Republic of Slovenia Travel Guide

This travel guide for the Republic of Slovenia features the top places to visit, what to expect there, how to get around, safety, scams, logistics, and more to help you plan your visit.

Top Attractions In Slovenia

Ljubljana

Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital and an enchanting city to visit. You can explore Medieval Ljubljana Castle, which sits majestically on Castle Hill overlooking the old town. Learn its legends and myths and see spectacular views of the city from the tower. Especially near sunset. In addition to its historical significance, there are also cafes and restaurants here to dine in its elegant atmosphere with a view. You can even taste Slovenian wines in the wine bar.

Ljubljana also has a lovely riverside promenade which is a little reminiscent of Paris. There are many bridges crossing the Ljubljanica River, like Three Bridges and Dragon Bridge, as well as many open-air, riverside cafés surrounded by historic architecture.

There is also a lot of interesting history here with its history of Austrian, Venetian, and Yugoslavian rule. You’ll discover the influences of each in its architecture and in its food.

Bled Lake

The charming town of Bled, about a 30-minute drive north of Ljubljana, is like waking into a postcard. You can see romantic Bled Castle and the surrounding hilltop reflecting into alpine Bled Lake.

The views from the castle itself are also mesmerizing, which is why it’s often used for wedding photos and celebrations. There were even a wedding events several of the days I was here.

A very popular thing to do in Bled is to ride a Pletna out to Bled Island and visit the Church of the Assumption of a Saint Mary. A very serene experience. There, you can make a wish and ring the bell by the altar.

Bled is so pretty, it can feel a little touristic, but it’s worth it. There’s also a lot of exciting adventure nearby, so it makes a great base if you’re into hiking, canyoneering, skydiving, or other thrills.

Triglav National Park

Mount Triglav is the highest peak in Slovenia and the Julian Alps (which also extends into Italy) at 9,396’ (2,864 m). It’s in Triglav National Park, one of the oldest parks in Europe, and one of the most beautiful spots in Slovenia.

Mount Triglav is a very important symbol of Slovene national identity and attracts tourists from around the world to hike to its peak, or around the park. The route to the peak has an elevation gain of 4,000-5,000’ (1,200-1,500 m) and is so steep near the top, there’s a via ferrata. It’s generally hiked in two days, but can be done in one of you’re super fit.

The park, at 880 km² is large, about 20% larger than Singapore, so there is more to hike than just Mount Triglav. Another well-known hike, also recommended as a two day hike, is Seven Lakes. This hike traverses the rugged landscape of the park where you see seven, glacial lakes in about 20 miles (32 km) of trail.

Bovec

Bovec is west of Bled, about an hour and a half drive away. This is a great adventure area as you can skydive over stunning mountains, go canyoning or rafting on the Soca River, go zip lining, and hiking.

Skydiving was in my plans, but unfortunately, there was too much rain and wind, so flights were canceled.

Piran

Piran is a very charming town on the Adriatic Coast, about an hour and a half drive west of Ljubljana. The old architecture here is beautiful, with strong ties to its Venetian past. And the food here is delicious, a mix of Slovenian, Italian, and Yugoslavian cuisine. Similar to Ljubljana, but with more fresh seafood and pasta.

This is a great getaway to swim in the sea, explore winding cobblestone streets, learn Piran’s history, and try amazing food while viewing the sea.

Getting up, out of the old town and seeing the views (above) is one of the most popular things to do in Piran. The most popular view is at the old walls of Piran, part of the ancient defense walls. You can also climb the bell tower by the sea that’s a mini version of Saint Mark’s Bell Tower in Venice, and head up to the hilltop beside the city for even more stunning views.

Izola

Izola is another charming town on the Adriatic Coast. It sits on the peninsula northeast of Piran. This town is very laid back, with colorful old Venetian houses on winding cobblestone streets, a bell tower with a incredible views, a large marina, beaches, and many cafes overlooking the sea with more incredible seafood and pasta.

This town is much quieter than Piran. The perfect place to visit if you want something less touristy.

Koper

Koper, also on the Adriatic Coast, boasts the largest marina in Slovenia, with a marina for recreational boats, a marina for fishermen, and a space for international cargo.

Its old town is also very charming, with more colorful Venetian architecture and another bell tower to climb for a view. This little town really comes alive at night when people visit looking for fresh seafood, pizza, and pasta at its many cafes.

Lipica

If you have time, Lipica is another great stop in Slovenia. This is where the Lipica Stud Farm is, a farm start by the Hapsburgs when this area was part of the Austrian Empire.

Archduke Charles II of Austria started breeding the magnificent white Lipizzanner here, which are a combination of local Karst horses from the Ice Age, Andalusian, and Arabian horses. The result is a graceful, beautiful, and intelligent horse, deemed appropriate for use by royalty as well as the military, and still delights people today.

This stud farm has been in use for over 500 years and makes a fascinating stop to learn its history and see its horses. You can also take a carriage ride, or even ride yourself if you have experience.

Trieste, Italy

While it may seem strange to add a note on Trieste, Italy in a travel guide for Slovenia, it’s just a 30 to 40-minute drive from Piran and Izola, making it a great day trip. Trieste was historically part of the Austrian empire and the Venetian Republic, but became part of Italy after WWI.

With its rich cultural heritage, you can visit to see is beautiful Piazzas, like Piazza Unita d’Italia and Piazza Sant’Antonio Nuovo, filled with Palazzos, and it’s castles, like San di Giusto Castle and Miramare Castle. There are also Roman ruins scattered over the historical area of Trieste to explore.

Best Time To Visit Slovenia

The best time to visit Slovenia varies based on your interests. For general sightseeing, the weather is pleasant from spring through fall, although it can be hot and crowded in peak summer months.

Summer has the driest months and is perfect for swimming in its lakes and the Adriatic Sea.

In Spring, the alpine snow melts, feeding the rivers, making them perfect for white water rafting and canyoning.

If you plan to hike Mount Triglav, snow can be at its peak until late June, and even later, retuning again as early as early September. This means that hiking Mount Triglav is best in July and August. But this is also when it’s the most crowded.

I visited in early September in a year when there were heavy rains, so although hiking Triglav and Seven Lakes were in my plans, I was not able to get the two consecutive days of good weather I needed to do either. This means I will be back.

Languages In Slovenia

Slovenian is the official language in the Republic of Slovenia, but with its Italian and Hungarian heritage, some people in some areas also speak Italian and Hungarian. Many speak English in the large cities, especially where there is tourism.

Money Matters In Slovenia

Currency: The currency of Slovenia is the Euro. The following conversation rates are from of January 1, 2024.

• USD (1)=.91 Euro
• CNY (1)=.13 Euro

Credit Cards & ATMs: Credit and Debit Cards are widely accepted, especially MasterCard and Visa. American Express may only be accepted by larger establishments. Be prepared as smaller cities and markets may only accept cash. Even for dinner. It’s best to carry some cash. To get it, use ATM’s, preferably using a fee free card like the Charles Schwab debit card.

Tipping: It’s common to round up your bill or leave 10%. I had to tell them to add this to my bill before they ran my card. It is not something you can add to your receipt after it’s run like we do in the USA.

Slovenia Travel Guide: Safety

Slovenia is relatively safe, but pick-pocketing and petty theft can occur. Especially in touristy areas. Take normal precautions, always being vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Don’t carry too much cash and keep a close eye on your purse or wallet. 

Always check the latest situation on your government website. It’s also a good idea to sign up for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), or similar in your country. This program updates you via email if an issue does arise.

Slovenia Travel Guide: Scams

Not being a major tourist destination yet, there are not a lot of scams in Slovenia, but something to always be on the lookout for wherever you travel. Be vigilant, never carry more cash than you need, don’t carry all your cards at once, and keep a close eye, or hand, on your purse or wallet.

Taxis

As is any city, taxi drivers can be scammy. Uber is only in Ljubjlana, so in most places you will need to use regular taxis. Make sure the taxi you use is an official taxi and make sure the meter is running before you get in. Fortunately, the touristy parts of the cities above are all walkable, so you may never actually need a taxi.

ATMs

Try to only use ATMs connected to banks or inside banks, as they are monitored more closely. This means they are less likely to be tampered. Check the machine in advance to make sure nothing has been altered and no cameras are in the area. Always cover the keypad with your hand when you’re entering your password.

Slovenia Travel Guide: Getting Around

Fly

Most international flights arrive at Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU), which is located between Ljubljana and Bled. Upon arrival, there is bus that regularly travels between the main bus stations in Ljubljana and Bled, stopping at the airport, so you can easily get to either. See the bus schedule here.

There are also shuttle services to Ljubljana from the airport, many that will drop you at, or close to your hotel. Look at Go-Opti and Nomago.

Drive

It’s relatively easy to self drive in Slovenia. Driving is on the right side of the road. You will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) and a copy of your drivers license to drive here or to rent a car.

Note that using a cell phone while driving is illegal unless you have a hands-free system. Also, note that there are no booths for tolls on the highways. You need to look into buying a sticker for your vehicle if you plan to use them.

Train

The train is a convenient way to get to Slovenia from nearby countries and to navigate within Slovenia. See train schedules here.

Bus

Nomago and Flixbus offer affordable bus routes to Ljubljana from a variety of nearby countries including: Vienna, Prague, Zagreb, and many, many more. There are also some routes to smaller cities in Slovenia, like Bled and Koper.

The internal bus system in Sloviena is very convenient and easy to use. You can easily get between most of the main cities at a very low cost. See the bus schedule here.

Slovenia Travel Guide: Visa Information

Slovenia is part of the Schengen area of Europe, so follows Schengen rules. Europeans and US citizens do not need a visa for stays less than 90 days. See gov.si for more details and information on other countries.

Slovenia Travel Guide: Top Destination Blogs & Stories

Click the images below for more detailed information on the some of the key sites in Slovenia.

Safe Travels!

Julie