Difference between revisions of "Kamnik"

Latest revision as of 00:31, 28 November 2012

Kamnik [1] is a town in Central Slovenia.

The rooftops of Kamnik from Mali grad

[edit] Understand

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. 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.

• Tourist Information Office, Glavni trg 2, ☎ +386 1 839 1470, [2]. 8 AM-4 PM weekdays, 8 AM-noon Sat; extended hours in summer. Now moved to the center of town, offers plenty of pamphlets on nearby attractions and one stand-up PC with a fast Internet hookup for hire.  edit

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

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

• Airport Taxi [3], +386 41 670216, taxibrnik@gmail.com.

[edit] By train

SŽ [4] has hourly commuter services from Ljubljana, taking about 40 minutes. There are three stations in Kamnik, with Kamnik-Mesto the closest to the Old Town. Note that there are no services on weekends or holidays.

[edit] By bus

Kam-Bus [5] runs frequent services from Ljubljana (€3) and some limited direct services to other points nearby. The bus station 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 5 AM until 11 PM and take just under an hour. On weekends, services are reduced to once per hour.

[edit] Get around

Kamnik is easily covered on foot.

[edit][add listing] See

The chapel of Mali grad rising above town

• Mali grad. 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, costs 300 SIT, but views from the hill over the red roofs of the town are free.  edit
• Stari grad, (30 min hike from trailhead off Maistrova ul). 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.  edit
• Medobčinski muzej Kamnik, (on the Zaprice Hill in the center), [6]. Kamnik's museum with permanent and occasional exhibitions.  edit
• Volčji potok, (4 km south of Kamnik), [7]. Kamnik's best-known sight is this arboretum specializing in flowers from the Kamnik Alps (the mountains between Austria and Slovenia).  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

The Kamfest [8] arts festival is held every year over several weeks in August at the grounds of the Mali grad, with concerts and arts performances.

• Terme Snovik, [9]. Spa complex, 9 km out of town. Indoor and outdoor pools, water slides, dry and steam sauna, frigidarium (-5°), etc. Accessible on two buses a day on weekdays, but only one on Sat and none on Sun. €10 for all day pass, additional €5 for sauna.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

Gostilna pri Bundru

• Gostilna pri Bundru, Medvedova 24 (north from Glavni trg). Old-school Slovenian pub with beer on a tap and a selection of meaty Slovenian favorites. Hearty fixed lunch sets €7.  edit
• Pizzeria Napoli, Sadnikarjeva 5 (off Glavni trg). Checkered red-and-white tablecloths and decent pizzas from a wood-fired oven. Some pastas and salads too. €5.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Kavarna Veronika, Glavni trg 6. A beautiful peaceful cafe, with plenty choices of tea, hot chocolate, coffee, lemonade and so on. They also offer breakfast and minor snacks such as toast and hot buns. The prices are reasonable (€1-2,5 for coffee, depending on the kind; €2,5 for non alcoholic fruit coctails). It is located right under Mali Grad.
• Pub Pod Skalo, Maistrova ul. 32. 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.
• Bar Pri Cesarju, Tunjiška 1. Bar and Coffee House Pri Cesarju has a rich history and tradition, its interior and exterior design will amaze you. It is situated around 300m north of the city center. Bar Pri Cesarju ages like wine, it only gets better.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Pure Slovenia, self catering chalet.

• Hostel Pod Skalo, Maistrova ul. 32, (info@hostel-kamnik.si). 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. From €23,50.  edit
• Penzion Špenko, Prešernova ulica 14c, ☎ +386 1 834 1523 (romanspenko@email.si). Bed and breakfast right next to the bus station. €27.  edit
• Prenočišča in Bar Kamrica, Trg Svobode 2, ☎ +386 1 831 7707 (kamrica.kamnik@siol.net). 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. €32.  edit
• Pure Slovenia, ☎ +44 1524 733935 (info@pureslovenia.com), [10]. Traditional self catering Alpine chalet with two bedrooms, large enough for six. Several km north of town — you'll need a car to get here. Weekly rental from £395, shorter stays (min. 3 nights) also possible.  edit

• Kamp Alpe, ☎ +386 31 226763 (matjaz@kamp-alpe.com), [11]. Kamp Alpe is located 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. It's eco friendly and free up to 4 nights for individual travellers.  edit
• Pri Cesarju, Tunjiška 1, ☎ +386 41 629846 (info@cesarski-dvor.si), [12]. Enjoy a striking destination inspired by the extraordinary landscape, melding the offerings of medieval spirit and outdoor recreation around unsurpassed beauty of the City of Kamnik. 300m from city centre. 36€.  edit

[edit] Contact

[edit] Get out