A colourful range of tastes, homeliness, relaxation, nature, past and experiences - all this is offered to the visitor by the town of Kamnik, in the arms of the Kamnik-Savinjske Alps, near Ljubljana.
You can visit it not only by car but also by train and thus conjure up an unforgettable experience for the youngest! Kamnik is a town of friendly people, a town with tradition, history and rich heritage, a town with a soul.
The beautiful architectural and sacral heritage still reminds us of the time when Kamnik was the capital of the Carniola region. People like to live in Kamnik, feel and breathe with it.
They want you to feel with them. That is why we invite you to take a walk together through the many riches of the town of Kamnik and its surroundings.
VISIT KAMNIK – an active, green, and vital alpine destination
Kamnik, a town of three castles
Kamnik is considered one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Slovenia. Once a flourishing trading town, where the counts of the Andes from Bavaria had their headquarters. In those days, Kamnik was the capital of Kranjska.
In the 11th century, the city hill boasted an impressive castle complex - Mali Grad. Today, only the two-story Romanesque chapel with a crypt is preserved, which is also one of the main symbols of the city. From the hill, there is a wonderful view of the town and the Kamnik-Savinjske Alps.
Stari grad
Is one of the oldest castles in eastern Carniola. The excellent location of the hill Stari grad and just the right visibility made it possible to control the medieval trade route that led through the city. Today, the old castle is a wonderful vantage point, popular with hikers and families, as the climb is not that difficult and takes only 30 minutes.
A small hill above the town boasts Zaprica Castle, which was once the seat of an important noble family. Today, it houses the Kamnik inter-municipal museum, which also has two additional dislocated units in the city: the Miha maleš gallery and the birthplace of Rudolf Maister.
Go on a hike to the highest peaks of the Kamnik-Savinjske Alps and overcome the highest altitude difference in Slovenia. When you are in this area, be sure to stop in the valley of Kamniška Bistrica, a valley with wonderful natural features, and have lunch at the stone table where even the Austrian emperor once dined.
Listen to the story of countess Veronika from Mali Grad or the famous Kamnik majolicas - earthenware traditionally made in Kamnik. Admire medieval carvings along the most beautiful street in town, Šutna street, and visit local shops. Walk through the halls of the Kamnik intermunicipal museum, the birthplace of Rudolf Maister, the rich franciscan library, or discover Plečnik's heritage in the Kamnik-savinja area.
Revitalize your body and strengthen your immune system in the Tunjica natural medicinal grove, the only holistic health centre in Europe with scientific evidence of healing effects on health and the body. Kamnik
Soothing relaxation in the stone house and surroundings of Tuhinjska Valley
Forget about stress and recharge your batteries in Kamnik, in the beautiful Tuhinjska valley, there is the highest spa in Slovenia, Terme Snovik. The offer follows the guidelines of sustainable tourism and is the first tourist provider in our area to include all five kneipp elements in its offer. In the surrounding area, you can find many themed trails, a path for barefoot walking and an herb garden.
Among the lesser-known facts is that in the period between the 19th and 20th centuries, an incredibly famous bathing complex called the Kurhaus was in Kamnik. The complex of public swimming pools stood at the confluence of the Nevljica and kamniška Bistrica rivers and was founded by Alojz Prašnikar (1821–1899). It attracted many visitors from Trieste, Vienna and Prague and could even compete with Bled. Sebastian Kneipp himself, the inventor of Kneipp therapy, praised the bathhouse.
In his approach, Sebastian Kneipp believed that the elements of water, plants, exercise, nutrition and balance are closely related and combined them into a holistic life philosophy. They are known as the "five pillars." the Kneipp philosophy is included in the offer of Terme Snovik, which is also the first local tourism provider to offer the experience of all five Kneipp elements.
In the colorful world of plants Potok Arboretum
Every year, at the end of April, two million tulips bloom in the Volčji Potok Arboretum. Next to them, of course, there are many other flowers that announce the arrival of the awakening spring.
But not only in spring but Volčji Potok Arboretum also offers the possibility of walks in the vivid colour spectrum of plants from all over the world in all seasons. The park, which covers 85 hectares with around 3,500 species and varieties of woody plants, is considered the largest botanical garden in Slovenia and can be placed alongside the most famous botanical parks in the world.
Among the shepherds on the big mountain
If we head north from Kamnik, we arrive in the valley of Kamniška Bistrica, where we can enjoy the beauty of unspoilt nature and cool off in the hot summer months. Kamniška Bistrica, which attracts many walkers, mountaineers, hunters and fishermen, is also an excellent starting point for hikes to the peaks of the Kamnik-Savinjske Alps.
Velika Planina is the most visited among the Kamnik peaks, which is considered the most beautiful Slovenian mountain due to its exceptional views and preserved pastoral heritage. The tradition of shepherding is presented in the only preserved oval shepherd's hut, the Preskar Maria museum, and the chapel of Maria Snežna also has a special place in the shepherd's settlement. Velika Planina is characterized by small thorn cheeses with strong love symbolism.
In the summer, the mountain offers many opportunities for wonderful walks and encounters with the life of shepherds, and it is especially magical in the winter when it is covered with a blanket of white snow.
You can go to the mountain by following well-marked hiking trails, and a swing and a chairlift bring visitors to the mountain every day of the year.