Slovenia · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Slovenia
These are the places worth your time in Slovenia, from the cafés, markets and museums of Ljubljana to the lakes of Bled and Bohinj, the rivers of the Soča Valley, the Karst caves and the old town of Piran. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Ljubljana
Things to Do
- Ljubljana Castle (Castle Hill)
The hilltop castle and its tower give the best view over the red roofs to the Alps. - Ljubljanica river boat ride (Departures by the Triple Bridge)
A relaxed cruise under the bridges for a different view of the old town. - Velika Planina (Kamnik Alps, near Kamnik)
A high pasture of shepherds' huts reached by cable car, an easy day from Ljubljana. - Škofja Loka old town (Škofja Loka)
One of the best preserved medieval towns in Slovenia, half an hour from the capital.
Arts and Culture
- Triple Bridge and Prešeren Square (Old Town)
The heart of the city, with Plečnik's three bridges and the pink Franciscan church. - Metelkova Mesto (Metelkova)
A former army barracks turned into a graffiti covered alternative arts and music quarter. - Plečnik House (Trnovo)
The preserved home and studio of the architect who shaped modern Ljubljana. - National Museum of Slovenia (Prešernova cesta)
Home of the Vače situla and a Neanderthal bone flute, among the oldest instruments known. - Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova (Metelkova)
Bold Eastern European contemporary art in the museum quarter beside Metelkova. - Ljubljana City Museum (Gosposka ulica)
The city's story from Roman Emona to today, including the world's oldest wooden wheel.
Shopping and Markets
- Ljubljana Central Market (Vodnikov trg, Old Town)
Plečnik's riverside colonnade and open stalls of cheese, honey, flowers and produce. - Sunday flea market at Cobblers' Bridge (Breg embankment)
Antiques, old postcards and curiosities on Sunday mornings by the river.
Events
- Odprta kuhna (Open Kitchen) (Pogačar Square)
A Friday food market from spring to autumn where chefs from across Slovenia cook outdoors. - Ljubljana Festival (Križanke and venues across the city)
Summer concerts, opera and dance in Plečnik's open air Križanke theatre. - Festive December in Ljubljana (Old Town)
Christmas markets, lights and mulled wine stalls along the river all December.
Nature and Outdoors
- Tivoli Park and Rožnik Hill (Tivoli)
A huge city park with an open air photo gallery and woodland trails up to a hilltop inn. - Ljubljana Marshes (Ljubljansko barje) (South of the city)
Wetlands of birds, meadows and prehistoric pile dwelling sites, good for cycling.
Restaurants
- Gostilna As (Knafljev prehod, Old Town)
A long running classic for seafood and Slovenian cooking in a courtyard off Wolfova street. - JB Restavracija (Miklošičeva cesta)
Refined tasting menus from chef Janez Bratovž in an elegant dining room. - Restavracija Strelec (Ljubljana Castle)
Fine dining inside the castle archers' tower with views over the city. - Gostilna Sokol (Ciril Metodov trg, Old Town)
Hearty traditional dishes like štruklji and sausages in a rustic old inn. - Druga Violina (Stari trg, Old Town)
A social enterprise restaurant serving simple home style Slovenian food. - Klobasarna (Ciril Metodov trg, Old Town)
A tiny counter devoted to kranjska klobasa, the famous Carniolan sausage. - Monstera Bistro (Gosposka ulica)
Creative seasonal bistro cooking from chef Bine Volčič. - Hood Burger (City centre)
A local burger chain loved for its grass fed beef and relaxed feel.
Cafés
- Cafe Zvezda (Kongresni trg)
A favourite for coffee and Zvezda cake on the square by the university. - Čokl Coffee (Krakovo)
A small specialty coffee roaster in a quiet corner near Trnovo.
Bars and Nightlife
- Riverside bars of the Ljubljanica (Cankarjevo nabrežje)
A string of terrace bars along the river that fill every warm evening. - Dvorni Bar (Dvorni trg)
A riverside wine bar with a long list of Slovenian wines by the glass. - Pritličje (Mestni trg)
A café bar, comic shop and inclusive cultural space on the town square. - Klub K4 (Kersnikova ulica)
A long standing underground club for electronic music and student nights.
Stays
- Vander Urbani Resort (Krojaška ulica, Old Town)
A design hotel by the river with a rooftop pool over the old town. - Grand Hotel Union (Miklošičeva cesta)
A grand Art Nouveau hotel by Prešeren Square. - Hostel Celica (Metelkova)
A former military prison turned into a hostel with artist designed cells.
Places to Visit in Bled
Things to Do
- Bled Island and pletna boats (Lake Bled)
Ride a traditional rowed pletna to the island church and ring the wishing bell. - Rowing boat rental (Lake Bled shore)
Row yourself to the island at your own pace from one of the lakeside piers. - Lake Bled swimming area (Below Bled Castle)
The historic castle bathing area with wooden decks and lake swimming in summer. - Radovljica old town (Radovljica)
A charming small old town with a gingerbread workshop and views to the Alps.
Arts and Culture
- Bled Castle (Above the lake)
A cliff top castle with a museum, wine cellar and the best terrace view of the lake. - Museum of Apiculture (Radovljica old town)
Painted beehive panels and the story of Slovenia's beekeeping tradition.
Nature and Outdoors
- Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica viewpoints (Western shore)
A short steep climb to the famous view of the island and castle together. - Vintgar Gorge (Podhom, near Bled)
Wooden walkways above a clear river in a narrow gorge, with timed tickets in season. - Straža Hill (Southern shore)
A small ski hill with a summer toboggan and quiet views over the lake. - Pokljuka plateau (Triglav National Park)
Forest trails and shepherd huts in summer and cross country skiing in winter.
Cafés
- Park Café (Lakeside promenade)
The terrace where Bled's famous kremšnita cream cake was popularised. - Slaščičarna Zima (Town centre)
A cake shop where locals buy kremšnita away from the busy terraces.
Restaurants
- Gostilna Pri Planincu (Grajska cesta)
A traditional inn serving large portions of Slovenian comfort food. - Gostilna Murka (Riklijeva cesta)
A garden inn with local dishes and space for families.
Stays
- Hotel Triglav Bled (Above the lake)
A boutique hotel with a terrace looking across the lake to the island. - Garden Village Bled (Near the lake)
Treehouses and glamping tents among streams and gardens. - Camping Bled (Western shore)
A lakeside campsite with cabins and tent pitches at the quiet end of the lake.
Places to Visit in Bohinj
Nature and Outdoors
- Savica waterfall (Ukanc, western end of the lake)
A double waterfall reached by steps through the forest above the lake. - Mostnica Gorge (Stara Fužina)
A peaceful walk along a carved river canyon to a waterfall. - Seven Triglav Lakes Valley (Triglav National Park)
A demanding hike past a chain of high alpine lakes with hut stays. - Lake Bohinj kayaking and paddleboarding (Ribčev Laz and Ukanc)
Paddle on clear, quiet water with mountain walls all around. - Pršivec viewpoint (Above the northern shore)
A steep hike to a summit with a bird's eye view down the lake.
Things to Do
- Vogel cable car (Ukanc)
A cable car to mountain views over Lake Bohinj and Triglav, with skiing in winter. - Bohinj railway (Bohinjska Bistrica)
A scenic historic line and car train through tunnels to the Soča side.
Arts and Culture
- Church of St John the Baptist (Ribčev Laz)
A frescoed medieval church by the stone bridge at the lake's edge. - Alpine Dairy Museum (Stara Fužina)
The story of high pasture cheese making in a small village museum.
Restaurants
- Gostilna Mihovc (Stara Fužina)
A traditional village inn serving home style food. - Planšar (Stara Fužina)
A cheese focused tavern serving Bohinj dairy dishes.
Events
- Kravji bal (Cows' Ball) (Ukanc)
A September folk festival celebrating the herds returning from the high pastures. - Bohinj Wild Flower Festival (Bohinj valley)
Late spring walks, talks and events celebrating alpine flowers.
Stays
- Hotel Bohinj (Ribčev Laz)
A modern hotel steps from the lake and buses. - Camp Bohinj (Ukanc)
A lakeside campsite at the quiet western end near the cable car.
Places to Visit in Bovec
Things to Do
- Rafting on the Soča (Bovec)
Guided whitewater trips through emerald gorges for beginners and experienced paddlers. - Canyoning near Bovec (Bovec)
Slide, jump and abseil through canyons with a licensed guide. - Vršič Pass and Russian Chapel (Between Trenta and Kranjska Gora)
A summer mountain road of fifty hairpins and a wooden chapel built by prisoners of war. - Goriška Brda wine hills (Brda)
Vineyard villages and wine cellars an hour south of the valley.
Nature and Outdoors
- Great Soča Gorge (Trenta valley)
A narrow gorge where the river runs turquoise between smooth rock walls. - Kozjak waterfall (Kobarid)
A waterfall hidden in a rock chamber at the end of a riverside path. - Virje waterfall (Plužna, near Bovec)
A short walk to a waterfall and green pool, lovely for families. - Soča Trail (Trenta valley)
A riverside path from the source of the Soča through the valley. - Mangart Saddle road (Above Log pod Mangartom)
The highest road in Slovenia, open in summer, with a view to Italy's lakes. - Tolmin Gorges (Tolmin)
Short circuits through narrow canyons and over the Devil's Bridge.
Arts and Culture
- Kobarid Museum (Kobarid)
A moving museum of the First World War Isonzo Front. - Walk of Peace (Along the Soča Valley)
A trail linking First World War trenches, memorials and museums.
Restaurants
- Hiša Franko (Staro Selo, near Kobarid)
Ana Roš's celebrated restaurant built on local Soča Valley ingredients.
Stays
- Hotel Dobra Vila (Bovec)
A boutique hotel in a historic building with a fine restaurant. - Kamp Liza (Bovec)
A riverside campsite popular with rafters and families. - Nebesa Chalets (Above Kobarid)
Mountain chalets with sweeping views over the Soča Valley.
Places to Visit in Postojna
Things to Do
- Postojna Cave (Postojna)
An underground train and walk through some of Europe's richest cave formations. - Lipica Stud Farm (Lipica)
The original home of the Lipizzaner horses, with tours and training sessions.
Arts and Culture
- Predjama Castle (Predjama)
A castle built into the mouth of a cave halfway up a cliff. - Štanjel (Karst)
A hilltop stone village with a terraced garden by architect Max Fabiani. - Vilenica Cave (Near Sežana)
One of the oldest show caves in Europe, quieter than Postojna.
Nature and Outdoors
- Škocjan Caves (Matavun, near Divača)
A UNESCO listed cave with an underground river canyon crossed by a high bridge. - Rakov Škocjan (Near Cerknica)
A wooded valley of natural stone bridges and quiet trails. - Lake Cerknica (Cerknica)
An intermittent lake that appears and vanishes with the seasons.
Restaurants
- Karst osmica farm taverns (Karst villages)
Temporary farm taverns serving home ham, cheese and teran wine.
Stays
- Karst tourist farms (Karst villages)
Family farm stays with home cooking and wine cellars. - Hotel Jama (Postojna Cave)
A hotel right beside the cave entrance, handy for early tours.
Places to Visit in Piran
Arts and Culture
- Tartini Square (Piran old town)
A marble square with Venetian houses and the statue of Giuseppe Tartini. - Church of St George (Piran hilltop)
A Venetian style bell tower with views to Italy and Croatia. - Sergej Mašera Maritime Museum (Piran waterfront)
The story of seafaring, shipbuilding and salt on this coast. - Koper old town (Koper)
A Venetian square, the Praetorian Palace and a climbable bell tower.
Things to Do
- Piran town walls (Above the old town)
Medieval walls with sweeping views across the rooftops and the bay. - Piran Aquarium (Piran harbour)
A small aquarium of Adriatic sea life that children love.
Nature and Outdoors
- Sečovlje Salina Nature Park (Sečovlje)
Medieval salt pans still worked by hand, full of birds. - Strunjan cliffs (Strunjan Landscape Park)
The highest cliffs on the Adriatic coast with quiet pebble beaches below. - Punta swimming promenade (Piran peninsula tip)
Swim from the rocks with ladders into clear water at sunset.
Restaurants
- Fritolin pri Cantini (Piran old town)
Simple fried fish and squid at very fair prices near Tartini Square.
Cafés
- Café Teater (Piran waterfront)
A historic café terrace for coffee and sunset drinks by the sea.
Bars and Nightlife
- Sunset drinks at Punta (Piran peninsula)
Bars near the lighthouse face west for famous sunsets.
Shopping and Markets
- Piran salt shop (Piranske soline) (Piran old town)
Hand harvested salt and salt flower from the Sečovlje pans.
Stays
- Hotel Piran (Piran waterfront)
A seafront hotel with views over the water. - Hotel Kempinski Palace Portorož (Portorož)
A restored historic palace hotel by the sea.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Slaščičarna Zvezda (Wolfova ulica, Ljubljana)
Classic cakes including prekmurska gibanica and ice cream in the centre. - Cafe Čolnarna (Trnovo, by the Gruberjev kanal, Ljubljana)
A riverside café and boathouse where locals relax away from the crowds. - Rustika (Ljubljana Castle and Old Town, Ljubljana)
Handmade Slovenian crafts, from honey hive panels to lace, as thoughtful souvenirs. - Hostel Vrba (Trnovo, Ljubljana)
A friendly small hostel by the Gruberjev canal, a short walk from the centre. - Vila Bled restaurant (Southern shore, Bled)
Lakeside dining in Tito's former summer villa with a view to the island. - Hiša Linhart (Radovljica, Bled)
Thoughtful tasting menus in a historic house in Radovljica, ten minutes from Bled. - Pub Bled (Town centre, Bled)
A cosy pub where locals and visitors meet in the evenings. - Bled Days and Night of Candles (Lake Bled, Bled)
A July festival when thousands of candles float on the lake at night. - Restavracija Hotel Bohinj (Ribčev Laz, Bohinj)
Modern Slovenian cooking with local ingredients by the lake. - Mercator and village bakeries (Ribčev Laz, Bohinj)
Picnic supplies and fresh bread for a lakeside lunch. - Planina Laz (Triglav National Park, Bohinj)
A traditional shepherds' pasture with a hut for simple overnights on a hike. - Zipline Bovec (Bovec, Bovec)
A series of long ziplines high over the Učja canyon. - Gostilna Hedvika (Bovec, Bovec)
A family inn known for trout and local dishes. - Gostilna Breza (Bovec, Bovec)
Generous home cooking in the centre of town. - Soča Valley ice cream and bakeries (Bovec centre, Bovec)
Pick up pastries and ice cream for a riverside picnic. - Soča Outdoor Festival (Tolmin and Bovec, Bovec)
Kayak races and outdoor events on the river in late spring. - Restavracija Štorja Pod Krasom (Pliskovica, Karst, Postojna)
Seasonal Karst cooking in a stone farmhouse setting. - Proteus restaurant (Postojna town, Postojna)
A convenient spot for lunch after the cave. - Pršutarna Lokev (Lokev, Postojna)
Watch Karst ham dry in the bora wind and taste it at source. - Pavel (Piran waterfront, Piran)
A classic seafood restaurant on the harbour promenade. - Restavracija Fritz (Izola, Piran)
Fresh fish and Istrian wines in Izola. - Gostilna Bujol (Izola, Piran)
A homely fish restaurant in Izola's old town.