One of the most underrated countries in Europe, Slovenia has the beauty of Austria and Switzerland without the tourists and is also lighter on the purse strings. Over a third of Slovenia is a protected natural area and the country isn’t short of a few lakes either with 1,300 of them within the country. Solo travel in Slovenia for 80 natural thermal springs and healing waters which makes it a popular destination for the wellness solo.

Health retreats can be found from the coast all the way up to the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and many come for the healing properties of the ancient hills of Pohorje, used for medical purposes. Nowhere is far here whether you’re searching for mountains, coastline or rock formations, Slovenia has a natural beauty and there’s a reason it’s called the heart of Europe.

* Click here to discover all activities and things to do in Slovenia

The capital Ljubljana may be difficult to pronounce but its ease and charm shines through its Baroque style architecture. Meaning ‘the beloved city’ Ljubljana is big on culture and you’ll often find musicians or locals reciting poetry in the main square (one of the rivers has even had a poem written about it!) Restaurants line the river which separate the old town from the new and taking a walking tour gives a great insight into the history of the city.

When you are in Ljubljana city centre, take a self-guided Ljubljana Castle tour, a Ljubljana must see, and one of the best places to visit in Slovenia, which overlooks the city. Marvel at the Dragon Bridge – one of the iconic bridges – with its mythical legend. Restaurants line the Ljubljanica River (the river of the seven names) and you party until late in the many bars.

For cool things in Slovenia, the bohemian area of Metelkova Street is a graffiti artist’s dream and stands out from the rest of the capital with decorated walls and shoes hanging from above. The area is a world famous centre of art and craft with music, theatre and sculptures and one of the things to see in Ljubljana. You can even stay the night in an old converted jail.

Lake Bled

If you're searching for some Slovenia adventure travel, not far from the capital is beautiful Lake Bled, a mecca for adventure seekers and one of the lakes to visit in Slovenia. Lake Bled is one of the top Slovenia tourist attractions. Here is every activity you could imagine from: high ropes, mountaineering, skydiving, canyoning, rafting and horse riding.

If that’s too much adventure for you, you can hire a rowing boat to Bled Island or just sit and take in the view of the Church of the Assumption which stands tall in the midst of the lake. You can also see Bled Castle, as it perches on a cliffside, with history that dates back as far as 1004. 

Close to Lake Bled is the Vintgar Gorge, one of the top places to see in Slovenia. This 1.6km long gorge has wooden boardwalk trails that take you past waterfalls as you criss-cross the river and along the water's edge. If you do visit here, you can take a shuttle bus from Bled from July to September.  

Visit Slovenia in the winter and you can ski in the Julian Alps and see the picturesque Jamnik Church on the slopes. Kranjska Gora is a hub for winter sports, and this ski resort has 18 ski slopes to choose from. But you don’t need snow to enjoy this country as water sports also draw the adventurers and you can raft, scuba dive or paraglide in Bovec, the adrenaline capital of the country and one of the cities to visit in Slovenia. To get there you need to take the Vršič Pass, the country's highest road pass with dramatic views that connects Bovec with Kranjska Gora. 

Just nearby is Lake Bohinj and although Lake Bled is the most popular, Lake Bohinj is the largest glacial lake with traditional alpine houses blended into the landscape. It's definitely a Slovenia must see. The scenery here is breathtaking and there are even small beaches for catching those summer rays.

Triglav National Park

Another place for water sports is on the Soča River in Triglav National Park, where from mid March to the end of October you can kayak, go rafting and river boarding or just experience the tranquility of stand up paddle boarding (SUP). It is said to be one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe, with its emerald colours. If you prefer to stay on land, you can cycle or hike the Soča Valley instead or take the Kanin Cable Car (one of the things to see in Slovenia), or zip line it instead. 

Kobarid

Outside the national park near the Italian border is Kobarid with a historic walking trail and a museum with weapons from the World War. The whole area is perfect for mountaineering and hiking and also for food connoisseurs with a choice of many excellent restaurants. Another village in the foothill of the Alps is Podmelec, a tiny Slovenian village off the beaten path with a waterfall and locals.

Maribor

Aside from the capital, another of the Slovenia cities is Maribor. The second largest city which lies on the river Drava in the east. The location of the city on the edge of the Pannonian Plain and the Pohorje Mountains means it’s great for the outdoorsy type with mountain biking and hiking in the green moors in the summer and skiing in Pohorje in the snowy winter.

Head southeast for castles, monasteries, vineyards and the oldest Slovenian spas in the Stajerska and Dolenjska regions; one of the places to relax in Slovenia. 

Maribor is located in the Stajerska region, which claims to have the oldest vine in the world within its wine region. Making it one of the top places to visit in Slovenia for wine enthusiasts with wine growing hills spreading all along to Austria. You can stay in a traditional home stay, ride a horse and cart or just enjoy the views over a glass or two. 

Ptuj

Just nearby is Ptuj, a town for history buffs and the oldest town of Slovenia where you can visit Ptuj Castle which is now a museum. Travel southwest along the Adriatic coast to the Karst region with ancient salt pans and the Postojna and Škocjan caves; the most popular caves in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Velika Planina

If you're wondering what to do in Slovenia for some culture, Velika planina is alive with Alpine herdsmen's culture. As well as being a stunning area for nature and hiking, it is also the place to see the local herdsmen as they bring the cattle to the area in June each year. Here you can taste their traditional morning meal as well as other mountain dishes to re-fuel you to get back on the trails, before taking the aerial cable car back to Kamniska Bistrica Valley.

Other Places To See in Slovenia

Other sights to see are the deepest potholes in the world at Kaninski podi, PredjamskiGrad; a medieval castle which protrudes from the side of the mountain, the coastal town of Portoroz, Koper for its port (the fishing kind, not the drink) and Piran – one of the best preserved cultural monuments and a great spot for taking photos.

Go to Slovenia for clean air, an abundance of water and amazing scenery. There’s a reason why the word ‘love’ is in Slovenia. Slovenia tourism coined the phrase ‘I feel Slovenia,' and this heart of Europe is a treasured gem definitely worth exploring.

Accommodation in Slovenia

If you're looking for where to stay in Slovenia, the country has a choice of accommodation. You'll find hotels from 3 star to the luxurious 5 star and hostels if you are backpacking Slovenia and are on a budget. You'll find guest houses in Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Piran, Rogla, and Golte. 

If you prefer to stay in Slovenia with locals, there’s Airbnb where you can stay in a local's spare room or even rent their whole apartment. 

If you are on a budget and looking for where to stay in Ljubljana, I stayed at Hostel Celica, a converted prison in Ljubljana and unique accommodation Slovenia. Sleeping in a prison is a once in a lifetime experience and I met others Slovenia backpacking too. Treat Yourself at Vander Urbani Resort or Stay at Tito’s Former Summer Residence. * Check rates and availability for all Slovenia accommodation

Ljubljana – H2O Hostel – $

Close to the main station in the capital, this hostel is walking distance to the city centre and close to Dragon’s Bridge. There is also a fruit and vegetable market nearby and a shared kitchen to cook your own meals. The showers are good and the beds are comfortable but you do need to take your own towel (or rent one if not). The hostel organises trips, city tours and airport transfers and also rents bikes. Choose from a a bed in a 4 bed or 6 bed mixed room or upgrade to a double room with either a shared or private bathroom. * Check rates and availability: H20 Hostel

Bled – Ace of Spades Hostel – $

This stylish black and white hostel is located in the heart of Bled near a supermarket making it easy for you to cook your own meals in the property’s kitchen. It’s a great place for meeting others and the staff are really friendly and can arrange any activities that you want to do in the area. I have personally stayed in this hostel and really recommend it. Choose from a double or twin room with a shared bathroom, or a 4-bed dormitory room. * Check rates and availability: Ace of Spades Hostel

Slovenia Adventures and Tours

G Adventures Slovenia

If you feel more comfortable in a group for either part of your trip or the whole duration, consider taking a tour of Slovenia. G Adventures is a responsible tour company which mainly caters towards budget travellers. Most tours have an average of 10 people and there is no upper age limit. Once you book your trip you pay extra for any excursions in Slovenia that you want to do when you’re there.

They have group tours combining Slovenia with Hungary, Austria and Italy from 8 days to 21 days, including the best of Slovenia. I have personally used G Adventures and recommend them as a solo female friendly company, if you're unsure what to visit in Slovenia. 

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel is similar to G Adventures with an average of 12 people on each tour. Over 50% of people using their trips are solo travellers. They tend to use hotels instead of hostels and have a more comfortable style of accommodation hence their Slovenia trips can appear more costly than G Adventures.

Trips start from an 8 day Slovenia: hike, bike & raft, to an epic 43 day trip from Madrid to Rome. With both tour companies you share a room with someone of the same gender or you can pay extra for your own room. Read our Intrepid Travel Reviews

Get Your Guide Day Tours 

Get Your Guide helps you to find top-rated activities and day trips in worldwide destinations including travelling in Slovenia. Choose from a tour to Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, a visit to Postojna cave and Predjama Castle or a private walking tour of Ljubljana. There are several day tours in Slovenia to choose from and it’s really simple to use. Just check the reviews, dates, price and availability then book online.

* Check all Get Your Guide tours and prices here

Getting Around Slovenia

Getting Around Slovenia Without a Car – For Slovenia travel, Slovenia has a good bus and train network but if you decide to travel Slovenia by train, you may have to change trains in the capital for your onward journey so take the bus for any smaller towns. Check here for Slovenian Railways.

You can just walk or bike around the capital. If you choose to take the Ljubljana transport, you’ll need an Urbana Card from one of the ticket machines. Journeys are for 90 minutes and allow you to change buses up to this time. 

Buses are environmentally friendly, and Ljubljana bus station is the main hub for getting around the country. The country is reasonably small so travelling Slovenia from the capital to anywhere in the country shouldn't take more than 2 hours, even on Slovenia public transport.
For example, the distance from Ljubljana to Bled is just over one hour by Slovenia bus.

Travelling Slovenia By Car – If you prefer to do your own Slovenia road trip, renting a car is an alternative to the bus (but more expensive). Driving around Slovenia is easy as the roads are easy to navigate if you know which towns you are travelling to.

* Check car rental prices for driving in Slovenia

From The Airport

Ljubljana – When you are flying to Slovenia, most flights will arrive in Ljubljana Airport, an international airport and hub for traveling in Slovenia. Taxis will take 35 minutes and cost €60. There are public buses that will take you from Ljubljana Airport to train station in approximately 1.5 hours. The buses cost approx €9 and operate from 5.20am to midnight.

Portoroz – The airport is only 5km from Portoroz Town.

Maribor – Ryanair operate from this airport and a bus connects the flight to and from the airport.

* If you prefer an airport transfer for your Slovenia trip, Hoppa operates a cheap airport shuttle that will take you to the city centre or your hotel.

How Long Do You Need?

For your Slovenia trip plan, you will need less than one week for a Slovenia vacation. You can spend a weekend within the capital or extend it to include the Alps, the Karst region and Lake Bled.

Travelling Onwards (check visas before you travel)

As Slovenia is a small country, it's easy to combine traveling Slovenia with other counties. If you are planning to solo travel Europe, here's how to get to neighbouring countries.

To Croatia – A train runs from Ljubljana to Zagreb and takes 2.5 hours stopping for border control who board the train. If you’re travelling to Hungary as well, consider a rail pass for all three countries.

To Austria – Trains run from Ljubljana to Villach in Austria and takes 1 hr 45 minutes then you can take the train to your next destination. From Ljubljana to Salzburg it takes 4.5 hours. You can also take the train from Lake Bled to Salzburg.

To Hungary – From Ljubljana you can take a non-direct morning train at 6.30am to arrive at 16.30 in Budapest. Consider a rail pass for Croatia, Slovenia and Hungary if you’re travelling to all three.

To Italy – Travel by ferry to Venice or by bus to other cities.

To Slovakia – A train runs from Ljubljana to Bratislava.

Where can I go from here?

• Austria – 1 hour
• Serbia – 1.5 hrs
• Bosnia – 1 hour

Conscious Travel in Slovenia

In addition to our 10 ways on how to be a conscious traveller, there are tours and restaurants that you can visit in Slovenia to help make a difference.

Invisible Ljubljana Tour

During this unique tour you will be guided by a person who has experienced or is experiencing homelessness. They will lead you away from the tourist hot-spots and you will get to experience another side of Ljubljana. During this tour it is encouraged to ask questions about the guide’s experiences and why these spots are important for Ljubljana's homeless population.

Smetumet

This cultural-ecological fellowship offers projects workshops and products that are designed to rethink our attitude towards nature. Their products are handmade and range from bags to ties. You can either shop their products online or at their shop at the old square of Ljubljana.

Gostilna Dela Restaurant

A creation of the Job Factory project, this restaurant employs youth who are threatened by long- term unemployment. Through training and employment, they try to achieve social integration for vulnerable groups.

Second Violin Restaurant

Second Violin is a restaurant that employs intellectually disabled people. The goal is for them to be involved in the majority of society. The restaurant offers delicious dishes of Slovenian cuisine and even gluten free food. They also offer toilet facilities for the physically disabled and menus for the visually disabled.

Stay Eco in Slovenia

Bio Apartments Trnulja

The Trnulja Estate prides itself with being the first sustainable estate in Slovenia. The holiday apartments they offer were built with natural materials and in accordance with the principles of ecological sustainable construction. Their own estate restaurant offers the best of Slovenian cuisine prepared from homegrown organic products (they have their own farm!!!).

• Prices from £95 / €109 per night for a studio apartment
• To book, check prices or availability for Bio Apartments Trnulja

BIOHOTEL St. Daniel

The Hotel St. Daniel certainly screams Green and Sustainable. On their webpage they include every single detail they have included into their ways of managing the hotel to make it more sustainable and eco-friendlier. Their goal is to use solar-energy in 2021, they currently use organic cleaners, offer organic produce at their restaurant, they limit light pollution and food waste, as well as submit to annual ecological controls. This is definitely an impressive hotel with even more impressive goals. Stays are for a minimum of 2 nights.

• Prices from £169 / €194 for 2 nights in a double room
• To book, check prices or availability for BIOHOTEL St. Daniel

Books to read before traveling to Slovenia

• Slovenia – Culture Smart: The Essential Guide to Customs and Culture by Jason Blake
• Slovenology: Living and Traveling in the World's Best Country by Noah Charney 
• The Sunny Side of the Alps: From Scotland to Slovenia on a Shoestring by Roy Clark

FAQs

• Can I drink the water? Yes. Some of their water even has healing properties.
• Is tipping expected? No.
• Fixed price or barter? Fixed Price.
• Any ATMs? Yes but take your Visa card as well as a Mastercard.
• Which side of the road do they drive? Right.
• Good for vegetarians? Yes.
• Any seven wonders of the world? No.

Slovenia Map

 

Lingo – Useful Slovenian Phrases

Related Posts

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• Solo Travel in Austria
• Solo Travel in Croatia
• Solo Travel in Italy
• GatG Adventures in Slovenia