Think about the perfect European destination with Mediterranean towns, beautiful beaches, and incredible lakes – what comes to your mind? Many people may first think about popular countries such as Italy. But right next to this tourist magnet, there’s a small magical country nestled right between Italy and Croatia.
Don’t make the same mistake as many travelers from Central Europe who simply pass through Slovenia on their way further south. This hidden gem has quite a few natural wonders, a Mediterranean flair you wouldn’t expect, and lots of amazing things to do in Slovenia. No matter if you’re more of a beach person, love hiking trips, or prefer to sit in cute cafes in busy towns. Slovenia has it all.
Ready for some travel inspiration? So let’s dig right into some of the best things to do in Slovenia to tingle that travel bug. You won’t be disappointed!
Hike along Vintgar Gorge
During your time in Slovenia, take a small hike along the scenic canyon with its crystal-clear blue water. Over thousands of years, the river Radovna has carved a deep canyon into the cliffs close to Triglav National Park and Lake Bled.
Vintgar Gorge is such a special place which is why it totally deserves to lead the list of things to do in Slovenia. You can walk along the canyon on wooden paths, crossing wooden bridges every now and then, where you can peek into the shimmering water. The view is so worth it! And due to its easy accessibility, this is an activity for travelers of any age and for families just as well. The whole path is around 2 km and mostly flat. But there are a few stairs you have to take.
Spend time in Ljubljana – one of Europe’s cutest capitals
What used to be a small settlement on the Lubljanka river rose to become the Capital of the Province of the Habsburg-Austrian province of Carniola in the 14th century. It continued to thrive despite several huge earthquakes, wars, and the Yugoslavian Empire. This makes it a place of deep history, representing a variety of cultural influences that can still be observed in its architecture. Some even say it looks like a small, more down-to-earth version of Venice.
Many of the most interesting things to do in Slovenia can be found in the country’s capital. When you’re there, you can’t miss the triple bridge Tromostovje located right next to the main square Presernov Trg. This is your perfect starting point to explore Ljubljana’s cute alleys, where you can spend hours sitting in cafés or strolling along historic buildings.
Another sight you can’t miss is the castle watching majestically across the city. It’s a short walk up, or you can take the cable car.
Bike around Lake Bled
Whenever you visit a spectacular place in nature, try to explore it by bike or on foot. Especially in Lake Bled, don’t just stop by, take the obligatory picture of the church on its small island and move on. While this might be appealing, especially if you don’t have much time, try to dive into this beautiful nature.
Lake Bled has the perfect setting, as it’s completely surrounded by a well-maintained path on which you can circle the lake. This is such a fun thing to do in Slovenia, as you will explore totally different views of the lake and its tiny island. In the small village of Bled, there are several places where you can rent bikes to start your 6 km bike ride.
And if you have more time, Jasna Lake is also a must visit. The lake is only 45 minutes away by car or 1 hour and 15 minutes by bus.
Soak up Mediterranean flair in Piran
Piran is one of those places most visitors instantly fall in love with when they’re traveling through Slovenia. As one of the few towns along the country’s 50 km coast, it spreads a Mediterranean vibe and is the perfect place for a beach stop. There are a few beautiful beaches close by, but Piran itself is just as beautiful.
Soak up the nice sea breeze while you’re visiting one of the town’s viewpoints, such as Cathedral St. George, where you get a great view across the town and the Adriatic Sea.
Besides, you can walk along the Walls of Piran, which is the place to be for a fantastic sunset. Eventually, you can dive into the beautiful Italian architecture around Tartinijev Trg (Tartini square), right in the heart of Piran’s historic center.
Visit Koper – the town that used to be an island
Have you ever heard of a town that used to be an island? That sounds like quite a random fact, right? That is because there were sea salt pans between the island and the mainland. So the only way Koper was connected to the mainland was through a causeway. Already 700 years ago, sea salt used to be an important business for the area. While there are still some salt pans, most of them were dried, connecting the island back to the mainland. You can still experience how sea salt is produced according to their traditional method in Sečovlje Salt Pans Landscape Park.
Besides, Koper is worth a visit due to its beautiful Italian architecture, its nearby beaches, and the amazing food you can get in the town.
Go hiking in Triglav National Park
As the country’s largest National Park, Triglav offers many things to do in Slovenia if you’re an outdoor fan. There are thousands of marked trails in Triglav National Park, making it a paradise for hikers. Don’t worry, you don’t have to climb its towering mountains, but you can find many fairly easy trails as well. There are hikes for all kinds of fitness levels. Check out Vrata Valley for the perfect starting point.
If you’re more into biking, you can also rent a bike or e-bike to explore Triglav National Park and Vrata Valley. The perfect time for any of these outdoor activities is in spring or early autumn when the weather is not too hot.
Explore Pradjama Castle – a castle built into the cliffs
Pradjama Castle is a place that feels like it could be the spotlight of a fantasy movie or fairytale. More than 800 years ago, this castle was perched on the massive cliffs, giving it the perfect natural shelter. Inside the 123 m tall cliff, you can visit the castle’s spectacular tunnel system.
The castle itself is perfectly preserved, making a clear statement: The choice of the safest protection was a good one. You can rent an audio guide leading you through the castle’s four storeys and its interesting history. It can only be visited during the summer months from May to September (in order to protect the colony of bats that reside in the castle in the winter).
Ride along Soča River
Especially when you’re exploring Slovenia on a road trip, you definitely shouldn’t miss the picturesque Soča Valley. The road next to the turquoise Soča River is breathtaking. Close to the western tip of the country, you can start in Nova Gorica and ride all the way down to Goriška Brda. Feel free to make many stops and also spend one or more nights in the area.
There are numerous activities in the Soča Valley and its river, especially if you’re an outdoor enthusiast. You can visit the best Slovenia waterfalls (such as Slap Kozjak, Virje, and Boka) and hanging bridges, and of course, there are spectacular hikes waiting for you as well. Afterward, enjoy the mountain panorama and refresh yourself by jumping into the water. Speaking of water activities – if you’re a fan of rafting or canoeing, this is the right place for you as well.
Join a wine tasting in Goriška Brda
What would be a trip to a Mediterranean country without some wine? After enjoying all those activities in the Soča Valley, a wine tasting may sound just right. Around Goriška Brda is the perfect area to do exactly that. It’s the small but picturesque wine region of Slovenia, with several wineries settled among the spectacular wine hills.
Besides visiting a winery for a wine tasting, don’t miss checking out Gonjače Lookout Tower. You can enjoy an amazing panoramic view across the vineyards from up there.
Soak up the sun in Lake Bohinj
While Lake Bled is not a hidden gem anymore and therefore also not the most relaxing place, there is another Slovenian Lake where you can perfectly calm down and soak up the sun.
Lake Bohinj is actually the largest lake in Slovenia, so you can easily escape the crowds. Bring a picnic blanket and relax with a good book in hand, jump into the refreshing water for a nice swim, or take the cable car up to Vogel from where you can enjoy a fantastic view of Lake Bohinj and even the Julian Alps. And if you’re up for some amazing outdoor adventures in Slovenia, go hiking around the lake!
If you enjoyed these things to do in Slovenia and want to get to know more about a road trip through Slovenia, visit Jill on journey’s Slovenia itinerary for more juicy insights about this beautiful gem in Europe.
About the Author
This post was written by Jill, the author behind Jill on journey, where she writes on sustainable travel, shares inspiration on travel destinations, and provides tips on how to travel more eco-friendly. Having traveled to more than 50 countries, she has a rich experience of different cultures all over the world. Her mission is to inspire other travelers to see the beauty of this world so they learn the importance of protecting it.
