Why, and who should, visit Radol'ca this year?

GOURMETS

We simply have to put gourmets in first place. Why? Well because this year Radol'ca obtained its first Michelin star, which is further proof that it is the right destination for lovers of fine food. The Michelin star awarded to Vila Podvin which, together with its head chef Uroš Štefelin, have placed Radol'ca on the international culinary map. In addition, thanks to the restaurants that are part of the Taste Radol'ca initiative, Radol'ca has been known for several years as the culinary centre of the Gorenjska region. Therefore, if your journey takes you to Gorenjska, you know where to head for lunch or dinner…to Taste Radol'ca!

In addition to Radol'ca restaurants, during July and August lovers of natural ingredients and gardening can take an expert-led tour of a biodynamic farm.

FAMILIES

From the second item in the list onwards there is no particular order, but, nonetheless, in second place we have listed families, mainly in combination with camping and hiking. The Radol'ca area also features quaint accommodation in the countryside and attractive family rooms in guest houses. While the area doesn't have a lot of tourist farms, there are some, for example these. Among the camps, Camping Šobec is in first place, while this year it has been joined by a new camp - River Camping Bled – and for those keen on swimming pools Camp Radovljica is the ideal choice.

Interested to know what you can do as a family in Radovljica? In addition to enjoying the accommodation facilities and swimming in the pools in Radovljica or Kropa, the natural pool at Camp Šobec, or the Sava river, for families we recommend playing a round of mini golf, panning for gold, the family Follow a 'Bee' Through Radovljica beekeeping adventure. Or, for a really special experience, have a go at archery on the parkour archery course in the Draga valley.

Families can choose from numerous hiking trails of various difficult levels. The most popular is the hike up to St. Peter's church, while the Sava River Trail, the Grabnarca Waterside Nature Trail, the Brezje Path of Peace, and the Lamberg Trail in Begunje are all great family walks. For a more strenuous outing you can hike up to the Roblekov dom mountain hut or the Vodiška planina mountain pasture. Of course, with Bled so close by, there are also adventures to be had there too, among them the Adventure Park, and summer tobogganing on Straža.

Read more in this post published last year about tips for summer with children in Radovljica. We have also prepared a list of the larger children's playgrounds in the area.

CYCLING

Although the Radol'ca area doesn't boast miles of cycle paths, its excellent location makes it an ideal starting point for short and somewhat longer circular cycling tours along local roads and tracks. You can discover some of the most beautiful parts of Gorenjska by bike, and adapt the length and intensity of your ride to suit.

Road cyclists will relish the rides along the picturesque road beneath Mt. Dobrča to Tržič, up to Jamnik and down to Kranj, or up to the Pokljuka plateau and down to Bohinj lake. Shorter circular tours connect Radovljica with Begunje, Žirovnica, Bled, Kropa and Brezje. Check out the map of the cycle network, available at Radovljica Tourist Information Centre to help you plan your ride.

Fans of gravel tracks will find plenty to satisfy them. Choose from relatively low-lying trails or more demanding rides up to pastures on the Jelovica plateau or beneath the peaks of the Karavanke mountains. Bikes – both classic and e-bikes - are available to hire in Radovljica (Where to hire bikes).

CULTURE VULTURES AND HISTORY ENTHUSIASTS

The Radol'ca area is the ideal place for culture vultures and history enthusiasts! Just be sure to allocate enough time, since the list of cultural heritage and museums is very long! The old town centre of Radovljica alone, in addition to its architectural heritage, boasts four museums.

If you are planning a break in the Radol'ca area during July and August, don't miss the guided tours on Tuesday and Thursdays, which take place as part of the programme of the Hop-On Hop-Off bus. You can also take a journey on the bus to the neighbouring destinations of Tržič, Žirovnica and Bled.

In addition to the old town, village centres of Kropa and Kamna Gorica are a must, as well as the Basilica of Mary Help of Christinas in Brezje. If you enjoy enriching cultural and historical experiences by also going for a walk, we suggest a walk along the Lamberg Trail to Kamen Castle, the Lipnica Castle Natural Science Trail, or the Begunje Village Trail. If films are an essential part of a break, then why not visit the outdoor cinema every Friday evening.

HIKERS

While lovers of high mountain locations are most likely to choose to spend their holidays in one of Slovenia's more well-known bases for hiking, Radol'ca also offers plenty of choice. From the Draga valley in village of Begunje na Gorenjskem you can conquer Mt. Begunjščica, whilst starting points for hiking to the peaks of other mountains in the Karavanke range as well as those in the Julian Alps are not far away.

Radovljica and its surroundings is an excellent destination for those who like hiking to mountain pastures and walking along lower-lying trails, which, in addition to nature, also offer a glimpse into life in the countryside. There are eleven theme trails, as well as the new Juliana long-distance trail, the fourth stage of which runs from Begunje na Gorenjskem through Radovljica to Bled. You can use public transport to get to/from the start/end of the stages, and from Radovljica you can walk the first four stages of the long-distance trail between Kranjska Gora and Bled.

THE YOUNG

What can young people do in Radovljica? They will undoubtedly enjoy adventures on the Sava river and swimming in various locations. In addition, they can ride a bike or take public transport to Bled, where they can enjoy the various activities available in Slovenia's alpine 'gem'. The Dolinka zipline is a unique experience, and youth hostels are able to organise a range of other experiences. There are three hostels, all in close proximity to public transport and with a wide range of activities.

Javni zavod Turizem in kultura Radovljica, July 2020