Sustainable Travel Maribor: Shopping Tips & Things to Do
After immersing myself In Maribor for 7 weeks, I developed a deep admiration for the city, discovering a myriad of activities and sustainable shopping options. Below I share my top eco and budget-friendly recommendations.
Scenic Walks & Biodiversity:
Maribor boasts numerous scenic walking paths, an abundance of parks, and hillsides with picturesque churches overlooking the city and vineyards. Consider exploring Piramida Hill, observing the bees, butterflies and pretty wildflowers along the way up. Maribor embraces the beauty of wild plants and even weeds such as dandelions, creating a refreshing departure from the obsession with perfectly-kept green lawns. Growing up with a slovenian mother, I have fond memories of the springtime tradition of cutting young dandelion leaves from the family lawn back up in Canada. These leaves were made into a delicious dandelion and potato salad (regratova solata). No pesticides were ever used on our lawns as dandelions were encouraged to thrive.
Panoramic views of Maribor from atop Piramida Hill.
On the way up Piramida Hill look down at the pretty wild flowers and butterflies.
Green Places, Cool Spaces:
Even during the over 40-degree heat waves, that we experienced while in Maribor, the city remained cool, thanks to its abundance of large trees and green spaces. These areas provide perfect spots for picnics, recreation, and wildlife observation around the various ponds and Drava river.
Cycling Adventures:
Explore the well-marked cycling lanes in and around the city, whether by renting bikes from Mbajk or through the local bike shops. To add to this convenience, there are numerous bike repair shops and even tire pump stations can be found alongside the roads. For a breathtaking cityscape view, consider taking the cable car up Pohorje Hill (and bike all the way down for the more adventurous!).
Note: As a pedestrian, be very careful to check if you are walking in a marked pedestrian or bike lane. It took some time getting used to for me, coming from a place where cycling is not prominent. I was nearly run over a few times by a cyclist!
Take a cable car up the Pohorje Hills (and cycle back down for the more adventurous!)
Pohorje Skiing & Hiking:
In winter, the Pohorje Hills offers a fun ski spot just a few minutes drive away from Maribor. Nomago bus services are available for convenient transportation to the hills. There are also various marked hiking trails nearby.
Hiking the Pohorje Hills.
Healing Thermal Spas:
Indulge in relaxation and health at the thermal spas in and around Maribor. Consider visiting Medical Termal Center Fontana or take a day or overnight trip to Terme Ptuj or Murska Sobota using Arriva bus or Avant2Go electric car share (check my blog on Maribor transportation for more details).
Lively Cultural Events:
Stay informed about cultural events by visiting www. visitmaribor.si. Posters displayed throughout the city announce upcoming events, and you’ll find numerous free activities in the city courtyards or main square.
Sustainable Shopping Highlights:
Zero Waste Stores: Within two blocks from our Airbnb, we discovered “Zelena Japka”, a zero-waste store where we purchased liquid detergent and refilled as needed. This store also offers eco-friendly toiletries, pasta, juices, tea, sauces and much more. Adjacent to the store is a small farmers market, where we sourced delicious large eggs, returning the empty egg cartons to the farmer. Reusable veggie bags from Spar were handy for buying vegetables at these markets.
Locally sourced eggs. We returned the cartons for reuse by the farmer.
Grocery Store Sustainability Notes:
At the Spar grocery store within EuroPark mall , you can find a self-serve refill machine, for cleaning supplies and toiletries; A positive step towards zero-waste and a great example for grocery stores around the world! We just saw this introduced, right before we left.
Refill System in Spar. For cleaning products and toiletries.
Look for return deposit schemes for glass and plastic bottles:
The Slovenian-made Radenska sparkling water glass bottles can be returned for a refund, supporting local reuse initiatives. We found these bottles cheaper than the plastic bottles as well as healthier due to the lack of microplastics. We were able to return these bottles at the local Tuš supermarket.
Bring your own shopping bags:
Stores do not give out plastic bags so remember to bring your own or buy paper or canvas bags at the checkout. I always carry with me a couple of reusable bags that conveniently fold up into a pouch as well as a small daypack (which also folds up into a pouch for lighter travel)
Reusable and packable shopping bags from BeeGreen.
Frequent the Farmers Markets:
Frequent the weekly farmers market near Hofer or the smaller ones which normally run every other day. Bring your own reusable veggie bags and shopping bags. There are also butchers , bakers, local distillers and crafts people that offer specialty items on these market days so be on the lookout. I did not try this, but I would believe that one could ask the farmer if glass bottles can be returned for reuse. (and hopefully receive a discount on the next purchase! )
Tasty locally made juice and liqueur from the farmers market Maribor.
Rajzefibre: Explore locally made crafts and historical walking tours at Rajzefibre.si.
Thrift Stores: There were numerous used clothing stores with high quality clothing at very decent prices. I was not prepared for the colder days and bought a couple of used sweaters for under 7 euro each. I was quite impressed by the collection and quality.
A sweater that I purchased at the thrift store.
Note: Most stores are closed on Sundays, but bakeries and some convenience stores remain open. Buy food in advance or enjoy dining out. Many restaurants are open but note that some local favourites or farm-to-table style restaurants are so busy on Sundays that you will need to reserve in advance. Check out my blog on my favourite places to eat in Maribor
Maribor’s harmonious blend of sustainable activities and eco-conscious shopping options not only made my 7-week stay memorable but also highlighted the city’s commitment to fostering a greener and more mindful way of living. Whether strolling through scenic parks, cycling along well-marked lanes, or embracing zero-waste practices, Maribor offers a sustainable haven for those seeking both adventure and environmental consciousness. Even if you are not able to visit Maribor, my wish is that tourists, vendors, and governments alike can draw inspiration from Maribor’s sustainability achievements, adopting innovative approaches to enhance sustainability in their own communities and travels.
Safe & Sustainable Travels!
