Take a trip to the wine region of Maribor, Slovenia
Maribor, Slovenia (ISO 100, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/80 s)
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**This post is the 3rd of a 7-post series discussing what to see on your Slovenian road trip (You can check out the other parts in the list below, separated by each city/region (just click the name to see the blog post. Everything is also summarized in another post here.**
Ljubljana (Blog Post: Why Ljubljana, Slovenia is such a wonderful country capital)
Ptuj (Blog Post: Check out the small Slovenia town of Ptuj)
Maribor (Blog Post: Take a trip to the wine region of Maribor, Slovenia)
Bled (Blog Post: Why Bled is the best city in Slovenia to visit)
Triglav National Park (Blog Post: The best places to see in Triglav National Park in Slovenia)
Piran (Blog Post: Why Piran is a hidden gem in Slovenia)
Slovenian Road Trip Summary (Blog Post: The Epic Slovenia Road Trip)
Maribor Castle, Maribor, Slovenia (ISO 100, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/60 s)
So quick story about how I came to hear about Maribor:
While I was living in Liverpool, I was taking the train to the airport. I was surrounded by 8 middle-aged men on the train, drinking beers and being quite loud. I kept quiet and they could see how uneasy I felt and offered me a beer, to which I politely declined. I could see that they were sporting football memorabilia from NK Maribor, who just happened to finish a game against Liverpool that day. I became less annoyed and found them to be respectful of my space on the train and it was to my surprise that they were taking the same flight as me, whereby we exchange waves and wished each other the best.
If you like some of my photos that you have come across, just know that I have many prints showcasing a variety of landscapes, including Slovenia, available for purchase below! (Sold as Posters, Canvas, or in Metal-Frames and Wooden-Frames).
It wasn’t until a few years later that I looked up the city more and made it a stop on my Slovenia road trip. It’s close to the smaller city of Ptuj and is the 2nd largest city in Slovenia. Its history is also similar to that of Ptuj, changing ownership many times until Slovenian independence in 1991.
Check out my drone video of Maribor, Slovenia below!
It even won the European Capital of Culture honor in 2012, along with the city of Guimarães in Portugal. The city has a spectacular waterfront area and an old town that is a delight to walk through and explore. You can find a Google map at the end of this post of all the places that I will talk about.
How to Get to Maribor, Slovenia
Whether you're traveling from Ljubljana, Graz, Vienna, or elsewhere, getting to Maribor is simple by train, bus, or car. Here's how to reach Maribor step by step:
Fly - There is no major international airport in Maribor itself, but several nearby airports provide access:
Maribor Edvard Rusjan Airport (MBX) – Located just 11 km south of Maribor, but with very limited commercial service.
Graz Airport (GRZ), Austria – ~60 km north; ~45 minutes by car
Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU) – ~130 km west; ~1.5–2 hours by car or train
Vienna International Airport (VIE) – ~250 km northeast; ~3 hours by car or train
From all of these airports, you can reach Maribor by train, bus, shuttle, or rental car.
Train - Maribor Train Station (Železniška postaja Maribor) is a major railway hub served by Slovenia’s national train operator, Slovenske železnice, and connects well with Austria via ÖBB.
From Ljubljana
Duration: ~2.5 hours
Route: Direct (Ljubljana → Maribor)
Frequency: ~12 trains daily
Train Type: InterCity and Regional
Cost: ~€9–13
From Graz, Austria
Duration: ~1 hour
Route: Graz Hbf → Spielfeld-Straß → Maribor
Frequency: ~6–8 trains per day
Operator: ÖBB + Slovenske železnice
Cost: ~€10–12
From Vienna
Duration: ~3.5–4 hours
Route: Vienna → Graz → Maribor
Frequency: ~6 connections per day
Operators: ÖBB + Slovenske železnice
Transfer: Required in Graz or Spielfeld-Straß
Bus - Maribor’s central bus station (Avtobusna postaja Maribor) is just a short walk from the train station and old town. Regional and international routes operate daily.
From Ljubljana
Operator: Nomago, FlixBus
Duration: ~2–2.5 hours
Frequency: Hourly or better
Cost: ~€9–12
Tickets: Buy onboard, at kiosks, or online
From Graz
Duration: ~1.5 hours
Frequency: ~4–6 buses per day
Operator: FlixBus
Cost: ~€8–10
From Vienna
Duration: ~4–4.5 hours
Operator: FlixBus
Frequency: ~2–3 buses daily
Cost: ~€15–20
Bus Notes: Nomago is the main domestic bus operator. Use the Nomago app or their website to check live timetables and buy digital tickets.
Car Rental - Driving to Maribor is quick and convenient from major cities:
From Ljubljana – 130 km via A1
Duration: ~1.5 hours
Toll: Vignette required (€16 for 7-day pass)
From Graz – 60 km via A9 → A4
Duration: ~45 minutes
Border crossing at Spielfeld/Sentilj
From Vienna – 250 km via A2 → A9 → A4
Duration: ~3 hours
Vignettes required for Austria and Slovenia
Parking in Maribor: Street parking in the center is metered. Many hotels offer free or private parking.
Taxi or Shuttle
From Graz Airport to Maribor:
Duration: ~45–50 minutes
Cost: ~€70–90 (taxi)
Shared shuttle: ~€25–35 (book ahead)
From Ljubljana Airport:
Duration: ~1.5–2 hours
Cost: ~€100–120 (taxi); ~€30–40 (shuttle service)
Tip: If arriving at a major airport, check if your hotel in Maribor offers private transfers or arrange one through GoOpti or Nomago Shuttle.
For some respite from the city noises, head on over to Maribor City Park. The landscaping of the park is excellent which includes an aquarium and terrarium. It is situated north of the Glavni Trg.
Maribor Castle, Maribor, Slovenia (ISO 400, 24 mm, f/8, 1/1600 s)
The Pyramid is also a spot in Maribor with great views of the entire city. From afar, this hill looks similar to what its name suggests. It takes about 20 minutes to ascend and is best at Golden Hour, sunrise, and sunset times. There are still remnants of the Upper Maribor Castle that used to be situated here centuries before.
Maribor, Slovenia (ISO 400, 55 mm, f/8, 1/640 s)
Yet another hill, overlooking Maribor is Kalvarija. The path to get here has you ascend through vineyards and a small green forest. The Church of St. Barbara is situated at the top of this hill, stnading 375 meters in elevation, reachable by 455 steps!
Vodni Stolp, Maribor, Slovenia (ISO 400, 45 mm, f/8, 1/800 s)
Vodni Stolp of the ‘Maribor Water Tower’ was built in the Renaissance era as a fortified tower, among the Maribor city walls that were erected at that time. It’s a five sided building, which is something I have rarely seen in my travels. It is nestled right along the waterline of the Drava river. Present day, this building is actually a wine shop and is perfect on a warm autumn day, just like the day I was there. From here, you can get a great view of the plum-colored Old Bridge.
Glavni Trg, Maribor, Slovenia (ISO 100, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/80 s)
Sodni Stolp (‘Judgement Tower’) is another fortified medieval tower, this time on the southwest corner of the Maribor city walls. The tower is multiple stories high but has been plagued by damage over the years (usually by fire). Between this one and Vodni Stolp, I recommend the latter more.
Franciscan Church of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia (ISO 100, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/60 s)
The Franciscan Church of Maribor (Basilica of Our Mother of Mercy) is most recognizable by its red brick façade. Like most buildings from this city, the structure was built in the 12th century originally as a monastery. Two towers and three naves were then added to the basilica between 1892 and 1900 by Viennese architect Richard Jordan.
Glavni Trg, Maribor, Slovenia (ISO 400, 24 mm, f/8, 1/1250 s)
Glavni Trg (‘The Main square’) is perhaps the most picturesque square in the city of Maribor. Sitting in this vicinity is the Town Hall and Aloysius Church, as well as the Plague Monument. This monument was erected in 1680 to signify the end of the Plague that claimed approximately one third of the city’s population. It is made entirely of marble and considered to be one of Joseph Straub’s (sculptor) most monumental works.
Glavni Trg, Maribor, Slovenia (ISO 100, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/80 s)
Slomskov trg is a city square, named after Bishop Slomšek (I assume ‘trg’ in Slovenian means ‘square’ in english). The buildings surrounding the square are majestic and architecturally stunning, giving it the classic old town vibe.
Specifically you can find the Maribor Cathedral (Stolna župnija Maribor) here as well. What started off as a Romanesque building in the 12th century, turned into a Gothic one in the 15th century. It is most recognizable by its 57 meter high bell tower which was actually as high as 76 meters but was struck by lightning in 1623. So the height was reduced.
Maribor Castle (Mariborski Grad) is more like a Baroque style mansion in the center of the city (now a museum). Built by Emperor Friderik III in the 15th century, it was turned into a residence over time. Some of the more notable constructive elements of the castle include: the Baroque stairway, the Loretto chapel, and the Festive Hall featuring various murals.
If you have the time, try to check out the small city of Ptuj that sits just East of Maribor. It is definitely a bit smaller but that makes it much easier to see in a day’s time (perfect for a day trip from Maribor).
