Find places in Slovenia

Must-Haves

• Ljubljana Castle (Castle Hill)
  The hilltop castle and its tower give the best view over the red roofs to the Alps.

Fun for Everyone

• Ljubljanica river boat ride (Departures by the Triple Bridge)
  A relaxed cruise under the bridges for a different view of the old town.

Off the Beaten Path

• 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.

Must-Haves

• Triple Bridge and Prešeren Square (Old Town)
  The heart of the city, with Plečnik's three bridges and the pink Franciscan church.
• Plečnik House (Trnovo)
  The preserved home and studio of the architect who shaped modern Ljubljana.

Off the Beaten Path

• Metelkova Mesto (Metelkova)
  A former army barracks turned into a graffiti covered alternative arts and music quarter.
• Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova (Metelkova)
  Bold Eastern European contemporary art in the museum quarter beside Metelkova.

Fun for Everyone

• National Museum of Slovenia (Prešernova cesta)
  Home of the Vače situla and a Neanderthal bone flute, among the oldest instruments known.

Must-Haves

• Ljubljana Central Market (Vodnikov trg, Old Town)
  Plečnik's riverside colonnade and open stalls of cheese, honey, flowers and produce.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Sunday flea market at Cobblers' Bridge (Breg embankment)
  Antiques, old postcards and curiosities on Sunday mornings by the river.

Must-Haves

• 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.

Fun for Everyone

• Festive December in Ljubljana (Old Town)
  Christmas markets, lights and mulled wine stalls along the river all December.

Fun for Everyone

• Tivoli Park and Rožnik Hill (Tivoli)
  A huge city park with an open air photo gallery and woodland trails up to a hilltop inn.

Off the Beaten Path

• Ljubljana Marshes (Ljubljansko barje) (South of the city)
  Wetlands of birds, meadows and prehistoric pile dwelling sites, good for cycling.

Must-Haves

• Gostilna As (Knafljev prehod, Old Town)
  A long running classic for seafood and Slovenian cooking in a courtyard off Wolfova street.

Great for Date Night

• 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.

Low Cost and Authentic

• 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.

Must-Haves

• Cafe Zvezda (Kongresni trg)
  A favourite for coffee and Zvezda cake on the square by the university.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Čokl Coffee (Krakovo)
  A small specialty coffee roaster in a quiet corner near Trnovo.

Must-Haves

• Riverside bars of the Ljubljanica (Cankarjevo nabrežje)
  A string of terrace bars along the river that fill every warm evening.

Great for Date Night

• Dvorni Bar (Dvorni trg)
  A riverside wine bar with a long list of Slovenian wines by the glass.

Off the Beaten Path

• Pritličje (Mestni trg)
  A café bar, comic shop and inclusive cultural space on the town square.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Klub K4 (Kersnikova ulica)
  A long standing underground club for electronic music and student nights.

Must-Haves

• Vander Urbani Resort (Krojaška ulica, Old Town)
  A design hotel by the river with a rooftop pool over the old town.

Great for Date Night

• Grand Hotel Union (Miklošičeva cesta)
  A grand Art Nouveau hotel by Prešeren Square.

Off the Beaten Path

• Hostel Celica (Metelkova)
  A former military prison turned into a hostel with artist designed cells.

Must-Haves

• Bled Island and pletna boats (Lake Bled)
  Ride a traditional rowed pletna to the island church and ring the wishing bell.

Fun for Everyone

• 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.

Off the Beaten Path

• Radovljica old town (Radovljica)
  A charming small old town with a gingerbread workshop and views to the Alps.

Must-Haves

• Bled Castle (Above the lake)
  A cliff top castle with a museum, wine cellar and the best terrace view of the lake.

Off the Beaten Path

• Museum of Apiculture (Radovljica old town)
  Painted beehive panels and the story of Slovenia's beekeeping tradition.

Must-Haves

• 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.

Off the Beaten Path

• 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.

Must-Haves

• Park Café (Lakeside promenade)
  The terrace where Bled's famous kremšnita cream cake was popularised.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Slaščičarna Zima (Town centre)
  A cake shop where locals buy kremšnita away from the busy terraces.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Gostilna Pri Planincu (Grajska cesta)
  A traditional inn serving large portions of Slovenian comfort food.

Fun for Everyone

• Gostilna Murka (Riklijeva cesta)
  A garden inn with local dishes and space for families.

Must-Haves

• Hotel Triglav Bled (Above the lake)
  A boutique hotel with a terrace looking across the lake to the island.

Great for Date Night

• Garden Village Bled (Near the lake)
  Treehouses and glamping tents among streams and gardens.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Camping Bled (Western shore)
  A lakeside campsite with cabins and tent pitches at the quiet end of the lake.

Must-Haves

• 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.

Off the Beaten Path

• Seven Triglav Lakes Valley (Triglav National Park)
  A demanding hike past a chain of high alpine lakes with hut stays.
• Pršivec viewpoint (Above the northern shore)
  A steep hike to a summit with a bird's eye view down the lake.

Fun for Everyone

• Lake Bohinj kayaking and paddleboarding (Ribčev Laz and Ukanc)
  Paddle on clear, quiet water with mountain walls all around.

Must-Haves

• Vogel cable car (Ukanc)
  A cable car to mountain views over Lake Bohinj and Triglav, with skiing in winter.

Fun for Everyone

• Bohinj railway (Bohinjska Bistrica)
  A scenic historic line and car train through tunnels to the Soča side.

Must-Haves

• Church of St John the Baptist (Ribčev Laz)
  A frescoed medieval church by the stone bridge at the lake's edge.

Off the Beaten Path

• Alpine Dairy Museum (Stara Fužina)
  The story of high pasture cheese making in a small village museum.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Gostilna Mihovc (Stara Fužina)
  A traditional village inn serving home style food.

Fun for Everyone

• Planšar (Stara Fužina)
  A cheese focused tavern serving Bohinj dairy dishes.

Fun for Everyone

• Kravji bal (Cows' Ball) (Ukanc)
  A September folk festival celebrating the herds returning from the high pastures.

Off the Beaten Path

• Bohinj Wild Flower Festival (Bohinj valley)
  Late spring walks, talks and events celebrating alpine flowers.

Must-Haves

• Hotel Bohinj (Ribčev Laz)
  A modern hotel steps from the lake and buses.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Camp Bohinj (Ukanc)
  A lakeside campsite at the quiet western end near the cable car.

Must-Haves

• Rafting on the Soča (Bovec)
  Guided whitewater trips through emerald gorges for beginners and experienced paddlers.
• 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.

Fun for Everyone

• Canyoning near Bovec (Bovec)
  Slide, jump and abseil through canyons with a licensed guide.

Off the Beaten Path

• Goriška Brda wine hills (Brda)
  Vineyard villages and wine cellars an hour south of the valley.

Must-Haves

• 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.

Fun for Everyone

• Virje waterfall (Plužna, near Bovec)
  A short walk to a waterfall and green pool, lovely for families.

Off the Beaten Path

• 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.

Must-Haves

• Kobarid Museum (Kobarid)
  A moving museum of the First World War Isonzo Front.

Off the Beaten Path

• Walk of Peace (Along the Soča Valley)
  A trail linking First World War trenches, memorials and museums.

Great for Date Night

• Hiša Franko (Staro Selo, near Kobarid)
  Ana Roš's celebrated restaurant built on local Soča Valley ingredients.

Must-Haves

• Hotel Dobra Vila (Bovec)
  A boutique hotel in a historic building with a fine restaurant.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Kamp Liza (Bovec)
  A riverside campsite popular with rafters and families.

Great for Date Night

• Nebesa Chalets (Above Kobarid)
  Mountain chalets with sweeping views over the Soča Valley.

Must-Haves

• Postojna Cave (Postojna)
  An underground train and walk through some of Europe's richest cave formations.

Fun for Everyone

• Lipica Stud Farm (Lipica)
  The original home of the Lipizzaner horses, with tours and training sessions.

Must-Haves

• Predjama Castle (Predjama)
  A castle built into the mouth of a cave halfway up a cliff.

Off the Beaten Path

• 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.

Must-Haves

• Škocjan Caves (Matavun, near Divača)
  A UNESCO listed cave with an underground river canyon crossed by a high bridge.

Off the Beaten Path

• 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.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Karst osmica farm taverns (Karst villages)
  Temporary farm taverns serving home ham, cheese and teran wine.

Off the Beaten Path

• Karst tourist farms (Karst villages)
  Family farm stays with home cooking and wine cellars.

Fun for Everyone

• Hotel Jama (Postojna Cave)
  A hotel right beside the cave entrance, handy for early tours.

Must-Haves

• 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.

Fun for Everyone

• 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.

Must-Haves

• Piran town walls (Above the old town)
  Medieval walls with sweeping views across the rooftops and the bay.

Fun for Everyone

• Piran Aquarium (Piran harbour)
  A small aquarium of Adriatic sea life that children love.

Must-Haves

• Sečovlje Salina Nature Park (Sečovlje)
  Medieval salt pans still worked by hand, full of birds.

Off the Beaten Path

• Strunjan cliffs (Strunjan Landscape Park)
  The highest cliffs on the Adriatic coast with quiet pebble beaches below.

Fun for Everyone

• Punta swimming promenade (Piran peninsula tip)
  Swim from the rocks with ladders into clear water at sunset.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Fritolin pri Cantini (Piran old town)
  Simple fried fish and squid at very fair prices near Tartini Square.

Fun for Everyone

• Café Teater (Piran waterfront)
  A historic café terrace for coffee and sunset drinks by the sea.

Great for Date Night

• Sunset drinks at Punta (Piran peninsula)
  Bars near the lighthouse face west for famous sunsets.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Piran salt shop (Piranske soline) (Piran old town)
  Hand harvested salt and salt flower from the Sečovlje pans.

Must-Haves

• Hotel Piran (Piran waterfront)
  A seafront hotel with views over the water.

Great for Date Night

• Hotel Kempinski Palace Portorož (Portorož)
  A restored historic palace hotel by the sea.