Experience in Maribor, Slovenia by Laura

What is it like to live in Maribor? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Maribor is Slovenia's second largest city, but that does not mean it has the cold capital undertone - quite the opposite, the people there are friendly and welcoming, there is a lot to see and at the same time it gives you the feeling of a very connected society.

I don't regret spending my study years in Maribor, because it felt like home - not just because of the city, its structure and what it offers, but also because of the people.

What is the student lifestyle like in Maribor?

Student lifestyle depends on the study course - most faculties have classes in the morning and midday, however, some also have them later in the day. Most of the lectures are not obligatory (at least not officially), but the seminars and practical lessons are compulsory.

There are a lot of activities for students in Maribor that vary from sports to simply hanging out in student spots.

Source

How much does it cost to live in Maribor?

Living expenses depend on whether the student opts for living in the student residence or in a private accommodation: on average you can go by with 200€/monthly for accommodation. Slovenia also has a system of "food vouchers" for students where meals in certain restaurants are subsidized by the government which is very student friendly. In general the prices of everything in Maribor are comparable to other parts of Slovenia.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Maribor? Is there any advice you can give?

It is not difficult for students to find accommodation in Maribor, especially since they have an option of a room in one of the many student residences (very affordable) or they can browse through ads on Dostop where they can find many vacant rooms/apartments to rent.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

You can find varieties of food from traditional Slovene to restaurants with Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Indian and even vegan cusine. From the international selection my favourite food would be pizza (many good pizza places) and the typical dish would be the Slovene roast with roasted potatoes.

What places would you recommend visiting in Maribor?

Besides the usual hanging spots for students, what is worth seeing is:

• Lent by river Drava
• Mariborski otok (great bathing spot in the summer)
• Pohorje
• Kalvarija (nice view over entire Maribor)

Is it good to eat out in Maribor? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Some restaurants in Maribor have adapted their menu to students (meaning they have a contract with the government about subsidized meals) and are offering nutritional meals for a very reasonable price, some even enable delivery. Among my favourites are Al Capone, La Pizzeta, Vivaldi and practically all the Chinese restaurants in the area.

Source

Is the nightlife good in Maribor? Where is good to go?

There is quite a selection of nightlife in Maribor and it is dispersed throughout the entire bank of river Drava. The most popular meeting spot for students is Štuk (near the student residence campus) and there are many smaller places around that are worth visiting (Kaos bar, Kmš, Plus/Minus) - there is something for everyone.

What advice would you give future students heading to Maribor?

There is a very active ESN organization in Maribor that organizes several events throughout the year and joining it would definitely help with meeting new people and filling your free time. Overall, enjoy it - spending time abroad studying or being on an internship is a priceless experience that will leave you with great memories, insight into different culture and friends for a lifetime.