This medieval Slovenian town sits in a valley between green hills, with narrow cobblestone streets leading to its 13th-century castle and well-preserved Gothic churches.
Škofja Loka, a small medieval town 23 kilometers from Ljubljana, still follows its 13th-century layout with winding streets and two main squares. At the meeting point of the Poljane Sora and Selca Sora rivers, you'll find stone houses with painted facades, a monastery housing 30,000 ancient books, and the Stone Bridge from 1358. Above the town, Loka Castle holds centuries of local artifacts, while the surrounding hills hide military bunkers and underground caves.
Getting to Škofja Loka
Buses run every 30 minutes from Ljubljana's main station (stand 28) to Škofja Loka, with the journey taking about 45 minutes. If arriving by train, keep in mind the station lies 3 kilometers outside the town center. Driving takes about 35 minutes from Ljubljana, with several parking areas near the town center.
Walking the Medieval Streets
The town center consists of two main squares - the Upper Square (Mestni Trg) and Lower Square (Spodnji Trg). Between them, narrow lanes lead past buildings from the 15th and 16th centuries. Look up to see original painted facades and carved wooden doors, with wrought iron signs marking former workshops and stores. In the Upper Square, St. James's Church dates from the 15th century, with Gothic stone arches outside and gold-decorated baroque altars inside.
Loka Castle and Museum
A 10-minute uphill walk with handrails takes you to the castle. The Loka Museum inside displays collections from archaeological finds to 20th-century artifacts. You can walk through the castle chapel, see rooms filled with local craft exhibits, and learn about the region's iron-forging history. The castle grounds give you views across the town and toward the peaks of the Škofja Loka Hills.
Caves and Mountain Activities
The hills around town have 390 kilometers of marked cycling routes for different skill levels. You can explore the Rupnik Line, where guides take you through pre-WWII military fortifications. Three cave systems - Mary's Chasm, Lubnik Cave, and Kevderc Cave - contain underground rock formations. In winter, you can ski at Stari Vrh and Soriška Planina resorts. During summer, you'll find locals swimming in the calm pools of both Sora rivers.
Local Food and Markets
The Visoko roast comes from the nearby village of Visoko. Local bakers make Loka bread with rye or white flour, decorating it and adding cinnamon, pepper, and cloves. In the hills above both rivers, farmhouses serve meals made from their own ingredients, and many have rooms where you can stay overnight.
