Best things to do in Slovenia
Slovenia is a country like no other. With the most outstanding nature and a welcoming culture, Slovenia is one of my favorite European countries! But there are so many things to do in Slovenia, where to start?
In this guide, I will tell you about the most beautiful places in Slovenia!
Ps. Read this post to the end, to find a helpful guide to visiting Slovenia!
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About Slovenia
The Republic of Slovenia is a small south-central European country, often called Europe’s green heart. Slovenia has borders to Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. With a total of 20,271 km2, it’s only a small country, which makes a road trip through Slovenia super accessible!
Slovenia is mostly mountainous and forested. Its capital city is Ljubljana and 2 other important cities are Koper and Maribor.
Slovenia is a small country with endless things to offer!
Best things to do in Slovenia
Wander around the city of dragons; Ljubljana
Ljubljana is one of the most vibrant capital cities in Europe! With the most colorful architecture, unique landmarks, and the best nightlife, Ljubljana will blow your mind!
Ljubljana is also known as the city of dragons because legend has it that long ago a dragon was living near the spring of the Ljubljanica river. It was killed by Jason, the hero of Greek mythology, who is known as the founder of the city. As of today, the dragon is the symbol and protector of the city, and you will find several dragons there.
Things to do in Ljubljana:
- Admire the breathtaking city center
- Discover all the famous bridges
- Try and find all the dragons
- Visit Ljubljana Castle
- Enjoy Slovenian cuisine at some of the finest restaurants by the Ljubljanica River
- Take a break at Tivoli Park
- Stop by the spectacular Museum of Modern Art
Ljubljana is my favorite capital city in Europe! There is simply too much to tell about it, I can’t possibly describe its beauty. You’ll have to see it for yourself 😉
Best stay in Ljubljana: Apartments Maria
Row a boat on Lake Bled
Lake Bled is such a special place. It doesn’t matter when you visit, it’ll always take your breath away. I always heard that Lake Bled is beautiful and all, but that’s an understatement. I was literally speechless when I saw the lake for the first time. And the second time.
Lake Bled is a fairytale-like turquoise lake located in the Julian Alps. There’s a small island in the middle of the lake with the cutest church on it. The views of the lake are stunning from wherever you are!
Lake Bled is located right next to the spa town of Bled. The glacial lake can warm up to 25°C in summer, which makes it very pleasant to bathe in!
When visiting Lake Bled (ideally with your significant other), you simply must rent a wooden boat! It is so romantic to get out on the lake together, enjoying the sun and the magical views!
And there are many other things to do in Lake Bled, like:
- Visit Bled Castle, where you can get an epic view of the lake
- Hike around Lake Bled
- Rent a paddleboard
- Try a Bled Cream Cake
- Relax on a beach by the lake and take a swim!
Read about all the best things to do in Lake Bled here!
Best stay in Lake Bled: Aparthotel Gaja
Admire the lovely Slovenian coast
The Slovenian coast is only 47 kilometers of pure beauty. With the 3 main towns (Koper, Piran and Izola) being the most important, it’s not all that the Slovenian coast has to offer. You’ll also find the most wonderful nature and stunning beaches.
The Slovenian coast is only 1,5-hour’s drive from Ljubljana, which makes it very accessible!
There is simply too much to tell you about the coast of Slovenia. I highly recommend reading this post about the coast of Slovenia if you plan on visiting!
The coast of Slovenia may be very small, but it’s definitely worth a visit!
Best stay on the Slovenian coast: Barbara Piran Beach Hotel
Explore the Soča Valley
Located in the Julian Alps, you’ll find the most beautiful valley in Slovenia; the world-famous Soča Valley. In this valley, you’ll find some of the bluest water in Slovenia! The icy water is perfect for taking a short dip and there are many places to sunbathe by the river.
The Soča Valley is also a hotspot for water sports, like white water rafting, ziplining, kayaking, and so much more!
Make sure to:
- Swim in the Great Soča Gorge
- Explore the Small Soča Gorge
- Admire Kanal ob Soci
- Stop by Fort Kluze
- Photograph Napoleon’s Bridge
Pro tip: Read this full guide on visiting the Soca Valley, it’s filled with must-know information and the best tips!
Best stay near the Soča Valley: Apartments and rooms Nataša 1
Hike Triglav National Park
If you’re into hiking, you simply can’t miss Slovenia’s only national park; Triglav!
Located deep in the Julian Alps, this rugged, rocky mountain range is a spectacular destination for hikers and rock climbers. Hiking through Triglav National Park is such an unreal experience! Doing the Seven Lakes Valley Hike, I was constantly amazed by the towering mountains and got hypnotized by the pristine lakes…
And no, it’s not an overstatement, when I tell you Triglav National Park might just be the most beautiful place in Europe!
Best stay in Triglav National Park: House DorMica
Go paddle boarding on Lake Bohinj
Everybody knows about Lake Bled, but have you heard of Lake Bohinj?
Even though not as blue and picturesque as Bled, Lake Bohinj has another unique charm. With several hidden beaches around the lake and amazing activities nearby, Bohinj should be on your itinerary!
Bohinj is filled with the most fun activities, you can:
- Visit the St. John The Baptist Church
- Go paddle boarding, kayaking, or canoeing in the lake
- Walk around Lake Bohinj
- Relax on a beach by the lake
Bohinj is also a wonderful place to base yourself for exploring the Julian Alps.
Best stay near Lake Bohinj: TriSa Apartments Bohinj
Food tip: In Lake Bohinj, we ate at a wonderful restaurant that’s worth a mention. Restavracija Kramar was super delicious and very affordable, definitely worth checking out!
Insider tip: If you’re into water activities, you can rent anything at Alpinsport, for a cheap price, with good service, and you can pay afterward! This way you don’t need to keep track of time, they will do it for you and you can just pay an honest price when returning the gear.
Be amazed by the Vintgar Gorge
The famous Vintgar Gorge is one of the most popular natural highlights in Slovenia! You can explore this impressive gorge by wooden bridges and footpaths.
The natural beauty of the Vintgar Gorge is extraordinary. On your hike, you’ll explore the most impressive rock formations, the beautiful blue-and-green river, spectacular waterfalls, and more! The hike through Vintgar Gorge is breathtaking, this special place is one you won’t be able to forget!
The hike is around 3,6 kilometers but you will need around 3 hours to finish it, as you’ll probably be stopping all the time to admire the beautiful views!
I recommend doing this hike early in the morning, as soon as the park opens, which should be around 8 am. This way you’ll avoid the crowds and have an incredibly peaceful experience at the Vintgar Gorge!
Pro tip: You should check out this self-guided E-bike tour to the Vintgar Gorge, it was the most beautiful bike ride I ever had!
An adult entrance ticket costs €10. I know this is a bit expensive, but it’s very worth it!
Check out this site to buy tickets and see the exact opening hours.
Go waterfall chasing
In the Slovenian Alps, you’ll find some of the most epic waterfalls! If you’re in love with waterfalls, make sure to see these:
- Kozjak Waterfall (beautiful cave waterfall)
- Boka Waterfall (144 meters high and 18 meters wide)
- Savica Waterfall (78 meters high!)
- Pericnik Waterfall (you can get behind this waterfall)
- Virje Waterfall (dreamiest waterfall)
Pro tip: This guided e-bike tour will take you to Virje and Boka Waterfall, whilst telling you about the mesmerizing surroundings you’ll pass!
Hike the Tolmin Gorge
One of the most spectacular natural attractions in the Julian Alps is the Tolmin Gorge. Whilst hiking this 2-kilometer-long pathway, you will come across the most magnificent sights, like Bear’s Head, and the Devil’s Bridge. There’s also a thermal spring and a cave.
Buy your tickets beforehand and reserve a time slot! This way the gorge won’t get crowded. An adult ticket costs €10 and is more than worth it!
Explore the Predjama Castle Postojna Caves
Less than an hour’s drive from Ljubljana will take you to the magnificent Predjama Castle. This 800-year-old castle is something you’ll have never seen before!
The castle has been built on a 123-meter-high cliff, set right into the mouth of a huge cave. It’s a very impressive sight to see, and worth checking out!
Predjama is even listed by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest cave castle!
Only a few minutes from Predjama, there’s a town called Postojna, where some of the greatest caves are located. These caves are quite popular in Slovenia and welcome over a million visitors a year.
Visiting Predjama Castle and the Postojna Caves are easily combined in one day. Make sure check out this incredible guided tour!
Related:
- Complete Guide for a Magical Slovenia Road Trip + 7-day Itinerary
- 14 Top Things to Do in Lake Bled: The Dreamiest Lake of Slovenia!
- Exploring the Magnificent Coast of Slovenia – Piran, Izola, Koper, and more!
Drive the Vršič Pass
The Vršič Pass is the highest and most wonderful mountain pass in Slovenia. The pass road leads over 50 hairpin bends up into the mountains. Many hikes start from several points on the pass and you can stop as much as you like, to admire the amazing views!
The Vršič Pass is closed between October and early May.
Ride the Vogel cable car
Are you a sucker for good views? Yeah, me too.
That’s exactly why you need to take the cable car up to Vogel Mountain.
From Lake Bohinj, you can hop on this cable car that’ll take you to 1523 meters! It costs €28,- for a return ticket.
I know it may be a bit expensive, but believe me when I say it’s very well worth it. You’ll get crazy views over the Julian Alps and Lake Bohinj. There are also many hikes you can do, that require less climbing because you’re already on a high point.
I highly recommend going up to Vogel Mountain!
Explore the Maribor old town
The second biggest town in Slovenia is called Maribor and definitely should be on your itinerary!
Maribor is a wonderful city that offers a charming blend of historical and natural attractions. This city is often referred to as ‘’the city of wine’’, being home to the oldest grapevine in the world!
In Maribor, you will not only find the friendliest people, but also some stunning sights and wonderful monuments.
Make sure to:
- Admire Maribor Castle
- Wander around the old town
- Find the oldest grapevine
- Enjoy the views at Piramida Hill
All in all, Maribor is a city you can’t miss!
Best stay in Maribor: Patrick’s Pub
Stop by the Javorca Church
Have you always had an interest in the First World War? Then the Javorca Church will be fascinating to you! This enchanting wooden church is a monument to the First World War and a sanctuary of peace. The church itself and the scenery around it are absolutely breathtaking!
An adult ticket costs €4, and it should be bought in advance online, while you reserve a timeslot.
Admire magical Lake Jasna
Imagine a colorful turquoise lake, reflecting the magical mountains beyond…
If it’s a day of relaxation you’re looking for, Lake Jasna is the perfect place! This lake’s filled with the most crystal clear water and has a very romantic scenery. You’re allowed to swim in the lake, so if you’re looking for the perfect place to relax, Lake Jasna won’t disappoint!
Go underground kayaking in Mežica mine
The most unique activity in Slovenia must be kayaking through the flooded tunnels of a lead and zinc mine!
I mean…
How cool is that?!
In this activity, a guide will first take you 91 steps underground. With a light and all the right equipment, he will lead you through the mysterious waters of the flooded mine.
Just writing this makes me want to go back to Slovenia to go kayaking underground (because sadly I didn’t know about it last time).
The price for this super cool activity is €55,- per person and it takes 4-5 hours. The price may be high but you will get an epic experience in return!
Hike the Zelenci Nature Reserve
Famous for its emerald-green lake that mirrors the huge limestone mountains, Zelenci Nature Reserve is a must-see! On a hike through the park, you’ll be able to observe many kinds of flora and fauna, and you’ll get the most spectacular views of the spectacular mountains!
Zelenci Nature Reserve is free to visit, and I recommend going here early in the morning on weekdays.
Visit Bovec for a real adrenaline rush
The small town of Bovec is THE hotspot for outdoor activities in the region. From this town, there’s a large offer of outdoor activities and tours.
You can go:
The options are endless for thrill-seekers! If you want to experience the Soča River to the fullest, Bovec is the place to start!
Best stay in Bovec: Apartments Rupnik
Go wine tasting in Brda or Vipava; Slovenian wine regions
Slovenia is a country that knows how to produce excellent wines! The country may be small, but there are several wine regions to explore if you’re a true wine lover.
And one of them is Brda. Often referred to as the Slovenian Tuscany, Brda will bring you beautiful sights and extraordinary wines!
And of course, you have to do a tasting! The best wineries in Brda are:
- Klet Brda
- Brjana
- Gredic
Another amazing wine region in Slovenia is called Vipava. This region is one I fell in love with…
On our way from the Slovenian coast to Ljubljana, we decided to stop by Petric Winery in Slap. Here we got a tour of the wine cellar and a wine tasting. The owner; Urban, is an amazing person who is passionate about his wines. He only takes on small groups for the tastings, to keep it authentic.
I still have bottles of his wine at home, to only drink on special occasions. His wines are so tasty and he goes all out on delicious (homemade) snacks during the tasting.
After the tasting you can even stay the night! In these beautiful rooms you can sleep it off in pure luxury and wake up to a delicious included breakfast!
I highly recommend booking a wine tasting at Petric Winery, it’s the best tasting I ever had!
Explore the Škocjan Caves
I already told you about the Postojna Caves, but did you know that there are many more caves in Slovenia, that are way less crowded?
An amazing example is the Skocjan Caves. These caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest underground canyons in the world!
In 3-4 hours you can explore these wonderful caves on a guided tour. I haven’t been here myself yet, but it’s high on my bucket list!
Related:
- Complete Guide for a Magical Slovenia Road Trip + 7-day Itinerary
- 14 Top Things to Do in Lake Bled: The Dreamiest Lake of Slovenia!
- Exploring the Magnificent Coast of Slovenia – Piran, Izola, Koper, and more!
Things to know before visiting Slovenia
Every country is different, so you should know some things before visiting, that may come in handy.
Language and Currency in Slovenia
The spoken language in Slovenia is Slovene, and other understood languages are Italian and Hungarian. Don’t worry, many people can speak English, especially in the more touristy places.
We had no trouble speaking English with anyone in Slovenia.
In Slovenia, they pay with the Euro, like many other European countries.
Transport in Slovenia
The roads in Slovenia are very good and drivable, for every driving skill. Of course, you will find some steep roads with tricky twists and turns, but everyone should be able to drive it.
So the best way to see Slovenia is by car. You can literally get anywhere when traveling by car. The country’s pretty small, so driving distances are small as well.
We visited Slovenia with our campervan: Nova. It was so nice to have the freedom to drive anywhere and do anything you’d like. And the views you get to see from the car are unbeatable!
But say you don’t have a driver’s license, what then?
Well, Europe is very famous for its good train network. With an Interrail pass, for example, you can easily visit several European countries for a good price. They also have one-country passes, which are also available for Slovenia.
train travel Slovenia
In Slovenia, you can take trains to Maribor, Ljubljana, Koper, and some more places. Other locations are easily reachable by bus.
You can get a Slovenia Interrail pass for €54 – €140 (depending on your travel plans and preferences). Read all about Interrail here, or buy your pass at the Interrail website.
So road-tripping Slovenia by car is by far the best option, but it’s also possible (and very much fun) to travel through Slovenia by train.
Accommodation in Slovenia
As for accommodation, the options are endless! From camping to staying in 5-star hotels, you will find anything and everything in Slovenia!
So the main question is: What is your budget? Because depending on what you want to spend, you will find something that fits your budget and your preferences.
If you like traveling on an extreme budget or you’re traveling solo, your go-to accommodation is Hostels. There you may be able to stay the night for less than €20 and you will probably meet some very nice people.
Of course, there are also many campings in Slovenia. For a very affordable price, you can sleep in your tent or motorhome. Some campings in Slovenia are very basic and others will bring you the most extraordinary views and an unforgettable experience!
If your budget is up to €30 per person per night, head for Airbnbs. Especially when you’re traveling as a couple or a family, Airbnbs are perfect for you!
And if you don’t mind the cost and you want some luxury, hotels are for you! Anywhere in Slovenia, you can find hotels, from 2 to 5 stars.
Fun fact: Slovenia is filled with unique places to stay. So for a memorable vacation, check out these unique stays!
wild camping in Europe
We wild camped most nights on our trip. However, this is not allowed in Slovenia so if you choose to take the risk, make sure you don’t leave any rubbish behind.
Food in Slovenia
Slovenia may be Europe’s most underrated food destination. But actually, the food in Slovenia is excellent! From gastronomic dishes to the most delicious Slovenian wines, it’s all so good!
Food is pretty affordable in Slovenia, it’s not expensive and not crazy cheap either. Eating out you can have a delicious meal for a reasonable price.
Slovenian delicacies
Certain regions in Slovenia have their very own delicacy, like this Bled cream cake. A typical pastry only found at Lake Bled.
If you’re traveling on a budget and staying in an Airbnb or Hostel, you can easily cook your own meals. Supermarket products can often be very cheap and you can cook your meal for under €5,- euros!
Insider tip: Get your breakfast or lunch at a local bakery. At most bakeries, we paid €1,30 for a cappuccino and no more than €4 for a good, filling breakfast.
Is Slovenia expensive?
I’ve already told you a bit about the cost in Slovenia, but overall, for a European country, Slovenia isn’t expensive. I wouldn’t say it’s as cheap as most Eastern European countries, but it’s definitely cheaper than most countries in Europe.
And then again, it’s only as expensive as you make it out to be. If you’re traveling on a budget you can keep your trip very affordable, like €500 per week. But if you go all out, yeah, you’re gonna need some extra cash.
Do you want to visit Slovenia on a budget but now sure how? Read my FREE E-book about traveling Europe on a budget. It’s filled with simple tips and tricks to keep your trip super affordable. Check it out below!
Final thoughts on things to do in Slovenia
Slovenia is just a small country with endless activities! I hope that I’ve enlightened you on the best places to go in Slovenia and wish you a wonderful trip!
Which activity is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
Related posts
- Complete Guide for a Magical Slovenia Road Trip + 7-day Itinerary
- 14 Top Things to Do in Lake Bled: The Dreamiest Lake of Slovenia!
- Exploring the Magnificent Coast of Slovenia – Piran, Izola, Koper, and more!
- Slovenia Hidden Gems – Top 15 Off The Beaten Path Destinations
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