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Kamnik - city in Slovenia

Kamnik (dead link: January 2023) 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 10,000.

The rooftops of Kamnik from Mali grad

Understand

While there is some modern sprawl to the south, the medieval Old Town (Staro mesto) has been wonderfully preserved and makes this town well worth a visit.

Orienting yourself in Kamnik is easy enough. Most medieval buildings line the pedestrian street of Šutna, and its northern end lie Mali grad and the city square of Glavni trg. To the east runs the Kamniška Bistrica river and across it are the ruins of the Old Castle.

You can get further information, leaflets and a map of the municipality in the Tourist Information Office, Glavni trg 2, 46.2256717°, 14.6117314°, +386-1-8318250, tic@visitkamnik.com. M-F 09:00-16:00, Sa Su 09:00-17:00; in summer - 20:00. 2020-06-11, which also has a computer for internet access (payable) and offers high quality maps of the municipality (which includes most of the surrounding mountains, free of charge) and rents out bikes.

Get in

Medvedova ulica in a sunny setting just after a rain shower

By plane

Kamnik is 15 km away from Ljubljana's Brnik Airport. A taxi costs around €25.

By train

SŽ has hourly commuter services from Ljubljana, taking about 40 minutes. There are three stations in Kamnik, with Kamnik-Mesto train station, 46.2249301°, 14.609275°. 2016-08-25 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. The bus station (avtobusna postaja Kamnik), 46.2255272°, 14.6136564°. 2016-08-25 is very centrally located at the edge of the old town, and there's a map to orient yourself as you exit. On weekdays, buses leave every 15-30 minutes from 05:00 until 24:00 and take just under an hour. On weekends, services are reduced to once per hour.

By car

Kamnik is accessible via highways A1 (Maribor - Ljubljana), exit Domžale, and A2 (Villach (Beljak)/Jesenice/Ljubljana), exit Vodice. Parking is payable and mostly time-limited in the very center, but if you go somewhat outside, you may park for longer, at some places even for free.

Get around

The town of Kamnik is easily covered on foot.<br/> 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). Most settlements and places within the valleys are accessible by public bus, the network is operated by KamBus, please be aware that services are regular and reliable but not frequent. Biking is quite popular amongst the sporty people (you can rent bikes at the tourist information). Most areas are easily accessible by car, although parking is not always easy.

The mountains are great for hiking, Slovenia's biggest Alp Velika Planina is accessible via cable car base station (nihalka na Veliko planino), 46.30496°, 14.60796°, +386 1 832 72 58. 2016-10-17. Mountain roads are mostly service roads only, closed to public traffic.

See

The chapel of Mali grad rising above town

Old Town

It roughly covers the area from the southern end of Šutna (pedestrian zone), over glavni trg, up to medvedova ulica in the northern part of the city center (including some of the side roads) and offers many very nice historic buildings.

  • Mali grad, 46.224567°, 14.611944°. 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.
  • Stari grad, 46.223991°, 14.6167272°. 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.
  • Medobčinski muzej Kamnik, Musejska pot (on the Zaprice Hill in the centre (go the pedestrian street Šutna up to the southernmost end, where you hit the main road, turn right, cross the rails and walk up the hill)), 46.2233069°, 14.6056249°, +386 1 8317 647. Kamnik's museum with permanent and occasional exhibitions.
  • Galerija Miha Maleš, 46.2255106°, 14.6119994°, +386 1 8317 647. The art branch of Kamnik's museum
  • Volčji potok arboretum, 46.185113°, 14.6064408°. March: 08:00-18:00, April - August: 08:00-20:00, September: 08:00-19:00, 1 October – 29 October: 08:00-18:00, 30 October – 4 December: 08:00-16:30, 5 December - 24 February: 08:00-16:00. 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.

Churches

  • Cerkev Marijinega brezmadežnega spočetja (church of Mary's immaculate reception), Šutna (somewhat north of house no. 23), 46.2233561°, 14.6089572°. The current church has replaced a church standing at the exact same place since 1207; after a fire and several earthquakes, the current church has been 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. 2016-08-25
  • Cerkev sv. Jakoba in frančiškanski samostan (St. Jacob's church and Franciscan monastery), Frančiškanski trg 2, 46.2260269°, 14.6110247°. 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. 2016-11-12

Out of the core town

Churches and monasteries

  • Cerkev sv. Benedikta, Zagorica nad Kamnikom 11 (at the very northern end of Zgorne Stranje, access is already via the next settlement), 46.2584542°, 14.6020424°. 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. 2016-11-09
  • Sveti Primož nad Kamnikom, 46.2688228°, 14.6340229°. 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) 2016-11-09
  • Mekinje Ursuline monastery, Polčeva pot (more or less at the upper end), 46.2346757°, 14.6154644°. 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. 2017-04-23

Nature

  • Kamniška Bistrica spring, 46.3273859°, 14.5900501°. 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. 2017-11-05
  • Predaselj valley, 46.3199647°, 14.5968354°. 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. 2016-11-12
  • Slap orglice (small organ waterfall), 46.3332711°, 14.6187529°. 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) 2016-11-12

Do

  • Kamfest. 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. 2018-10-14
  • Kul petek (Culinary Friday), 46.2245829°, 14.6105236°, +386 1 8318 250. Fridays starting 19:00 (ends on August 18, 2018). During peak summer season, there is live music and food and drink stands in Park Evropa. 2018-07-06
  • Go hiking or biking in the Alps, some of the options are:
    • Big Pasture Plateau (Velika Planina), 46.2959357°, 14.6520101°, +386 1 832 72 58, info@velikaplanina.si. 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!) 2016-11-13
    • Kamniški vrh, 46.2879538°, 14.5798208°. 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). 2016-11-09
    • Kamniško sedlo, 46.3596064°, 14.5979924°. 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). 2016-11-13
    • Grintovec, 46.3577076°, 14.5352155°. One of the higher mountains, consequently a more demanding hike. 2016-11-13
  • If you want to go skiing or biking in a park, head to Krvavec (which is in the neighboring municipality, Cerklje na Gorenjskem).
  • Terme Snovik, Snovik 7, SI-1219 Laze in Tuhinju, 46.226703°, 14.704293°, +386 1 83 44 100. 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. €10 for all day pass, additional €5 for sauna
  • Letni bazen pod skalco ((municipal open air swimming pool)), Maistrova ulica 15 (just out of the center into the Nevljica valley (road towards Vrhpolje pri Kamniku)), 46.2273919°, 14.6188636°. only open in summer, usually around 10-18 (have to check locally). The municipal swimming pool, used by local clubs for training, too. 2021-07-04
  • Tunjice zdravilni gaj (holistic healing grove), Tunjice 12 (drive by car: coming out of the city center, you turn left into the road "Tunjiska cesta" (follow the sign for Tunjice), the grove is in the village, ca. 4 km from Kamnik, in the village follow the signs for "Zdravilni gaj"), +386 1 831 70 85, info@zdravilnigaj.si. Daily 10:00-17:00, closed on public holidays. 2016-11-13
  • Dom Kulture Kamnik, Fužine 10, 46.2309505°, 14.6096686°, +386 1 8318 226, info@domkulture.org. Home to contemporary culture, has theatre shows, concerts, etc. Visit website for program. 2016-08-25
  • Golf Arboretum, Volčji Potok 43G, 1235 Radomlje, 46.194775°, 14.610057°, +386 1 831 80 80. One of Ljubljana's golf courts is in the Kamnik municipality, next door to the park Arboretum. 2016-11-12
  • Kraljev hrib paintball, Kamniška Bistrica 2, 1242 Stahovica (down the Kamniška Bistrica valley, follow the dirt road opposite of the lower station of the cable car), 46.30519°, 14.61122°. 2022-04-21

Work

While Kamnik is rather small, it is home to a small but very friendly coworking scene, in KIKštarter at the southern end of the former chemical/explosive plant (address: Fužine 9, next to the cultural center). Possibilities for employment are rather rare, if you look for them, rather head to Ljubljana as the next bigger city.

Buy

The passing of time has not left Kamnik untouched, and many local shops, especially in the pedestrian area have closed. However, from time to time, new shops open. And there still are some small shops the central area, which extends somewhat south further down from Šutna and around Glavni trg, to some extent also north on Medvedova. On the side roads, there are some shops that are not obvious from the main roads.

The food market at Kamniška tržnica, 46.226028°, 14.6139515°. 2016-10-23 operates on Tuesdays and Saturdays, starting at 07:00 and running up to 14:00 in winter, 17:00 in summer (i.e. April through September) and, although small, offers a good choice of delicious local products.

Supermarkets are easily available at most parts of the city and are two shopping malls in the south of the city (Mercator Hipermarket, Kovinarska cesta 36, 46.2137962°, 14.6020027°. 2016-09-11 and Qlandia, Domžalska cesta 3, 46.1990289°, 14.5962774°. 2016-09-11).

Arts, crafts and gifts

Clothes and attire

  • Atelje Lara Bernot, Usnjarska 9. M-F 09:00-14:00. The atelier and show of young local fashion designer Lara Bernot. 2016-11-12

Sports and outdoor

Eat

  • Korobač, Trg svobode 1, 46.2216411°, 14.6060689°, +386 599 03307, kamniski.original@gmail.com. 10:00-22:00 (serving and delivering lunch 11:00-16:00). 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). 2020-06-15
  • Pri podkvi, Trg svobode 1 (just around the corner from main square), 46.2251747°, 14.6122886°, +386 51 217 379. 09:00-21:00. On a quiet square, this café-style restaurant offers small meals and sweet options made from local ingredients. 2020-06-15
  • Pizzeria Napoli, Sadnikarjeva 5 (from Glavni trg, head south towards the pedestrian zone and just after the hill turn into the road at your left, which goes somewhat down), 46.2241452°, 14.6107494°. Checkered red-and-white tablecloths and decent pizzas from a wood-fired oven. Some pastas and salads too. €5
  • Pri Cesarju, Tunjiška 1, 46.2291279°, 14.6108391°, +386 41 629 846. 2016-09-11
  • La Piñata, Maistrova 11, 46.2259096°, 14.6130212°, +386 31 856 372, info@lapinata.si. M,Tu 10-15, W-F 10-22, Su 12-17, Sa closed. 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. 2020-06-29

Out of the town centre:

In Duplica (the rather industrial/commercial southern part of the town):

  • 7 Burger, Ljubljanska cesta 45 (located more or less on the parking lot of the Hofer super market (next to the roundabout at the southern entrance to Kamnik)), 46.19959°, 14.59442°, +386 70 720 120. M-Th 09:00-20:00, F 09:00-00:00, Sa 12:00-00:00, closed on Su. A mid-priced "burger hut". Neither a nice restaurant, nor a great location, but decent and timely made burgers. €4-5 per burger + about €2 per side dish 2017-04-20

On Velika Planina and Mala Planina:

  • The huts mentioned in the Sleep section also offer food!
  • {{eat | name=Jarski dom | alt= | url=http://www.jarski-dom.si/ (dead link: December 2020) | email= | address=Žaga 14, 1242 Stahovica | lat=46.2873478 | long= 14.6608227 | directions= | phone=+386 41 676 254 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2016-11-13 | content= }}

Drink

Cafés:

Café-bars:

  • Bar pri Maistru, Trg talcev 8 (slightly north of the main square and pedestrian zone), 46.2270579°, 14.6110917°, +386 31 749 975. 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. 2017-11-04
  • Pod gradom, Sadnikarjeva 1a (at the northern end of the pedestrian zone Šutna, near the train station "Kamnik Mesto"), 46.2244325°, 14.6106736°, +386 41 556 100. It is just under "Mali Grad" with outside seating under nice old trees; you can watch the people passing by into the shopping street. 2017-11-04
  • {{drink | name=Bar Strelček | alt= | url=https://www.facebook.com/Strelcek/ (dead link: December 2020) | email= | address=Murnova 3 | lat=46.2194263| long=14.6033401 | directions=near the main train station, which is at the southern end of the center | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | lastedit=2017-11-04 | content=A friendly place in a rather residential area, fine for a coffee or a beer in the evening, mostly frequented by locals. }}
  • Paradiso, Šutna 32 (at the pedestrian road "Šutna", opposite the church "cerver Marijinega brezmadežnega spočetja" (Mary's immaculate conception)), 46.2236670°, 14.6086798°. Also has some outdoor seating at the middle of the pedestrian zone, probably one of the best places for people watching. 2017-11-04

Pubs:

  • Pub Pod Skalo, Maistrova ul. 32 (from the central bus station head over the bridge and follow the main street slightly towards the left, the pub/hostel is the first building on the right hand side), 46.227303°, 14.6194651°. 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. 2016-09-11
  • Pod Gradom, Sadnikarjeva ulica 1a (just off Samčev predor/the beginning of Šutna), 46.2244325°, 14.6106736°, +386 41 556 100. 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. 2019-04-15

There are local craft beer breweries: Maister and Mali grad

Sleep

A street in Kamnik

Outside of the town centre

Camping:

Connect

The post office, Glavni trg 27 (is just off Glavni trg (the central square), you will easily see the yellow sign.), 46.2258988°, 14.6118138°. 2016-09-11 There are no internet cafes in town. However, some cafes offer free Wi-Fi (e.g. Majolka, see eat section).

Go next

Cities:

  • Ljubljana - Slovenia's capital and cultural and economic centre
  • Kranj - the third out of the formerly three competing cities of the region (Kamnik, Ljubljana, Kranj), now also mostly a suburb to Ljubljana, but having a nice location and a great old city centre
  • Maribor - the second bigger city in Slovenia, nicely located at the Drava river, European Capital of Culture 2012, with a very nice city core
  • Celje – Slovenia's third biggest city, dating back to Hallstadt era and showing settlement also in Roman times, it is still home to a nice old town while being similarly sleepy as Kamnik, can be reached by a slow but nice drive through one of the two valleys heading Eastwads
  • Škofja Loka - another of the somewhat bigger cities in Slovenia having a great Medieval old town Nature and sports and to some extent history of the region:
  • Cerklje na Gorenjskem (West of Kamnik) with Krvavec (one of the more notable mountains, home to a ski resort in winter and bike park in summer) is "just over the hills"
  • Luče the municipality just north-north-east of Kamnik which has some nice mountains and smaller sights (such as for example a very old, still operational water mill)
  • Solčava/Logarska Dolina (North of Kamnik and Luče), often also dubbed the Green Valley, is the last valley in Slovenia south of the Austrian border in the region. Near in kilometers but some passes and hence quite some time away. Old farms and village cores are worth seeing.

Kamnik

kamnik.si
Postal code:1240Date Time:Please wait...Timezone:Europe/LjubljanaPopulation:13,880Coordinates:46.23, 14.61

Kamnik

Primary administrative division

Slovenia

gov.si
Population:2.1 MDial code:+386Currency:Euro (EUR)Voltage:230 V, 50 Hz