Surrounded by the scenic wine country of the Drava River, Maribor is an economic and cultural hub in eastern Slovenia. It’s one of the largest cities in the country, with centuries-old buildings, underground wine cellars and fascinating museums, all on the doorstep of Slovenia’s largest ski resort.
Things to do in Maribor
In the heart of Maribor is Glavni Trg, an attractive square watched over by the Renaissance-style Mariborski Rotovž. Take note of the Ludwigshof, an early-20th-century Jugenstil residence, and gaze up at the Plague Column that was constructed to remember the victims of a 1680 outbreak. Coincide your visit to Glavni Trg with the weekly farmers’ market to pick up fresh produce and regional treats.
A short walk from Glavni Trg is Grajski Trg, which is dominated by a Baroque mansion housing the city’s Regional Museum. In addition to antique furnishings and archaeological artefacts, it features Frankish swords, Roman coins and 19th-century photographic works. A highlight of the mansion is the Ceremonial Hall with its ceiling frescoes and richly adorned stucco work.
Wine enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a visit to the Vinag Wine Cellar, which comprises more than two kilometres of tunnels snaking beneath the city. After viewing the historic wooden barrels, metallic vats and early vintage bottles, you can enjoy a tasting with one of Vinag’s sommeliers. Coincide your visit to Maribor with the Old Vine Festival, which celebrates the 440-year-old plant on the facade of Old Vine House.
Getting around Maribor
Maribor is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Ljubljana and Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Regular trains connect to the Maribor Studenci and Maribor Tabor railway stations and buses travel throughout the city. Maribor’s historic centre can easily be explored on foot.