In Pesnica, you can focus on wine and historic sites, as well as hiking, cycling or the natural surroundings of Perniško jezero. Route information can help you choose: some trails are described with an approximate duration, while others are mainly described by their length and character. This makes it easier to plan whether an active outing or a visit focused on culture and wine will shape your day.

Wine and culture in Pesnica

The Muzej Alfi Nipič dedicates its permanent exhibition, “Ostal bom muzikant,” to the life and musical career of singer Alfi Nipič. The museum’s wine shop offers tastings of wines and sparkling wines from local winemakers; the offer may vary depending on the programme and availability. If the exhibition is important to your plans, ask about its current content. Cars and buses can park directly at the museum. As parking arrangements may change, check before your visit.

Jarenina also offers historical and culinary attractions. The church there combines Gothic and Baroque stylistic elements, as well as some Renaissance features. The restored Jareninski dvor houses a winery and the Dveri-Pax restaurant, carrying on the winemaking tradition. There, tasting menus of varying lengths are paired with selected wines. The dishes also use organically grown vegetables, herbs and spices from the garden, as well as carefully selected ingredients from local food producers. Menus, ingredients and visiting arrangements may change; ask about current offerings in advance.

The history goes back further: Jareninski dvor and its associated estate were acquired by Benedictines from Admont in the 12th century. In Jakobski Dol, the Church of St James was first built as a chapel towards the end of the 14th century and was elevated to a parish church in 1785. This lets you explore different historical themes without conflating the architectural histories of the two places.

Compare hiking and cycling routes

Leisure hikers can choose from several trails of varying lengths and durations. The Pesniška pot is 10 kilometres long and takes about four hours to walk with breaks. The Jakobova pot covers 13 kilometres, with an estimated duration of five hours. These figures make it possible to compare the time required for the two routes, but each estimate applies to the stated distance. The 18-kilometre Jareninska pohodniška pot is suitable for leisure hikers.

The Jakobova pot starts in the centre of Jakobski Dol, either at the Vogrinov Museum or at the windmill. Both sights are also part of the Pesniška kolesarska pot (16). The 42-kilometre Kolesarska pot po obronkih Pesnice is a less demanding cycling loop for recreational cyclists; Pesnica pri Mariboru and Pernica are listed as possible starting points. Before setting off, check current trail conditions and signage.

Another option for riding is Športni park Pesnica, which has a 300-metre-long, approximately two-metre-wide paved track designed for riding in both directions. Specific facility conditions may change due to maintenance or renovations.

Perniško jezero and the wine-growing landscape

Perniško jezero consists of two retention basins connected by a channel. A narrow embankment with a road separates them. Numerous wetland plants grow along the shore; the lake is also an important habitat for waterbirds and a stopover for some rare migratory birds. Their presence varies by season. Fishing is permitted only with a valid fishing licence and in accordance with the applicable fishing regulations and the rules of the managing authority. The lake is not suitable for swimming. Check current permit requirements before fishing.

Wine routes add another regional dimension to a stay. The Gornje-slovenjegoriška wine tourist route includes Pesnica, Jarenina, Pernica and Jakobski Dol. Along the route, visitors can taste white wines such as Laški rizling, Kerner, Sauvignon, Traminer, Yellow Muscat, Green Silvaner and Pinot Gris at excursion and tourist farms, wine shops and wine cellars. The availability of individual tastings may vary. In the wider region around Maribor, the Old Vine Route passes through Ruperče, by Pernica and Perniško jezero, and on to Jarenina and Jareninski dvor. This regional route sequence differs from the closer grouping of the four places on the Gornje-slovenjegoriška wine route.

Discover more destinations: Pesnica, Zgornja Kungota, Jareninski Dol, Svečina, Pesnica pri Mariboru, Dolnja Počehova, Selnica ob Muri, Logatec.

For the main travel overview: Slovenia.