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Climbing Mount Nanos in Slovenia.

Mount Nanos is a mountain at nearly 1250 meters near the seaside of Slovenia in which you can find the four popular cities Koper, Izola, Portoroz, and Piran. These are the most expensive cities in Slovenia if you want to buy property, as everyone wants to have a property near the sea. Are you a tourist visiting one of those four cities, or are you in Ljubljana looking for somewhere to go hiking? Would you like to visit Mount Nanos? Is it a hard trip? Is it for children? How much time is needed? This article aims to give you all info you need on where to start, how to walk the trip, how much time is needed, and other useful advice.

First of all, the trip to Mount Nanos is a well-prepared trip and a very nice walk. There are different options concerning where to start the trip, but if you follow our advice, you should start from Razdrto Parking Lot. This parking lot is created for hikers and the ideal place to start walking.

mount nanos

The basic information about the trip.

Starting from Razdrto, you will start at about 550 meters above sea level. There are two natural ways from Razdrto to the top of Nanos, an easier (but longer), and a harder (but shorter) way. The shorter contains some minor climbing and a couple of situations where you need to hold onto iron ropes, but they do not require much experience and most people find them safe and cool.

The shorter road is 2,5km in total, while the easier road is about 4,8km. The easier road is without climbing and what some might refer to as dangerous areas, but it is a slow killer as it is 4,5km with continuous upward walking, making it really tiring for the legs.

The easy or the hard way?

As you start from Razdrto walk across the bridge. There you will see a map of the area. Walk to the left and then a small path will come up at your right side within a minute. Walk to the right and then follow this path for 600-700 meters. You will then see a sign on your right side showing you that you must turn right to walk the advanced (hard) way, or continue straight forward to walk the easy way. My personal advice is to walk the hard way towards the top and then return on the easier path.

If you follow the hard path, you are in for about 1,5 hours of walking. Walking without stopping might be faster, but if you take some breaks, it might turn into more.

The path is well-marked no matter your choice, so just follow the signs and you will get to the top. After you have reached the top there is a tourist cabin where you can get something to eat and drink before returning to the parking lot. If you plan on taking the easier path back to the parking lot, walk along the cliffs of Mount Nanos for at least 1 kilometer before the road takes a turn and you return towards the parking lot continuously downwards for a couple of kilometers.

climbing mount nanos

Is this trip suitable for kids?

You know your kids better than anyone. Are they used to walking? Do they enjoy climbing and challenges? If your answer is yes, they should be capable of doing this trip. If you don’t think they are capable of walking 7,5km on their own, then it can be very demanding to bring a kid on your back due to the climbing, so that is not recommended (unless you have a lot of experience climbing with a kid on your back). We know kids at an age of six who 100% enjoyed this trip, so it is fully possible.

How much time is needed to climb Mount Nanos?

According to the official signs, it should take about 100 minutes from Razdrto to the top of Nanos if you choose the hard path. That is a quite realistic estimation if you walk constantly without big stops. The return from Mount Nanos to Razdrto along the easier path (but longer) is estimated at around 120 minutes. If you add all this up, the trip should take approximately 4 hours.

I have done the trip in three hours myself, but then it was only with a few drinking stops, so you should probably plan to use more time so that can enjoy the view, take longer breaks, and grab something to eat on the top.

mount nanos with kids

When is the best time to climb Mount Nanos?

The hard path is dangerous when it is wet, cold, icy, and snowy, so it is not recommended in the winter (unless it is a mild winter without much snow and ice). It is easier to fall if the stones are wet, so you should try to avoid very cold and wet days. It can also get muddy if there is a lot of rain, which isn’t ideal either.

If the temperature is 30 Celsius in Koper, then you can expect the temperature to be 5 degrees colder at Razdrto and maybe as much as 10 Celsius colder on the top. But, if the sun is shining on a warm summer day, climbing Mount Nanos is extremely demanding as there is little shade and you will sweat like a pig. In other words, if you want to climb Mount Nanos on a warm summer day, start extremely early (between 6:00-7:00 from Razdrto) as you will then avoid the strongest heat.

What temperatures can I expect at the top of Nanos?

We have already described it earlier in the article, but you can take a look at https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Nanos-Slovenia/forecasts/1313 to find a more detailed forecast for the upcoming days.

soon at the top of mount nanos

How much do I have to pay to park my car at Razdrto?

The parking lot made for Razdrto hikers is free, meaning you can leave your car there without paying. You shouldn’t leave valuables in your car, as the car is left unprotected during your walk.

How do I know the difference between the steep and the gentle path?

When you see the signs, the steep path is marked as “strma” while the gentle path is marked with “polozna.”

Is there somewhere I can buy something to eat or use a toilet on the top?

There is a hut on the top named “Vojkova Koča.” This is normally open; you buy something to eat and drink and use the toilet here. This building has been under renovation for quite a while, as of 2022-2023, but hopefully, it will be open as normal by the time you reach the top of Mount Nanos.

How far is Razdrto from the seaside?

If you live in Koper, you need approximately 25 minutes of driving to reach the Razdrto parking. From Izola, 35 minutes is needed, while you should add 15 more minutes if you live in Piran or Portoroz.

Will Netflix work as I visit Ljubljana?

Ljubljana is an amazing city, but after a long day visiting all parts of the city and discovering the interesting attractions the town has to offer, you might feel like watching something on Netflix before you go to bed. But, will Netflix work as you come to Ljubljana and Slovenia?

First of all, Netflix is available in Slovenia and in Ljubljana. And you do not need a new subscription to Netflix as you come to Slovenia, you can use your existing Netflix subscription and start streaming without any trouble or difficulties.

You might discover that what you see on Netflix during your stay in Slovenia is different from what you see on Netflix in your own country. That is due to copyright regulations, meaning that Netflix cannot stream the same content in all regions. As a result, they have the right to show one movie on Netflix in Slovenia, but they have not received the license to show the same movie on Netflix in Germany. Therefore, you will quickly discover that there are differences when it comes to content as you visit Slovenia. But, that might just as well be interesting, as you get the chance to see new content on Netflix that you cannot stream in your home region.

Do not forget about your security!

You wouldn’t walk with your wallet hanging out of your pocket as you walk the streets of Ljubljana. You might, but it will greatly increase the risk of someone trying to steal your money. In the same way, you wouldn’t leave your laptop out on a table and leave it there throughout the day… and you wouldn’t surf using open WiFi networks without encryption, as it can make it really easy for hackers to get access to your private information.

For this reason, lots of people use VPN subscriptions in order to keep them safe while using the open WiFi networks available in their hotel, in their apartments, or at the restaurant they are currently sitting in during their stay in Ljubljana. This is great, and we do support the usage of VPN services to stay safe online.

But, if you try to watch Netflix while using a VPN in Slovenia, you are very likely to see an error message looking something like this (here we have used the VPN services of ExpressVPN and connecting to their server in Slovenia):

Error code if you try to watch Netflix in Slovenia using a VPN
Error code if you try to watch Netflix in Slovenia using a VPN

As you can see at the picture above, we got an error message titled M7111-5059. This is a message telling you that you cannot stream Netflix because you are using a VPN. What does this mean? Do you have to compromise your online security in order to watch Netflix during your stay in Ljubljana? In a way, it does – but, there are ways in which you can get access to Netflix while using a VPN, you just have to choose the right VPN provider. For information on one VPN provider that will help you stay safe online and unblock Netflix at the same time, check this article.

What if I find some content on Netflix in Slovenia that I want to watch at home?

Now, that is a brilliant question, and we have got to admit that we have no clue about such a service. If you want to use a VPN that will let you watch Netflix in Slovenia, you will have to connect to a server in some other nation that will give you access to that nations Netflix (and not Slovenian Netflix).

This is therefore a two-sided story. You can not get access to Slovenian Netflix outside Slovenia (using a VPN), and you can not watch Slovenian Netflix in Slovenia using a VPN. That is a pity for those who need to use a VPN because they have to stay safe online, because they are forced to watch some other Netflix region instead of their own home region.

But, again – why watch Netflix in Ljubljana?

If you have spent both time and money at getting to Ljubljana, why spend much time in front of the monitor watching Netflix? You should be out there tasting the local cuisine three times a day, visiting all the attractions and museums the city has to offer, you can jump on the train and visit other interesting cities and places in Slovenia, and you should visit the local markets to taste and buy local groceries, vegetables, and fruits.

And do not forget that the beautiful city of Zagreb is only 90 minutes from Ljubljana with a car, so you can easily do a day-trip to Zagreb and discover that city as well. So, why binge-watch on Netflix in Slovenia, when you can discover the world instead? You will have plenty of time to stream Netflix content once you are safe at home again!

Christmas market in Ljubljana 2017

Are you planning a trip to Ljubljana before Christmas to experience the cities beautiful Christmas markets? This year the Christmas markets will be open from December 1st, 2017, until January 2nd, 2018.

Ljubljana is still living in the shadows of the Christmas markets in Zagreb, Vienna, and Budapest, but it is getting and better for every year passing by. It is also getting more and more popular to do so called Christmas market trips to new cities before Christmas, meaning that the importance of quality markets is getting bigger and bigger.

Christmas market in Ljubljana 2017
Enjoy the wonderful Christmas atmosphere in Ljubljana – By Matej Kastelic / Shutterstock

The Christmas markets in Ljubljana are mostly organized in the very heart of the town, so if you walk around in the center, you will for sure discover everything within a couple of minutes.

At the Christmas markets, you can buy hot drinks, cold drinks, lots of warm and cold food, and of course buy hand-made souvenirs. Do not forget to check out the Christmas markets by night, as they are beautiful when the lights are turned on in the evening.

Ljubljana Christmas markets 2017

December 1st, 2017 – January 2nd, 2018
Breg and Cankarjevo nabrežje embankments, Prešernov  square

Do you have any further comments or questions related to the Christmas markets in Ljubljana? Use the comment field beneath!

Come to Ljubljana when you visit Zagreb

Just recently Lonely Planet awarded Zagreb at the top of their list presenting cities to visit in Europe in 2017. We just recommend you to come visit Ljubljana on a day-trip during your stay in Zagreb!

Zagreb and Ljubljana are both European capitals that have lived in the shadow of more famous cities such as Budapest, Vienna and Prague. But, the win is blowing in another direction now, and that can be proved by the latest recommendation made by Lonely Planet as they recommend Zagreb as the number one place to visit in Europe in 2017.

Visit the city of LJubljana
Do you understand why you need to visit Ljubljana now?

We must say that Ljubljana is just as nice as Zagreb (and probably even nicer), but if you decide to follow the recommendation made by Lonely Planet, then we suggest that you at least book a hotel for an extra day so that you will have time to visit Ljubljana as well.

The Slovenian capital is only 1,5 hours from Zagreb, so it is easy to depart from Zagreb in the morning and upon arrival to Ljubljana you enjoy a delicious Slovenian lunch. After that you discover the beauties of the city, visit the castle, eat some ice cream and then have an early supper before departing for Zagreb again. It will be a beautiful day to remember for a long time, and maybe you decide afterwards that you need more time in Ljubljana, and thus your next travel will be to the Slovenian capital, for 2-3-4 days (at least).

If you want to know more about Zagreb, then you can find lots of information about the city in the Zagreb Guide.

Have you got a question about Ljubljana? Look around in our Ljubljana Guide, or use the comment field beneath!

Andre Rieu Ljubljana 2017

On June 14th Andre Rieu will come to Ljubljana to perform in the Stozice Arena. This will start four days with concerts, a story that will end in Vienna on June 17th.

When Andre Rieu comes to Ljublana he will not be very far from home. He is further away from home than most people might think, because even though many people believe Andre Rieu to come from Austria, he was in fact born in Maastricht in the Netherlands. That is also why he will do loads of performances in Maastricht in 2017. But, before he gets that far he will perform in Ljubljana on June 14th, then in Zagreb on June 15th, in Budapest on June 16th and then in Vienna on June 17th. In each city he will fill beautiful venues to the full with lovers of classical music. If you would like to be there in the audience as Andre Rieu comes to Ljubljana on June 14th, then you can buy tickets using the link beneath.

Andre Rieu Ljubljana 2017
Andre Rieu Ljubljana 2017

Andre Rieu concert in Ljubljana 2017

Stozice Arena
June 14th, 20.00

Tickets: Viagogo

If you come to Ljubljana then there are loads of attractions worth checking out while in town. But, if you have some days off, then why not do some day excursions to discover even more beauties in the nation of Slovenia? You can read about lots of activities and attractions here in our Ljubljana Guide!

Christmas and New Years Eve in Ljubljana

Are you coming to Ljubljana for Christmas or for New Years? Wonder what’s going on in Ljubljana in this period? Here are some of the highlights!

As you might know this is a fantastic time to travel and an awesome season to visit Ljubljana. In the weeks before Christmas visitors can enjoy the magnificent Christmas markets in Ljubljana and stand in awe at the beautiful lights the city has to show. But, are there any special programs worth checking out if you come to Ljubljana on December 24th or maybe on December 31st? Or in  between the two dates?

christmas-and-new-years-eve-in-ljubljana
Anze Mulec / Shutterstock.com

Programs in Ljubljana around Christmas and New Years Eve

Programs on December 24th

On December 24th there is a fantastic open-air concert with great musicians in Ljubljana. Could there be a better way to celebrate Christmas than outdoors with lots of other people? In 2016 this event will be arranged at Mestni trg square and the concert itself will start at 17.00.

Programs between Christmas and New Years in Ljubljana

The coolest event in this period will be arranged between December 26th and December 30th. This is called the Grandpa Frost procession. This guy is quite similar to Santa Claus and he is drawn in his carriage by real Lippizianer horses. He is also surrounded by other fairy tale creatures, making this a real heaven for kids and families. The carriage will visit areas such as Breg, Cobblers’ Bridge, Town Square, Stritarjeva Street, Prešeren Square and the Congress Square. On the days between December 26th and December 30th this procession will start at 17.00.

New Years Eve in Ljubljana

There will be some open-air programs in Ljubljana on New Years Eve as well. The most important square to visit is Kongresni trg square where there will be programs on stage from 16.00 on the last day of the year. From 21.00 there will also be programs at Trg francoske revolucije and at Mestni trg square. As the new year starts there will be fireworks sent up from these squares, so make sure to be outdoors so that you can enjoy the start of 2017 on one of these squares in Ljubljana!

Do you want to know more about what’s going on in Vienna for Christmas? Or maybe in Zagreb? Click the links to find out more about those beautiful cities not far away from Ljubljana!

We wish all our readers and visitors a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

 

 

Depeche Mode concert in Ljubljana on May 14th 2017

Ljubljana is a fantastic city, but it is not often that the biggest and most popular bands come to the city. That is why the joy is enormous as Depeche Mode will come to Ljubljana on May 14th in 2017 to perform.

As you look at the different cities Depeche Mode will visit during their concert tour one can quickly understand that they will visit quite a lot of cities not so typically visited. A few days after their concert in Ljubljana the band will travel to Malakassa in Greece and after that their road goes to Bratislava in Slovakia. Neither city is known for their extreme musical life, but there is little doubt about the fact that the venues will be packed with people in all these cities as Depeche Mode comes to visit.

On May 14th you can expect nice spring weather in Ljubljana and if you are lucky you can walk around in shorts and a t-shirt outside. But  at 19.00 when the Depeche Mode concert starts in Ljubljana you should probably wear some more clothes. It will for sure not be cold among the love of all the Depeche Mode fans in place, but still you can at least expect colder temperatures as you leave the Stozice Arena once the concert is finished.

As you might already know the Stozice Arena is a fantastic concert venue in Ljubljana. They started its construction in 2009 and since then it has given home to lots of basketball matches, volleyball matches and of course concerts. The max capacity of the venue is a little bit less than 15,000 people, so that is what you can expect if you decide to be there at the Depeche Mode concert in Ljubljana on May 14th in 2017.

depeche-mode-concert-in-ljubljana
Ivica Drusany / Shutterstock.com

Depeche Mode concert in Ljubljana 2017

Venue: Stozice Arena
Date: May 14th, 19.00

Tickets:  Viagogo

At the ticket site above you can buy tickets not only for the Depeche Mode concert in Ljubljana. You can get tickets for all their other concerts in 2017, so if you are eager to enjoy Depeche Mode live more than once, this is your chance.

Would you like to know more about what’s going on in Ljubljana or maybe you want to know more about the most famous attractions? Look around in our Ljubljana Guide for all the information you need!

Christmas markets in Ljubljana in 2016

Ljubljana is a magnificent city all year around, but especially around Christmas with the beautiful lights and the annual Christmas markets.

There will be Christmas markets in Ljubljana in 2016 as well. There is no need to worry. Ljubljana is an extravagant city all year around, but of course the Christmas markets make the city even more magnificent.

There are several Christmas markets in Ljubljana, and a very important day in the calendar this year is November 25th. This is the opening date for the Christmas markets in Ljubljana, and exactly at 17.15 the Christmas lights will be turned on at the Christmas market and the Christmas streets all around in Ljubljana. This is a fantastic event, so make sure to be outdoors to check it out on November 25th!

christmas-market-in-ljubljana-in-2016
Come to Ljubljana for the Christmas markets in 2016

The open air Christmas markets in Ljubljana will open on November 25th and they will remain open and available until January 1st, 2017. As a result you will be able to enjoy the atmosphere and joy of some Christmas market shopping, even if you arrive to Ljubljana between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.

It should be mentioned that there will be a small Christmas fair at the Prešernov trg square between December 3rd and December 6th. If you are in Ljubljana during this period, make sure to check it out!

Christmas markets in Ljubljana in 2016

Dates: November 25th, 2016 – January 1st, 2017

Location: Center of Ljubljana and Prešernov trg square

Are you looking forward to the Christmas markets in Ljubljana? Have you got a question? Or maybe you have been there and want to write a few words about how you liked the markets? Use the comment field beneath!

If you have more time to spare read other articles in our Ljubljana Guide about what’s going on in Ljubljana and other recommended activities. You could also consider traveling to Zagreb to check out the Christmas markets there on a day trip from Ljubljana!

Jean Michel Jarre concert in Ljubljana

Jean Michel Jarre in LjubljanaJust before the Christmas rush sets in you are welcome to relax and enjoy a Jean Michel Jarre concert in Ljubljana. This fantastic musician with his special effects will come to Stocize Arena in Ljubljana to perform on November 15th, and the concert itself will start around 20.00.

Jean Michel Jarre is a very well known musician all around the world. He might have seen brighter days when it comes to popularity, but he still has fans all around the world, making sure that he fills up venues when he travels to perform in all the nations of the world.

We are really happy about the fact that Jean Michel Jarre will come to Ljubljana in 2016 and on November 15th you can as we wrote see and hear him in the Stocize Arena. If you want to be there yourself then you can buy tickets for the event from Viagogo.

There are lots of nice places to visit while in Ljubljana, and you can read more about the most famous attractions, the interesting markets and of course get suggestions for places to eat and where to stay here in our Ljubljana Guide.

If you have any questions or comments related to your Ljubljana stay or the concert, just use the comment field beneath.

Our Ljubljana Guide is now finished

We have been working on it for a while, but now we can say that our Ljubljana Guide is basically finished. It does not mean that we will not update it anymore, but it simply means that the basic information that any city guide should contain can now be found here.

We will in the future of course write lots of articles about upcoming concerts and events in Ljubljana, we will create top lists and recommendations lists and come up with interesting articles, but if you are looking for basic information about the most important attractions in Ljubljana, the coolest activities, about the public transportation, get ideas for restaurants or maybe find advises on where to stay, then all that information can now be found in our Ljubljana Guide.

We hope you will enjoy your visit to our website and we wish you a very pleasant stay in Ljubljana!