I'll tell you a secret: I was born and lived about 60 km from Slovenia and I didn't visit it until a few years ago. I know, I know, I have no excuses and there is no shortage of things to see and do in Slovenia! Since I was little I listened to radio stations in a foreign language and I grew up with the idea that if you smoke or consume a lot of gasoline, you should cross the border every so often XD. But it wasn't until this trip that I discovered that, although my Friuli Venezia Giulia is of course more beautiful hehe, Slovenia is a super complete destination!
What to see and do in Slovenia
In this post we tell you the 20 best things to see and do in Slovenia , so put on your most comfortable shoes and get ready to fall in love with one of the greenest and most surprising countries in Europe.
1. Lake Bled, the most incredible place to visit in Slovenia
Visit Lake Bled , our favourite place in Slovenia (and many others). It is such a charming place that it will enchant you from the first moment, as it did for us. We recommend you enjoy it calmly, and if you can stay in the surroundings for a few days, even better. Getting there from Ljubljana is easy, you can do it by bus, by car or even on a tour like this one .
Some of the things that await you here are:
- Take a boat trip to Bled Island: you can do this on the traditional wooden boats called pletna. On the island, there is a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
- Visit Bled Castle: it is a medieval castle located on the northern shore of the lake, perched on a small mountain that offers a breathtaking panoramic view.
- Hiking or biking: There are many hiking and biking trails that run around the lake and its surrounding areas.
- Swimming or relaxing on some beaches: Lake Bled is an ideal place for swimming, relaxing on the beach or practicing water sports.
- Eat the famous Bled cake (Kremšnita) : made with puff pastry, custard and whipped cream.
→ Here we tell you what to see and do in Bled.
2. Triglav
If you are one of those who enjoys mountains like a gnome, write down this name: Triglav . It is nothing more and nothing less than the highest mountain in Slovenia (2,864 m). They say that all Slovenians climb it at least once in their life.
3. Vintgar Gorge, a natural wonder to see in Slovenia
Just a short distance from Bled is the Vintgar Gorge , where there is a 1.6 km walk that crosses rock walls, crystal-clear pools and fairytale landscapes. This was our visit to Vintgar Gorge .
4. Medieval villages route
If, on the other hand, the mere thought of climbing a mountain causes you arrhythmia and chronic fear, don't worry, there are more relaxed plans. Like taking a route through some of the most charming medieval towns in the country, such as Škofja Loka , Ptuj or Kranj . For this, it is a good idea to rent a car and plan your own excursions.
Remember to get the Revolut card ( with a €10 promo ) to avoid commissions when paying and withdrawing money abroad
5. Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia
Ljubljana is not only the capital of the country, but it is also its most exciting city, full of beautiful corners, where you can walk around and slowly fall in love with this little-known country. If you are planning a short trip to Slovenia, this will be the perfect base for your stay .
In this post we tell you 20 things to see and do in Ljubljana , although we already told you that our favorites are crossing the Dragon Bridge and watching the sunset from the castle hill.
Tip : Sign up for this free tour of Ljubljana in Spanish to get to know the Slovenian capital with the help of a local guide.
6. Soca Valley
We heard wonderful things about the Soca Valley , but we still had to go there. In this area of southwestern Slovenia you can go for bike rides or even try rafting or kayaking! The best way to explore it is to base yourself in Bovec . Fun fact: the same river runs through my Italian region ( Friuli Venezia Giulia ) and there we call it Isonzo (and yes, that's really cool!).
The name comes from the Soca River, famous for its cold, crystal-clear and strikingly blue waters.
7. Predjama Castle, a treasure to see in Slovenia
Predjama Castle is one of the most amazing tourist attractions in Slovenia, and we are sure that it will not leave you indifferent.
This is a medieval castle from the 12th century, located in a 123-metre-high cave in southwestern Slovenia. Not only is it one of the most visited sites in Slovenia, but it is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is a castle surrounded by stories and legends, such as that of the knight Erazem Lueger , who rebelled against the Holy Roman Emperor and took refuge in the castle for several years while enemy troops besieged it. It is said that the boy and his companions mocked the soldiers' siege by using a secret tunnel that connected the castle to the cave... Here we tell you more about this Slovenian treasure .
8. Lake Bohinj
If Lake Bled is Slovenia's main attraction, Lake Bohinj is its big secret. It is located just 30 km from Bled, but it is not a place that is too frequented by tourists, which makes it even more interesting.
9. Postonja Caves, another of the wonders to see in Slovenia
Did you know that Slovenia is home to some of the largest caves in Europe? The Postonja Caves are a collection of caves, tunnels and karst galleries that cover an area of about 24 km2 (5 of which are accessible). The only downside is that they are expensive: a single ticket costs €29.50. Still, they are undoubtedly one of the best things to see and do in Slovenia.
If you decide to visit it (our advice is that you do), you will find yourself surrounded by a world of stalactites and stalagmites and, in addition, you will have the opportunity to see animals such as the proteus, a blind amphibian that is endemic to the karst caves of Europe.
Please note that the tour is guided and lasts approximately 1 hour and a half. Wear something with long sleeves, even in summer.
Take out IATI travel insurance with a 5% discount here . Whatever your destination
10. Glamping in Slovenia
Slovenia is a perfect destination to disconnect and reconnect with nature, and a good and original option for accommodation is glamping . This is a much more chic camping concept than the typical tent. We have Ribno Alpine Glamping on our radar for when we return.
11. Slovenian gastronomy
On our trip we thoroughly enjoyed Slovenian cuisine , as well as that of the rest of the Balkans. The real gem here is the famous cevapi (or ćevapčići), a dish of spiced minced meat sausages, served with bread, onions and kajmak, a cream-like custard. It's delicious, so be sure to try it.
Another top dish to eat in Slovenia is pljeskavica, the Slovenian version of the hamburger.
12. Lake Jasna
Another quiet and beautiful alpine lake is Lake Jasna . It is actually two artificial lakes located very close to Kranjska Gora. It is the perfect place to stop along the way, fill your lungs with fresh air and your eyes with beauty.
Remember to bring your Revolut card and/or N26 card so that you are not charged commissions when withdrawing money abroad.
13. Piran, discovering the Slovenian Coast
Slovenia doesn't have too many kilometres of coastline, but the few that it has are very well used. If you only had to go to one place, it would be Piran , probably the most beautiful coastal town in the country. Here you have to do at least 3 things: climb the bell tower to enjoy the views, wander around the narrow streets of the centre and stuff yourself with seafood and fish.
14. Most beautiful waterfalls to see in Slovenia
What it does have in store are mountains and rivers, and that only means one thing: waterfalls ! There are a few that are worth seeing, but we especially recommend:
- Boka Falls (Slap Boka),
- the Virje Waterfalls (Slap Virje),
- and Kozjak Falls (Slap Kozjak).
15. Wine tourism, something original to do in Slovenia
We already told you that gastronomy is a plus, but Slovenia also produces a lot of very good wine. If you like to try the typical wines of each country you visit, you will have to order a glass of renski rizling and traminec here . There are several wine tastings in Ljubljana , and you can even consider taking road trips through the country's wine regions, such as the Vipava Valley , Goriška Brda or Maribor .
More things to do in Slovenia
- Take a trip to Trieste , the least Italian city in Italy. In this post we tell you everything you can do in Trieste in one day .
- Or head to Croatia ! It's one of our favourite European countries and considering it's so close, a visit isn't too crazy. If you don't know where to start, head straight to Istria .
- Are you travelling to Slovenia in winter? Make the most of it by skiing! Karnjska Gora is the perfect gateway to the Julian Alps and to visit my Italian region: Friuli Venezia Giulia 🙂
- You may not know it, but Slovenia is a perfect destination for both hyperactive tourists and relaxed travellers. And what better way to recharge your batteries than by spending a day at a spa before continuing on your trip? We recommend the thermal baths of Dobrna , Rogaška Slatina or Pomurje .
- To discover Slovenia's most alternative neighbourhood, head to Metelkova Mesto in Ljubljana. What was once an area of military and government buildings is now a madhouse of colours, street art and hipster joints. It's so cool!
Here we tell you about 20, but there could be many more. Because, as you can see, Slovenia is a country with an almost infinite number of things to see and do. We encourage you to discover it for yourself, and when you get back, tell us your favorites!
