A Family Adventure in Velenje

1. 9. 2025

Velenje is a city full of surprises, especially for families with children. Although many know it as a former mining center, today it offers a completely different, green, and playful character.

The heart of the city stretches along Lake Velenje, a true magnet for families. In summer, children can safely swim at the well-kept beach, while adults enjoy the view of the mountains in the background. A walking and cycling path runs around the lake, flat enough to be perfect even for the youngest on balance bikes.

Just a few steps away rises the mighty Velenje Castle, one of the best-preserved castles in Slovenia. From its walls, visitors can admire views of the valley, while inside it hides fascinating exhibitions that captivate children as well – especially the toy collection, where parents smile with nostalgia and kids curiously marvel at the games of the past. At the foot of the castle, events are often held that fill the city with a lively atmosphere.

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Velenje is family-friendly in many other ways, too. In addition to modern playgrounds, families love visiting the Coal Mining Museum, where the experience is truly unique – visitors descend into the former mine shafts, put on helmets, and for a short time step into the life of miners. It’s an adventure children remember for a long time, as it is both educational and just a little bit mysterious.

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The city is also known for its close connection with nature. If you enjoy walks, the nearby 'Škalski hrib' is just right for an easy hike, while the Paka River, with its little nooks along the water, is perfect for exploring or having a picnic. But Velenje isn’t only charming during the day – on summer evenings, concerts, theatre performances, and open-air cinema screenings take place by the lake, creating a relaxed atmosphere for all generations.

Velenje is therefore much more than just an industrial town – it’s a place where history meets modern life, where children find play and parents find relaxation. It’s a welcoming destination for a day trip or a longer family getaway, where everyone can discover something for themselves.

Pippi Longstocking Festival

Velenje holds yet another special kind of magic that comes alive every September – the Pippi Longstocking Festival. This is the largest children’s festival in Slovenia, which first opened its doors in 1990 as a one-day event, and today lasts an entire week, attracting around 100,000 visitors from across Slovenia and abroad. During this time, the city bursts with colors, laughter, and play, as the festival is dedicated to the beloved literary heroine Pippi Longstocking, whose mischievousness and imagination have delighted children for generations.

For a week, the city center transforms into a playful “Pippi Land,” featuring theater, music, and dance performances, creative workshops, exhibitions, sports, and interactive activities – a total of 80 diverse experiences. Children can step into Pippi’s school for a moment, explore a pirate cove, create with their imagination and hands, or simply enjoy music, dance, and play. In this magical world, imagination knows no bounds, and adults often find themselves forgetting the everyday and joining in the fun alongside their children.

pikin festival velenje

The Pippi Longstocking Festival is especially popular among families and school groups, as it encourages creativity, shared experiences, and the feeling that anyone can become part of the story in a fun and engaging way. This year, the festival will take place from September 6th to 12th, and more information, including the full program, is available on the official website: http://www.pikinfestival.si/.

During this time, Velenje truly becomes a stage of dreams, where children and adults can explore, create, and experience together, as if stepping into the real fairy-tale world of Pippi Longstocking.