Kranj is the capital of the Gorenjska region, and is also the fourth largest city in Slovenia. It’s a short 20 minutes drive from the Bled area.

The old town of Kranj, historically also named Carnium, Creina, Chreina, or Krainburg, has one of the most spectacular medieval skylines that you’ll likely ever see, with its three distinct church towers and an unreal backdrop of the Slovenian Alps rising up only a few miles to the north. There are several shopping centres in Kranj, but the main draw for most tourists and daytrippers is Kranj’s historic centre. Protected as a national cultural monument since 1983, the lively old town boasts a variety of diverse sights, from religious monuments and ethnological museums to modern arts spaces and unique remnants from World War II (the tunnels under the old town Kranj).

Main Square, or Glavni Trg as it’s called in Slovenian, is a long narrow square in the heart of old Kranj. Like much of the rest of Kranj’s Old Town the square was recently renovated and restored. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

Main Square is the main public space and home to many of the city’s most visited sights, such as the Parish Church of St Kancijan, Preseren Theatre, several galleries, museums and the tourist office. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

The fountain in the northern part of the Main Square is a reconstruction of the fountain from 1837 and it stands in the same spot as the first fountain from the 16th century. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

Another photo of the fountain in the northern part of the Main Square. (photo: Mihael Grmek / CC BY-SA 3.0)

The Old Town is bustling with museums and coffee bars. (photo: Mihael Grmek / CC BY-SA 3.0)

Maister Square, or Maistrov Trg as it’s called in Slovenian, is named after general Rudolf Maister who protected the city of Maribor from Austro-Hungary during the First World War marks the entrance to the historic Old Town. (photo: Tiia Monto / CC BY-SA 3.0)

Slovene Square, or Slovenski Trg as it’s called in Slovenian, is a lovely square with benches to sit and relax and there are also some great cafes around the square. (photo: Mihael Grmek / CC BY-SA 3.0)

Opposite to the Slovene Square is a Grammar School Kranj, a secondary school dating back to 1810. (photo: Mihael Grmek / CC BY-SA 3.0)

Preseren’s fair takes Kranj back in time to the image of the nineteenth century. It’s an annual event where handicraft stalls, food, music and dancing fill the day. It attracts more than 25,000 visitors every year. Don’t forget to look out for the main man, dr. France Preseren, you’re likely to see him and other characters enjoying themselves throughout the day. (photo: Urban Urbanc / slovenia.info)

At the end of August, there is the three-day Kranjska Noc, also named Kranfest, which has expanded into quite a festival over the years. Each year, the dancing crowd celebrates this local event with live concerts late into the night. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

Kranjska Noc or Kranfest is the most popular annual event in the summer in Kranj. It’s when the entire city is flooded with music and crowds of people from the entire Gorenjska region. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

There is no larger or better festival than Kranfest in all of the Gorenjska region. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

During Kranfest, the streets and squares in Kranj become a stage for cultural events, foodie experiences, art markets and sports games for all ages. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

The most famous Slovenian architect Joze Plecnik left his legacy also in Kranj. At the top of Vodopivec Street, he designed a monumental entrance to the city the staircase, the arches and the fountain. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

The Plecnik arcades, staircase and fountain, designed by the famous architect Joze Plecnik in the fifties. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

Layer’s House, the one-time home of Kranj native and lifelong resident Leopold Layer (1752-1828), a prolific Slovene painter, has recently been transformed into a beautiful multi-use arts space, which features a cool café with sweeping views over the old town walls and a museum with several permanent exhibitions. (photo: Miran Hladnik / CC BY-SA 3.0)

One of the most unique attractions in Kranj is the tunnel complex from the Second World War that runs for 1300 meters under the heart of Kranj’s old town and was built to serve as a bomb shelter. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

Construction of the the tunnel complex commenced in the late-1930s, but most of what exists today was carried out by occupying forces in 1944. It’s a very important piece of Slovenia’s historical and technological heritage. The tunnels were opened to the public in 2008. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

The 13th-century Khislstein Castle originally played an important role in the defense of the city. Its present appearance dates from the 16th and 17th centuries. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

Today the Khislstein Castle houses a branch of the regional Gorenjska Museum dedicated to the flora and fauna of the Alpine region. The castle’s arcaded courtyard is used as an amphitheatre in summer and hosts periodic festivals. (photo: Mihael Grmek / CC BY-SA 3.0)

Kranj’s most important house of worship, the Parish Church of St Kancijan, was built onto part of an older church starting in about 1400. It is considered the best example of a hall church in the country. (photo: Mihael Grmek / CC BY-SA 3.0)

Kranj is the fourth-largest city in Slovenia, with a population of 37,000. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

The Parish Church of St Kancijan as seen from above. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

Kranj occupies a lovely promontory high above the confluence of the Sava and Kokra Rivers. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)

Kranj is the capital of the Gorenjska region. From the centre of the city, you can reach the countryside and the foothills of the Alps in the blink of an eye. (photo: Mihael Grmek / CC BY-SA 3.0)

Kranj sits in the shadow of Ljubljana, just 30 kilometres away, but is often overlooked as a destination. (photo: Tiia Monto / CC BY-SA 3.0)

Location:
Main square Kranj Address: Glavni trg, 4000 Kranj, Slovenia
Main square Kranj Latitude and Longitude Coordinates: 46.239121, 14.355620
Main square Kranj GPS coordinates: 46° 14′ 20.8356” N     14° 21′ 20.2320” E
Traditional region: Upper Carniola (Slovene: Gorenjska)
Municipality: Kranj

Directions from Apartments Fine Stay Gorenjska to Kranj (drive 29 km, 25 minutes)

Directions from Apartments Fine Stay Bled to Kranj (drive 27 km, 22 minutes)