• Understand
• See
• Do
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Sleep
• Get out
• Contact

The centre of Maribor

Maribor, the second most important centre and the second largest city of Slovenia. It has about 114.000 inhabitants who live embraced in its wine growing hills and Mariborsko Pohorje. Located near Slovenian border with Austria, beside the Drava River and at the centre of five natural geographic regions.

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

[edit] Understand

Maribor was first mentioned back 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. After Slovenia declared independence, back in 1991, the city suffered from the economic consequences. In 1975 the University of Maribor was founded and this has helped the city to become more and more an attractive, vibrant, student city. Maribor is now a trans-regional financial, educational, trade and cultural centre and grows as a tourist destination.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

Take road A1/E57 from Ljubljana. (about an hour). Arriving from Austria, take A9 and take road E57 and E59 then. Maribor is located only a few minutes away from the Austrian border. If you are in Zagreb take road 1/E59 (about 2 hours). There is no direct connection to Italy, so it takes about 2 and a half hour to get to Maribor from there.

[edit] By train

Maribor has direct connections with Graz, Vienna, Zagreb, Rijeka, and Prague.

[edit] By plane

Maribor has an international airport. Nearby airports include Graz, Ljubljana, and Zagreb. Several companies offer charter flights during summer to various destinations.

[edit] Get around

Maribor is quite a small town, so it's easy to get around on foot. Maribor has two tourist information centres: one is located opposite of the railway station and the other one (TIC) in Partizanska cesta. 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.

[edit] By bus

Maribor have a dedicated bus terminal. There is an extensive bus network as well though there is no need to use it unless you want to go to the outer districts of Maribor.

[edit] By car

If you go to Maribor by car, it might be difficult to find toll-free parking space during weekdays. Most of the inner city is covered by short-term-parking space. A good change to find toll-free space might be in the area of Mestni park. A good alternative is the parking garage below Trgovski center City, the parking garage Forum or parking garage Kolosej'. Expect to pay around 60 to 80 cents per hour. The longer you stay, the cheaper it gets. During the day there is possible to park free in shopping centre Europark.

[edit] By Bike

Maribor has a 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.

[edit] By Taxi

Taxis are available 24h a day. You can go to a taxi- rank or simply order one by phone.

[edit] See

The oldest vine in the world

• Water tower (vodni stolp) - built in the 16th century.
• Mariborski grad (Maribor's castle) - built by Emperor Frederick III in the 15th century. The castle was built to fortify the northwestern part of the town wall.
• Stara trta (Old Vine) - Maribor has the Guinness Book-certified oldest vine in the world (about 440 years old) growing on the front of a house. (Located in district Lent.)
• Stolnica (Cathedral) - Its History begins in 12th Century. First Bishop Beat. Anton Martin Slomšek.
• Kulturni center Sinagoga (Cultural centre Synagogue) - Built in 14th Century is the second oldest in Europe (Židovska ulica 4).
• Vinagova vinska klet (Vinag Wine Cellar) - positioned in the centre of the city (Trg Svobode 3), with 20.000 m2 surface and 2 km length has 5,5 millions litres of excellent wine.

[edit] Do

• Mestni park - despite of the relative small size of the city, Maribor has a surprisingly big park. The perfect place to have a break from sightseeing.
• Lent - 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 given 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.
• Festival Lent - is ranking among the Top 50 of Europe's Best Local Festivities. A variety of more than 400 performances and half a million of 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. Night skiing is possible as well as snow boarding.
• Terme Maribor - with well known wellness centre in Hotel Habakuk (thermal water), Hotel Bellevue and in Fontana (thermal water).
• Casino Maribor - located in the beautiful belle epoque styled building on the Glavni trg (the main square). On the ground floor slot machines and electronic roulette are available, one floor higher is reserved for live games.
• Planet Tuš - cinema multiplex (movies are presented in orginal 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 orginal 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 center Strike - Bowling centre Strike offers 16 highly equipped, computerised Bowling Tracks, Restaurant and Bar.
• Piramida Hill - Beautiful View over the City. The easiest way is to walk from the Mestni park (City Park).

[edit] Buy

Be sure to buy a bottle of wine. Wine from region around and included Maribor is one of 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 typical for 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 shopping centres Rutar, Merkur, Bauhaus, Obi or BauMax.

• Europark is one of the largest shopping centers in Central Europe with a wide variety of service - from clothing stores to restaurants.
• Trgovski center City is a big shopping mall located in the heart of city offering plenty of shops after everyone's fancy.
• Vetrinjska ulica is an avenue starting at Grajski trg place offering loads of boutiques containing all sorts of international brands.

[edit] Eat

• 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 around 3 € to 6 €, main courses from 7 € to 10 €. Serves home-made beer, brewed in the cellar under the restaurant.

[edit] Drink

• Kavarna Astoria - Slovenska 2, Tel. 22515250 - a nice coffeebar/restaurant right in the heart of the city. Serves excellent coffee. Open Mo-Fr 7am to 10pm, Sa 8am to 10pm.

[edit] Sleep

• Uni Hotel *** - a youth hostel located at Grajski trg in the centre of the city. Any sights are within 15min walking distance. Has single, double and triple rooms.
• Hotel BAJT-garni *** [1]
• Garni Hotel Tabor *** - close to Dvorana Tabor Hall and Ice Ring Tabor.
• Hotel Kačar ***
• Hotel Piramida **** - business hotel located in Maribor city centre.
• Hotel Bellevue **** - situated on the Mariborsko Pohorje plateau. Wellness centre. Near the Ski slope and Cable Car.
• Hotel Habakuk ***** - one of the best slovene hotels is situated 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.

[edit] Get out

Ski or snowboard at the local resort. There are a few parallel slopes with drag lifts. Moving between the different slopes can be hard work if the snow is sticky. During the summer, cycle trails are available.

[edit] Contact

There is an internet cafe in Partizanska cesta called Mark's cafe. The cafe can be found on the right side of the street (heading towards the centre of the city) between Cafova ulica and Cankarjeva ulica.

Official Travel Guide by Slovenian Tourist Board