Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Slovenia
Slovenia is a beautiful country with a great location in the heart of Europe. The country is surrounded by the eastern Alps, the Adriatic Sea, the Balkans, ... read more...Italy, Croatia, and Hungary, making it accessible from a wide range of locations in Europe. About half the size of Switzerland, this central European country has mountain ranges, an Adriatic coastline, emerald lakes, trendy cities, charming villages, snow-capped mountains, and beautiful beaches. In other words, it's a fairy tale setting that comes to life. Here are some of the best and most beautiful places the country has to offer - get your trip started.
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Ljubljana is the green capital of a green country. The area on both sides of the river with its picturesque bridges and central market is thanks to the distinctive look of the great architect Jože Plečnik. Located in the heart of Slovenia, Ljubljana is a city with a rich history that is bold with the country. You can easily see traces of the old Habsburg clan in this city. It feels like stepping back into the glorious past of this beautiful capital!
In Ljubljana, there are beautiful cobblestone streets that you cannot miss. Walking on the road, you will feel the freshness with the pure beauty that the stone roads bring.
In 2016, Ljubljana was honored to receive the European Green Capital award, thanks to the city's modern pedestrian and bicycle system. Slovenia has implemented a car ban in the city for more than a decade. Thanks to that, the air is very fresh, clean, and quiet. This beautiful capital is the ideal location for those who like peace.
The old town located on the other side of the famous Triple bridge is attractive. In addition, if you like rivers, a romantic cruise on the Ljubljana River is a great idea.
Location: Ljubljana Basin in Central Slovenia, between the Alps and the Karst
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Lake Bled, the peaceful glacial lake, captivates visitors throughout the seasons, and its beauty is undeniable.
Lake Bled is an alpine lake in the Julian Alps of the Upper Carniola region in northwestern Slovenia, where it borders the town of Bled. The lake is located 35 km from Ljubljana International Airport and 55 km from Ljubljana.
Lake Bled is the most famous lake in Slovenia. It was formed by the ice movement of the Alps about 14,000 years ago. It is called a "glacial lake," with enchanting settings and a landscape like a wonderland. The buildings built on a small island in the lake look like an illusion from a distance.
The lake freezes from February to March every year, at which time you can take a walk on the lake. But like that, you will not have the opportunity to admire its charming beauty with crystal clear blue water, flocks of swans swimming, and the silhouettes of castles and churches reflected on the lake.
Surrounding tree-lined Lake Bled, the path leading to Bled Castle winds its way up the mountainside, long a favorite picnic, walking, and cycling area for locals and visitors alike.
Location: Julian Alps of the Upper Carniolan region of northwestern Slovenia
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Demanding ascents, a picturesque valley, unique foliage, wildlife, and wonderland lakes, in the heart of unspoiled nature and just a short distance from Bled, you can find all these are in Triglav National Park, named after Slovenia's highest mountain.
Triglav National Park is the only national park in Slovenia, and it carries out a special nature conservation regime. It is named Triglav after its 2,864m peak and extends from the northwest of Slovenia near the border with Italy to the Austrian border in the southeastern part of the Alpine massif.
The park covers 4% of Slovenia's total surface area, and it is one of the oldest National Parks. Its unique feature is diverse unspoiled nature-rich flora thrives. It is also the residence of many protected animal species. Its valleys and plains are covered with carpets of green forests and grasslands, above which enchanting jagged peaks rise from the ground like great stalagmites.
Through many ravines, canyons, and beautiful valleys flow the purest small rivers, which eventually merge into two great rivers - Sava and Soča. In the high mountains are the lakes Triglav and Kriška, and in Bohinj can be found Lake Bohinj, the largest permanent natural lake in Slovenia.
In the furthest reaches of the park, visitors can experience the ancient landscapes typical of farms and cottages in this part of Europe, while in the high mountains are grasslands above mountains, where cattle grazing and traditional cheese production are made, for which the area is famous.
Location: Northwestern part of the country, respectively the southeastern part of the Alpine massif
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Postojna is the most captivating cave, with a beautiful cave system and diverse fauna. Take an unforgettable ride aboard the Postojna Caves submarine and experience a fascinating subterranean paradise shaped by water droplets over millions of years.
Postojna Cave is the only place where you can see the most precious things brilliantly in the form of cave formations and also meet baby dragons. Just like the world outside, Postojna Caves boasts towering mountains, gushing rivers, and vast underground halls. It is a real challenge for explorers and the cradle of speleobiology.
The beautiful 5 meters high bright white stalactite called Brilliant is a symbol of Postojna and Karst Caves of Slovenia. Water slowly drips down to the stalactites creating a thin layer of rhinestones, giving Brilliant a shiny white color.
Over the past 200 years, Postojna Cave has been visited by more than 39 million tourists from all over the world. The best people shared their impressions of the cave in the Yellow Book of Visitors.
Location: Jamska cesta 30, 6230 Postojna, Slovenia
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Piran in Slovenia is a beautiful seaside town on the Adriatic Sea and certainly one of the most popular destinations on the Slovenian Riviera. Particularly impressive is the Medieval Old Town, which sits in a picturesque location on a peninsula and attracts visitors from all over the world with its romantic squares, lively alleys, and refined character of the economy of the Mediterranean. Visitors can explore Piran's beautiful sights while strolling through the city.
Excellent restaurants along the waterfront serve Slovenian specialties with stunning sea views. Many beautiful bathing spots locates along the entire riverbank to Portoroz, where there is also a long sandy beach with a cool beach. In the north, there are several beautiful seaside resorts and bays. First of all, the famous natural beach Moon-Bay, inviting unforgettable days at sea.
The charming waterfront is one of the best places to visit in Piran. Along the promenade, there are many attractions, cafes, restaurants, and some great beaches to explore. Particularly beautiful is the harbor with a view of St George's church and the small lighthouse at the tip of Piran. Another picturesque attraction right on the coast is the stunning Tartini Square.
Piran's sunset view is unique and a real highlight of every visit.
Location: Southwestern Slovenia on the Gulf of Piran on the Adriatic Sea
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Ptuj is the oldest town in Slovenia, dating back to the Stone Age. In the 1st century BC, Ptuj (then named Povium) was an important center and legion in the Ancient Roman Empire.
The town is dominated by a castle that stands proudly on the hill above Ptuj. With its strategic position at the banks of the river Drava, it was occupied from the early days of Ptuj and played an important role for many centuries. The appearance of the building dates back to the 18th century. Today, Ptuj Castle is home to a museum that houses the biggest collection of musical instruments in all of Slovenia. But that's not the only reason you should climb the steep hill to reach the castle.
The view from there is the best you can get in Ptuj, with sweeping views of the entire town, nearby Ptujsko Jezero, and the surrounding idyllic countryside.
Every nook and cranny hides some little gem, whether it's street art, a small cafe, or a fun backyard. Whenever your curiosity prompts you to enter a portal in the center of Ptuj, do so because the chances of you finding something special are very high. Every year in August, an exciting festival takes place in Ptuj - Day of Poetry and Wine, bringing together established artists from all over the world. While the event lasted only a few days, the results can be seen on the walls at Jadranska Ulica in the heart of Ptuj.
Location: Eastern Slovenia on the Drava River
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Celje, the third-largest city in the country, runs at the confluence of the Voglajna and Savinja rivers. It boasts a tumultuous and rich past that seems like a novel.
The town's two main squares, Krekov trg, and Glavni tag, and Slomškov trg, the heart of the old town, can help you explore. You can also find traces of the medieval walls of Celje along Ulica na Okopih.
Overlooking the city center are the ruins of an old and sizable Castle of earliest origin dating back to the 12th century. It is the most famous local landmark and the largest castle complex in the country.
During the summer months, from April to October, many events are held here. Visitors can take part in a 'living history' program with the chance to try their hand at fencing, archery, or workshops on medieval creation, and in August, there are two- medieval events held here. A mandatory stop is at the on-site Veronika Café for tea served with rock sugar.
Along with the corners and cobblestone-covered medieval streets, there is some fascinating architecture with a beautiful mix of Baroque, Renaissance, and modern 20th-century buildings.
Location: Celje, Slovenia
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Located on the border with Austria & Italy, Kranjska Gora is the most famous mountain resort in Slovenia, hosting the annual World Cup ski and ski jumping events.
Skiing is the main attraction for many - Kranjska Gora is the best resort for families and beginners.
With beautiful mountain scenery, excellent access to Triglav National Park, and a wide range of outdoor activities in summer and winter (hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, climbing), Kranjska Gora is still very popular all year round.
The town itself is a beautiful, family-friendly alpine region, with lots of lively restaurants, bars, a couple of pools/spas, a mountain bike park, and Summer ski runs.
Around Kranjska Gora are several beautiful villages (Podkoren, Rateče, Mojstrana, Dovje), pieces of traditional Gorenjska-style farms often centered around the excellent gostilna (inns) of locals.
Kranjska Gora is located at the junction of Slovenia, Italy, and Austria, which adds an extra charm to vacations in the region, especially since, unlike many "faded" borders, the three countries are still quite linguistic and cultural differences. You can easily visit all three countries in one day from Kranjska Gora.
Location: On the border with Austria & Italy
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Koper is a picturesque seaside town on the Adriatic Sea and the largest and most important city on the Slovenian Coast. The old town of Koper lies on an island that was formerly connected to the mainland by a bridge. Today Koper is a peninsula connected to the hinterland, and the backfill area has developed into an extension of the town.
While Koper has a large industrial area with a large port, don't miss it! This town is charming, lively and it might just be your favorite seaside town in Slovenia.
Koper has a rich history, is filled with culture, and has a vibrant bar scene with many great restaurants. The old town is delightful, and the hinterland is well worth a visit!
As the first layer of defense, there is a fortress in the middle of the bridge leading to the main gate - Muda. When you walk through Muda Gate, you will enter Preseren square. Here you will find the baroque style Da Ponte fountain. It was once the largest fountain in the city, and the decorative bridge above it is a reproduction of the Rialto Bridge in Venice. This fountain is the main source of drinking water supplied from the mainland via wooden pipes.
Visit Piazza Tito, walk the medieval streets, then Carpaccio Square. The view of the sea from the square is partially obscured by the Taverna (tavern). On a summer night, you'll be able to enjoy concerts, plays, and even salsa lessons here.
When exploring this town in the summer, there's no better way to cool down than with a dip in the Adriatic. You can jump into the water from Promenada itself or head to Koper City beach.
Location: Istrian region, Southwestern part of the Slovenia
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Set among hilly vineyards and lush forests in eastern Slovenia, Maribor may be the most charming destination you've ever heard of. The second-largest city in the country has plenty of outdoor opportunities, mouth-watering local cuisine, a rich wine history, and plenty of attractions.
Maribor has excellent surroundings, as well as a wealth of culture. You will often hear that the best wine is in Maribor, while the hospitality is nowhere else you'll ever see. Many tourist attractions, as well as natural wonders, will make you fall in love with Maribor.
In Maribor, you can see the Stara trta vine, the world's oldest vine, dating back more than 450 years. Continue your wine tour with a trip to the famous Old Vine House and the massive Vinag Cellar.
Don't miss the major squares in Maribor, including Slomškov Square, Main Square, and Castle Square, all of which offer plenty of historical charm and architecture.
Location: Northeastern Slovenia, on the Drava River near the Austrian border