Great place for a trip! Park Brdo near Kranj awaits you with a castle, Lipizzaner horses, and 500 hectares of trails

Just a few minutes’ drive from Kranj, at the foot of the Kamnik Savinja Alps, lies a vast park that has quietly remained off the main tourist radar for years, even though it offers everything you would expect from a perfect day trip. Its name is Brdo pri Kranju – Park Brdo, and while it was once a noble estate, today it is a state protocol complex with a public park open to anyone who wants to walk, explore, take photos, or simply unwind somewhere where nature and culture do not compete but cooperate.

The park stretches across nearly 500 hectares, which means it is not something you can just see quickly in an hour. This is the kind of place you get lost in on purpose. The paths are wide, flat, and well-maintained, making it equally suitable for walkers, cyclists, kids on scooters, or older visitors who prefer a relaxed pace. There are no climbs or slippery terrain, just smooth trails through woods, meadows, along ponds, and between historic estate buildings.

Park Brdo, Photo: 24K-Production Depositphotos

At the heart of it all stands a Renaissance manor built in 1510. You cannot usually visit the interior unless there is a special event, but its exterior, with a courtyard and mountain views, leaves plenty of room for the imagination. It is easy to picture carriages arriving beneath the tree-lined drive, and that setting is not accidental because Brdo is still used today as a venue for state receptions, international delegations, and high-level events. When it is not in use, visitors are welcome, and the surrounding park remains open to the public almost year-round with few restrictions.

What makes this place more than just a pretty backdrop is its living content. You might come across Lipizzaner horses grazing in fenced pastures, a real fairytale scene. There are also kozolci, traditional Slovenian hayracks, not just for show but as part of an ongoing rural heritage. An orangery, beehives, and sculptures scattered throughout the trails all add more depth to the landscape.

Park Brdo, Photo: Jošt Gantar, www.slovenia.info

For those looking for more than a walk, there are plenty of options for a more active visit. You can order a picnic basket filled with local food, enjoy a carriage ride through the park, try horseback riding with guidance, or explore educational points set up for kids. Everything is designed to blend naturally with the surroundings without feeling staged. If you are visiting with family, bring strollers, bikes, or a picnic blanket without hesitation. If you are coming with a camera, plan to stay the whole day.

The practical side of the visit is equally pleasant. Entrance to the park is ticketed, but prices are very reasonable, about five euros for adults, two euros for children, and family passes are available at a discount. After seven in the evening, entry is free, although you will not have much time left to explore. The park is open daily from early morning until evening, unless closed for official events, so it is wise to check the official website the day before. Parking is available right at the entrance for a small fee. If you are coming from Ljubljana, you can combine a train and a bus, but a car is definitely more convenient.

What makes Park Brdo a great destination is precisely its diversity. It is not just about nature, not just about history, not just about recreation. It is a place that holds all of that together without crowds and without the need for special planning. You arrive, you walk in, and you start exploring. And when you run out of steps, you can always sit on a bench under a tree and watch the horses graze, or head into Kranj itself and keep the adventure going.

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