Maribor Island

The Drava flows through Maribor in a broad, slow curve, and the river and its banks form the green axis of the city. Along the water runs a long promenade in the old quarter of Lent, with cafes, restaurants and summer events, and farther along are parks, sports grounds and stretches of riverbank where people walk, cycle and swim. The Drava here is wide and calm, with a few islands and gravel banks, and the river's edge has become a place for recreation in a city that otherwise lies between hills, vineyards and old streets. Maribor Island is part of this riverside landscape, a recreational area on the Drava that residents use for sport, swimming and relaxation.

The character of the place is informal and local. In the warm months, people come to the water to sunbathe, to swim in the river where conditions allow, to play volleyball or football on the grass and to have picnics, and the shaded lawns beneath the trees make a pleasant place to sit. Some stretches have been developed with paths, benches and play areas for children, while others have been left more natural, with willows, poplars and reeds along the water, and birds such as herons, kingfishers and ducks are common. Because the details of what is available on the island vary with the season and with local management, it is wise to ask locally or at the tourist office before planning a visit, and to take sensible precautions with swimming, since the Drava has currents and varying depth, and there may not be lifeguards.

The riverbank is not a separate world from the city but part of it. From the water's edge, the view of the old town includes the roofs of Lent, the tower of the cathedral and the slopes of Pohorje beyond, and the contrast between urban and natural elements is part of the attraction. The river also played a major role in the city's history: for centuries, rafts of timber were floated down the Drava from Carinthia, and the boatmen and millers of Lent lived by the water. Today's recreation is a modern chapter in a long relationship between the city and its river.

A visit to the river islands fits easily into a day in Maribor. The Drava River Promenade offers a continuous walk along the water, the Old Vine House and the Water Tower are on the bank, and Maribor Castle, Freedom Square Maribor and the Beautiful architecture of the centre are a short distance away. The Maribor Art Gallery, Calvary Hill (Kalvarija) and the Judgement Tower add more places to see, and cafes such as Kavarna HiKoFi and MAK Restaurant provide refreshment. Late afternoon in summer is the liveliest time, and spring and autumn are pleasant for walking.