Travel in Slovenia: when to go, places and advice

The size of a single French region, Slovenia condenses the essence of Europe: lake Bled and its island church against the Julian Alps, the emerald gorges of the Soča, the giant caves of Postojna, gentle Ljubljana criss-crossed with bridges and even a balcony on the Adriatic at Piran. Green, clean, cyclable, it can be covered in a week and makes you want to come back for ten. The perfect country for a first nature road trip.

Capital: Ljubljana
Currency: Euro (€)
Language: Slovene
Direct flight: ≈ 1 hr 40 from Paris
Time difference: None from central Europe

Itineraries

Our trip ideas in Slovenia

The itineraries in Slovenia are in the works: the day-by-day programme, named hotels, tickets to book flagged in advance. Leave your address to be notified when they come out.

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The right season

When to go in Slovenia?

From May to September, Slovenia is at its peak: swimmable lakes in summer, open alpine passes, turquoise rivers at their fullest. June and September avoid Bled's crowd peak. Autumn gilds the forests and fills the cellars, winter switches to skiing and thermal springs. The Vršič pass generally closes from November to May.

January : In-between
February : In-between
March : In-between
April : Pleasant
May : Ideal
June : Ideal
July : Ideal
August : Pleasant
September : Ideal
October : Pleasant
November : In-between
December : In-between

Ideal
Pleasant
In-between
Avoid

Quick guide

Understanding Slovenia

Getting around

A car is essential to chain lakes, gorges and alpine passes; allow for the electronic motorway vignette. Ljubljana is lived on foot and by bike, its centre is pedestrian.

Money

The euro (€). Cards work everywhere and prices stay below neighbouring Austria's, except in Bled at the height of summer. The tourist farms offer unbeatable half-board.

Language

Slovene. English is excellent everywhere, Italian common towards the coast, German towards the north. No practical barrier.

Useful apps

The DarsGo app or e-vignette for the motorway, Arriva for the buses, and the pass webcams (Vršič) before climbing in spring.

Accommodation

Tourist farms (turistična kmetija) in the open air, Triglav chalets, characterful hotels in Ljubljana. Bled and Bohinj book out early from June to September.

Etiquette

Greet with a "dober dan" on the trails, keep right on the cycle paths, and carry out your rubbish: the country's cleanliness is a national pride.

The iconic places

Lake Bled

Bled

The island, its church, the castle on the cliff and the Alps as a backdrop. Row out in a pletna, ring the wishing bell and taste the kremšnita.

Vintgar Gorge

Bled

1.6 km of wooden walkways suspended above emerald water. Arrive at opening time, the canyon is narrow and popular.

Postojna Caves

Postojna

24 km of galleries visited by little underground train, giant stalagmites and the strange olm. The cave-castle of Predjama completes the visit.

Ljubljana

The Triple Bridge, the Dragon Bridge and the terraces along the Ljubljanica: a joyful, walkable pocket capital.

Soča Valley

Bovec

The most turquoise river in the Alps, a paradise for rafting and hiking, crossed by the alpine Vršič pass and its 50 hairpins.

Piran

Coast

A Venetian peninsula with roofs packed around Tartini Square: 46 km of coastline are enough for Slovenia to have its Adriatic pearl.

Tap a dot, or browse the list below the map.

Lake Bled : The island church of the Julian Alps
Vintgar Gorge : Walkways over emerald water
Lake Bohinj : The great wild lake of the Triglav
Vršič Pass : 50 hairpins to the Soča valley
Bovec : Rafting on the turquoise Soča
Ljubljana : The Dragon Bridge and the old town
Postojna Caves : 24 km of galleries by little train
Predjama Castle : The fortress in the cliff
Piran : The Venetian pearl of the Adriatic