Slovenia Travel Guide - How to Plan a Trip to Slovenia
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Slovenia, my home, is a small European country, located on the border of East, West, Central and Southern Europe. Basically, right in the middle of everything!
Sharing a border with Austria on the North, Italy on the West, Croatia to the South and Hungary on the East, Slovenia's location on the edge of four major European geographic landscapes is the reason why this small country is so topographically diverse.
With Alpine regions in the north, Mediterranean coast in the southeast, plains in the east, and the Dinaric Mountains and their vast forests in the south, there is a lot of "geography” packed into a small space.
Somewhat sparsely populated and with only around 2 million inhabitants it’s easy to understand why our country still has one of the highest percentages of forest cover in Europe. And it's these wild and untouched landscapes that are my country's main draw.
But there's more here than just gorgeous nature! There are also important historical sites, culturally diverse regions, and fabulous food and wine.
Small enough to be easy to explore, but so rich with attractions that you’ll never get bored, Slovenia is a delight to visit!
Welcome!
Table of Contents
Why visit
For me, the major appeal of Slovenia is that it concentrates so much of what makes a visit to Europe special within a tiny area. You have high mountains, untouched nature, lovely coastline, a couple of pleasant cities, charming medieval villages, and excellent wine regions, all in an area smaller than the US state of Vermont.
You can hike in the day and then relax in a cosmopolitan city in the evening. You can spend a morning swimming, and then an afternoon biking or driving through bucolic countryside. Go white water rafting one day and wine tasting the next.
Slovenia lets you do so many things in so little time, but receives a fraction of the visitors of its over-touristed neighbors, Italy and Croatia. This means that prices are lower, crowds are fewer, and things feel a bit more authentic.
Slovenia is the perfect destination for active people looking for a mix of outdoors adventure, relaxation, and cosmopolitan charm.
How to get here
Ljubljana airport. Photo: Bdx, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped from original
Direct flight to Slovenia
There are 3 international airports in Slovenia (Ljubljana, Portorož and Maribor), but your only real option is to fly to Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, as the other 2 are mostly only used for sport flying or private planes.
Ljubljan Airport is located about 30km north of Ljubljana, in the direction of Bled, and while it is quite small by international standards, it has lots of connections with foreign countries.
From Ljubljana Airport, you can get into Ljubljjana by taxi, rental car, or public bus. There are also some other private transportation options available online, where you can book your transfer in advance (like https://www.goopti.com/en).
Flight to a neighboring country
As Slovenia is a small country and doesn’t see huge tourist numbers, direct flights to or from Ljubljana are often quite expensive and options are fairly limited. Because of this, locals sometimes prefer to fly from airports in neighboring countries, and then make a short drive.
Depending on where in Slovenia you’re planning to start your visit, the foreign airports worth checking out are:
Venice, Treviso, or Milan in Italy
Zagreb in Croatia
Graz and Vienna in Austria
How many days to spend
Due to its location, Slovenia often plays the role of a country that tourists simply pass through on their way to to somewhere else, usually Italy or Croatia, or visit as an “add on” to one of these countries.
For Americans reading this, you might call us a bit of a “fly-over state”. But we shouldn’t be!
At the bottom of this article you'll find some "sample” itineraries of all different lengths. They'll give you an idea of what you could do with different amounts of time and how long to budget for each place.
For a detailed day-by-day plan, have a look at my 10-day Slovenia itinerary.
3 days - the bare minimum
Even for visitors who are only passing through on their way somewhere else, I recommend taking at the very least 3 days to stop and visit some of our most famous places.
Lake Bled is one of the nicest regions in the entire Alps, Slovenian coastal cities give you a Venetian feel without the crowds of Italy or Croatia, and the Postojna Cave is so fascinating that tourists who come from countries without many caves can’t believe that such a place even exists!
In only 3 days, you have enough time to explore the capital city of Ljubljana, relax on Lake Bled, check out the Postojna Cave, and visit the coastal town of Piran. Pretty good for such a short visit.
5 days - a decent introduction
If you have more time and aren’t just planning to pass through Slovenia, 5 days gives you enough time to do a sort of "highlight hopper” through the country. You'll be able to see some of our different geographic zones (karstic mountains, valleys, deep forest, and coast) and hit the main towns of Ljubljana, Bled, and Piran. You'll also have time to do at least one outdoor activity, like a good hike or some white water rafting.
7-10 days - a solid trip countrywide trip
Ideally, you'd budget 7-10 days for your first visit. This gives you enough time to explore the most famous places, but also to get off the beaten path and discover some of Slovenia’s hidden gems and charming places that see very few international visitors.
In 7 to 10 days, you’ll be able to see the capital city of Ljubljana, visit Lake Bled, and stop at some of the neighboring Alpine jewels like Bohinj or Kranjska Gora. Then, you might head for a rafting trip on the Soča River, visit the Postojna or Škocjan Caves (or both!), stop at Predjama Castle (the Castle in the Cave – look it up!), pet the white horses of Lipica, and explore the wonderful villages of Istria.
Using the full 10 days will give you a great opportunity to visit the eastern part of Slovenia as well. This is a largely unvisited region, so it’s in no way tourists, but it has a few destinations that would be a real shame to miss.
In the East, you can Bike through Logarska Valley, hike on Velika Planina, and explore the second biggest Slovenian city, Maribor, and its surrounding Štajerska Wine Region. After that, visit Slovenia’s oldest city, Ptuj, or just spend a relaxing day in one of the thermal spas in the area.
Don’t forget to enjoy the culinary specialties of each region and appreciate Slovenian wines!
With one week or more, you genuinely have enough time to take it slow and fully grasp the cultural differences of each of the regions you travel to. It’s the perfect way to experience Slovenia.
When to visit
Visiting in Spring (the best time)
The best time of the year to visit Slovenia is the late spring (April, May, and early June). Late spring is by far the best time to visit weather-wise: by then, the winter has ended and the sunny days have arrived! The forests begin to turn green again, the flowers bloom, the days get longer, and the temperatures become pleasant. It’s the perfect time to be outdoors.
The only thing to be prepared for is that April may be a bit risky at times due to unexpected and sudden sudden rains. I think it’s worth the gamble though, as, there are no crowds during this time, except for the at the very end of the month and the first few days in May when some people take holidays.
Velika Planina in the spring time
Visiting in summer
So, what about visiting in summer? Well, this time of year can be very hot and very busy. The coastal areas become crowded, and the roads are jammed with people travelling to and from our vacation areas. Ljubljana, on the other hand, has a nice vibe in summer, with many outdoor events that are worth checking out.
The mountain areas have a nicer and fresher summertime climate when compared with the rest of the country, especially areas higher up the mountains or next to lakes and rivers. You need to be very careful while hiking during summer however, as there are dangerous storms with lightening almost every afternoon. If you hike in summer, you need to start very early and be back by lunchtime.
And no matter where you’re going, make sure that you book everything in advance, as this is the busiest time of year everywhere in the country.
Rafting on the Soča River on a summer day
Visiting in autumn
Autumn, especially the earlier part of the season can be quite pretty in Slovenia, but this time of year is usually very rainy and foggy. Mountainous areas get quite chilly pretty early in the season, although other parts of the country are usually still pretty nice to visit during September and October.
If you come at just the right time and get lucky, you might catch some glorious summer foliage, as the leaves on the trees become the most spectacular shades of red, orange, and yellow. Our “fall foliage” season is usually very short though, as heavy rains typically come in quite quickly at this time of year and wash all the leaves to the ground.
And if you're traveling in the mountains, you absolutely need to be prepared for the possibilty of snowfall.
A late fall day at Lake Jasna up in the mountains
Visiting in winter
Winters in Slovenia are cold, foggy, and rainy throughout most of the country, so this is really not the ideal time to be here. However, if you head into the mountains, which still get quite a lot of snow in wintertime (our valleys rarely see snow these days), you can enjoy all kinds of winter sports!
The hills and mountains, as well as the coastal areas, are also actually relatively sunny, even in winter, so these are the places to visit if you want the best bet for good weather. The valleys and lower areas of central Slovenia (where all the major towns are) experience a persistent fog throughout winter, which often lingers for weeks at a time.
As such, this is not a good time to visit Ljubljana, except for during December, when the Christmas spirit does its magic and lights up the town.
Winter at the Zelenci Nature Reserve
Must visit places
Blessed with incredible natural beauty, Slovenia really does have an almost absurd number of beautiful places to visit, especially considering the country’s small size.
From the Alps to the coast, the karst region to the primeval forest in the south, wine country to the Ljubljana, and the undiscovered east, you truly have too many options to choose from.
With that said, most visitors to Slovenia only spend a couple of days here, so if I absolutely had to choose only a few places as my indisputable “must visits”, I’d suggest including five destinations: Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Postojna cave, Piran, and Triglav National Park.
For me, this combination is perfect as it lets you experience a little bit of the mountains, gives you a taste of city life, a glimpse underground, and some time enjoying the sea.
I’ve listed what I consider our absolute "must-visit” places below, but I have a more complete list in this article on 18 beautiful places in Slovenia.
1. Ljubljana
The "Triple Bridge” in central Ljubljana
On any first trip to Slovenia, you should be sure to visit our capital city of Ljubljana. Ljubljana is small and manageable, and the old city center is easy to navigate on foot. I think you should spend a full day here (or even two), but if you can’t spare that much time, you must dedicate at least a few hours to the city.
2. Lake Bled
Wonderful Lake Bled
Lake Bled is an absolute gem, and even though the area has become fairly touristy, you should not miss it. This picturesque glacial lake, with a small island dropped in the middle of it (with a church on it), finds its way into every tourist brochure of Slovenia. You will certainly recognize it once you see it.
Bled is very close to the airport so it is also relatively easy to reach. It can be quite busy, especially during the summer, so if you want to avoid crowds, a quieter alternative could be found by continuing on to Bohinj instead.
3. Postojna and Škocjan Caves
Inside the Škocjan caves. Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
I considering visiting one of our impressive caves to be another must-do activity. The most popular one in the country is Postojna Cave, which has an electric train that takes you underground, and on a journey where you can observe huge cave halls with stalactites and stalagmites covering every surface of it. For a bit quieter alternative visit Škocjan Caves.
4. Piran
A view over Piran's old town
For a taste of coastal Slovenia, Piran is situated on the tip of the Piran peninsula on the Slovenian Coast, and is considered the most beautiful city in Slovenia. Built under the Venetian influence, this former fishing village has a unique charm.
The town’s impressive Tartini Square, the incredible St. George's Parish Church, a maze of narrow cobblestone streets, and absolutely fabulous views from the city walls are just part of Piran’s draw. But there is so much more to experience both within the city and in the surrounding region of Istria, which is why many visitors return again and again.
You can read more about the town in my guide to Piran.
5. Triglav National Park
The Vrata Valley inside Triglav National Park
The only national park in Slovenia, Triglav is located in the northwest, between Italy and Austria. The park gets its name from Mount Triglav, the highest mountain in Slovenia (2864m).
It covers high rocky mountain peaks, green Alpine valleys, glacial lakes, pristine rivers, and many incredible waterfalls. The entire park is incredibly biodiverse.
Triglav is extremely popular with both local and foreign nature enthusiasts. With endless trails, hiking is probably the most popular activity in the area. Some of the most popular mountains to hike are Slemenova Špica, Mount Visevnik, Vogel Mountain, Planina Blato and of course the most famous of all, Triglav Mountain.
Two other must-visit areas within the park are the Soča River Valley and Bohinj Lake. Don’t miss either!
Things to do
It doesn't make much sense to give a huge list of things to do in my country without knowing where you'll be going or how many days you have to spend, but here are some things that I think are very much worth the effort (and perhaps worth extending your trip for!).
Even if some of these places and activities can't fit into your itinerary, I hope that it provides some inspiration on the type of things you can do while visiting.
Go whitewater rafting in the Soča River Valley
Visit the castle in the cave (Predjama Castle)
Enjoy wine tastings in the Štajerska or Istria wine regions
Bike through the Logarska Valley
Visit medieval villages in Istria (preferably on a bike!)
Go on a bear safari at Kočevje Virgin Forest Area
Visit coastal towns (Izola, Koper, etc.)
Ride a traditional Pletna boat on Lake Bled
Visit charming little villages in the Kras Wine Region
Relax in one of the thermal spas in the Eastern part of Slovenia
Be amazed by our Alpine waterfalls (Savica, Peričnik, Martuljek)
Pet the white horses in Lipica
Enjoy the sunset from Sečovlje salt pans
Walk the tunnels of the Idrija Mercury Mine
Overview of Slovenia’s regions
Photo: (WT-shared) Shaund, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
As I mentioned before, despite its small size, Slovenia is very geographically and culturally diverse, and it sometimes makes sense to consider the country in terms of informal regions (these aren’t official government administrative regions, but rather, are just how we Slovenians break up the country when we think about it).
Here’s a quick guide to these regions or areas:
Northwestern Slovenia
The Slovenian mountains and hills mostly lie in the northern part of the country. The Alps are the highest and most important mountain chain that shapes Slovenian and they are broken up into 3 parts: the Julian Alps in the northwest, the Kamnik-Savinja Alps in the north, and the Karawanks in the extreme north, on the border with Austria.
The main places in this region are:
The Julian Alps
Triglav National Park
Soça Valley
Bled
Bovec
Kranjska Gora
Lake Bohinj and Lake Jasna
The only national park in Slovenia is Triglav National Park, named after the country’s highest peak, Triglav (2864 m), located in the Julian Alps.
In the northern portion of Slovenia, mostly on the mountains’ southern borders, there are also hills/foothills. The popular ones are Škofja Loka Hills, Cerkljansko Hills, Polhov Gradec Hills, and Pohorje Hills. Compared to the mountains, the hilly areas are lower and fully covered by forests.
The sparsely populated Slovenian mountains and hills make a perfect setting for an unforgettable outdoor adventure. There are countless hiking opportunities for every level, great cycling, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, paragliding, and just about any other outdoor sport or activity that you can think of.
And if you’re more into relaxing, try a picnic by a lovely mountain lake while enjoying the incredible views of the peaks.
The village of Kranjska Gora. Photo: benj500, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ljubljana Region - central Slovenia
Central Slovenia, despite being home to the capital city of Ljubljbana, is actually relatively little visited by foreigners and isn't home to many "must-visit” places that you'll see in blogs and travel guides.
The main places in central Slovenia are:
Ljublajana
The Velika Planina plateau
Kamnik, a pretty medieval town in the mountains
The Kočevje Forests, a vast forested land in the center-south of the country
Our small and charming capital of Ljubljana (pronounced lyoo-blyah-nah) is well worth visiting for at least a day or two. With only 280,000 inhabitants, it keeps its small-town charm while still being the biggest city in Slovenia.
It is located in the center of the country, on the crossroad of 2 major highways that connect the north, south, east and west of the country, so is extremely easy to get to from just about everywhere.
Besides being a major economic and cultural hub, Ljubljana is the most important university town, with more than 50,000 students living here or commuting daily.
Spend your time strolling the picturesque little streets around the historical city center, visit Prešeren Square, Tripple Bridge, and Congress Square, and greet the dragons on the Dragon Bridge.
Being one of the greenest European capitals, Ljubljana also affords you the opportunity to spend time relaxing in one of many green areas right within the city. Hiking to Rožnik Hill or relaxing under the shade of the trees in Park Tivoli are two of the local’s favorites. And if you have time take a funicular ride to the Ljubljana Castle, you’ll get great views over the city.
Ljubljana's old town
Southwestern Slovenia - the Karst region
Lying in between the mountains and the coast is a region that for me, is the most interesting of all. Notranjska is full of karst formations and has been a premier destination for karst exploration for centuries.
Here, you can explore countless caves, caverns, and sinking rivers (one of which has 7 names – one for each time it rises to the surface!), lakes that come and go, millions of uvalas and dolines, and other amazing land formations and variations that still have not been fully explored or researched.
A few must visits while traveling through this corner of the country are:
Postojna and Skocjan caves are the most famous, but there are many
Predjama Castle (which you should obviously visit if you go to Postojna)
Lipica stud farm
Stanjel village and castle
Tolmin Gorge
When here, don’t miss the opportunity to visit one of the most famous Slovenian caves, Postojna or Škocjan, or dig further into this interesting region and explore it past a typical tourist visit.
Lying next to the Notranjska Region is the Kras Region, where you have the opportunity to see lovely traditional villages and taste authentic Slovenian cuisine. Of course, you will also have to sample the local wine, Teran, which gets its strong red color from the red soils in this area!
Stanjel Castle. Photo: Photo: Johann Jaritz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Istria and the coast
Slovenia has only 47 kilometers of coastline, which stretches along its southwestern border from Italy down to Croatia. There are many places on the Slovenian Coast where you can stand in one spot and see Croatia on one side and Italy on the other, but don’t let this fool you; there is much to see and do in this small place!
With the coastal area’s Mediterranean climate, strong Italian influence, and delicious Istrian cuisine, you will feel like you are in a completely different place from the rest of the country. The cultural differences here are astonishing!
In Istria, you have a few major towns, with many lovely stone villages dotting the countryside. The 4 main ones are:
Koper
Izola
Piran
Portoroz
Koper is the port city and it is the only Slovenian port. Izola, was little more than a small fisherman's town until recently, when it began to develop and expand extremely quickly. Piran is one of the most spectacular places Slovenia has to offer with its Venetian architecture anda stunning position at the very end of a narrow peninsula. Then there's Portoroz, a resort town whose embrace of modernity is almost the opposite of traditional Piran.
All along the outskirts of these coastal towns, one can indulge in Istrian cuisine and explore the local wine region of the Slovenian Coast.
Tartini Square in Piran
Eastern Slovenia
The eastern part of Slovenia is a big area composed of many different regions, and I will not spend time naming and describing all of them, as most are rarely visited by tourists.
If visiting, consider the following:
Maribor, the largest city in the east and Slovenia's second biggest
The Pohorje hills for good hiking
Stajerska wine region for wine enthusiasts
Ptju, a pretty riverside town
Here in the east, you’ll find Maribor, most famous for having the world's oldest vines, it's always nice to visit if you are in the area, especially if you are heading up into the Pohorje Hills (which is a great place for summer hiking and a very popular skiing area during winter times).
The Štajerska region around Maribor is also great for wine enthusiasts, as there are tons of charming little wine cellars that offer wine tastings. For Slovenians, this area is known for its very friendly locals and generous food portions.
Two other interesting things to do while here are visiting Ptuj, the oldest city in Slovenia, and soaking in one of the many thermal spas that dot the eastern part of the country.
The town of Ptuj on the Drava River. Photo: obzorje1, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Southeastern Slovenia
If you want to get off the beaten path, head south! If you do, you’ll be rewarded by vast forests, cold winters, and small and difficult-to-access villages that feel like they’ve been lost and forgotten deep in the forest. And if you’re interested in wildlife, bear safaris have become quite popular here in recent years.
There’s much more to see and do here than just what I’ve mentioned above, and you only need to be a bit of an adventurer if you want to visit this delightful area which few others venture into. You’ll be glad you made the effort if you make it here!
Part of this region overlaps with the the Kočevje Forests region that I've lumped in with "Central Slovenia”, so I'm sort of double dipping here. As you go east from the forests, the terrain becomes less wild, but still quite empty. There are no major cities (and barely any large towns either), but the scenery is pretty and you have lots of spas and wellness centers.
While here, be sure to look into visiting
The Krka River for great scenery and rafting
Podsreda Castle
Pleterje Monastery
Brežice Castle (and the pleasant town around it)
The water parks and spas for which the region is famous
Podsreda Castle. Photo: Jerfis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Best towns to base yourself in
Slovenia is a small country and you can easily travel between many of the main tourist destinations in very little time. To give you an idea, driving all the way across the country from Piran (on the coast in the southwest) to Maribor (in the far northeast), will only take you 3 hours.
Even so, you probably don’t want to spend hours in the car each day, so it makes sense to choose a couple of different bases from where you can quickly visit the main sights in the surrounding area.
Here are my recommendations:
Ljubljana - for an urban feel and day trip options
If you’re only visiting Slovenia for a short time and you want to be as central as possible, or you just really don’t want to have to change your accommodation at all, Ljubljana is the perfect base. Located right in the middle of the country, you can reach almost anywhere within about an hour. Ljubljana is the perfect base from which to make day trips around Slovenia.
Bled - for convenience and access to the mountains
If you’re interested in exploring the mountains, Bled is probably your best bet. Like Ljubljana, it has lots of accommodation to choose from, as well as many restaurants and other tourist amenities. There’s a lot to do right in and around the town, but when staying here you’ll also be quite close to Bohinj, Kranjska Gora, and other parts of Triglav National Park.
Bled’s popularity is also the main drawback to staying here though: it’s very touristy and the prices for just about everything are higher than elsewhere in the country.
Other mountain options
Bohinj: Not far away from Bled, Bohinj is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option. And if you’re planning to camp, there is a great campsite in Bohinj just under the Savica Waterfalls.
Still in this area, Kranjska Gora, Gozd Martuljek, and Mojstrana are all also worth checking out as potential bases.
Bovec and Tolmin: If you are planning to visit the Soča Valley your best choice is to make a base in Bovec, or further down the river in Tolmin. Both are nice towns and are convenient for exploring the valley.
Piran - for access to Istria and the coast
If you’re interested in hitting the beaches and exploring our coastline for a couple of days, Piran is a good choice. If you choose to stay here, just know that as lovely as Piran is, it’s very small and one full day is more than enough time to fully explore the city. So, the reason for staying here is its easy access to the other coastal towns, more so than the appeal of a multi-day stay in the city.
There are also a few important things to know about Piran: you can’t drive your car into the city, so you’ll need to leave it in a parking garage on the outskirts and then take the free public shuttles back and forth each day. Also, there’s very little in the way of grocery stores in the city, so you will need to stock up elsewhere or prepare to eat out a lot.
Other coastal towns
Very close to Piran is Portorož, which is the second most popular tourist place in Slovenia, after Bled. Portorož has many high-end hotels, a long sandy beach (artificial), and is known for its casinos. If you are looking to spend a lot of money on accommodation and eat at top-end restaurants then Portorož is for you.
For more mid-range/budget options, consider Izola or Koper, which are both equally but a bit less touristy and expensive.
The best camping spot on the coast is Camp Lucija.
Maribor - a taste of eastern Slovenia
If you are traveling to the Eastern part of Sloveni,a a good base would be Maribor, from where you can easily reach Ptuj, Štajerska Wine Region, and the Pohorje hills. This is also the second biggest city in Slovenia, so it can be interesting to explore.
Driving in Slovenia
I would strongly advise you to rent a car for your visit. Most of Slovenia’s higlights are its natural landscapes and many of them are possible to reach only with private transportation (or with a guided tour).
Public transportation in Slovenia is good for travelling from town to town, but if you want to reach more natural landscapes, especially in the mountains, you will simply need to have a car.
Renting a car
While the cost of a rental car will depend on the season and type of car that you choose, the price rarely exceeds €60 per day. Throughout most of the year, the average daily cost is probably around 40 euros. This price will increase during summer high season, and decrease a bit during the winter (except for during the Christmas holidays).
If you plan to rent a car, you will find the most availability in our bigger cities, like Ljubljana and Maribor, and at popular tourist destinations, like Lake Bled. You can also rent a car at Ljubljana Airport.
Where to find a car rental
International car rental companies such as Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise, etc. all operate in Slovenia and you also have plenty of local rental agencies too. You can find rental offices in all major cities, many larger towns, and some tourist hotspots.
To check prices and book, I recommend using DiscoverCars. It’s a car rental website that includes offerings from all the major international rental companies as well as lots of smaller local agencies, which often have much better pricing. You can often find great deals.
I use it myself and have always had good experiences.
Standard vs. automatic transmission
The vast majority of cars in Slovenia are standard transmission (stick-shift), but every rental company usually has a few automatic cars available as well. You will likely need to pay more to get an automatic though, and since numbers are limited, you should absolutely book well in advance – they will sell out.
Road conditions
The Slovenian road network is modern and well-developed. It consists of motorways, expressways, main roads and secondary road networks. The so-called “Slovenian motorway cross” connects Ljubljana with all 4 directions (the coast, Bled-Jesenice, Celje-Maribor and Novo Mesto- Zagreb).
Roads in Slovenia are generally in good condition, although the further away from the main network you drive, the worse the roads get. Especially in the mountains, some roads are very narrow and in pretty bad condition, so it’s not advisable to drive there if you’re not comfortable with mountainous terrain or windy roads.
Drive especially carefully after heavy rains and during the winter. Also, be aware that some mountains roads are closed during wintertime, so always check with the relevant authorities or local residents before making a long drive into the mountains.
Tolls
Motorways and expressways are subject to tolls and you must purchase a transponder if you’ll have your own car. There are companies that rent out short-term transponders, so that’s another option. Car rental companies will almost always give you the option of getting one included with your rental, for a fee of course.
Parking in cities and larger towns
Most of the historical city centers in Slovenia are pedestrian-only, meaning that you cannot bring your car inside this area. Instead, you need to park your car at one of the available P+R (park and ride) parking areas outside of the city center and then walk, bike, or ride public transportation into the city (public buses will pass by the parking areas relatively frequently).
Parking availability (or lack thereof) is a big problem everywhere during high season, and all throughout the year in our cities. Be very careful of the “do not park here” signs by the roads around the touristic areas, as these are usually heavily regulated and you will very likely get a ticket if you park where you’re not supposed to.
Paying for parking is widely available by phone, via various applications. You should see instructions for how to download the app at the relevant parking areas.
Public transportation
Public transportation in Slovenia is fine so long as you are sticking to the main cities and towns. The train is an option for getting between Ljubljana and a few cities and bigger towns, but you’ll mostly be using buses for public transport in Slovenia.
Because bus networks are regionalized, you’ll need to know (or look up) the different companies that operate in different parts of the country. Buses will get you to most cities and decent-sized towns, and even a few natural areas, but they certainly won’t get you everywhere and you can basically forget about visiting small villages or more remote parks with transit.
Train travel
While there are trains in Slovenia and it might sometimes be convenient, or at least make sense, to take the train, train travel will rarely be an option for piecing together an entire trip.
Our rail network was mostly built in the 19th century and while it connects most of the country, the travel times by train are often quite long (much longer than driving). Ljubljana is the major hub for train travel, and this where most of the trains originate or pass through.
From Ljubljana, you can travel by train to Maribor, Koper, Bled, Zagreb (in Croatia), and many other places. It is also worth mentioning the Bohinj Railway which is one of the most scenic train rides in Europe.
Traveling by train is relatively inexpensive, as it will never cost you more than €20 to between Ljubljana and anywhere else in the country. You can purchase tickets online (https://potniski.sz.si/), at the bigger train stations, or while on the train.
The trains are almost never full, but it is still best to book in advance as it can sometimes get crowded, especially on Sunday afternoons when students are returning back to Ljubljana from their hometowns, and in winter if there are bad road conditions.
Some trains are a bit faster than others, so you should familiarize yourself with the train types and make sure to book whichever ones fits your needs. InterCity (IC) trains are usually fairly quick as they stop only at major stations, whereas the regional Regionalni vlaki (RE) trains, make all stops and take much longer.
That said, even travelling with the fastest train in Slovenia is still very slow compared to your other transportation options. If you don’t mind the added time, the train routes are often quite scenic, so the journeys should be pleasant.
There are overhead luggage racks on most trains, but if you have a very big piece of luggage, you might need to store it in one of the designated areas for extra luggage, which might not be near your seat. Some trains also accept bicycles.
Traveling by bus
You can reach almost any destination in Slovenia with a bus, and the country's main hub is Ljubljana, from where you can get everywhere.
Many different bus companies operate in Slovenia and most of them offer tickets online, at the main bus stations, or on the bus itself. The cost of most bus tickets in Slovenia is relatively cheap: for a ride from Ljubljana to the coast you will pay around €10.
The local buses in major cities operate on a cashless system, where you need to buy a card (Urbana in Ljubljana, Koper Card in Koper…) on which you load money to use for the city buses. Get your card and be prepared to use it, as the drivers won’t accept cash and will not let you board the bus without the assigned card.
Luggage on most buses can be stored above the seats or in the luggage compartments under the bus. The driver can open this for you if you have a lot of luggage, but be sure to remind him of your bags before getting off the bus, especially if you’re the only passenger(s) getting off at that stop. If you don’t remind the driver, he may drive away with your bags!
Where to buy train and bus tickets
In general, I recommend booking your public transport tickets directly with the service provider. That said, because there are lots of companies and you probably aren't familiar with them, there are some “aggregator” websites you can use to see some of your options. These sites typically don't list all the different companies that run a given route (and you'll pay a slight markup if you book through them), but you'll at least be able to see some of them. Omio and BusBud are two good websites to try.
Taxis and ride-share apps
Taxis are available in the bigger cities and are reasonably cheap for local rides. However, if you’re thinking of hiring a taxi to take you to somewhere outside of the city, it will quickly become prohibitively expensive. This is not a good option.
Taxis are rarely hailed on the streets, and are instead either called (check for the local companies’ phone numbers online) or will be waiting at the assigned taxi areas within the city.
Uber, Lyft, and similar ride-hailings apps are not available in Slovenia. There is one app, https://prevoz.org/, that is used mainly by locals who are looking to share a car and optimize their expenses while travelling between regions. It might be worth considering if you’re on a very tight budget and want to meet some locals!
Booking hotels & accommodation
There are many different accommodation options to choose from in Slovenia, so your main limitation will just be your budget!
Large international hotels are found only in Ljubljana, Bled and Portorož.
Most of our hotels are smaller, often individually or family-owned. I think this adds a very nice charm to staying at hotels here, especially when compared with the big, corporate style hotels from the international companies.
You’ll also find lots of little B&Bs/Guesthouses or pensions, especially around the natural areas.
Airbnb and VRBO are becoming very popular recently, so that's another option.
For budget travelers, there are some great hostels throughout Slovenia as well, especially in Ljubljana.
And last but not least, as an outdoor-lover’s paradise, there are countless great camping sites all throughout the country.
You’ll find all the major booking platforms here, like Booking, Expedia, Hotels.com, etc. However, if you want to get a better deal, you can often try calling or writing direct to the hotel. Find them on Google Maps and then call or write to see if they can offer a better rate. And remember, cash talks too…
Expenses and travel costs
Accommodation
The costs of a simple 3-star hotel in Slovenia is on average around €40 to €70 a night for a double room. Of course, prices vary greatly depending on the season and/or the location.
The prices of accommodation can be 2 to 3 times higher during the high summer season or the Christmas holidays. In popular areas like Ljubljana, Bled, or on the coast, the cost of accommodation can be astronomically higher than for similar lodging in the southern or eastern part of Slovenia, for example.
Meals
The cost of a meal in a modest restaurant is around €10 to €14 per person (without wine). At mid-range and higher-end restaurants, expect to spend €30 a person and up.
If you are cooking your own food, a budget of €45 buys you a bag of essential groceries. As in many other countries, the food prices in Slovenia have been growing drastically in the last few years.
Alcohol
Alcohol is not as expensive as in some neighboring countries. For 0.5 l of domestic beer in the supermarket you will pay €1.25 and for 1 bottle of good quality red table wine, you will pay around €10.
Drinks in bars will range from a couple of euros for a pint of beer or a glass of local wine up to 10 euros for a cocktail at a fancier bar or restaurant.
Car rentals
Renting a car will cost approximately 40 euros per day (though you can find them for much less too).
Taxi rides
The price of a taxi ride from Ljubljana Airport to Ljubljana city center ranges from €20 to €45.
Taxis usually charge between €0.80 and €1.50 for the starting fee and from €0.70 to €1.70 per kilometer. A taxi ride from Ljubljana city center to a residential neighborhood outside of the city center would be around €8. Prices are higher at night.
Public transportation
In general, public transportation in Slovenia is quite affordable. Trains are a bit more expensive than buses, but might sometimes be a better option for you, depending on the destination. A train ride from Ljubljana to the coast is around €20, whereas a bus ride on the same route can be half this price.
Entrance tickets
Prices of entrance tickets to museums and other ticketed sites depend on the destination. Most of the museums in the cities have prices around €5 to €15 per person.
The most expensive tickets are usually the ones for the cave visits. A visit to Postojna Cave will cost you €30 per person for just the cave, and €50 total if you want to see the additional museums and expos. A ticket to Škocjan Caves will cost you around €20 per person.
Guided tours
The cost of guided tours depends on the destination and activity. A 3-hour rafting trip in Soča River Valley will cost you €60 per person. In Ljubljana, a 3-hour group bike tour will cost you €50 per person, while the Ljubljana Pub Crawl will cost you €20 per person.
The cost of a private tour will vary heavily, but will be much more expensive in all cases.
Useful things to know
Using credit cards
Credit/debit cards are widely accepted in almost every shop and store all across Slovenia, but it is always a good idea to bring some cash with you as sometimes, especially in remote areas, electronic payment systems might be temporarily unavailable or have some issues.
ATMs are available all around the cities and towns, as well as at most gasoline stations on the highways.
Tipping
Tipping is not mandatory and it is considered a reward for the worker if the service has been exceptional. Even so, most people tip at restaurants and bars if they are happy with the service. About 10% of the total bill is considered appropriate.
Unlike in many other European countries, it’s possible to tip on the bill when paying by credit/debit card, but this is rarely done. Whenever possible, the tip should be left in cash.
Safety
Slovenia is one of the safest countries in the world! We have very low crime rates, and scams or crimes against tourists are quite, quite rare.
You can walk around at night just about anywhere without worrying, and while there are some places that you might choose to avoid in the evening if on your own (like the Ljubljana train station), there are rarely reports of crimes happening even there.
Of course, as with anywhere that you travel, you should always be mindful of your belongings and not leave any of your things unattended.
A much bigger danger than crime is danger in the mountains; every year there are cases where the Slovenian mountain rescue team has to save tourists who get in trouble in the mountains.
This is mostly due to travelers going to the mountains unprepared, with no or very bad equipment, and with insufficient supplies and physical capabilities. Not to sensationalize things, but there are deaths in the Slovenian mountains every year.
So, if you go hiking, you need to make sure that you have all the necessary equipment (good hiking shoes are a must!), have a map (a physical one in addition to your smartphone’s apps), and are well prepared.
Cuisine
You’ll find different foods that are specific to certain areas and trying all the local specialties is always fun. Try Kranjska sausage with sour cabbage in Gorenjska region, Trout in Soča Valley, Bled cake in Bled, Gibanica cake if you travel further east, and seafood on the coast.
Interacting with locals
Slovenians are usually very friendly to tourists and most will go out of their way to help you with whatever you might need.
You might notice that people in rural areas are much easier to approach than their urban counterparts. In small towns and remote areas, locals might even invite you inside to join them for a meal or to try their homemade wine from a barrel down in the basement.
This isn’t at all unusual, and its often a highlight of people’s trips. When this happens, I suggest accepting the offer and enjoying this unique experience.
Topics to avoid with locals
If you want to avoid heated conversation while drinking with the locals, you should avoid topics like politics, religion, migrants, and themes related to the former Yugoslavia.
Speaking English
Until recently, Slovenians did not learn much English at all. While the situation is changing rapidly nowadays and younger generations have quite a high level of English, this is not the case for older Slovenians.
So, don’t expect the older generations to speak English, especially in remote areas. And on the coast, Italian is still a much more spoken language than English, while in the other parts of Slovenia, especially in the north, knowledge of German is very common.
Useful phrases
Most people only visit Slovenia once, so I realize you’re probably not worrying too much about studying up on the language and gaining your fluency. Even so, here are a couple of useful phrases:
Good morning – Dobro jutro
Good afternoon – Dober dan
Good evening – Dober večer
Thank you – Hvala
Please – Prosim
Slovenia itineraries - From 3 to 10 days
Here are some very short itinerary examples to give you an idea of what you could do with anything from 3-10 days in Slovenia. You can see a detailed plan for 10 days in our 10-day Slovenia itinerary.
Here are some ideas:
3-day Slovenia basic itinerary
Day 1: Bled
Day 2: Ljubljana
Day 3: Postojna Cave & Piran
5-day Slovenia extended basic itinerary
Day 1: Bled
Day 2: Kranjska Gora
Day 3: Ljubljana
Day 4: Postojna Cave with Predjamski Castle & Lipica
Day 5: Piran & Istria Wine Region
7-day Slovenia itinerary with Triglav National Park
Day 1: Bled
Day 2: Ljubljana
Day 3: Postojna Cave with Predjamski Castle & Lipica
Day 4: Piran & Istria Wine Region
Days 5-7: Triglav National Park with Soča River Valley, Bovec, Tolmin & Kobarid
7-day East & West Slovenia Itinerary
Day 3: Ljubljana
Day 4: Škocjan Caves
Day 5: Piran & Strunjan
Day 6: Logarska Valley
Day 7: Maribor & Štajerska Wine Region
10-day Slovenia Itinerary
Days 1-2: Bled & Bohinj
Day 3: Ljubljana
Day 4: Postojna Cave with Predjamski Castle & Lipica
Day 5: Kras Wine Region & traditional villages in the area
Day 6: Piran, Strunjan and Sečovlje Salt Pans
Days 7-8: Maribor, Ptuj & Štajerska Wine Region
Day 9: Terme Olimia Thermal Spa
Day 10: Logarska Valley
10-day Slovenia Itinerary for outdoor enthusiasts
Days 1-2: Bled & Bohinj
Day 3: Ljubljana
Day 4: Škocjan Caves
Day 5: Piran & Strunjan
Days 6-7: Triglav National Park with Soča River Valley, Bovec, Tolmin & Kobarid
Day 8: Logarska Valley
Day 9: Velika Planina (*please be aware, floods in 2023 have caused this site to be closed or inaccessible for the time being)
Day 10: Kočevje Virgin Forest Area
10-day Slovenia itinerary for history geeks and foodies
Days 1-2: Bled & Bohinj
Day 3: Ljubljana
Day 4: Postojna Cave with Predjamski Castle & Lipica
Day 5: Kras Wine Region & traditional villages in the area
Day 6: Piran & Istria Wine Region
Day 7: Idrija Mercury Mine & Franja Partisan Hospital (*please be aware, floods in 2023 have caused this site to be closed or inaccessible for the time being)
Days 8-9: Maribor, Ptuj & Štajerska Wine Region
Day 10: Terme Olimia Thermal Spa
More Slovenia travel info
For more advice on planning your trip to Slovenia, check out our other guides and itineraries!
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