5 Days in Slovenia
Slovenia may not draw as many visitors as its neighboring countries, but I have a sneaking suspicion that its popularity will skyrocket in the next few years. Because so few people talk about Slovenia, its charm and beauty are wonderfully unexpected. At the intersection of the German, Slavic, and Italian worlds, Slovenia can boast the best elements of each culture. Though the country is small in size, it has a never-ending supply of pristine lakes, Alpine panoramas, dreamy hillside castles, charming seaside villages, and architectural wonders. If you’re searching for unspoiled beauty, look no further than Slovenia.
Itinerary
My husband, Alex, and I spent the first five days of our honeymoon in Slovenia before heading to Croatia. Though we packed in quite a few Slovenia highlights, we could have easily spent a week or more exploring the beautiful country. If you’re thinking about visiting Slovenia, use the below itinerary to start planning.
Lake Bled - 2 Days
Ljubljana - 2 Days
Karst Region - ½ Day
Piran - ½ Day
Those who know me can attest to the fact that I like to be on the go when I travel. I’m all for relaxation, but I want to see as much as possible when I’m somewhere new. Knowing that, you may want to slow down and spend more time in certain cities. If you’re like me, the time we spent in each of the above locations worked perfectly.
Getting Around
Slovenia’s roads are quite easy to navigate so if you want to rent a car during your stay, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting around. With that said, parking in Bled and Ljubljana can be challenging. Also, if you’re considering traveling to another country before or after your visit to Slovenia, that will make having a rental car more difficult. It’s extremely expensive to drop a rental car off in a country that differs from the one you picked it up in.
To make things easier, Alex and I decided to forgo having a car of our own and used a mixture of public transportation, shuttle services, and tours to get from place to place. I’ve outlined our logistical choices below.
Airport to Bled: GoOpti Airport Transfer
Bled to Ljubljana: Bus - There are several each day
Ljubljana to Karst/Piran: Roundabout Tour
Piran to Rovinj, Croatia: Rovinj Transfers
Lake Bled
Visiting Lake Bled is like stepping foot inside a fairytale. With crystal clear waters, sweeping Alpine views, and a cliff-hanging castle above the lake, Bled is as close to perfection as you can get. Right in the middle of the lake is a small island with a beautiful church and bell tower that you can visit via boat or admire from the pleasant waterfront promenade. If that description sounds too good to be true, you’ll just have to visit to see for yourself.
If you only have a day or two to spend in Slovenia, Bled should be your destination of choice. Since Bled is rather small, you can easily see the top attractions in a short visit.
Things to Do
Walk or jog the perimeter of the lake.
Take a pletna boat ride out to the island.
Eat potica, a walnut roll traditional to Slovenia.
Check out the amazing views from Bled Castle.
Taste every Slovenian’s favorite dessert, Bled Cake.
Have a drink at Tito’s Vila Bled.
Drive or ride bikes to Vintgar Gorge.
Truly, the best way to spend your time in Bled is by soaking in the scenery. If you walk the 4 mile footpath around the lake, you’ll run into Bled Castle and Vila Bled, both of which offer amazing views of the lake that cannot be missed. You’ll also come across several launch points for the pletna boats, traditional boats that are only known in Bled. Spend a wonderful day in Bled by starting at one side of the lake and working your way around, stopping at the many sites and indulging your sweet tooth whenever you feel obliged.
If you’d like to see something a little out of the ordinary, Vintgar Gorge is a great option. The gorge itself is magical, and the journey through the countryside to get there is gorgeous. My advice if you decide to go is to learn from my mistakes. I had read in a Rick Steves travel guide that the bike ride from Lake Bled to Vingar Gorge was a “mostly flat, enjoyable ride”. I’m here to tell you that Rick either lied or is hiding a rather fit physique under his unassuming attire. Alex and I basically pedaled up the side of a mountain to get to the gorge and could barely walk for three days afterwards. To add insult to injury, our bikes were borrowed from the hotel we stayed at and had broken gears which made the journey that much more difficult.
We may have had the workout of a lifetime, but the amazing views on our way up were worth the sweat and tears (JK on the tears)! Our ride took us through small villages, sprawling countrysides, and mountainous terrain. If you decide to ride your bike (or take a cab) to the gorge, just do yourself a favor and remember to take cash. There is a small fee to get in and they won’t accept credit card.
Where to Stay
For the two nights we were in Lake Bled, we stayed at the adorable Pension Mayer and had a great experience. Though the rooms were simple, the hotel was in a great location, the breakfast was top notch, and we got a lot (read: more than anticipated) use out of the free bikes!
Ljubljana
Alex and I went to Ljubljana without knowing what to expect. Usually, if you hear about someone’s trip to Slovenia, it’s in reference to Lake Bled. Perhaps it was our lack of preconceived ideas that led to our complete infatuation with Slovenia’s capital city. Ljubljana is idyllic and filled with unique architecture that reminds you a bit of Austria, a smidge of Switzerland, and a dash of Germany. The multitude of cultural influences mix together to create one phenomenal city.
Alex and I spent two days in Ljubljana, but easily could have spent more time in the lovely city. Fortunately, most sites can be found in the city’s Old Town so you can see quite a bit by walking from place to place.
Things to Do
Take a free walking tour.
Taste some of Slovenian’s delicious craft beer and wine.
Walk the promenade by the river.
Marvel at the beauty of Preseren Square.
Explore the city’s many bridges (my favorite was Triple Bridge).
People watch in Congress Square.
Take in the views from Ljubljana Castle.
Learn about Joze Plecnik’s many influences.
Relax on a riverboat cruise.
Order the region’s specialty, truffle pasta.
Ljubljana’s vibrant Old Town is clustered around a castle-topped hill which creates the perfect environment for aimless wandering. A great way to get acquainted with the city is by taking the Free Walking Tour. On the tour, you’ll learn about Slovenia’s many rulers as well as it’s time as part of the former Yugoslavia.
At some point in your trip, make sure to take the cable car up to Ljubljana Castle. The castle itself is interesting, but the view from the hill it sits on is something you don’t want to miss. In the early evening, see the city from a different point of view by taking a riverboat cruise.
Where to Stay
Alex and I stayed for two nights in an AirBnB that was right outside the Old Town on a street called Poljanska Cesta. The area was safe and within walking distance to all the major sites and tons of great restaurants. You will not be disappointed by Ljubljana’s dining selection. Make sure to seek out the truffle pasta, homemade sausages, lamb stew, and craft beer.
Karst
The Karst region is a windblown plateau dotted with charming hill towns and rolling vineyards. The region is most famous for being the home to a vast network of caves and underground rivers.
If you’re crunched for time, you can easily divide a day between the Karst region and Piran. To keep things as relaxing as possible, Alex and I used a tour company called Roundabout to visit the various sites. The tour picks you up at 8:00am in Ljubljana and will bring you back to the capital city. Since we were headed to Croatia after Slovenia, we simply arranged to have the company drop us off in Piran.
Things to Do
Admire the beauty of Predjama Castle.
Explore the Škocjan Cave.
Go wine and prosciutto tasting.
See the horses at Lipica Stud Farm.
Take a train ride through Postojna Cave.
If you’re trying to decide between visiting the Škocjan Cave and Postojna Cave, it all depends on the type of experience you’re searching for. Postojna is more touristy, but is easily accessible and great for families. The hike through the Škocjan Cave is more strenuous, but the tour groups are smaller and the site is generally less congested. Further, the underground river ‘Reka’ flowing inside the cave is insanely impressive. If you want to feel like you’re on the set of a sci-fi thriller, visit Škocjan Cave.
On your way from the caves to Piran, consider making two pit stops -- one at the Lipica Stud Farm and another at one of the many wineries in the region. If you’re not familiar with the Lipizzan breed (I wasn’t either), the horses are born a dark brown color and become white as they get older. You don’t have to buy tickets to see the horses. If you drive through Lipica, you can see them roaming around in big open fields.
Piran
Piran is a small, adriatic town with a picturesque square, enchanting harbor, and winding alleyways. The coastal town was once part of the Republic of Venice and it’s Italian influences are evident in the architecture and culture. Situated on the tip of a tiny peninsula, the charming, orange-roofed village of Piran is surrounded on 3 sides by sparkling blue water.
Because of its size, you can see all that Piran has to offer in a matter of hours. With that said, time seems to slow down in Piran so if you’re looking for rest and relaxation, Piran is an excellent place to lose a day or two.
Things to Do
See the view from the fortress outside of town.
Visit St. George Cathedral and Bell Tower.
Grab a gelato in Tartini Square.
Have a leisurely lunch at a waterfront cafe.
Walk the perimeter of the peninsula.
The best way to start your visit to Piran is by climbing to the top of a fortress just outside of town. The view from the top is fantastic. You can see the entire, red roofed town crammed onto the tiny peninsula and Adriatic Sea extending for miles in every direction.
Once you’ve had your fill of the view, walk through the Old Town until you find Tartini Square. The “square” is actually oval in shape and boasts an impressive amount of marble and ancient Venetian buildings. If you have time to spare, the square is an excellent place to people watch while enjoying a cappuccino or yummy gelato.
Where to Stay
If you decide to extend your stay in Piran, try to find accommodations right within the Old Town. Everything is within walking distance and there are a number of restaurants right on the waterfront. Alex and I enjoyed amazing seafood, excellent wine, and great views at Ladja Podlanica.
Slovenia is truly one of Europe’s hidden gems. Don’t let this tiny country go overlooked! It has so much to offer in terms of architecture, natural wonders, culture, and beauty. If you visit, it’s a place that will surely steal your heart.
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