Kamnik is a medieval town in the foothills of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps about 25 km north-east of Ljubljana. The old centre around Glavni trg and Šutna Street keeps its Gothic and Baroque houses, and Mali Grad, the Little Castle, holds a Romanesque chapel with a rare two-storey design. The Franciscan monastery and its library are a short walk. Kamnik is also the gateway to the Kamniška Bistrica valley, from which a cable car and chairlift reach Velika Planina, a high alpine plateau of traditional herders' huts with shingled roofs and cows grazing in summer. The town is reached by bus in about 40 to 50 minutes, or by train in about 45 minutes. A full-day plan combines the old town in the morning with a Velika Planina walk, where trails from the upper chairlift station reach the Gradišče chapel in under an hour. Summer cheese, žganci and sour milk (kislo mleko) are served in huts. Weather above 1,500 m is cooler and changeable, so layers are necessary. The plateau is hard to reach in winter conditions.
| Distance | About 25 km north-east of Ljubljana |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 40 minutes |
| Getting there | Bus: intercity services from Ljubljana bus station (Avtobusna postaja Ljubljana), Trg OF 4, timetable at ap-ljubljana.si, about 40-50 minutes, roughly EUR 3.50-4.50 (~$4-5) each way |
| Cost | Bus about EUR 3.50-4.50 (~$4-5); Velika Planina cable car and chairlift tickets cost roughly EUR 15-25 depending on the lift; check velikaplanina.si |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Address | Glavni trg, 1241 Kamnik, Slovenia |
How to get there
- Train: SŽ regional trains from Ljubljana to Kamnik Mesto, about 45 minutes
- Car: about 30 minutes via the A2 and Domžale
- Velika Planina: bus or car to Kamniška Bistrica, then cable car and chairlift
Location
Glavni trg, 1241 Kamnik, Slovenia
46.2226, 14.6120 View on map
Highlights
- Walk Glavni trg and Šutna Street in the old town
- Visit the Romanesque chapel at Mali Grad
- Ride the cable car to Velika Planina
- See the shingle-roofed herders' huts
- Taste kislo mleko and cheese in a mountain hut
Tips for visiting
- Check lift operating times on velikaplanina.si before travelling.
- Bring a jacket; the plateau is much cooler than Ljubljana.
- Take the early bus for a full Velika Planina day.
- Wear proper walking shoes on plateau trails.
When to visit
June-October for Velika Planina; April-October for the town.
Accessibility
The old town is flat; Mali Grad is up a short hill. Velika Planina has uneven mountain trails.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get to Kamnik?
About 40 to 50 minutes by bus or 45 minutes by train from Ljubljana.
How is Velika Planina reached?
From Kamniška Bistrica by cable car and chairlift, or by a long hiking trail from the valley floor.
Can the town be seen without Velika Planina?
Yes. The old town and Mali Grad take a half day.