Slovenia Travel Guide

There are many attractions to visit in Slovenia including mountains, beaches, and its picturesque capital, Ljubljana. There are also plenty of things to do including activities such as, water sports, white water rafting and winter sports such as skiing. Slovenia’s varied landscape of mountains, lakes, rivers and stunning coastline open up plenty of opportunities to take part in all sorts of activities. This varying landscape has also earned it a few nick names; ‘Europe in Miniature’, ‘The Sunny Side of the Alps’ and ‘The Green Piece of Europe’. Canoeing and kayaking in spring, swimming and water skiing in summer, hiking and climbing in autumn and skiing and snowboarding in winter, the possibilities are endless. Distances in Slovenia are so small that you could be hiking in the Alps in the morning and then relaxing on the beach in the afternoon. It is also one of Europe’s greenest countries; forests cover over half of the country. Most visitors to Slovenia begin with a trip to the country’s capital, Ljubljana. From here most will head to the lakes and mountains northwest of the capital. Lake Bled with its fairytale island church and cliff top castle and the even more beautiful Lake Bohinj are both worth a visit. If you just want to escape the outdoor pursuits and sight seeing, there are many resorts along to coast where you can relax in the sun. Although the Slovenian coast is just 47km long, there are several resorts that you can visit. The most enjoyable is Piran with its Venetian architecture and Slovenia’s major beach resort of Portoroz.

Slovenia Tourist Board The official website for the Slovenia National Tourist Board – a useful resource for planning your trip to Slovenia.

Where to stay...

Slovenia has many hotels. Private rooms can also be rented throughout the country and can be arranged through local tourist offices. Rural and farm stay accommodation is popular in rural areas and youth hostels and camping and caravanning are also widely available all over Slovenia.

Things to see and do

• Slovenia offers some good spots for fishing in fast alpine rivers, lakes, meadow streams and lower mountain rivers. The best preserved regions for fishing are Soca, Sava , Radnova, Krka and Unec rivers.
• Whether you are a keen hiker or occasional stroller, there are lots of trails through regional parks, circular trails around the towns, cities and lakes and less demanding paths along the rivers, in forests, and mountains.
• Horse riding is a lovely way to experience the rural parts of Slovenia. Lipica, the home of the Lipizzaner horses, has been offering a special experience since the 16th century and is an important tourist centre which offers Classical Riding Courses, and visits to see training sessions and performances.
• Kayaking, canoeing, and rafting outings are possible on many Slovene rivers.
• There are opportunities to go sailing on many lakes including Lake Bled and Bohinj. Cerknica Lake in the Karst region is an amazing natural phenomena of a sometimes ‘disappearing lake'. Yachts and sailboats rental is possible all along the coast. Proof of sailing qualifications is necessary, but yachts can also be hired together with an experienced captain.
• Visit the Postojna Caves, which are just a short walk northwest of the town of Postojna. The caves are full of stalactites and stalagmites. Tours of the caves take place throughout the year.
• Visit the picturesque glacial valley of Logar Valley and see its meadows and forests hemmed in by the peaks of the Kamniške-Savinja Alps.
• Explore Ljubljana’s old town and enjoy Baroque and Habsburg architecture, a hilltop castle and leafy riverside cafes in the enchanting capital.
• Visit the Soca Valley with its snow dusted peaks, a magical river and range of historical sites.
• Go hiking in the Julian Alps. These are said to be Europe’s most stunning and least spoilt mountain ranges. There are trails to suit all abilities.
• Visit Piran, a coastal resort strewn with Gothic-Venetian architecture, pretty churches and quaint squares.
• Go cycling on one of Slovenia’s endless cycling possibilities. From the tough-going mountain climbs of the Julian Alps and Koroška, to the less demanding trails in Dolenjska and Prekmurje.

Festivals and events

• World Cup Dog-Sledding Races held around Traviso, attract more than 1000 dogs and 200 mushers every year to its 22km circuit in Kranjska Gora. (February).
• Ski Jumping World Championships take place in Kranjska Gora. (March).
• Druga Gobda, is an alternative music festival held in Ljubljana. (May).
• Ana Deset Street Theatre, is a colourful and enjoyable street theatre event, with performances in the Old Town and surrounds, held in Ljubljana. (June).
• Bled Days, held in Bled, is a weekend fair with craft stalls by the lake and ends with a spectaular fireworks display and thousands of candles on the lake. (July).
• Cow Ball – celebrates the return of the cattle to the valley in September – held in Bohinj (September).
• Ljubljana Summer Festival – the biggest annual cultural event in Slovenia, held in Ljubljana (July-September).

Useful Telephone Numbers

Time Difference

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