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Town in Upper Carniola, Slovenia
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Jpatokal at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kamnik is a town in Central Slovenia. Once a rival to Ljubljana and Kranj for economic dominance of Carniola, today's Kamnik (Stein in German) is a sleepy suburb of Ljubljana, with a population of just over 14,000 (2018).
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The "Small Castle" may lie in ruins, but the chapel next to it is still in one piece and, with its shapely curves and hilltop location, has become Kamnik's symbol. Entry into the chapel, featuring some 16th-century frescoes, but views from the hill over the red roofs of the town are free.
Literally the "Old Castle", this 13th-century structure now lies in ruins. Half the fun is the hike up the hill, through a forest and a meadow; keep an eye out for miniature cascade of water through pinwheels halfway up. Up top, you'll be rewarded with commanding views over the plains north to the Alps and south all the way to Ljubljana. The newest feature is a sightseeing platform that stands out and allows to reach farther out.
Kamnik's museum with permanent and occasional exhibitions.
The art branch of Kamnik's museum
Kamnik's best-known sight is this arboretum specializing in flowers from the Kamnik Alps (the mountains between Austria and Slovenia). It also hosts an exhibition of sculptures by Janez Boljka, open when the cafe is open on weekends.
This church replaced a church standing at the same place since 1207; after a fire and several earthquakes, this church was built in 1734. Even on the outside, you notice a particularity: five statutes decorating the top of the front wall. It contains paintings by F. Jelovšek and K. von Goldenstein, the oil paintings are created by Valentin Metzinger. During Christmas time, a nativity scene is on display.
First mentioned in 1423, the original St. Jacob's church has probably been dedicated in the high medieval age; the current buildings date back to the late 17th century when Jakob Schell ordered to build a Franciscan church and monastery. It has been built in the Italian baroque style, the works have finished 1703, although the building has only been santified in 1730.
It has served as a church since the 13th century, and was completely rebuilt in the 19th century. It was used as a fortified seat of the German military during World War II, and then rebuilt as a church by architect Majda Neřima and her teacher, famous architect Jože Plečnik (and is counted among the latter's most important oeuvres made after the war). Especially recognized by public: the sacristy.
A historic church with Gothic Revival frescos (the main one dating around 1504), it is on a plain above Črna/Stahovica, which also offers a great view (depending on the weather even towards Ljubljana)
First mentioned as early as 1143, this former Ursuline monastery has now been transferred to the municipality, the rich cultural heritage staying in place. The exact use of the location is still in discussion. When heading there, you may want to cross via the bridge on Cankarjeva cesta over the Nevljica river - it was built by the notable architect Jože Plečnik in his very distinct style.
A small lake and karst springs of the Kamniška Bistrica river; the lake is artificial, you will find the acutal springs when you look around the lake, the water comes out of the lime at different places.
If you like, when visiting Kamniška Bistrica spring, also take a walk to Predaselj valley, a steep and narrow valley which the river has cut into the rock.
The hike is about 50 minutes to go up. Besides the waterfall, you may access two commemoration sites with a small detour (10 minutes or so): an American pilot grave and a former partisan hospital (ruins and memorial information)
Kamfest is a summer arts festival held every year over a week or more in August at the grounds of the Mali grad and surroundings, with concerts, arts performances, workshops and other events.
During peak summer season, there is live music and food and drink stands in Park Evropa.
Velika planina (Big Alp) is Slovenia's biggest mountain pasture and offers some great views, hikes and also mountain bike tours (including freeride downhill). Bikes may be rented at the tourist information, however, if you plan tougher tours, especially down the hill, bring a suitable bike. In winter, you can also ski here. You can also walk over to Mala planina (Small Alp), where you find serviced mountain huts which also offer food and sleep possibilities (names and contact information in sleep section, please verify whether they are open before relying on them!)
Finding your way is not always easy, so you may want to bring a map with you. Kamniški vrh is a hike which is popular amongst locals for a short trip (you can reach it in 1 hr 30 min from Slevo, probably about 2 hr from the valley).
This saddle at the very northern end of the municipality offers a great view both to the South and to the North. On the latter, it is the boundary to Logarska dolina, a lovely greenish further valley, which separates you from the Austrian border (which is at about 3-4 km airline distance). You can hike in that direction via the hut "Frischaufov doma na Okrešlju" (1 hr 30 min from Kamniško sedlo, evelation 1396 m) The next peaks you can reach from here are Brana (1 hr 30 min to reach an elevation of 2252 m) and Planjava (2 hr to reach an elevation of 2394 m).
One of the higher mountains, consequently a more demanding hike.
Spa complex, 9 km out of town. Indoor and outdoor pools, water slides, dry and steam sauna, frigidarium (-5 °C), etc. Accessible on two buses a day on weekdays, but only one on Saturday and none on Sunday.
The municipal open air swimming pool, used by local clubs for training, too.
Home to contemporary culture, has theatre shows, concerts, etc. Visit website for program.
One of Ljubljana's golf courts is in the Kamnik municipality, next door to the park Arboretum.
Open air movie screenings in the arboretum park, confirmed for 2023, done for five years already. In greneral, movies are usually screened as original versions with Slovenian subtitles, but you might want to double check. Shown on a meadow, chairs available, but you can also bring something on your own. A small cafeteria with offerings is available. Tickets are sold at the ticket counter for Arboretum Volčji Potok, at the Domžale city cinema ticket counter and online at vstopnice.arboretum.si and www.kd-domzale.si and kd-domzale.mojekarte.si.
Climbing and trampoline halls, laser arena, sauna and salt chamber
A somewhat hip (for Kamnik measures) restaurant, with pizza and some changing dishes at lunchtime, and a bar at night. Friendly location at a street corner, so expect some traffic outside (although vision is shielded by a hedge and it has sufficient and nice inner seating).
On a quiet square, this café-style restaurant offers small meals and sweet options made from local ingredients.
Checkered red-and-white tablecloths and decent pizzas from a wood-fired oven. Some pastas and salads too.
Mexican food in the center of Kamnik, a friendly place, whose operators also run a gallery with local arts and crafts (Majolka). Free Wi-Fi.
regional cuisine, venison and fish
A mid-priced "burger hut". Neither a nice restaurant, nor a great location, but decent and timely made burgers.
A café, hosts monthly evens about people's stories (likely in Slovenian, though)
This is one of the most traditional coffee places and an important meeting place in Kamnik. It offers breakfasts, pancakes, quality coffee and tea and a good selection of cakes, in summer complemented by ice cream.
A friendly and nice cafe-bar, open during the day and evening, at a quite nice square and view of the mountains if sitting outside. Offers free WiFi to the guests.
It is just under "Mali Grad" with outside seating under nice old trees; you can watch the people passing by into the shopping street.
A friendly place in a rather residential area, fine for a coffee or a beer in the evening, mostly frequented by locals.
Also has some outdoor seating at the middle of the pedestrian zone, probably one of the best places for people watching.
Pub Pod Skalo is a part of the old house Pod Skalo and is one of the oldest bars in Kamnik. With an interesting interior, the pub illustrates rich history and development of the house and the surroundings. Refresh with a beer, have a coffee or enjoy ice cream in the summer on the terrace. In the evenings you can have fun playing table football, darts or listen to the local rock bands on occasional concerts. Pub is located across the road from the town`s swimming pool and next to the Hostel Pod Skalo.
It has a nice sunny view of the beginning of the pedestrian zone, under the ruins of "mali grad" (small castle). This pub offers a nice variety of beers and is loved by locals amongst others due to the nice and big terrace outside.
A small modern hostel under the Old Castle. Nine twin or double rooms and one triple room are available. Each room with a private bathroom and WiFi connection.
Bed and breakfast right next to the bus station.
Bed and breakfast in the heart of town, with views toward Mali grad from some rooms. Cable TV, fridge in each room. English spoken. The price includes a massive breakfast spread.
Seemingly operating again after some time of closure.
Traditional self-catering Alpine chalet with two bedrooms, large enough for six. Several kilometres north of town — you'll need a car to get here. Weekly rental from £395, shorter stays (min. 3 nights) also possible.
Cottages built in a modernized style of Velika Planina down in the valley not too far from the city centre.
Seems more like an apartment/hostel than a hotel, but a sleep place.
Kamp Alpe is in the Kamniška Bistrica valley, 8 km from Kamnik. Its tent and motorhomes sites can welcome up to 80 guests. Appropriate sanitation and electric at the sites will make your stay a comfortable and pleasant one from May to October.
Camping, hostel, a restaurant with local food, and a paintball facility.
This alpine is located at the source of Kamniška Bistrica in the homonymous valley. While it is intended to offer accommodation and meals and is operated by a local Alpine club chapter, it is (as of August 2025) under renovation and there is only a smaller offering of food and drinks (no sleeping possible) on the terrace, closed in case of rain.
A local arts and crafts shop which also sells a lot of goods suitable as gifts.
ceramics
An upcycling store.
The atelier and show of young local fashion designer Lara Bernot.
a shop for common outdoor products (e.g. for hiking) and spare time equipment
By train
SŽ has hourly commuter services from Ljubljana, taking about 40 minutes. There are three stations in Kamnik, with being the closest to the Old Town. There are no services on weekends or holidays.
By bus
Kam-Bus runs frequent services from Ljubljana (€3) and some limited direct services to other points nearby.
By car
Kamnik is accessible via highways A1 (Maribor - Ljubljana), exit Domžale, and A2 (Villach (Beljak)/Jesenice/Ljubljana), exit Vodice.
The town of Kamnik is easily covered on foot. The municipality spans wider and covers many of the mountainous areas around (nearly up to the Austrian border or around 20 km north to south and about 25 km east to west).
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Zgornji Brnik · International · LJU
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