Discover the Best of Slovenia: Your Ultimate Itinerary for this Stunning Gem

Slovenia is a hidden gem in the middle of Europe that’s waiting to be discovered, so that’s why I made this itinerary. It isn’t as popular as Switzerland or Italy, and I really don’t understand why it isn’t more popular! The only thing that most people know or recognise is Lake Bled, but the rest of the country isn’t that well known. But this country has so much to offer like diverse landscapes, a rich culture, warm hospitality, and many more.

So, let me try to convince you to take that road trip to Slovenia with this itinerary! You can always adjust this itinerary to your own needs.

You might also like: Discover the Hidden Gem of Europe, Velika Planina

For your information, all these pictures were taken in September 2023.

Some information about Slovenia

Slovenia is a country located in southern Central Europe and is bordered by Italy, Austria, Hungary, Croatia and the Adriatic Sea. This country is mostly mountainous (for example, Julian Alps) or forested. But it has also has a few cities, with the biggest one being the capital, Ljubljana, which is situated near the centre of the country.

Slovenia was formerly part of Yugoslavia from 1918 until 1991, where it declared independence and became an independent sovereign state. Slovenia means ‘land of the Slavs‘. What the origin of the name Slav is, remains uncertain.

How to get to Slovenia?

As it’s located in southern Central Europe, it’s quite easy to reach by car or plane. Especially if you’re living in another European country, it’s not that far of a drive for most countries. For example, it would take me around 12 hours to reach Slovenia by car.

But I took a plane the last time I visited and rented a camper van, which was way more comfortable.

1 | With the plane

Most countries around Europe fly into Ljubljana arriving in Ljubljana airport. It only takes around 30 minutes with public transportation to reach the city centre. Other options to fly into the country are located in Maribor and Portoroz, but in reality, you won’t fly into one of these two airports.

2 | With public transportation

It’s relatively easy to take the train into Slovenian. There are a few countries where you can get into Slovenia in no time. For example, you can get a train from Austria, Germany, Croatia, Italy, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Hungary, and Slovakia, and indirectly also to other European destinations. You can also get to Slovenia by night trains with sleeping cars.

You can also use buses to get into Slovenia. There are even lines from thousands of kilometers away and make a stop in Ljubljana. Flixbus is a popular bus company that gets you around Europe.

3 | By car

You can also come to Slovenia by car, but it would depend on which country you depart from. Like I said before, for me, it would be a 12-hour drive which I find reasonable.

How to get around Slovenia?

I traveled around Slovenia with a campervan, and I think this is the best possible way to do it! It’s such an easy mode of transportation and as a bonus, you don’t need to book any hotels, which is a lot cheaper.

I decided to use Balkan Campers for renting a campervan and it was the perfect choice! They rent out the most unique campervans for the best price. I got Bibita, a fierce orange campervan, which was the perfect choice for a one-week road trip through Slovenia.

Read more about Balkan Campers in this review (coming soon)

Best time to visit Slovenia

Slovenia is an all-year travel destination, but the peak season would be between June and August in the summer months. July is the busiest month in summer, because of the start of the summer vacation around Europe. The summer is so popular, because of the pleasant temperatures, and longer days.

I traveled to Slovenia in both July and September and I preferred September more as it was less busy and the weather was still so enjoyable!

Slovenia Itinerary Map

Slovenia itinerary: Day 1

Total driving distance: 177 kilometers (110 miles)

When I arrived at the airport in Ljubljana, I picked up the campervan and started my road trip immediately as I decided to visit the country before doing the city trip in Ljubljana. If you arrive in the city later in the day, I would recommend exploring the city first as it’s a long driving day at the start of this trip.

1 | Short stop at Grad Snežnik

I haven’t seen this castle online before, so I feel like this is a true hidden gem in Slovenia! Grad Snežnik is a four-floored castle, originally from the 10th century. The castle was built on a rock ledge near the Snežnik forests for protection.

As the owners changed, the interior and exterior did as well. In the 16th century, the castle got its Renaissance appearance and in the 19th century, it got its latest look!

It’s possible to visit the castle from the inside. The castle is open for visitors from 10 AM till 5 PM in summer time and from 11 AM till 3 PM the rest of the year. It costs €8 for an adult and €4 for children. If you want to know the tour hours, you need to check their website as it’s only available for the next two months.

2 | Discovering the Adriatic Coast at Piran

Piran is a town located in southwestern Slovenia on the 47 kilometer long Adriatic coast, and is definitely worth a visit! It’s mostly known for its beautiful square, narrow streets, and Venetian architecture.

Let yourself get lost at the Tartini Central Square, or climb to the top of city walls for a beautiful view over the city. Another great thing to do in Piran is to visit St. George’s Parish Church, where you will have an amazing view over the city and its square!

Slovenia itinerary: Day 2

Total driving distance: 181 kilometers (112 miles)

Today will be filled with beautiful sights, like one of the biggest cave systems I’ve ever seen or the largest cave castle in the world!

3 | Take the train in the Postojna caves

The Postojna caves are a must-visit place in Slovenia, and rightfully so! Those caves are part of one of the most captivating cave systems in Europe, and most impressive of all, you have to ride an underground train to start your experience!

The cave is 24 kilometers and is the second-longest in the country. Only 5 kilometers is open to the public. The train ride is 3.5 kilometers long, so you still have to walk 1.5 kilometers on foot. The whole tour takes around 90 minutes to complete. An important thing to know is that the temperature inside the cave is around 10°C, which is pretty cold so don’t forget your jacket!

During the summer months, the Postojna Cave tour is every hour, but in the winter months, it’s not that regular. So it’s quite important to book your tour beforehand and be there on time! A single ticket for the cave tour is €28.50 per person.

4 | Castle visit at Predjama

Predjama Castle is a Renaissance castle built within a 123-meter-high cave mouth and is probably the most famous castle in Slovenia! This castle is the largest cave castle in the world and transports you right back to the fairytale world of knights.

There is a cave under Predjama Castle which spans four floors and is the second longest Slovenian cave. This place is so special and unique that it ranks among the ten most fascinating castles in the world!

The castle is approximately 9 kilometers away from Postojna Cave and that’s why you can buy a combo package with the caves to save some money! A single ticket to the castle is €17.5 per adult. I didn’t go inside the castle as there was no access to the caves below. But I still think it’s worth it.

5 | Most Kanal

After spending some time at Postojna and Predjama, it’s time for our next stop! Most Kanal or Kanal ob Soci is located in the middle of the Soca Valley. It’s a cute, picturesque medieval town, which is a perfect short stop for a swim, hiking or to take pictures.

The best attraction is the bridge, which was built by the Romans in ancient times but is now destroyed. The current one was built after World War I. If you walk across the bridge over the Soca River, you get to Pecno Park. This is a forest, where you can hike for a bit if you’re up to it!

6 | Most Na Soci

Most Na Soci is a small town located in Tolmin. It’s built on a rocky crest with the confluence of the Soca and Idrijca rivers. The water has a stunning blue colour, which is very mesmerising! The river offers a few opportunities for recreation, like supping, canoeing, and many more!

It’s a very small town and we were there at the end of our day. Most Na Soci is the perfect place to unwind after such a day of exploring and is also perfect to get some dinner in one of the few restaurants!

Slovenia itinerary: Day 3

Total driving distance: 56 kilometers (35 miles)

This day will be filled with water sights! All kind of different waterfalls and rivers to admire as Slovenia has such stunning ones.

7 | Slap Kozjak

Close to Kobarid, a town northwest of Tolmin, is a gorge of the Kozjak stream. This is a 15-meter-high waterfall that is hidden in a corner. There is an arranged path to get to the waterfall and it only takes like 20 minutes to reach Slap Kozjak. You can get close to the waterfall, but it’s not advised to swim in the pool!

You need to pay a small fee to see this waterfall. This compensation will be paid at the end of the trail and costs €5 for an adult. The opening times differ per season, so it’s best to check beforehand.

8 | Slap Virje

Another beautiful waterfall is Slap Virje. This waterfall is 20 meters wide and 12 meters high. It’s not allowed to swim in the pool under the waterfall for the preservation of nature.

There are a few ways to reach this waterfall: by foot or by car. The car parking is closely located to the waterfall, but the drive to the parking has very narrow roads. The price for a parking ticket is €5 and is valid for 2 hours only. You can also walk from Bovec to the waterfall, but this will take around 2 hours.

9 | Soca River

The Soca river has to be one of the sights you need to see in Slovenia! This emerald green river is considered to be one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe and I understand why! The mountainous nature around the river is stunning as well.

The river is perfect for different kind of water sports, like wildwater kayaking, rafting, and many more, because the river. So, this is perfect for adventurous water seekers. And if that’s not for you, the sights alone are enough to visit this place.

The river flows throughout western Slovenia and is 138 kilometers long, so the best advice is to just stop wherever you can and wander around the area! Here is a great place to stop as there is a huge parking lot next to it and the river is easily accessible.

Slovenia itinerary: Day 4

Total driving distance: 37 kilometers (23 miles)

This has to be one of my all-time favourite days in Slovenia as I love rugged mountain landscapes so much! Also, driving these roads are so much fun.

10 | Vršič Pass

The Vršič Pass is such a fun driving experience in Slovenia! This pass is a high mountain pass through the Julian Alps and brings you to an elevation gain of 1.611 meters. The road is known as the Russian Road and was built from 1915 to 1917. This name refers to the tens of thousands of Russian war prisoners who were used as laborers in the construction of the road.

The road itself has 50 hairpin bends, so you need to be very comfortable with your driving skills, but I found it quite amusing to drive on these roads. And as a reward, you have stunning views along the way!

11 | Russian Chapel

On the end of the north side of the Vršič Pass, there is a Russian Orthodox chapel. It was built by the Russian war prisoners during World War I and it lies at an elevation of around 1.200 meters. The chapel is made of wooden planks.

It’s easy to miss this chapel as it’s buried in the forests, but there is a sign indicating this location. There is a small, but free parking right next to the chapel, which also has a toilet. So, it’s the perfect stop to stretch your legs and learn a bit more about history.

12 | Jezero Jasna

Lake Jasna or Jezero Jasna in Slovene is the name of two artificial lakes that are interconnected with each other. It’s closely located near the Vršič Pass. This lake has stunning views over the mountains all around!

This is a perfect area to wander around and take in the views of the Julian Alps in the background. You can also participate in fishing, as it’s allowed. The lake also has a few places to enjoy a drink. Don’t forget to take a picture of the bronze Ibex, like we did as it’s a perfect memory of your visit!

13 | Zelenci Nature Reserve

This is my all-time favorite place in Slovenia! I already went to this country when I was 16 and 9 years later, this was the one place I really wanted to see. Do you understand why? Just look at this place, everything is just beautiful.

Zelenci Springs is a nature reserve on the northern edge of the Triglav National Park. The color of the water is blue-green and this is because of the underground water that reemerged through the porous bottom of the 2 meters deep lake. Hence the name Zelenci, which means green in Slovene.

The water of the lake does not freeze in the winter, and the constant temperature is about 6°C throughout the year. This doesn’t mean that you can swim in the lake, it’s actually forbidden and we saw people still swimming in it..

The lake is very easy to reach. There is a big parking lot at a diner called Gostilsna Zelenci. From there, it only takes 5 – 10 minutes to reach the lake and it’s probably the most easiest hike. Another bonus point for this location!

Slovenia itinerary: Day 5

Total driving distance: 76 kilometers (47 miles)

Driving through this side of Slovenia is a dream and it will only get better! Today is a day filled with discovering the Triglav National Park!

14 | Waterfall Peričnik

Peričnik waterfall is a beautiful natural sight that is also one of the highest waterfalls in Slovenia, with 52 meters for the lower waterfall and 16 meters for the upper one. And that’s not all that’s so special about it: you can also walk behind the waterfall.

The waterfall is located in the Triglav National Park, which is very stunning to drive through. There is a small parking area at the start of the hiking trail and it costs €5 to park for 2 hours. This is enough time to go up to the waterfall and back.

Length

1.6 kilometers

Duration

1 hour

Height difference

Not that much

Difficulty

Easy

15 | Planina Zajamniki

Planina Zajamniki is a hidden gem, ready to be discovered! It’s a pasture land with sheppard wooden houses, overlooking the Triglav National Park. In the summer months, it can be occupied with during the summer months as holiday houses, but when I was there in September, there was no-one.

You can reach this pasture by car, but only in the summer months as the road isn’t the best. It was quite hard for me to find the right way, but you need to drive to Goreljek. It takes around 20 minutes to reach the pasture, but be aware, it’s extremely bumpy. I parked the car close to the pasture, on the side of the road.

You can also hike to the pasture, but this will take a lot longer than going with the car. It’s approximately 5 kilometers and will take an hour one-way. The parking will be €6 for a whole day. But I think this place is really worth it!

Slovenia itinerary: Day 6

Total driving distance: 35 kilometers (22 miles)

This will be a much slower day to enjoy the lake life at Lake Bohinj!

16 | Stop at church Cerkev Marijinega Vnebozetja

A very hard name to pronounce, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth stopping for! On your way to Lake Bohinj, we passed by this church and it was just so pretty! There is not much information about this church online. The only thing I know is that it’s a very picturesque church, with beautiful mountain views.

17 | Bohinj

Lake Bohinj is the perfect place to visit if you want to visit a lake that’s less famous than Lake Bled. And the good news is, it’s only 30-minutes away from each other. It’s still a very popular place for water activities, especially during the summer months, like swimming, kayaking or fishing.

Slovenia itinerary: Day 7

Total driving distance: 34 kilometers (21 miles)

Be ready for two of the most famous tourist attractions in Slovenia: Lake Bled and the Vintgar Gorge!

18 | Vintgar Gorge

Another famous hike to do in Slovenia is the Vintgar Gorge. It’s a stunning 1.6 kilometer long gorge, and the hike is on a wooden pathway along the river. The gorge was discovered in 1891 and was inaccessible at first. But due to the tourist development of the region of Bled, the wooden pathway was built. In 1893, Vintgar Gorge was open for public.

One thing that is important to know about this hike is that it’s only one-way. So, if you want to get back to your car, the hike continues on an asphalt road and between a forest, which is less enjoyable in my opinion. And this takes an hour, which takes a lot of the nice experience of the hike at Vintgar Gorge.

Vintgar Gorge itself takes around 1 hour to complete. The entrance ticket costs €10 per person and it’s best to buy it online in advance so you don’t need to wait in line. The parking ticket costs €5.

19 | Lake Bled

If you think about Slovenia, you think about Lake Bled. This place has to be the most famous in the country, and rightfully so! Lake Bled offers breathtaking natural views and a lot of great activities. The most picturesque thing about the lake is the small island in the middle of it.

The all-time best thing to do at Lake Bled is simply to wander around the lake and see it from all different angles. It’s a 6-kilometer (3.7 miles) walk on a well-maintained path. It will take between 1h30 and 2h to complete the full loop, depending on how many photo stops. This hike can be started from anywhere you want as it’s a loop! But it’s totally worth it, believe me!

But there are way more activities to do around the lake. I wrote a full article about Lake Bled so check it out if you want to know more!

Learn more: Discover the Hidden Gems of Lake Bled

Slovenia itinerary: Day 8

Total driving distance: 115 kilometers (71.5 miles)

This day will be a bit longer for driving, but in my opinion, it’s totally worth it as you will be leaving the popular sights and visit the hidden gems in Slovenia. And besides, the views are way to beautiful!

20 | Velika Planina

This was the first time I visited Velika Planina and I can already say that this was my favourite place in Slovenia. It is the perfect combination of that authentic feeling and an adventurous activity!

Velika Planina is one of the largest sheep shepherd village with its identical wooden buildings and is located on a meadow at 1,600 meters above sea level. Although these are still in use by the shepherds, the plateau is also an open-air museum.

You can visit this shepherd village by cable car that runs hourly up and down. The price is €21 for a return ticket. After the cable car, it’s a very pleasant hike to the actual village

21 | Logar Valley

The Logar Valley (or Logarska Dolina) is one of the most beautiful valleys I’ve ever seen! The valley is just across the border from Austria, so you can reach Logar Valley from both countries. We drove through Slovenia and it was just hairpin bend after the other, but the views were amazing!

The best way to experience this valley is to park your car at the hotel for €7 and then to just walk the trail to the waterfall. The trail itself is mostly flat and will take around 3 hours as a roundtrip.

Slovenia itinerary: Day 9

Total driving distance: 71 kilometers (44 miles)

This will be the last day of this trip! Soak it all in one last time, because the campervan will be changed for the city life. And don’t worry about only having one day in the capital, it’s very small and is perfectly doable for half a day!

22 | Ljubjana

Ljubljana is not only the capital of Slovenia, but also the biggest city of the country. In the meantime, it’s also the smallest capital of Europe. It’s inhabited since prehistoric times and is located along a trade route. A dragon is the symbol of the city and is depicted across Ljubljana: on top of the castle tower and on the Dragon Bridge.

It’s a very small city, but you could easily spend one day here, just wandering around. Other things to do around the city would be visiting the Ljubljana castle, the Franciscan Church, the Dragons Bridge and the Nebotičnik Skyscraper for a good view over the city.

You might also like: Discover the Lovely Capital of Slovenia

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Travel blogger

Hello, I’m Ellen and welcome to this blog! I’m in love with exploring the world and hopefully I get to inspire you with these blog posts and pictures to feel the same. You will find detailed itineraries, hidden gems, tips and so much more!

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