The historic old town of Kranj sits on a 30-metre-high cliff between the Sava and Kokra rivers, above the 30-metre-deep Kokra Gorge. It is protected as a cultural monument. The two measurements describe different aspects of its setting: the height of the cliff and the depth of the gorge. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider both the historic town centre and the natural surroundings of the gorge as separate points of interest.
City History and Cultural Sites
Three of the eight towers that once formed the city walls remain today; all three serve as venues for cultural experiences. Khislstein Castle also combines historic architecture with culture: it has an open-air stage for concerts and theatre performances. If you would like to plan your visit around a performance, check the relevant dates.
The castle is also home to the Museum of Gorenjska, which tells the 6,000-year history of Kranj. The Cabinet of Inventor Puhar in the cultural quarter offers a different, more focused perspective. The memorial house is dedicated to Janez Puhar, Slovenia’s first photographer, and shares information about his life and inventions. In 1842, Puhar made history as a pioneer of world photography when he invented photography on glass. The long history of the city and the story of an individual inventor thus offer distinct ways to explore Kranj’s culture.
Tunnels Beneath the Old Town
The tunnels beneath the old town stretch for 1,300 metres. They were built during the Second World War and initially served as shelters for the people of Kranj. Today, they house two permanent exhibitions: one featuring minerals and fossils, and another featuring a reconstruction of a Second World War bunker. Visitors can experience an air-raid simulation in this bunker reconstruction.
Alongside their history, the tunnels also reveal natural features. They contain real stalactites and rare cave species, including cave crickets and cave orb-weaver spiders. If you would like to visit the exhibitions or experience the simulation, check the current access arrangements in advance, as they may change.
The Kokra as a Habitat
The diverse and dynamic Kokra Gorge provides a habitat for many animal species, as well as trees, shrubs and herbs. On a guided tour with a local guide, visitors hear stories about the river and its gorge and can observe the variety of habitats in and around the water. The guided experience thus combines stories about the Kokra with the observation of its habitats. If you would like to include the tour in your plans, check booking options in advance.
Events and Culinary Traditions
Numerous events take place in Kranj throughout the year. The specific programme varies. If a concert, theatre performance or another event is important to your trip, check the current dates before planning your stay around it.
The cuisine is also connected to the surrounding area: chefs in Kranj preserve culinary traditions, use local ingredients and work with farmers from the region. They introduce guests to flavours and ingredients typical of the city. This gives regional cuisine a distinct place alongside Kranj’s cultural and landscape attractions, without making a visit revolve around a single sight.
Discover more destinations: Preddvor, Vopovlje, Šenturška Gora, Žabnica, Žerjavka, Stiška Vas, Kokra, Naklo
Go to the main travel overview: Kranj.
