Travel advice for Slovenia
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Slovenia
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Tamara Hinson
updated 6.08.2019
Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised by Slovenia's recent popularity - it's one of Europe's most fought-over countries, after all. The country was once part of the Roman Empire, then the German Holy Roman Empire, then under the rule of the Habsburgs of Austria, and even Napoleon for a brief period. It became part of Yugoslavia in the 1920s, until 1991, when it finally achieved independence. Although Lake Bled currently ranks as the country's most popular spot for tourists, growing numbers of visitors are taking time to explore Slovenia's beautiful capital, so we've put together a guide to Ljubljana so you can make the most of this enthralling city.
Tromostovje, or Triple Bridge, in Ljubljana © Matej Kastelic/Shutterstock
16 days / from5292 USD
Gorgeous gems of Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia
From the spas of Budapest to Lake Bled with its castle and further on to Croatia - this itinerary takes you across 3 countries, with a special focus on Slovenia's lake area and the Dalmatian coast in Croatia.
customize ⤍12 days / from3046 USD
Gourmet Tour
You will visit three different adjacent countries and experience traditional local food and wines. You will visit some of the most intriguing restaurants and wineries in the area taste the delicious contrast between fine restaurants, and more traditional, authentic taverns.
customize ⤍13 days / from3153 USD
Balkan Extended
The Balkan Extended tour truly showcases the finest of Balkan’s heritage and natural beauty as you make your way through the 5 countries. Learn about the Serbian Athens, climb the splendid Old Bridge in Mostar, observe Slovenia's water castle and dive into the pearl of Croatia's beauty in Istria.
customize ⤍11 days / from2678 USD
Love Thy Neighbor - Croatia and Slovenia
Slovenia and Croatia are neighboring countries, and the close proximity of Slovenian and Croatian Istria make them a perfect destination for a single trip. The area has numerous stories waiting to be discovered, from magical alpine landscapes of Slovenia to charming historical towns inland.
customize ⤍12 days / from4535 USD
Croatia and Slovenia: An Adriatic Adventure
This expansive trip celebrates the splendour of Croatia and Slovenia, with their wondrous hilltop towns and stunning cities, such as Dubrovnik, Ljubljana and Split. Experience the wine and olive oil-making traditions of these two countries, and go truffle hunting on the Istrian Peninsula.
customize ⤍8 days / from2419 USD
The Best of Croatia and Slovenia
Combine the highlights of neighboring countries Croatia and Slovenia on this self drive trip. Explore Dubrovnik, Plitivce Lakes, Zadar and Zagreb in Croatia before heading out to see Lake Bled and Slovenia's capital Ljubljana. Make stops along the way and soak in the culture, food and history.
customize ⤍7 days / from1814 USD
Treasures of Slovenia
This trip will take you around a rather small country that is Slovenia, yet a place full of natural wonders, cultural landmarks and delicious foods. In 7 days, you will go from Europe-worthy capital of Ljubljana, along a charming part of the Slovenian Adriatic coast all the way across the Alps.
customize ⤍5 days / from853 USD
Walk of Peace - A walk through history
This historical trail encompasses the major sites of the First World War’s Isonzo Front. The trail winds its way through the Upper Soča Valley, Gorizia and the Karst up to Trieste and the shores of the Adriatic Sea, bringing together territories, cultures and people.
customize ⤍7 days / from1242 USD
Slow Travel Between the Lakes - Bled & Bohinj
The Alpine region of Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj is an unmissable visit for free-spirited travellers and those who love green tourism. This area is one of the greenest destinations in Europe, boasting enchanted lakes surrounded by splendid spruce forests and the sunny Alpine pastures.
customize ⤍Ljubljana is one of Europe's smallest cities - two million people live in Slovenia, and just 292,000 in the capital. It's a place which feels surprisingly ahead of its time, thanks to a recently pedestrianised centre and a fleet of electric jeeps which will whisk you around for free – simply dial the number on the side of the vehicles. No wonder it was voted the European Commission's Green Capital of Europe in 2016.
The residents have architect Jože Plečnik to thank for the city's elegant, orderly layout. Regarded as a master of modern architecture, Plečnik designed large parts of Ljubljana's centre in the early 20th century, shaping its embankments and designing its cemetery, market buildings, library, famous Triple Bridge and the Križanke Summer Theatre, converted from a former monastery of the Teutonic Order. Don't be fooled by the name – a sliding roof means performances can take place on rainy days.
The city is home to some great restaurants and fascinating museums and there's plenty of history to discover. There's also a great range of bars and clubs (the 50,000-strong student population can take some of the credit for this). In a nutshell, Ljubljana a destination with endless appeal, but which has somehow remained blissfully crowd-free and wonderfully affordable – for now, at least.
Ljubljana Castle with its mountain backdrop © Matic Stojs Lomovsek/Shutterstock
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Prešeren Square is the logical (and spectacular) starting point for all explorations of Ljubljana. It's surrounded by several colourful mansions, like the Mayerjeva palača (Mayor's Palace), an impossibly grand building which now houses a pharmacy. Head to Urbanc palace on the square, regarded as the city's finest example of Art Nouveau architecture, to find the city's original (and still operating) department store, Galerija Emporium. The square was created as a tribute to the late France Prešeren, considered one of Europe's finest romantic poets. One of Prešeren's sonnets was used as the basis for the country's national anthem and his statue stands proudly in the square's centre.
Another architectural gem is the Triple Bridge –a cluster of three bridges spanning the Ljubljanica River and connecting modern Ljubljana with the historic centre. The bridge was designed in 1929 by Jože Plečnik. You can learn more about the architect at Plečnik House. His former home is stuffed with tools, models and drawings, including sketches of a building which never came to fruition – the Cathedral of Freedom, which would have housed the Slovenian Parliament had his designs not been rejected.
One building Plečnik can't lay claim to is the fifteenth-century Ljubljana Castle, which towers over the city. The building has a long history – it was built as a defence against Ottoman invasions before being used as a military hospital and prison in the 1800s. During WWII, quarantined prisoners of war were sent here, and later still it was used to house the city's poorest families – albeit in horrendous conditions. A major renovation in the 1970s turned it into Ljubljana's biggest tourist attraction, reached via a short, steep funicular which starts at the base of Castle Hill. There are daily tours of the castle, which has a wonderful Museum of Puppetry within its grounds – reflecting the city's love for one of its oldest art forms.
Lake Bled seen from Mt. Osojnica, Slovenia © Alberto Loyo/Shutterstock
Another surprising fact about Ljubljana? It's got one of Europe's largest shopping malls - the BTC City Ljubljana, a sprawling complex with a water park, multiplex cinema and hundreds of stores. Which is all well and good, but if you're on the hunt for souvenirs, the city centre is the place to be.
Mestni Trg and Stari Trg (Trg means "square" in Slovenian, but also refers to streets), at the base of Castle Hill, are where you'll find the highest density of souvenir shops. Items to look out for include hand-painted ceramic plates and bowls and Slovenian salt. For the best salt, head to Mestni Trg's Piranske Soline, where you'll also find the brand's legendary, salt-dusted chocolate bars and beeswax candles – Slovenia's Carniolan bee is a protected species, and the country has 90,000 beekeepers. Fancy splashing out? Treat yourself to something colourful at Ciril-Metodov Trg's Porcelain Catbriyur, a high-end porcelain brand founded by Slovenian designers Katja and Jure Bricman.
Postojna cave in Slovenia is a great day-trip from Ljubljana © Lapas77/Shutterstock
The brilliant thing about Slovenia is that its small size means it's relatively easy to get from the capital to other highlights. Lake Bled is a 50-minute drive away, the country has plenty of lesser-known gems, such as stunning Jezersko – a postcard-perfect valley framed by soaring, snow-capped mountains. Jezersko a destination with sustainability at its heart – spend the night at the beautiful Vila Planinka (this Condé Nast-worthy hotel, surrounded by a pretty, alpine plant-filled garden, opened in early 2019) and staff will happily organise guided hikes and visits to local farms. Don't forget to quench your thirst at Jezersko's spring, although you'll have to get in line behind the locals who come to fill old wine bottles with this magnesium-rich water.
Another great option for a day trip is the Postojna Cave, 53 kilometres from Ljubljana. Getting to the heart of this underground cavern, which is Europe's largest show cave, is half the fun – the visit starts with a two-kilometre train ride, pootling past house-sized stalagmites and through caverns transformed into dance halls and lit with Murano glass chandeliers.
Top image: Ljubljana Castle © Matic Stojs Lomovsek/Shutterstock
written by Tamara Hinson
updated 6.08.2019
Tamara is a former snowboard instructor who's been a freelance travel writer for 12 years. She loves snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking and scuba diving, and the regions she knows best are Asia, America and Africa. Europe-wise she knows Germany and France very well. In normal times she does two or three trips a month. Follow her on Twitter @tamarahinson
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