This medieval town in central Slovenia has stone streets lined with 13th-century buildings, a hilltop castle, and lies at the foot of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps.
Kamnik, a medieval town in northern Slovenia, lies at the foot of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, just 20 minutes from Ljubljana. Walk through narrow streets to find artisan workshops, climb to two hilltop castles for mountain views, or watch shepherds make traditional Trnič cheese in wooden huts on the Velika Planina plateau. You can visit the 13th-century Mali grad's Romanesque chapel, browse craft stores along historic Šutna street, or take a cable car to mountain pastures where shepherds maintain centuries-old traditions.
Exploring Mali Grad and Stari Grad
Two castles overlook Kamnik from their hilltop positions. At Mali grad (Small Castle), you'll find a preserved two-story Romanesque chapel with a crypt from the 11th century. Look up to see medieval frescoes and a wooden ceiling inside the chapel. A 30-minute walk leads to Stari grad (Old Castle), where 12th-century stone ruins remain. Both castle sites give you clear views of the Julian Alps, Karawanks mountain range, and the Tuhinj Valley.
Walking Through Medieval Streets
Šutna street runs through Kamnik's old center, with buildings dating to the Austro-Hungarian period. Walk past Rudolf Maister's birthplace - a military leader and poet - and continue to the Church of Mary Immaculate with its Gothic spire. Step inside the Franciscan Monastery from 1423 to see its collection of 10,000 pre-18th century books and visit the chapel designed by architect Jože Plečnik.
Velika Planina Mountain Plateau
From June to September, shepherds live in wooden huts with distinctive oval roofs on the Velika Planina plateau. Take the cable car or hike up to see them tend their cattle and make dairy products, including the cone-shaped Trnič cheese. The Preskar Hut Museum shows you how 19th-century shepherds lived and worked on the plateau.
Thermal Waters and Nature
Swim in indoor and outdoor pools filled with thermal water at the Snovik spa, set in the mountains. Follow hiking trails through the Kamniška Bistrica valley alongside its 33-kilometer crystal-clear river. Visit the Volčji Potok Arboretum to see themed gardens with spring flowers and extensive rose collections.
Cultural Events
Each September, locals and visitors gather for Slovenia's largest costume festival, the Days of National Costumes. During the Medieval Days in June, craftsmen demonstrate traditional skills while knights stage tournaments and musicians play period music. Several microbreweries in town produce craft beers using local spring water rich in minerals.
Getting to Kamnik
You can reach Kamnik from Ljubljana by bus (40 daily connections) or train (18 daily services). The journey takes about 20 minutes by car or 40 minutes by public transport. Ljubljana's international airport is a short drive west of Kamnik.
