People often ask us which country has been our favorite. While that’s a very difficult question to answer, I think we have a clear winner when it comes to the country that surprised us the most: that country is Slovenia.
Surrounded by Austria, Hungary, Italy and Croatia, and boasting 29 miles (47 kilometers) of coastline, Slovenia was historically part of the Roman Empire and later Yugoslavia, gaining independence in June of 1991. We stayed at a fantastic apartment in the capital of Ljubljana, a city from which you can travel to any of its neighbors and to the coast within a 2-hour car ride.
There is something magical about this country: with the Julian Alps on its northern border, its geography is full of mountains and rolling green hills, with beautiful gorges, waterfalls and the iconic Lake Bled. Its capital city is centered around the Ljubljanica River; lined with cafes and bars, it features many decorative bridges, including its iconic Triple Bridge and the Dragon Bridge. The symbol of the city is the dragon, assumably based on the myths of the Jason & the Argonauts: after completing the quest, several Argonauts opted to settle in the area where the dragon was defeated and established the Roman fort of Emona, which is now present-day Ljubljana.
There’s lots to do in Ljubljana; highlights include a visit to Ljubljana Castle (Ljubljanski grad), accessible by a walking path to the top, or by the Funicular at the base of the mountain. You can buy entry into the castle and a round-trip ride combo ticket at the funicular office. Walk along the river and cross one of the many pedestrian bridges, including the iconic Triple Bridge (Tromostovje) and Dragon Bridge (Zmajski Most), decorated with dragon statues, the most famous image of the city.
If you have free time on a Friday night, stop by the Food Court & Market (Odprta Kuhna), a gourmet food market – head down for food, drinks and fun with loacals and tourists alike. You can also visit Nebotičnik; once the tallest skyscraper in the city, it’s highlight is the rooftop terrace with great views of the city. And if you’re looking for music and dancing, definitely make time for Metelkova, a cultural center that comes alive at night. Pay €20 ($21) for a wristband and wander through bars featuring different music options.
If you plan to be in the city for a few days, we also have two specific tours we would highly recommend you make time for:
- Ljubljana Foods Walking Tour – guide Jasmina was great, and we had an amazing time walking through old town and munching on local eats. You’ll stay away from the tourist traps and eat where the locals dine.
- Interactive Wine Tasting Experience – host Bruno introduced us to Slovenian wines; turns out, we really like them. This experience highlighted several varieties including orange wine, which is made in Slovenia, Italy and Georgia.
Part of the charm of Slovenia is that its size makes it very easy to experience all it has to offer. Driving is easy (read: not as stressful as in other parts of Europe) and reasonably cheap. We rented a car on two separate weekends – one was spent in Bled, and another was spent with day trips outside of Ljubljana. The country is incredible, especially from a natural standpoint. Read on for recommendations outside of the capital.
Lake Bled
Less than an hour by car from Ljubljana, Lake Bled is a popular spot for tourism in Slovenia. Located in the Julian Alps in the northwestern corner of the country, the town of Bled and its lake are gorgeous, with tons of options for things to do. The town is extremely walkable, but a car is beneficial for nearby hiking trails, gorges and activities.
We stayed in the Jensen Countryside House, a lovely home-stay with several apartment options. The hosts are friendly and attentive, and there is an added bonus of free parking on site and bicycles available for free use.
There are tons of activities in and around Bled. Here are the things we would recommend:
- Vintgar Gorge – a gorge in the Triglav National Park, the one-way path guides you over turquoise rapids and beautiful waterfalls. Park in the Vintgar Zgornje parking lot early and walk to the entrance (purchase tickets online ahead of your visit for quick access).
- Vršič Pass – drive the steep mountain road to find a parking spot, and head on one of the many trails in the area. After your hike, head down to Kranjska Gora and grab a table at Okrepčevalnica Lačni Kekec, a bar and restaurant featuring charcoal grill dishes made with fresh, local ingredients.
- Bled Castle (Blejski Grad) – 11th-century clifftop castle overlooking the town of Bled and its lake; we didn’t think the interior of the castle was worth the €15 entry fee, but the views from the terrace and ramparts were well worth it.
- Take a Pletna Boat to Island Bled – look for the boats near the water taxi station. A round-trip ride will cost €18 per person, and the honest drivers will take you to the island and collect your money before the ride back. Boats don’t necessarily follow a specific schedule but will sail across when they’re full. You’ll have about an hour on the island before returning with the same passengers.
- Castle Bathing Area (Grajsko kopališče) – whether you choose to swim in Lake Bled or relax on the shore, the bathing area offers plenty of activities for families. Be aware that the area is open on a seasonal basis.
As with any popular resort town, there are great restaurants in Bled – for fine dining, make a reservation at Old Cellar Bled, and check out Pizzeria Gallus for a more casual meal. And look for Hitri Kruhek, a bakery on the edge of the tourist center that has amazing pastries and the best Bled Cream Cake we tasted while in the city (see list below for more must-try foods).
If you do have a car available, we would suggest visiting other areas of the country. If you’re a lover of all things wine, Maribor is a beautiful area. A lovely city on the river, you can stop by the Vinag 1847 and walk through the sprawling Maribor underground to wander among the cellar’s passages, followed by a wine tasting. Tours are available, or you can visit on your own without a guide. There are also many vineyards outside of the city – we stopped by Hiša Joannes Protner Winery (vinarija) and enjoyed a wine tasting overlooking the area’s sloping hills and vines.
To experience the little bit of coastline this country has to offer, head to Piran, Slovenia’s resort city on the Adriatic; walk along the pier and look over the city from the top of the ancient walls.
Not far from Piran is Trieste, Italy, a port city that occupies a small strip of land between the Adriatic Coast and Slovenia. It feels Italian with Slovenian and Austro-Hungarian influences. As a heads up, traffic is crazy in the city; if you find yourself there during the warmer months, be patient while looking for a parking spot.
We would also highly recommend Skocjan Caves Park, a natural preserve and UNESCO World Heritage site about an hour’s drive from Ljubljana. The protected area contains an amazing limestone cave system that you can tour – purchase tickets online for a specified day and time and experience the caves before they’re no longer accessible. (Photos inside the caves are not permitted.) On your return to Ljubljana, you can stop by Predjama Castle, a medieval fortress built into the cliffside.
Oh, and a few suggestions for some foods you should try:
- Pumpkin Seed Oil: a long tradition in Slovenia, pumpkin seed oil is known for its aromatic taste and is used in salad dressing, as a base for sauces or for dipping bread (among other things).
- Orange Wine: repopularized by Slovenia and Italy, its origins are from the area now known as Georgia.
- Slovenia Wine (in general): the country produces great wines, white, red and orange alike. Most of the wine is consumed in-country, and therefore not commonly exported.
- Bled Cream Cake: an insanely delicious cake made in Bled. You’ll fall in love with the light and creamy concoction of puff pastry, custard and whipped cream.
For more recommendations of things to do and where to eat, visit our TripAdvisor Travel Map.