Culinary Gifts from Radol'ca

Honey and other goodies from our apiaries

Beekeeping has a long tradition in Radovljica. The Apiculture Museum is located here in Radovljica and neighbouring Lesce is home to the Beekeeping Education Centre of Gorenjska. Therefore, it's not hard to guess what is at the top of the list of suggested gifts: a jar or two of honey from a local apiary! By far the biggest choice of honey and honey products in one place can be found in the shop of the aforementioned beekeeping centre, while various types of honey, honeybreads and honey liqueur are also available at the Radovjlica Tourist Information Centre. For pollen and propolis, ask a local beekeeper, and visit local shops for honey breads made from Slovenian honey.

Chocolates with local fillings

The Radovljica area also has a close connection with chocolate; it was here that over a century ago the first chocolate factory in the country opened – Gorenjka – which is still operating to this day. In recent times, boutique chocolatiers have become popular. There are two such chocolatiers in the area that produce handmade chocolates – Radolška čokolada, which is located opposite the entrance to the old town centre, and Hiša čokolade Molinet in Kropa. Of course, the biggest selection of chocolate is available every April when the Radovljica Chocolate Festival takes place.

Unique ceramics

Radovljica is a town of artisans. Many of them make beautiful items that you can enjoy using at home. If you'd like a unique cup, plate or bowl, you can visit the workshop of the ceramist Urban Magusar in Linhart Square. In close proximity is the Biserna hiša gallery, where ceramic ware is made by the attendees of the Radovljica Centre for Training, Work and Care. Vanja Bajt has a pottery workshop in Radovljica, and her colourful plates and cups can also be bought in the Radovljica Tourist Information Centre. And there's one more authentic ceramic story, which is being written in a nearby village by Matejka Legat and Marko Milenkovič under the name 6th Sense Art. Their stall at the Radovljica Market is always a feast for the eyes.

Wooden and metal products

In Radovjlica, cookery enthusiasts can buy unique wooden items, such as special spoons for honey or lovingly made chopping boards, under the brand Srečen dom (A Happy Home), which are made by the local artisan Teja Jesenko. The Kosmač family shop, which is located in the old town centre, is crammed with handmade wooden items; products are also available on Leseno.org. To ensure that your dining table is really special, you could adorn it with a wrought iron candle holder from Kropa, of course with a beeswax candle, which you can also find in Radovljica.

This guide was created as part of the ‘EKO Tastes of Slovenia’ project, run in cooperation with LAS, which is co-financed with the help of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe Invests in Rural Areas. The Radovljica Public Institute of Tourism and Culture is responsible for the content. The governing body appointed to implement the Rural Development Programme of the Republic of Slovenia for the period 2014-2020 is the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food. Source of funding: European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).