6320 Portorož
Villa Mila
Mislinja. A small town tucked into Slovenia’s northern region of Koroška. You might just drive past it without noticing, unaware that you’re skipping a place where time slows down, the forest breathes, and bread still comes out of a real wood-fired oven.
When I stepped out of the car here for the first time, I was struck by how fresh the air was. Then came the sound of the river, birdsong, and a distant cowbell. No traffic, no sirens. Just… all that.
Mislinja is a place to breathe.
Mislinja lies between Slovenj Gradec and Vitanje, close to both the Karavanke mountains and Pohorje forests, stretched along a quiet valley shaped by the Mislinja River. It’s not flashy. You won’t find it in glossy travel brochures. And that’s precisely the magic.
It’s a perfect starting point for over 30 marked hiking trails – and while I had a map in my pocket, the best one found me: the Mislinja Gorge Trail, a forest path past old mountain farms and moss-covered stones, where even the silence has a sound.
For those who prefer wheels to hiking boots, there’s the Mislinja–Slovenj Gradec cycling path – flat, family-friendly, and shaded by tall trees that seem to wave you along.
You’ll find a narrow-gauge railway museum here, a quiet reminder of a time when trains still puffed through the valley from Dravograd to Velenje. These days it’s more symbolic, but great if you’re traveling with kids or nostalgic adults (like me).
Above the town, the church of St. Leonard offers a simple stone silhouette and one of the best views you’ll see all trip. If you’re lucky enough to run into a local there, you might hear the story of Mislinja’s forest goblin – a mischievous little myth who still peeks out from under moss when the moon is right.
Winter here means snow and a short drive to the Kope ski resort (about 20 minutes away). But summer? Summer means forest picnics, barefoot trails, camping, and slow coffee in the sun with nothing but your thoughts and birds for company.
For something more exciting, head to Ribnica na Pohorju, where you’ll find ziplines, mountain biking, and even an adventure park. The sign that says “only the brave turn left here” is only half a joke.
One of the most charming things about small places like Mislinja is that they don’t overcomplicate food. Here, you’ll still be served buckwheat žganci, homemade jota, sweet cheese dumplings, and probably a glass of local schnapps that warms more than just your throat.
Menus? Not always. Sometimes, the cook just asks what you feel like eating. And that, honestly, is the best kind of hospitality.
If you’re already here, don’t miss Slovenj Gradec, a small medieval town perfect for a lazy afternoon walk. Its Gallery of Fine Arts is surprisingly bold – modern pieces in an old-world setting.
To the east is Vitanje, home to the Noordung Space Center, where futuristic architecture and space travel concepts sit in quiet contrast to the green hills around them. It’s unexpected and kind of perfect.
Because you can afford it. Because it’s wild enough to feel free, but close enough to feel safe. Because it asks nothing of you but to arrive.
And maybe – just maybe – because here, for the first time in a while, you’ll stop checking the time, or your phone, or your next destination.
No. You’re already there.
“The best places are not always the ones we search for. Sometimes, they’re the ones that find us.”
Let Mislinja find you.
