Lovely Slovenia, land of crystal lakes, lush greenery, romantic castle ruins and incredible artisanal crafts! When you’re looking for a place to visit that has it all–if your definition of all includes natural beauty, fascinating history, and excellent food–the Slavic paradise of Slovenia should be at the top of your dream list.
Slovenia–not to be confused with Slovakia–is one of Central Europe’s more underrated destinations, which should be a crime given how much this beautiful gem of a country has to offer. Because it’s been part of so many different empires and kingdoms in the past, and it’s in close proximity to so many other countries, the cultural and culinary landscape here is rich and varied. The literal landscape, too, ranges from field and forest to mountain, lake, and sea. Whether you’re an enthusiastic backpacker or just looking for a relaxing getaway, you’ll find it here.
Wondering where to begin? Well, we’d love to tell you all about our top ten places to visit in Slovenia!
Ljubljana – The Cozy Capital
Ljubljana stands out among Europe’s many capital cities by preserving Old World charm and championing sustainability. Frequently cited on lists of Europe’s greenest capital cities–if not outright topping most of them–this is a city that encourages visitors to slow down and learn the art of being exactly where you are, with great enjoyment.
No cars are permitted in the beautiful Old Town center of this eminently walkable city, so pedestrians and cyclists alike can delight in a lovely ramble along the banks of the Ljubljanica River as it burbles through the city like a living liquid ribbon. When you need to rest, you can take an enjoyable moment of refreshment at one of the cafés dotted throughout Ljubljana, where on a nice day, you’ll likely be joined by many a local also seeking a bit of fresh air and community.
But you don’t have to stay on the ground; rooftop restaurant culture is also alive and well in Ljubljana, and it’s a stunner of an option for dinner. After a day of browsing Ljubljana’s many charms, such as the historic Triple Bridge across the river, an artisanal handicrafts class, or the 11th-century Ljubljana Castle, head up amongst the gabled rooftops for spectacular views and truly delectable options from the city’s lively and diverse culinary scene.
Lake Bled – A Fairytale Destination
When it comes to locations that look like illuminated manuscripts come to life, there is nowhere that more embodies the concept than Lake Bled, one of the dreamiest places to visit in Slovenia. While it may not be one of the world’s highest lakes, northwestern Lake Bled is special in that romance thrives here, in every meter of the blue-green waters, every fresh green leaf on the many trees. When looking for an abundance of romantic things to do in Slovenia, this is where you go.
There may be nothing in the world more dreamlike than picturesque Bled Island and its tiny chapel nestled into a thicket of trees. The island, which can only be accessed via boat, is a place with centuries of love and hopeful wishes dancing on its winds. If you’re getting married at the Assumption of Mary chapel, you’ll have to carry your beloved up the 99 steps first, but as that’s meant to assure you a lifetime of happiness, no big deal, right?
After taking a pletna boat–most of which are piloted by the descendants of families that have been sailing on Lake Bled for centuries–to the island so you can ring the bell and send your wishes out on the wind, wander up to Bled Castle for the most incredible views as well as a great historical education. Then wrap up your day by going to the Kavarna Park restaurant on the shore of the lake to enjoy a slice of the local delicacy, Blejska kremšnita. This is a heavenly vanilla cream cake that’s been made in the area for decades, and is recognized as a Slovenian national dish. A day just spent eating a slice of it while admiring the lake would be a brilliant idea for a solo birthday excursion.
Lake Bohinj – Untouched Natural Beauty
Lake Bled is gorgeous, but that beauty occasionally means that there are a lot of people clamoring to see it, especially during peak tourism season. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of stunning locales in the country, and Lake Bled’s quieter cousin Lake Bohinj is where to go in Slovenia if you’ve got your heart set on a dreamy lake getaway, but want smaller crowds.
As crystalline blue-green as Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj is Slovenia’s largest glacial lake. The lake is surrounded by peaks of the Julian Alps, which cast their reflection into the mirror-like surface to create otherworldly images, resembling a portal into a dreamland.
The area surrounding Bohinj is beautiful and ideal for outdoor escapes like swimming, kayaking and hiking–but for less sporty travelers, it’s also rich in cultural delights. On the shores of the lake stands the Church of St. John the Baptist, 700 years old and home to some of the country’s most beautiful frescoes. There’s the Alpine Dairy Museum, which offers richly educational glimpses into the region’s history. Oplen House, an amazing example of a traditional Slovenian farmstead, stands as another remarkably well-preserved monument to the farming history of the area.
Triglav National Park & Julian Alps – Epic Alpine Views
Lake Bohinj is very close to Triglav National Park in the Julian Alps, and it is a prime dream destination for the adventurous sorts among us.
In the park, Mount Triglav stands as Slovenia’s highest peak, clocking in at 2,864 meters tall–it’s no Nangal Parbat, but still a more than respectable height for climbing. In fact, it’s a very popular peak for intermediate climbers, taking about two days to complete comfortably. The area also offers some truly spectacular and challenging routes for skiing and hiking, if that’s more your speed.
But there’s more to the park than rugged mountaineering adventures; this is also a fantastic place to go if you’re into nature photography. Many a photographer has captured some stunning portraits here, because it’s just such an effortlessly beautiful place. Wherever you roam in the park, you’ll be experiencing nature’s beauty up close. This is a truly magical treasure of a destination.
Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle – Fascinating Geology & Unique Medieval Architecture
Feel like you’ve seen it all? Want something unique and different? How about a huge network of stalactite-spiked subterranean caves? Or a medieval castle built into the rocky face of a towering cliff?
The Postojna Cave system stretches nearly 25 kilometers into the earth. The floors and ceilings are studded with rock growths, and rock curtains drape the walls nearly everywhere you look. It’s a fascinating geological ecosystem of rivers, mineral columns, and even fauna such as the olm, a type of salamander endemic to Alpine Slovenia. Visitors can see up to five kilometers of the system via a small train, and the knowledgeable tour guides of Postojna–called the Heroes of the Underground–offer fascinating presentations about the history and biology of the caves.
Nearby, Predjama Castle sits nestled into an intimidatingly massive cliff face. The castle was originally built in the 1200s and later rebuilt in the late 1500s following some major sieges during the turbulent ownership of Erasmus of Lueg. Predjama today is a strangely beautiful amalgamation of cave, cliff, and castle with a fascinating history–definitely something unique and different.
Piran – Coastal Beauty
Coastal Piran may be one of the most romantic cities in Slovenia. Occupying a tiny tip of land that juts into the Gulf of Trieste, Piran puts visitors into a very Venetian frame of mind–which isn’t surprising, given that it once was part of the pre-Italian Republic of Venice and was built in that architectural style.
Piran may not have Venice’s canal system, but it’s a dreamy destination for lovers all the same, a perfect weekend getaway for any pair of sweethearts. Wander the narrow cobbled streets hand in hand, enjoy spectacularly delicious seafood dinners–locally sourced and fresh as you can get–and admire the colorful buildings of Tartini Square, the car-free heart of this tiny seaside town.
Shopping here is also exquisite, with locally made chocolates and pretty artisanal crafts available to give your sweetie some perfectly lovely surprises that will brighten their day.
Maribor – The Heart of Wine Country
Wine-lovers rejoice, because there’s a region of Slovenia for you, too!
Northeastern Maribor is Slovenia’s second largest city but perhaps more importantly, it’s the capital of the country’s main wine region. Here, you can taste some of the world’s most delicious white wines on one of the many tours through the lush green fields. In Maribor itself, you can also see the world’s oldest grapevine at Old Vine House, which dates back at least to the mid-17th century and still produces grapes. These grapes are turned into one of the already rare red wines in Slovenian viticulture, and only about 100 bottles are produced annually.
Wine aside, Maribor is an interesting city in itself, with lovely old architecture in the ancient Lent district along the River Drava. Lent is also the home of the annual Lent Festival, one of the largest in Slovenia, where the streets are brought to life celebrating the arts and culture of the country.
Soča Valley – Emerald Adventures
A green river? It sounds unbelievable, but you can see it with your own eyes in the Soča Valley, where the region’s namesake river winds through the landscape of rolling hills like a silky emerald ribbon.
Soča is a place that is a haven for outdoor sport enthusiasts to visit while in Slovenia, who will love flyfishing or kayaking in one of the most gorgeous locales in Europe. There’s plenty of excellent hiking to be had in the mountains and canyons of the region as well, not to mention some fantastically challenging routes for cyclists. Fresh air and a fine time are the norm here in Soča, a fun-filled escape for the vacationing sportsmen and women of the world.
Ptuj – A Step Back in Time
The oldest town in Slovenia may be rather small, but in terms of historical and cultural value, it’s certainly mighty. In the compact center of the town, it’s easy to walk centuries-old streets and touch history with your bare hands. There’s a lot to feast your eyes on in Ptuj, but you’ll have to make special time to admire the ornately beautiful Dominican Monastery, with its intricately decorative exterior and awe-inspiring wealth of history inside.
Ptuj’s crown jewel is Ptuj Castle, perched on a hilltop in the city center. Not only is this where you can take in some breathtaking views, it’s also the home of one of Slovenia’s largest and most diverse museums. Guests can see the museum’s impressive collection of ancient musical instruments, the exquisite array of Slovenian folk art glass paintings, a mindboggling array of antique weaponry, and beautiful hand-crafted carnival masks–just to start.
Kranjska Gora – All-Season Mountain Retreat
Escaping to the mountains is always rewarding, but Kranjska Gora is a veritable treasure chest of mountain fun all year round–so if you want to visit Slovenia but aren’t sure what to do, you can’t go wrong heading here. The Kranjska Gora resort is an especially delightful place to visit in Slovenia for families who are looking for vacations that are fun for children and adults alike, as there are tons of activities available.
In wintertime, thrill-seekers can get their adrenaline rushes on by skiing or snowboarding through the resort’s 20 kilometers of ski slopes; there’s a place there for beginners as well, and instructors on hand to help anyone improve what skiing skills they have. Come warmer seasons, the resort offers ample hiking and biking opportunities amidst their stunning mountain scenery. Year-round, visitors can access the resort’s outdoor fitness park and enroll children in horseback riding classes or enchanting forest excursions–truly, there’s no lack of activity in Kranjska Gora, you’ll never be bored!
Also Read: Best Ski Resorts in the US
Slovenia: Europe’s Most Precious Hidden Gem
When you’re ready for something new, beautiful and unique in terms of travel destinations, you won’t regret moving Slovenia to the top of your list. This is a country too full of enchantment to pass up–don’t hesitate, go experience your own fairytale in a land pulled straight from your childhood stories.