Slovenia Travel Guide: Tips for First-Time Visitors
Slovenia is a gorgeous country filled with rugged mountains, lush valleys, and charming towns. Needless to say, I quickly fell in love with this country during my 3-week stay last fall. Its close proximity to well-known Austria, Croatia, and Budapest makes it an easy stop on vacation. Slovenia remains a hidden gem in Eastern Europe while also maintaining the conveniences of tourist destinations.
One of my goals in traveling is to visit the lesser-known countries and learn about their history, culture, and people. After visiting, I found it strange that I had never heard about Slovenia until I saw a short clip about it in a vlog. It is a truly remarkable country that has something for everyone, whether you are a nature-lover, history buff, or wine connoisseur. This blog will give a brief overview of towns to visit and what to do during your first time in Slovenia.
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What to expect
How to Get there: If you are flying into Slovenia, the main airport is in Ljubljana (LJU). If you are visiting from a nearby country, many major cities will connect to Ljubljana by bus or train. For example, Zagreb is 2 hours, Vienna is 5 hours, and Budapest is 6 hours by bus. If you are taking a bus or train from a nearby city, use Omio for easy booking.
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When to go: I would suggest visiting Slovenia in the peak or shoulder seasons (May - September). This way you can fully experience everything that Slovenia has to offer.
I visited Slovenia in early-mid November, which was the end of Fall, and I loved being there when the leaves had changed colors. While I really enjoyed my time there and think there are benefits to visiting during the off-season, I would love to visit again during the summer, when more sights are open and public transportation is running regularly for tourists.
Costs: Slovenia is more expensive than its neighbors, Croatia and Hungary. However, it is still inexpensive compared to countries like France. You can expect to pay as little as $40 per night for a nice, private hostel room. A sit-down restaurant can cost about $15 while a self-service restaurant can cost as low as $6. If you are a coffee addict, you won’t need to give up your habit as a latte only costs about $3.
Language: The official language is Slovenian, though a large number of people also speak English. As always, I still recommend learning a few common phrases, like hello, thank you, and goodbye.
Currency: Slovenia is a part of the EU and uses the Euro. Most places accept credit cards, so you won’t need to carry too much cash on you.
Safety: Slovenia is one of the safest countries in Europe. I never worried about my safety except in Ljubljana where I worried about getting hit by food-delivery bikes.
Tipping: Tipping is polite and appreciated at sit-down restaurants, where you can expect to tip around 10%.
Transportation: If you are in the city of Ljubljana, everything is walkable and you won’t need any sort of transportation. If you are looking to get out of the city, I recommend renting a car to see the most of the country that you can (if it’s within your budget). If you are on a tight budget, don’t worry, Slovenia has an awesome bus system that is easy to use and affordable.
Ljubljana
The colorful ‘Old Town’ in the capital city of Ljubljana (pronounced loo-blee-aa-nuh) is a must-see with its mix of Baroque, Art Nouveau, and Yugoslav-style buildings. A river running through the city lends to dozens of bridges and buildings lined along canals, reminiscent of Amsterdam. Even though it’s the largest city in Slovenia, Ljubljana has kept its charm and cozy feel. I spent most of my time in Slovenia in Ljubljana, and I completely adored the relaxing vibe, the lovely people, and the delicious food. Most of my days here were spent sipping delicious coffee, wandering around the city, and relaxing in cafes.
Things to do
If I’m being completely honest, I think one of the best things to do in Ljubljana is just walk around. I know, it doesn’t sound that exciting. But like I mentioned earlier, this small city has a surprising number of fascinating buildings and bridges, and I genuinely enjoyed walking around and admiring them. As an added bonus, the Old Town is a pedestrian-only area which makes wandering around the city a breeze. Don’t miss Preseren Square, Congress Square, the Triple Bridge, or the gorgeous streets of Mestni trg, Stari trg, and Gornji trg which are connected in the backstreets.
I have come to love taking Free Walking Tours when I travel. I believe it’s the best way to get to know a city quickly and have the ability to talk to a local about any questions or concerns you might have. I took a tour with Ljubljana Free Tour and they gave helpful information about what to do and where to eat, along with giving fascinating insights into the history of Ljubljana and Slovenia. They have walking tours 365 days a year.
There is a castle that can be seen atop a hill from most areas of the old town. It is one of the top tourist sites in Ljubljana and can be visited for free. However, you will have to pay in order to visit some of the rooms or have a tour. The castle is accessible by walking or taking a funicular to the top of the hill. I personally walked up to the castle and opted for the free experience, which I felt was enough for me. I recommend walking up a little before sunset when the golden hour hues cast a lovely glow on the city. There you will have a beautiful view of the city and if you are there on a clear day, you will see some mountains in the distance.
Extra tip: If you are walking along the canal, make sure to look down into the water. Nutria, also lovingly referred to as “river rats”, live in the canal and can be seen swimming or hanging out on banks in the river.
Where to Eat
As a vegan, finding restaurants to eat at while traveling can be a challenge. I was pleasantly surprised to find numerous restaurants in Ljubljana with vegan options or fully-vegan menus. My absolute favorite place to eat in Ljubljana is Gaudi & Naan, a fully vegan restaurant with a variety of superb dishes, a super cute atmosphere, and a friendly staff that made us feel very welcomed. If you go, make sure to order the House Ice Tea. I honestly don’t know what the flavor was, but it was one of the best drinks I’ve ever tasted.
If you are looking for a nice spot for a drink at night, check out the lively street of Cankarjevo nabrežje.
Extra tip: If you are vegetarian or vegan, make sure you are using the app HappyCow to help locate places to eat.
Favorite coffee shop
If you are a bit of a coffee snob like me, make sure you go to Mariposa Specialty Roasters. I am not exaggerating when I say it is the best coffee I’ve ever had. The owner is extremely passionate about his coffee and takes a lot of care in roasting his own beans. They even offer “barista-edition Oatly oat milk”!
Where to Stay
I recommend staying close to the Old-town where you will be close to many attractions, restaurants, and cafe’s. I stayed in Cha Cha Rooms which was really affordable, comfortable, and in a great location in the Old-town.
Lake Bled
Lake Bled is a beautiful glacial lake in the scenic Julian Alps, located in the town of Bled. Even if you don't know a lot about Slovenia, you have likely seen a photo of the picturesque island in Lake Bled. Located only an hour away from Ljubljana, you could make your visit a day trip, or stay a few days to see more of the area. It is easy to get there by public bus, and it will only cost around $6 for a one-way ticket.
Extra tip: I recommend buying your tickets at the bus station and purchasing the return ticket at the same time, as I never saw a place to buy tickets once in Bled.
Things to do
Depending on the time of year you decide to visit, there may be different activities to choose from. One of the most popular activities is walking around the lake. Taking a leisurely walk around the entire lake can take up to 2 hours, depending on how often you stop to take in the spectacular views. Most of the trail is well-paved and away from roads, making for a peaceful stroll. If the skies are clear, you can see the rugged Julian Alps from parts of the trail.
During warm months, Lake Bled is a great place for the adventurous. There are numerous activities to choose from, such as swimming, paddle boating, or hiking. You can also take a boat across the lake to explore Bled Island. From Bled, you can also visit the less-famous Lake Bohinj, which I heard is just as beautiful. Here you can do some more hiking or relax by the lake.
Where to Eat
The Public Bar & Vegan Kitchen was my favorite restaurant in Bled. Everything they offer is homemade, with generous proportions at a reasonable price. The staff was super kind and even gave us a free dessert after our meal.
If you are looking for a local treat, try the Famous Bled Cream Cake, made of puff pastry, custard, and whipped cream. The cake originated at The Park Cafe, which is a beautifully decorated cafe with a gorgeous view of the lake and castle. We went here a couple of times to warm up and enjoy the view.
Where to Stay
If you choose to stay for a few days, I recommend staying close to the lake. You will want to be close to the restaurants, activities, and views! Check out booking.com to find an accommodation that fits your budget.
Soča Valley
The Soča Valley is a gorgeous, mountainous region of northwestern Slovenia known for quaint mountain towns and the stunning turquoise Soča river. For those who love nature, hiking, rafting, and camping, this area of Slovenia is perfect for you. I was there during the off-season when most things were closed, but I still loved exploring the small town of Kobarid and going on hikes. I can honestly say I can’t wait to return one day and see more of this magical region.
Things to do
One of the most popular things to do in the Soča Valley is visiting Triglav National Park, where you can hike to gorges, waterfalls, and lakes. One of my main goals when visiting this area was to visit Triglav National Park, but sadly it was closed for the season.
I loved hiking from my hostel to the suspension bridge and Kozjak waterfall. The suspension bridge gives beautiful views of the gorgeous Soča River and rugged mountains. If you keep hiking, you will end up at the Kozjak waterfall hidden in a small gorge. To find the bridge, use this google maps link.
If you are a fan of adrenaline, you’ll be happy to find options for paragliding, skydiving, canyoning, and ziplining. If it was in my budget, I would have gone paragliding. I can imagine the views would have been breathtaking!
Where to Eat
If you are there during the peak season, check out Hisa Polonka, which was featured on the Netflix show, Chef’s Table. It was closed when I was there, but it is supposed to be one of the best restaurants in Slovenia. Honestly, most restaurants and stores were closed while we were there, so we usually grabbed food from the market and ate at our hostel.
Where to Stay
We stayed at Premium Hostel Kobarid which was super cozy, updated, and clean. We somehow managed to be the only guests during our stay so we had the whole place to ourselves. The hosts were incredibly nice and made us feel at home. As an added bonus, they have an amazing backyard with terrific views of the valley.
Where else to go in Slovenia
With so many breathtaking places to go to in Slovenia, I didn’t have time for them all. But here is a list of some of the spots I recommend looking into for your trip to Slovenia.
Goriska Brda - Known as the “Wine Country” of Slovenia. Though not a famous wine producer, Slovenia truly produces some great wine.
Kranjska Gora - The east side of Triglav National Park. Another gorgeous area to explore and connect with nature.
The Logar Valley- Known as “one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in Europe”.
Predjama Castle- A Renaissance Castle built into a cave/cliffside.
