In a country that prides itself on charming villages, elegant squares and some of the most gorgeous towns in Europe, the word ‘beautiful’ can perhaps be overused to the point of redundancy. When talking about Kamnik however, a medieval town some 23km northeast of Ljubljana, avoiding the word and its synonyms is nigh on impossible.
Crammed in an area of varied topography with dense forest sitting next to sharp mountain peaks and wooded valleys, there is an undeniable grace to its medieval city centre. The history of the town is visible to all through its varied (and well-maintained) architecture, the affluence of its history sitting quietly next to more modern times. Kamnik is all red roofs and narrow twisting streets with the always-dramatic backdrop of jagged Alpine mountaintops looming nearby.

Sitting next to the Bistrica river and with castle ruins and church steeples juxtaposed against the lush greenery of the surroundings.
Kamnik itself can be explored on foot in a number of hours, making it a great day trip away from Ljubljana. However, the surrounding area demands a longer stay, and the guesthouses and hotels in the town will provide more than ample comfort to do so. It is a great base for exploring the nearby Velika Planina, as well as a an extended visit to Volčji Potok, Slovenia’s largest arboretum. If walking amongst masses of vibrantly coloured flowers isn’t quite relaxing enough then Snovik thermal spa centre will take care of the rest. Kamnik truly deserves to be described as beautiful.