Gaj nad Mariborom lies on the eastern edge of the Kozjak hills, close to the Austrian border, at around 583 metres above sea level. Set on a scenic ridge, the village overlooks a landscape of forests, meadows and scattered farms, with views towards Maribor and the surrounding hills. It is a stop for hikers and cyclists exploring the countryside north of the Drava River.
At the centre stands the Church of the Holy Cross, first mentioned in 1473 and rebuilt after a fire in 1769. The church preserves the village’s former name, Sveti Križ. Along with the old school, former rectory and neighbouring farmhouses, it forms the historic heart of the settlement.
Gaj is connected to walking and cycling routes across Kozjak. Nearby destinations include Sveti Urban, Tojzlov vrh and Žavcarjev vrh, while a cycling route returns to the Drava Valley along the Bresternica stream. The village combines open views, rural heritage and trails over wooded ridges, within reach of Maribor.