WELCOME TO GD2026 KRANJ, SLOVENIA
Information for Delegates
About Kranj
Kranj – Alpine Air. City Flair.
Kranj is the cultural capital of the Gorenjska region in the heart of the Slovenian Alps. The city, Slovenia’s third-largest, enjoys an excellent location: just 7–9 km from Fraport Slovenia International Airport and halfway between Ljubljana and Bled. In Kranj, 6,000 years of history blend seamlessly with contemporary creativity and a strong commitment to sustainability. Rising on a dramatic conglomerate rock between the Sava and Kokra rivers, Kranj has been a strategic and lively meeting point of cultures, peoples, and ideas for millennia.
The picturesque Old Town stands on a 30‑metre‑high cliff at the confluence of the two rivers and is entirely protected as a cultural monument. Beneath it lies the Kokra River Canyon, the second‑highest urban canyon in Europe, offering a striking natural contrast to the city centre. From Kranj, visitors can admire views of Triglav, Stol, and Grintavec — the highest peaks of the three major mountain ranges in the Southern Alps. Kranj is the only town in Slovenia with a view of all three, making it truly the capital of the Slovenian Alps and an ideal starting point for exploring the mountains.
It is this unique setting that makes Kranj a place where one always has one foot in the city and the other in nature — allowing visitors to step seamlessly from cultural venues into green landscapes.
Photo Credit: Andraž-Muljavec
Photo Credit First Image: Luka Dakskobler – Photo Credit Second Image: Brdo Estate
Kranj is a city of remarkable contrasts – modernity and tradition, urban life and fresh mountain air. Its renowned contemporary festivals and vibrant cultural scene create a joyful atmosphere throughout the year, making it the undisputed cultural centre of the Gorenjska region. The city is also the guardian of the legacy of Slovenia’s greatest poet, France Prešeren, author of Zdravljica (A Toast), which was later chosen as the Slovenian national anthem. He spent the final two years of his life in Kranj. In his honour, the city hosts the Prešeren Fair every year on 8 February, Slovenia’s Day of Culture, the country’s largest traditional celebration of poetry, art, and music.
Only a few minutes away lies the elegant Brdo Estate, where pristine nature, history, and memorable experiences meet. It is also one of Slovenia’s most important locations for state visits. In October this year, it will host the Green Destinations event.
Care for nature, culture, and people is deeply rooted in everyday life in Kranj. The city’s long-term commitment to sustainable development has been recognised with the Slovenia Green Destination Platinum Label and the European Destination of Excellence 2023 award.
Exploring Slovenia from Kranj
The City with Alpine Air and Urban Flair is located close to the airport, the capital Ljubljana, and the iconic town of Bled. From the comfort of its charming city centre, it is only a short distance to peaceful green landscapes, rolling hills, and nature-based experiences. In winter, Kranj is an excellent starting point for skiing; in summer, the Flower of Cycling Routes leads you to five picturesque Slovenian towns, while spring and autumn invite hikers to explore the nearby hills. In every season, Kranj also offers a rich cultural programme.
Cultural life of the City
In all seasons, Kranj is a city of festivals and culture. Cheerful Summer is a mosaic of open-air events intertwined with various contemporary international festivals. In autumn, Kranj hosts the International Festival of Fine Arts, and the Wine Route takes place in the tunnels under the Old Town. In winter, Kranj is the most beautifully decorated Slovenian town, with many concerts during Cheerful December. The Prešeren Fair in February is a tribute to Slovenia’s greatest poet, France Prešeren. Spring brings the Slovenian Drama Week to the city, along with two international art exhibitions: the Biennial of Textile Art and the Festival of Contemporary Collage.
Kranj’s Top 3 Activities
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Kranj’s Trio of self-guided tours
The Church of St. Cantianus is one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in Slovenia. Its bell tower rises 60 m above the city. From its viewing platform, visitors are treated to a truly spectacular view. An insider tip in the city is the 19th‑century photography studio of Janez Puhar, the inventor of photography on glass and the world’s first selfie. Visitors can dress up in period costumes and create a portrait on glass, just as in Puhar’s time.
Beneath the city lie the 1,300 m‑long Tunnels under the Old Town of Kranj, which were once the city’s bomb shelter and are now one of its biggest attractions, as well as a venue for many cultural and culinary events.
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SOS Proteus Information Centre
The SOS Proteus Information Centre, a pioneering sanctuary for cave olms — the most famous cave animals — is one of the world’s 100 best sustainability stories. Run by researchers from the Tular Cave Laboratory, it has a mission to raise awareness about the endangerment of olms and to contribute to their conservation. It also emphasises the importance of preserving underground sources of drinking water. On display are rescued olms that were washed up from the depths by floods and would not have survived on the surface. Visitors become supporters of olms, as all proceeds from admission fees go towards researching and protecting this endangered species.
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Museum Path
The Museum Path meanders among the buildings of the Gorenjska Museum, where visitors can explore the fascinating history of this region and its people. A joint museum ticket will take you, like a time machine, from the armours of late Antiquity in Khislstein Castle — two of the seven almost completely preserved 6th‑century lamellar armours that are unique on a global scale — to Old‑Slavic jewellery in the Town Hall, medieval skeletons in the Ossuary, personal items of Slovenia’s greatest poet in Prešeren’s House, and modern art in the Gallery of the Prešeren Award Laureates. The Museum Path is an exciting walk through the history of Slovenia in Kranj.
About Slovenia
Slovenia – Boutique, Green and Diverse by Nature
Slovenia is a small yet remarkably diverse green country in the heart of Europe, where the Alpine, Mediterranean, and Pannonian worlds meet. This unique crossroads of landscapes and cultures creates an extraordinary variety of experiences within a compact and easily accessible destination. From pristine nature and crystal‑clear lakes to charming medieval towns, vibrant urban life, and outstanding gastronomy, Slovenia is an excellent destination for travellers seeking sustainability, authenticity, and genuine stories.
More than half of Slovenia is covered by forests, making it one of the greenest countries in Europe. Sustainability is not a trend here; it is a way of life. With the support of the national Slovenia Green programme, destinations and tourism providers actively protect natural and cultural heritage, support local communities, and develop authentic, low‑impact experiences. Slovenia’s commitment to responsible tourism has been internationally recognised through numerous sustainability certifications and repeated inclusion in the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories.
Photo Credit: Aleš Zdešar, Archive Javni forvod Triglavski narodni park
Photo Credit: Jošt Gantar
Alpine Slovenia impresses with high mountain peaks, deep valleys, waterfalls, and emerald rivers, offering countless opportunities for outdoor exploration. The region also has historic towns renowned for their lively cultures. In the heart of this Alpine landscape lies Kranj, a historic and captivating town that is a welcoming host and an excellent gateway to Alpine Slovenia. From Kranj, visitors can hike and cycle along scenic trails, explore iconic lakes such as Bled and Bohinj, or venture into Triglav National Park, the only national park in Slovenia. The region’s diverse landscapes enable year‑round activities, from water sports and winter adventures to wellness-oriented and active holidays in every season.
Slovenia’s vibrant cities blend lively streets and squares with green spaces and car‑free centres, while the countryside reveals countless paths through vineyards, farms, and picturesque villages. Rich cultural traditions intertwine with contemporary creativity, and outdoor experiences naturally connect with excellent cuisine based on seasonal, local ingredients, health, and well‑being.
Slovenia is a destination that inspires and invites people to have a meaningful connection with nature and the locals, creating memories that last a lifetime. It is boutique, green, and diverse.
Conference Venues
Brdo Congress Centre
Conference Venue
The Brdo Congress Centre is a modern, glass‑clad space with over 9,000 m² of usable floor space, combining elegance and functionality. It is designed to be completely adaptable — for business meetings, state visits, and private or cultural events of all kinds.
There are four halls (the largest can accommodate up to 550 people) and two meeting rooms suitable for smaller gatherings of up to 10 people.
Connected to Nature
The Brdo Congress Centre, designed by renowned architects Matija Bevk and Vasa J. Perović, has an energy‑efficient design and a strong connection to nature. The glass architecture allows each event to become an experience, with direct views of the green areas of Brdo Park.
Built for the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2008, it continues to reflect a commitment to sustainability through its thoughtful architecture, advanced technical solutions, and a solar power plant on the roof.
The Brdo Congress Centre has also acquired the
Green Key Sustainability Certificate.
Kranj Municipal Lobby
Delegates Welcome Venue
The Municipal Lobby is located in the architecturally remarkable Kranj Municipal Palace, designed between 1958 and 1960 by one of Slovenia’s most important architects, Edvard Ravnikar. Its space is characterised by a carefully considered symmetrical design, with a central volume supported on columns and a distinctive folded roof that appears to float, creating a feeling of lightness and openness. This transparent and bright lobby, with its refined interior details — from door handles to the lighting — is a prime example of Slovenian modernism and functional regionalism.
Due to its representativeness and unique architectural identity, it is the ideal choice for official events, exhibitions, receptions, or business meetings.
Getting to Kranj
We recommend attending the GD2026 Conference using more climate‑friendly transportation options. If you are already in Europe, prioritise train travel, buses, and car‑pooling for a more sustainable journey!
By Train
Kranj has good rail connections, with regular daily trains providing easy access to Ljubljana (approximately 20 minutes) and all major Slovenian cities.
In addition, there are connections to major cities in neighbouring countries, enabling convenient regional and international travel by train. We recommend Ljubljana as the entry and exit station for travel abroad, followed by a transfer to the train to Kranj.
By Shuttle
You can also reach Kranj via shared transport by van from anywhere in Slovenia or from any airport in neighbouring countries. Our partner for this service is GoOpti.
By Air
Slovenia’s main airport, Jože Pučnik, is only 7 km from Kranj. It has been awarded the Green Star Certificate and is committed to a sustainable future, aiming to develop socially responsible and long‑term sustainable airport management.
The airport connects to all major cities in Europe — 29 destinations in total — including Frankfurt, Zurich, Paris, London, Madrid, Belgrade, Istanbul, and more. Find your flight on the airport website.
By Bus
Slovenia and its capital Ljubljana are connected to Europe via direct and connecting bus lines. FlixBus offers the most connections, linking Slovenia with more than 200 European cities. Other important carriers include Nomago, Arriva, and BlaBlaCar.
FlixBus provides frequent connections mainly to neighbouring countries and the wider European region, though longer journeys may require a transfer to another bus. Nomago connects Slovenia with several countries and nearby airports, as well as many European cities. Arriva mainly operates cross‑border lines to nearby countries (Trieste, Italy).
In Ljubljana, you can then transfer to the bus line to Kranj with the bus operator Arriva (approximately 40 minutes). In Kranj, visitors are encouraged to use electric city buses or explore the city on foot.
For more information, visit:
By Car
Modern roads connect Kranj with the main border crossings. Take the E61 European route, marked as the A2 highway in Slovenia. From the direction of the Karawanken Tunnel, take the Kranj West exit (exit 8), and from the direction of Ljubljana or the airport, take the Kranj East exit (exit 9).
Accommodation
We invite you to book your accommodation at one of the hotels listed below. Each has been awarded the Green Key Sustainability label and are part of the Slovenia Green Scheme.
When making your reservation, please indicate that you are attending the GD2026 Conference.
For guests staying at any of these hotels, organised transport will be provided to and from the congress centre before and after the conference sessions and the awards ceremony (including dinner), as well as to the Old Town. The detailed schedule will be announced in due course.
Elegans Hotel Brdo
📌Located on the Brdo Estate, just 150 m from the Conference Venue.
📅Bookings:
Hotel Actum
📌Located in the old town centre, 5.3 km from the Conference Venue.
📅Bookings:
- info@actum-hotel.com
- T: +386 (0)590 82 400
Hotel Bellevue
Hotel Azul
📌Located on the outskirts of Kranj in the shopping centre, 4.8 km from the Conference Venue.
Travel & Practical Information
local Transportation
We invite you to explore the city on foot, use the city bus service, or ride a bike.
The city bus service is fully electrified to reduce its carbon footprint.
If you wish to cycle around the city, you can rent a bike through the KRsKolesom system, which is connected to the regional network of city and electric bikes. Bikes can be rented in one location and returned at another.
Language
In Slovenia, the main language people speak is Slovenian. But you will find that Slovenians can welcome you in many languages, so English in widely spoken as well, especially in tourist areas and at international events.
Weather
The end of October in Slovenia brings beautiful autumn colours and fresh, pleasant air. Temperatures are mild, usually between 8 °C and 15 °C, and in the mountains you can expect the first snowfall, creating a magical atmosphere. Fog and cloud cover are common, but on fine days the sun illuminates the colourful autumn landscape.
Visa for non-eu Visitors
Slovenia is part of the Schengen visa zone. Nationals of the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA), and third‑country nationals holding a Schengen residence permit do not need a visa to enter Slovenia.
There are also several other countries whose citizens do not require a visa to enter Slovenia for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of countries that do require a visa must apply for a short‑term stay (Type C) visa.
For more information on visa applications and travelling to Slovenia — including required documentation and processing times — please visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, and contact the relevant Slovenian representative office in your country or a neighbouring country.
Currency
The euro (€) is used in Slovenia. ATMs are available throughout the city, and card payments are widely accepted. If necessary, banks in Kranj can exchange foreign currencies.
Travel Tips
local tours
Kranj is a hospitable and culturally rich city, and we invite you to explore the Old Town centre and its surroundings during your visit. There are many different tours and experiences to choose from.
drink more water
Tap water in Kranj is of very high quality, and drinking tap water is healthier and more environmentally friendly than bottled water. You can even enjoy tap water while walking through the town centre, as there are 19 drinking fountains throughout the city. Here, you can quench your thirst immediately or fill your own bottle. Drinking from fountains saves money, as you do not need to buy mineral water, and at the same time helps reduce unnecessary packaging waste.
Our advice to visitors is to enjoy a sip of this excellent water, sourced from the surrounding mountains, with confidence — taking care of both their health and the environment.
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