centre (at Partizanska cesta 50). By train, you can travel to Maribor for example from:

  • 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 - Székesfehérvár - Veszprém – Hodoš – Murska Sobota – Ormož – Ptuj – Pragersko – Maribor (6 hr 30 min), IC 246/247
  • Budapest – Murakerestur – Zagreb – Maribor (13 hr 30 min)
  • Prague – Vienna – Maribor (9 hr)

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

By plane
  • 🌍 Maribor Edvard Rusjan Airport. This airport is Slovenia's second busiest by default, being the only civilian airport with scheduled flights besides Ljubljana. As of August 2018, it receives no passenger flights. 

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

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:

By bike

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

On foot

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.

By bus

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.

By car

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.

By bike

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

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
  • 🌍 Old Vine (Stara trta), Vojašniška ulica 8. Guinness Book-certified oldest vine in the world (about 450 years old) growing on the front of the Old Vine House in Lent, the oldest part of the town on the embankment of the Drava river. Maribor's Old Vine is given a lot of tourist promotional protocol events – the most famous and most popular is certainly the Vine’s grape harvest - the highlight of the traditional Old Vine Festival (Festival Stare trte) held annually at the end of September. (updated Oct 2023)
  • 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. 
  • Lent. The oldest part of the town with the oldest vine in the world and the Old Vine House (Hiša Stare trte), defence towers Water Tower (Vodni stolp) and 🌍 Judgement Tower (Sodni stolp), the Jewish part with the Synagogue (Sinagoga), Jewish Square (Židovski trg) and Jewish Tower (Židovski stolp), and other interesting sights on the bank of the river Drava. 
  • 🌍 Slomškov Square (Slomškov trg). One of the most charming squares in the city can be found in the western part of the old town core. In the square stand the Cathedral (Stolnica) and a statue of Bishop Anton Martin Slomšek. There is also park with a pool and a small statue of Korlek. The square is surrounded by mighty buildings: the Rectorate of the University of Maribor, the Slovene National Theatre and the building of the main Maribor Post office. 
  • 🌍 Main square (Glavni trg). With the Town Hall (Mestna hiša Rotovž), the Plague Column (Kužno znamenje), and the Aloysius church (Alojzijeva cerkev). The main square is the largest of Maribor's squares and it is one of the most important one in the city centre with historical sights and the hustle and bustle of town life flow. Here you can look at important sights of the old town core; sip coffee and sit out in the sunshine or visit some of the small shops. You can find it in the immediate vicinity of the Old Bridge and the street Koroška cesta. 
  • 🌍 Castle square (Grajski trg). With the Maribor Castle (Mariborski grad), the Maribor Regional Museum (Pokrajinski muzej Maribor) which is in the castle, and St. Florian (Sv. Florijan).In the square in the old city centre, which was named after the castle in front of which it spreads, you can feel the lively throb of life in the city. On the square are also: Hotel Orel, in the 19th century a tavern named 'Pri Črnem orlu' and at the same time an important stop of coachmen, Coffeehouse Astoria with its famous "Ezlj ek", a popular meeting place of the Maribor people for many, many years, Town Savings Bank, in the home of the once well-known Maribor Scherbraum family and coffeehouses and shops. (updated Oct 2023)
  • 🌍 Maribor Castle & Regional Museum, Grajska ulica 2. Built by Emperor Frederick III in the 15th century to fortify the northwestern part of the town wall containins Regional Museum. Collections include Musical Instruments, Clocks, Uniforms, fine art, Archaeological, Furniture, Weapons etc. (updated Oct 2023)
  • 🌍 Maribor Synagogue (Sinagoga Maribor). Built in 14th century, it is the second oldest in Europe (at Židovska ulica 4). Today, it serves as a centre for cultural activities and it offers visitors various events including exhibitions, concerts, literary evenings and round tables. The Synagogue is in the square Jewish square (Židovski trg) in the former Jewish quarter, which is situated near the Main square (Glavni trg). 
  • 🌍 Water tower (Vodni stolp). One of defence towers built in the 16th century by inhabitants on account of the constant fear of Turkish raids. This mighty Renaissance town fortification can be seen close by the river Drava at Lent - the street Usnjarska ulica, one of the oldest streets in the town, will lead you past it. 
  • 🌍 Cathedral (Stolnica), Slomškov trg 20. Its history begins in 12th century. First Bishop Beat. Anton Martin Slomšek. The construction of the cathedral and its further development brought Maribor additional cultural impetus and enforcement. It was built in the 12th century as a Romanesque building. Today it shows a Gothic style with a long chancel dating from the 14th century and a central church nave from the 15th century. Climb to the top of the bell tower and you will have a view over the city and far beyond! (updated Oct 2023)
  • 🌍 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)
  • 🌍 Aquarium (Akvarij-terarij Maribor), Ulica heroja Staneta 19. Small aquarium at edge of Mestni park. (updated Nov 2023)

Do
  • 🌍 Mestni Park. Surprisingly large park, several lakes. Great for a stroll. (updated Oct 2023)
  • 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)
  • 🌍 Piramida Hill. Beautiful view over the city. The easiest way is to walk from the Mestni park (City Park) 
  • 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

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
  • City Grill, Slovenska 18. M-F 09:00 - 19:30. Freshly-grilled ćevapčiči and other Balkan specialties with friendly service and low prices. ~€4. 
  • 🌍 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
  • 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. 
  • 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
  • Hostel Pekarna, Ob železnici 16, ☏ +386 59 180 880, fax: +386 59 180 882, . 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

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
  • 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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