Where to stay in Maribor: centre or Lent

Maribor is Slovenia's second city, but it stays a small secret: no queues, gentle prices and an elegant provincial soul between the vineyard hills and the river Drava. Here grows the oldest grapevine in the world, still producing grapes after more than four centuries, and a quarter of an hour from the centre a cable car climbs Pohorje, among ski slopes and trails. It is a city to take slowly, and staying overnight, rather than passing through towards Ljubljana or Austria, lets you enjoy the squares in the evening and a glass of wine on the riverfront.

The centre is compact and done on foot, but the areas have different characters, from the old town to the mountain. Here is how they really feel, with indicative prices and the places worth having nearby.

Where to stay in Maribor, area by area

The old town centre

The heart turns around Glavni trg, the main square with the plague column and the town hall, a short walk from the Cathedral and Maribor Castle. Sleeping here means everything is on foot, among cafes, shops and monuments. It is the right call for a first-timer and for anyone who wants convenience and atmosphere, with prices that stay affordable.

• Glavni trg with the plague column
• Maribor Castle and its regional museum
• The Cathedral and the pedestrian streets
• The cafes and markets of the centre

To stay right in the centre, look for a stay in the heart of Maribor.

Lent, on the river Drava

Down towards the river, Lent is the oldest, most characterful quarter, the riverfront where the city's soul beats. Here stands the Old Vine House, home of the oldest grapevine in the world, and in summer the Lent Festival takes over, one of Europe's biggest open-air events. It is the area for anyone who loves atmosphere, wine and life by the river, with restaurants and terraces on the water.

• The Old Vine House, over four centuries of history
• The Water Tower and the old towers along the river
• The Synagogue, among the oldest in Europe
• Restaurants and terraces on the Lent riverfront

To sleep among river and wine, see stays towards Lent.

The hills: Piramida and Kalvarija

Above the city rise the vineyard hills of Piramida and Kalvarija, with their chapels, trails and the view over the rooftops and the Drava. It is the area for anyone after quiet, greenery and panoramas, steps away but above the noise of the centre, among vine rows and cellars.

• The climb to Piramida for sunset over the city
• The hill of Kalvarija with its chapels
• The cellars and vineyards around the city
• Panoramic trails a few minutes from the centre

For quiet and views among the vineyards, look for stays towards Piramida.

Pohorje

To the southwest, reached in minutes by the cable car, Pohorje is Maribor's mountain: ski slopes in winter, trails and bike paths in summer, with hotels and lodges deep in the woods. It is the choice for anyone who loves nature and sport, sleeping up high and dropping into the city by cable car in no time.

• The Pohorje cable car from the city to the mountain
• Ski slopes in winter, a resort right by the city
• Trails, lakes and downhill tracks in summer
• Mountain hotels and lodges in the forest

For nature and sport above the city, look for stays towards Pohorje.

What it costs

Indicative figures: Slovenia is around the average, and Maribor costs less than Ljubljana.

• A double room in a mid-range 3-4 star: roughly 60-100 euros a night.
• A dinner for two of Slovenian cooking with local wine: about 35-55 euros in a good restaurant.
• Coffee: around 1.50 euros; a glass of the local wine a few euros.
• Transport: the centre is done on foot, you do not need it.
• Tourist tax: 3.13 euros per person per night (2.50 tax plus a 25% promotional charge), with reductions for some categories. You pay it at your accommodation.

To get a real sense before you choose, compare current prices in Maribor.

Getting there and around

The nearest airport is Graz (GRZ), in Austria, about 60 km away. Further out are Ljubljana (LJU), about 130 km, and Zagreb (ZAG); the small Maribor airport has very limited flights. By train or bus you arrive easily from Ljubljana in about two hours and from Graz in about an hour. By car you arrive easily by motorway.

In town you do not need a car: the centre is compact and done on foot, and you ride the cable car up Pohorje. A car only helps for the wine roads and the surrounding hills.

When to go

• January-March: winter, a base for skiing on Pohorje, a quiet city with low prices.
• April-June: pleasant spring, green hills and mild weather, an excellent window.
• Late June to early July: the Lent Festival fills the riverfront with concerts and events, a unique atmosphere, rooms to book ahead.
• July-August: warm, an excellent base for Pohorje and hiking.
• September-October: harvest and wine festivals, with the symbolic picking from the Old Vine; maybe the best window.
• November-December: cool and quiet, markets and low prices.

Good to know

Centre or Lent? The centre for the squares and the castle; Lent for the river, the wine and the festival atmosphere. They are adjacent, minutes apart on foot.

Do I need a car in Maribor? Not in town, everything is on foot. Pohorje is reached by cable car; a car only helps for the wine roads.

Is it true the world's oldest grapevine is here? Yes, the Stara trta on Lent is over four hundred years old and still produces a small amount of wine each year.

How much is the tourist tax? 3.13 euros per person per night (2.50 plus a 25% promotional charge), with reductions for some categories.

How many days do I need? Two nights: one for the city, the castle and Lent, the other for Pohorje or a tour of the cellars.

Before you book, compare live prices in Maribor on Edenfinder and pick the area that fits your trip.