A Quick Slovenia Travel Guide 4U will introduce you to this stunning under-the-radar European country. Firstly, we will discover its major attractions, places, and things to do. Then, we will reveal how to get there, and at the end, we will show some insider tips you should know when visiting this beautiful country.
Triglav National Park
©I Feel Slovenia
Our website includes affiliate links. So, remember that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. Please read our legal disclaimer document for more information about our Affiliate disclaimer and other disclaimers like the Fair-Use disclaimer.
About Slovenia Travel Guide 4U
A brief introduction
Slovenia is a small country in central Europe amidst tourist superpowers like Italy, Austria, and Croatia—a little over 2 million inhabitants whose characters are a healthy mixture of Austrian calmness and Balkan wildness. So, why should you explore it? Let’s find out more.
Jaw-Dropping Natural Beauty
From the towering peaks of the Julian Alps and the underground spell of Postojna and Škocjan caves to the sparkling emerald-green lakes and rivers and the short but sweet coastline along the Adriatic Sea, tiny Slovenia does have it all—an excellent combination of everything under the sun. And with more than half of its total surface still covered in forest, it is one of the greenest countries on earth.
Outdoor Pursuits
Slovenia is, foremost, an outdoor destination. The checklist of activities on offer is unlimited. The most popular hobbies are skiing, mountain biking, and cycling. In addition, mountain rivers like the Soča are perfect for rafting. Furthermore, it would help if you tried activities like horse riding, ballooning, caving, and canyoning.
Architectural & Cultural Gems
The architecture there varies wonderfully: from the Venetian coastal towns(like Piran) and the rustic Hungarian-style farmhouses of Prekmurje to the art nouveau splendors of the capital Ljubljana. The museums are rich, and the culture is profound.
Tasty Slovenia
Slovenian wine is an unrecognized strength, and regional whites and reds pair well with local specialties. Slovenian cooking borrows a little from each of its neighbors—Italy, Austria, Hungary, and the Balkans—synthesizing and reinventing dishes that appear typical and exceptional. Moreover, Slovenes are obsessed with using only fresh and locally sourced ingredients, which results in a fantastic gastronomic destination.
Ljubljana
©Rick Steves Europe
Top things to do and to see
Since Slovenia still needs to be recognized, we will start this list with the top destinations everyone will visit because of the need for more time. Those places are also the most advertised.
Ljubljana
Ljubljana is the green capital of a green country, the city of thousands of events encircled by Alpine essence. This charming and vibrant city will captivate and fascinate anyone willing to explore it. With its scenic bridges, the historic core owes its distinctive appearance to the prominent architect Jože Plečnik.
Note: If you’d like to learn more about the Slovenian capital, please read our Ljubljana Guide.
©the-slovenia.com
Bled
This tourist gem of global dimensions near Triglav National Park, nominated as one of the world’s seven new wonders, is Slovenia’s number-one smash hit. More importantly, the island and baroque church in the middle are among Slovenia’s top things to see.
Insider tip: Once you are there, make sure to visit Vintgar Gorge and Lake Bohinj. Locals claim it is even more beautiful than Lake Bled, albeit the missing inlet.
©I Feel Slovenia
A magnificent world of underground caves
You have genuinely experienced Slovenia once you visit its subterranean splendor. There are stunning underground caves, including the world-renowned Postojna Cave and UNESCO World Heritage Site Škocan Caves.
Insider tip: Slovenian authorities advised not to visit them during the peak season (July, August) because they tend to get overcrowded. Thus, you’ll have to wait alone for 2 to 3 hours to get in. Slovenia is a more under-the-radar destination, after all.
©I Feel Slovenia
Medieval Piran
The most attractive townlet on the Slovenian seaside grew with the help of salt. The Piran salt pans still produce the world-class fleur de sel (flower of salt) using age-old methods. They also explain why the scenic walled town flourished with its architectonic and cultural attractions. To find out more information about Piran, please read our related article.
Kranjska sausage is one of the most internationally recognizable Slovenian specialties.
©Okusno je
Prekmurje layer cake (Gibanica) is Slovenia’s most celebrated dessert.
©the-slovenia.com
What else can you do?
You can dig deeper if you have decided to stay in Slovenia longer. That’s why we recommend the following activities and places.
Food and wine tasting
Slovenia is an excellent meeting point for the four European culinary worlds. Here, the influences of Alpine, Mediterranean, Pannonian, and Balkan cuisines meet, resulting in unique local flavors and characters.
Slovenian Wines
Three wine-growing regions in Slovenia are known for wines that receive renowned awards globally. These include excellent original wines, typical for particular areas. If you visit the wine-growing site of the Primorska Region, you must taste Teran; in the Posavje Region, taste Cviček; and in the Podravje Region, taste white wine varieties, such as the Rhein Riesling and Traminec.
A particularly mesmerizing wine area is Goriška Brda, with its Italian-touch villages at the top of the hills. They are the perfect spot for wine, local food tasting (Peršut, similar to Italian prosciutto crudo), and hiking. We could say they are Slovenian answers to hilly Tuscany.
The other area we wanted to stress is Slovenjske Gorice, which is in the north of the country around Maribor and Ptuj town. The magnificent hilly nature is perfect for easy hiking while tasting local white wines and cuisine. And if that isn’t enough, you can also visit the World’s Oldest Vine.
For more than 450 years, the world’s oldest vine has remained firmly rooted in Maribor’s heart.
Tip: Visit the heart-shaped road in the village of Svečina. We guarantee it is one of the most Instagrammable places in Europe.
Local cuisine
Slovenia’s cuisine reflects the local natural environment, which people have incorporated into their menus for centuries. They have traditionally prepared meat dishes, dairy delicacies from pastures, and honey from the world-renowned Slovenian bees.
The delicacies of gastronomic regions at the foothills of the Alps are connected to the mountains and their farms of cows, sheep, and goats. Flowering meadows and forests provide enough pollen and nectar to feed Carniolan grey bees, which produce excellent honey. So, milk is the basis of original cheeses. Furthermore, dairy delicacies go well with flour-based dishes, such as žganci (mash). You should all try it.
The cuisine in the eastern part of Slovenia, where there are the most grain fields, has always been grand—the most famous local dish is Gibanica.
The region’s star is the Štajersko prekmursko bučno olje (pumpkin seed oil from the Štajerska and Prekmurje regions), a protected geographical indication.
Tip: Try tomato salad with pumpkin oil. Nothing tastes better. After this once-in-a-lifetime experience, you won’t want to eat salads without pumpkin oil.
Terme Ptuj – Spa resort with the old town of Ptuj in the background.
©Grand Hotel Primus
Slovenia Travel Guide wishes you an excellent SPA Experience.
Slovenia is a land of healthy water, so this Quick Slovenian guide will also try to introduce you to them.
Firstly, its thermal and mineral springs are a source of health and well-being. The most famous Spa resorts, among others, are Rogaška and Olimje, located in the eastern part of the country near the Slovenian-Croatian border.
The oldest spa resort is Rogaška, with its art nouveau architecture and a few hundred-year-old spa traditions. It is also famous for glass making. The other resort, Olimje, is futuristically designed and has been awarded the best Slovenian spa resort for over ten years.
©Postojna.si
Visit one of the oldest stud farms in Europe.
Did you know that the noble white Lipizzaner horses are from Slovenia? Their original stud farm has been in Lipica in the Karst since 1580. You can marvel at their elegance while watching shows and classical riding training. You can also experience the Karst Region in a carriage or go riding.
©
Experience the Soča Valley
The River Soča, which has a distinct emerald green color, is considered one of Europe’s most beautiful rivers. The river and its tributaries excite hikers, cyclists, and fans of adventurous water sports, such as wild water kayaking, rafting, canyoning, etc.
Furthermore, Soča is famous for its fish—the Soča Trout, which attracts fishermen worldwide. Given its natural beauty, it’s no wonder The Chronicles of Narnia movie was shot there.
Quick Slovenia Guide tip: It is the most beautiful part of Slovenia, so we strongly recommend a visit.
©kurentovanje.net
Attend Kurentovanje
If you visit Slovenia in the winter, attend the Ptuj ethno carnival. It is voted one of Europe’s best carnivals, with its Kurent—the main mascotte and the center of attention during the celebration.
You can also visit Slovenian’s oldest town, nestled between the wine-growing hills of Slovenske Gorice and the Drava River.
Other activities
As we mentioned, Slovenia is an outdoor destination, so you can do plenty of activities in its natural environment, such as discovering Slovenian mountains by hiking or bicycling. There are excellent hiking paths, such as in Pokljuka, on the hill of Pohorje (near Maribor), Velika Planina mountain, etc. Furthermore, you can enjoy winter in the skies. Slovenia has smaller, family-friendly ski resorts that are especially suitable for beginners and children.
Velika Planina
©
Getting to and around Slovenia
Easy Access
Slovenia is situated in Central Europe. It is only a few hour’s drive away from Venice or Vienna. Slovenia is easily accessible from all neighboring countries. It has good road and rail connections and daily flights from many European cities. Since it is a coastal country, you can also get to Slovenia by sea.
Requirements for Entry into Slovenia
Slovenians are not restricted from entering. Passengers only need a valid travel document (an identity card or passport) and a visa (if required). The RVT rule (recovered, vaccinated, tested) is ineffective.
By Air
In addition to the daily flights to many European cities, two low-cost flight providers are flying from the main Slovenian international airport, Jože Pučnik Ljubljana. They are EasyJet and Wizz Air, flying to London and Brussels. You can also pass by one of the foreign airports in the near vicinity and access Slovenia from there by bus, train, or rental car.
We use Sky Scanner to book our tickets.
By Train
Trains to Slovenia run daily from many European cities. You can buy a ticket at any railway station and take the train. Only the Slovenian Railways trains run around Slovenia, and all the timetables and price lists are published on the web pages.
Tip: Buy tickets in advance because the fares are lower than those on the train.
We use Omio to book our tickets.
By Bus
Firstly, Slovenia has good bus connections with many major European cities, so arriving by bus should be easy. Since the railway network is less spread than in Germany and Italy, buses represent the ideal public transport, especially if you travel to more secluded places.
Where to stay?
There are many types of accommodation there. More importantly, Slovenia is known for its great hosts, so you should have a great time staying there.
If you are ready, you should check out the most valuable rooms in the area. We usually use Booking.com.
Slovenia Travel Guide – Vintgar Gorge near Lake Bled
©
Final words about one of the world’s safest countries
Generally speaking, Slovenia is one of the safest countries in the world. So you won’t feel uncomfortable or threatened. Slovenians are friendly yet reserved; they’re lovely once you build rapport. So, this was all from A Quick Slovenia Guide. It is your turn because we know we have forgotten many things.
Take a look at
References and sources:
Photo credits:
Featured photo: ©the-slovenia.com