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Medvode
ℹ️Practical info — Medvode
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Rent a rowboat on Lake Zbilje (Zbiljsko jezero) to enjoy the views from the water and watch the numerous swans.
- If you plan to hike up Šmarna gora, start early in the morning; the trail is very popular with locals and gets crowded later.
- The Smlednik Castle ruins across the Sava river offer a wonderful view after a short climb past the hillside chapels.
- Medvode has excellent transport links to Ljubljana, make use of the affordable local commuter buses or trains.
🍽 Food
Enjoy these as a simple but delicious snack at the restaurants right on the shores of Lake Zbilje.
Try hearty Slovenian meals like beef soup and roasted meat with potatoes in the local village inns (gostilna).
Order a traditional apple strudel or vanilla cream cake with your afternoon coffee at the lakeside cafes.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Buy fresh local fruit, vegetables, and cheese from farmers in the surrounding hills (usually on weekends).
Look for signs on the country roads around Medvode where farmers sell their produce like eggs, milk, and apples directly.
The meeting point of these two rivers is a peaceful spot, first-rate for relaxing and watching the currents.
Away from the main castle ruins, there are quiet forest paths convenient for a relaxing walk.
Located a bit further upstream, this reservoir is much quieter and wilder than the busy Zbilje Lake.
Water temperature…
Medvode is a strategically located town at the confluence of the Sava and Sora rivers, its name literally meaning 'between waters.' This geographic setting has significantly influenced the town's growth and development since the Middle Ages, with its first recorded mention appearing in 1228. Today, Medvode stands as a modern industrial and residential hub, benefiting from its close proximity to the capital, Ljubljana, and the alpine landscapes of the Upper Carniola region. A prominent landmark of the area is Smlednik Castle, whose ruins perch on a hill overlooking the town, offering panoramic views of the Ljubljana Basin. The town is also the birthplace of Jakob Aljaž, a priest and mountaineer who became a national icon by erecting the Aljaž Tower atop Mount Triglav. Lake Zbilje, a reservoir on the Sava River created in 1953, has become a major recreational area famous for its large population of swans and diverse leisure activities. The blend of industrial history, religious monuments, and serene waterscapes makes Medvode a multifaceted destination in central Slovenia.
- Location: Slovenia
- Top sights: Rojstna hiša Jakoba Aljaža · Muzej Franca Rozmana Staneta · Gradišče
- Nearby: Škofja Loka (9 km)
- Population: ~5.380
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 0 |
| Rain mm | 60 | 73 | 71 | 73 | 96 | 88 | 83 | 94 | 118 | 104 | 109 | 85 |
Geography
Facts
- Medvode was first mentioned in written historical sources in the year 1228.
- The town's name is derived from its location at the confluence of the Sava and Sora rivers.
- Jakob Aljaž, the famous mountaineer and priest, was born in 1845 in Zavrh near Medvode.
- Lake Zbilje was created in 1953 following the construction of the Medvode hydroelectric plant.
- The ruins of Smlednik Castle originally date back to the 12th century.
- The company Donit Tesnit has been a key local industrial employer since 1946.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Medvode (13)
Frequently asked questions
Why is the town called Medvode?
Is there a lake near Medvode?
What can you do at Zbilje Lake?
What is Smlednik Castle?
Is Medvode good for cyclists?
Medvode: where is it located?
Medvode: what is there to see?
Medvode: when is the best time to visit?
Medvode: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
History & landmarks
