Best Places to Visit in Slovenia
Looking for the some suggestions to spend a great day in Slovenia? Read this article for the best ideas. Most of them are a “must” when visiting our country.
Best places to visit in Slovenia are located throughout the country, from the sea coast in the southwest, to the Pannonian lowlands in the east and to the mighty alpine mountains in the north.
What to see in Slovenia depends on your wishes and interests, as some trips can be more informative and educational, other tours might be sportier, while some excursions can be more relaxing. To know which Slovenia points of interest to visit, we prepared several ideas for where to go in Slovenia in ten different regions and provinces. This way you will be able to visit more than one cultural and natural sightseeing spots in a particular region within a day or two.
Best places to visit in Slovenia near the capital city of Ljubljana
Ljubljana
Ljubljana offers a lively atmosphere in its city center along the Ljubljanica River that runs under many bridges. In the summer months, there are many concerts and festivals. If you are wondering where to go in Slovenia around the Christmas time, Ljubljana makes a good choice since it offers a wonderful festive atmosphere with Christmas lights, fairs, and stalls. The best places to visit in Slovenia when you are exploring the capital city are:
- Ljubljana Castle,
- Dragon`s bridge
- Tivoli Park
Volčji Potok Arboretum
The Volčji Potok Arboretum is an excellent choice for a nature trip in the large park, where you will be surrounded by thousands of different species of conifers, deciduous trees, ornamental flowers from all over the world and other unique botanical species. There are various permanent exhibitions, such as a cacti and tropical butterfly exhibition.
Velika Planina
Velika Planina is a plateau at 1500 meters above sea level, to which you can ascend on foot or you can take a cable cabin to the very top. In the summer, you can take a walk between traditional herdsmen’s villages, where shepherds still graze cattle and produce cow’s milk products. In winter, Velika Planina turns into a ski resort.
Stična Monastery
A monastery in the village of Stična is among the important Slovenia points of interest. It is the oldest Cistercian monastery and one of the greatest cultural, sacral and architectural monuments in the country. When visiting the monastery, you will discover:
- library with valuable manuscripts
- cloister and monastic church
- memorial exhibition of the famous friar and herbalist Simon Ašič
Best places to visit in Slovenia in the Savinja and Central Sava region
Logar Valley
Seven kilometers long Logar Valley, protected as a nature park, is one of the most beautiful alpine glacier valleys, which in the north borders on the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Among the best places to visit in Slovenia when hiking around the Logar Valley includes the beautiful Rinka Waterfall, which is the highest waterfall of all twenty waterfalls in the valley.
The city of Celje
Celje city developed from the medieval village during the reign of the famous Counts of Celje. That’s why Celje has a rich cultural history and heritage that can be seen in the town’s center in the:
- Duke’s Palace
- Provincial Museum
- Slomšek Square
If you are wondering what to see in Slovenia when visiting Celje, this is certainly the old Castle of Celje, which stands on a hill above the city.
Pekel Cave
Pekel or Hell Cave was named after a legend saying that the devil lives inside the cave. If you are wondering what to see in Slovenia when you are looking for less tourist-visited caves, which still boast in mighty stalactites and stalagmites, then Pekel Cave is a good choice. On a guided tour, you will also see the highest cave waterfall in the country.
What to see in Slovenia in the Lower Sava region?
Kostanjevica na Krki
Town of Kostanjevica na Krki lies on an artificial island on the Krka River. On the island, you can visit a former monastery, which has one of the largest art galleries of the famous painter Božidar Jakac. Pristine nature lovers can take a hike in the nearby Krakovski forest with several hundred-year-old oak trees.
Best places to visit in Slovenia in the Drava region
Ptuj
Ptuj is one of the oldest towns in Slovenia, thus it has many archaeological and architectural treasures. In the city center, you can explore the oldest Minorite monastery, the Dominican monastery, and the picturesque Ptuj Castle, which offers wonderful views of the city and Lake Ptuj. In the castle, there is also a collection of traditional carnival masks, named kurenti.
Rogaška Slatina
Rogaška Slatina is famous for its mineral natural water springs. Thermal spas and prestigious health resorts developed on a more than a century-old health resort tourism. This is why this town is one of the best places to visit in Slovenia when you are looking for relaxation. Rogaška Slatina is also famous for glassware, so here you can buy beautiful hand-made crystal glass products.
What to see in Slovenia when visiting Mura region?
Jeruzalem wine road
In Jeruzalem idyllic hills, endless vineyards intertwine with narrow roads, which have smaller ascents and descents. That is why this landscape is ideal for a short trip with bikes, where you will enjoy the views of high poplars, church bell towers, and vineyard cottages. Wine region will serve you with a wide selection of local specialties with pumpkin seed oil and a glass of homemade wine.
Floating Babič Mill on the Mura River
Once, one hundred mill wheels were propelled by the Mura River, but nowadays only Babič river mill remains near the village of Veržej. An operating mill on the water is open to visitors, so you will have the opportunity to learn about the traditional life of former millers. Here you can also buy naturally produced flour.
Slovenia points of interest in the southeast region
Krupa River spring
Krupa River spring is located near the town of Semič, under the foot of almost a hundred meters high rock. The surrounding green forest, short pier above the intense emerald green water and abandoned house on the bank, are creating one of the most magical hidden spots, where you can take stunning pictures.
Otočec Castle
Otočec Castle is the only water castle in Slovenia because it stands on a small island in the middle of the Krka River. Today the castle is rearranged into a boutique hotel with an excellent restaurant. You can take a walk through the beautiful castle park where autochthonous and exotic tree species grow, or you can observe the swan flock when standing on wooden bridges connecting the island to the mainland.
Best places to visit in Slovenia in Littoral-Inner Carniola region
Postojna Cave
The world-famous Postojna Cave is one of the most visited tourist destinations. If you are wondering what to see in Slovenia when visiting the largest karst underground system, then during a guided tour you will be able to observe mighty stalagmites, stalactites, cave halls, and other cave formations. Miniature train will take you inside the cave. You will also have the opportunity to see the world’s biggest cave animal, the Olm or the human fish.
Lake Cerknica
Lake Cerknica is the largest intermittent lake in Europe, which is filled with water for eight months in a year. At that time, the lake is ideal for boating and ice skating in the winter. However, when there is no water in the dry season, you can observe the flora and fauna, typical for this area. Alternatively, you can ride a bike along the trail around Lake Cerknica.
Predjama Castle
Predjama Castle is the biggest and only preserved cave castle in the world. The Predjama Castle stands on a 123-meter high cliff. Inside the castle, you can see various museum collections and exhibits from the Middle Ages. On a guided tour you will also get to know an interesting legend about the famous medieval knight, Erazem of Predjama. Behind the castle, there is an entrance to the Cave under Predjama Castle, which is open for sightseeing tours.
What to see in Slovenia in Coastal – Karst region?
Piran
The seaside town of Piran lies on the cape of the Slovenian coast, attracting visitors with its Mediterranean climate and the relaxed atmosphere of the former salt-making and fishing town. The entire architecture has a medieval design with narrow streets and tightly squeezed stone houses. In Piran you can see:
- The baroque church standing on a hill above the city
- Tartini Square
- The mighty city walls
- Maritime Museum
- Aquarium
Lipica Stud Farm
Lipica Stud Farm is situated in a beautiful karst scenery, where it represents the center of all pure-bred white Lipizzaner horses in the world. In Lipica Park you can visit:
- museum collection of carriages,
- one of the oldest stud farms in the world,
- classical riding school performance,
- hippodrome,
- or you can take a ride through the park with a carriage.
Best places to visit in Slovenia in Gorizia region
Big and small Soča Gorges
Small and big Soča gorges are located in the Lepena alpine valley, where the emerald green Soča River has formed hundreds of meters long and ten meters deep narrowed down gorges. You can also observe narrow rocky gorges with steep walls from standing on stone bridges, from where you have a wonderful view of the Soča River. The Soča River Valley belongs among best places to visit in Slovenia when seeking for water sports activities such as rafting and kayaking.
Kozjak Waterfall
18-meter high Kozjak Waterfall is located in the Upper Soča Valley and is part of the Kobarid historical trail. The picturesque waterfall is hidden in the hall, surrounded by steep cliffs, where its water flows into a blue-green pool.
If you would like to know where to go in Slovenia when searching for adrenaline activity offered by canyoning, then canyoning Kozjak is the best choice, since it offers spectacular jumps up to 18 meters high and rappelling and sliding through narrow tunnels and walls.
What to see in Slovenia when staying in Upper Carniola region?
Bohinj
Bohinj is an alpine valley at the headwaters of the Sava Bohinjka River and lies in the Triglav National Park area. Bohinj is best known for Lake Bohinj, the largest permanent lake in Slovenia. Along the lake, there are small alpine villages, from where you can take day tours to explore natural attractions in the valley.
In the vicinity of the lake, there is the famous Savica Waterfall, which falls across the steep cliff wall into an emerald green pool and then flows towards the Lake Bohinj. If you would like to know what to see in Slovenia when visiting Bohinj, then join us on a Bohinj tour where we will explore the most beautiful spots in the Bohinj Valley.
Bled
Bled is an idyllic alpine town surrounded by the Julian Alps. Small Lake Bled Island with its church and bell of desire is located in the middle of Lake Bled. To get there you can take a trip with a traditional pletna boat. You can also take a guided tour in the mighty Bled Castle that is situated on a high cliff above the town.
Here you can taste the famous Bled cream cake and enjoy wonderful views of the lake with its island. If you are wondering what are other best places to visit in Slovenia when exploring Bled, then join us on a Bled roundabout biking trip.
Nature reserve Zelenci
Nature reserve Zelenci is, in addition to its beautiful nature, which is home to many endangered vegetation and animal species, best known for its smaller lake, that represents the ground source of the Sava Dolinka River. Up to two meters deep alpine lake is a real eye catcher, attracting visitors with its beautiful green-blue color.
Zelenci spring is even more magnificent in the winter months when the emerald green color of the lake is glittering in the sun, surrounded with snowy white landscape. The best places to visit in Slovenia are definitely those that will make best memories, so join us on a special Alpine wonders tour where you will discover all seven natural wonders in this part of Slovenia.
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Thank you all for the great reviews!
Aleksandra (our guide) provided an excellent day out with lots of beautiful sightseeing and lovely hikes! It was a full jam packed day (10 hours) which had enough breaks with a lovely spot for lunch. We loved it so much that we are going to go on another tour with Alpine Activities!
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