Slovenia

On a trip to or from Croatia, why not plan a visit to Slovenia? Slovenia is a country that offers a great variety of landscapes and a wonderful historical heritage!
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Fascinating and at times romantic, Slovenia is one of those countries that captivates all its visitors because of its great variety of landscapes, its wonderful natural panoramas and also its food and wine heritage. During a stay in Croatia or on a road trip to Croatia, why not include a stop in Slovenia?

Many of those who want to reach Croatia by car have to drive through Slovenian territory, so the suggestion is to introduce a few stops in Slovenia in order to get to know its beauties as well. The country is internationally known as a ‘green destination’, thanks to its beautiful natural heritage and its commitment to preserving green heritage.

Enchanted lakes, waterfalls, karstic caves and cities with ancient history: Slovenia is definitely a destination that can add new and exciting experiences to your trip. In fact, this destination is able to satisfy the needs of a variety of visitors thanks to its historical heritage, trekking and mountain biking routes, as well as cities that are home to top-notch spas.

When to go to Slovenia

Panorama of Piran, a few kilometres from Trieste

Slovenia enjoys a predominantly continental climate with the exception of the coastal areas, which have a Mediterranean climate, and the northern mountain ranges, which have an Alpine climate. In the more inland areas, the country has a very cold winter season with temperatures that can drop below zero and snowfall, while the summer season has warm, sunny days that in July and August can reach 30°.

The best time to visit Slovenia depends on the type of holiday you want to take, but generally the months of May, June and September are ideal. During these months the temperatures allow you to be outdoors without suffering too much heat or cold, and this is the best time not only for cultural visits but also for hiking.

In summer, this country presents itself as one of the perfect destinations for those who enjoy outdoor sports. There are plenty of hiking and biking trails, while water sports enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of activities such as canoeing, SUP or windsurfing in the many lakes. If you love snow-covered landscapes or winter sports, on the other hand, December, January and February are the right months to visit Slovenia, as the country hosts several ski resorts.

How to get to Slovenia

Situated in central Europe and bordering Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary, Slovenia is easily accessible from various European locations, thanks to its excellent road and rail connections. Trieste and Venice are respectively 95 km and 250 km away from the capital Ljubljana and are well connected to Slovenia, as are Zagreb (140 km away) and Vienna (380 km away).

One of the easiest ways to get to Slovenia is by car, thanks to the excellent road and motorway network. To travel on Slovenia’s motorways, however, remember that you need a vignette (or vignette). The vignette can be purchased at all petrol stations in Slovenia and neighbouring countries, at some post offices and at some newspaper kiosks.

Slovenia’s main international airport is Jože Pučnik Airport in Ljubljana. Once there, it is possible to reach the rest of the Slovenian territory by renting a car or taking public transport. Other airports operating in Slovenia are Maribor, the country’s second airport, and Portorož, which serves the region of Istria.

It is also possible to reach Slovenia from many European cities by bus lines. In particular, the Flixbus company connects Slovenia with other European cities, while the Nomago company handles many of the connections within the country. Finally, another way to get to Slovenia is by train, as there are train connections with Croatia, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Germany and Switzerland. It is also possible to travel on night trains that have sleeping cars.

Things to do in Slovenia

Sport, nature, history and relaxation: Slovenia can offer all this and much more to its visitors. A small country compared to other European countries, but one that is home to beautiful natural landscapes, cities with ancient history, castles steeped in legend and karstic caves. Here, then, is a guide to the places you cannot miss on a trip to Slovenia.

Ljubljana

The capital of Slovenia is an elegant, refined and very lively city. Ljubljana ‘s beautiful old town can be easily explored on foot and you will have the chance to admire many of the works created by the famous Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik (1872-1957). While exploring the city, don’t miss the opportunity to cross its many bridges (the Triple Bridge, the Butcher’s Bridge, the Shoemaker’s Bridge) and to walk along the river where there are many bars, cafés and clubs.

Also not to be missed is a visit to the central market to learn about local gastronomic products and to observe glimpses of the daily life of the locals. Finally, you can admire the city from above by visiting Ljubljana Castle, which houses the Museum of Slovenian History and the Puppet Museum.

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Lake Bled

A romantic and picturesque place, Lake Bled is undoubtedly one of the most famous Slovenian destinations in the world. In the centre of the lake is a small island with a church built on the site of a former temple dedicated to Živa, the pagan goddess of life and fertility. In the 8th century, the temple was replaced by a church dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary. As well as hiring a boat to reach the island, here you can go hiking and cycling around the lake and also visit Bled Castle, the medieval fortress that dominates the lake from above.

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Postojna Caves

A few kilometres from the Italian border are the beautiful Postojna Caves, one of the most visited attractions in Slovenia. Stretching for around 21 km, the Postojna Caves are made up of galleries and caverns rich in stalagmites and stalactites that began to form, thanks to the flow of water containing calcium carbonate, around 500 000 years ago. A visit to the caves includes a ride on a small train and then a walk along a 1.5-kilometre path.

The Postojna Caves are located a few kilometres from Predjama Castle, a fortress set on a 123-metre vertical wall. At the rear of the castle is the largest cave in the world, which conceals a network of secret tunnels that were used by the knight Erasmus of Predjama to sneak out.

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Maribor

A city with a truly ancient history, Maribor is famous for being one of the most beautiful ski resorts in Slovenia. The old city centre can be discovered on foot because it is truly human-scale and here medieval buildings blend with Austro-Hungarian-style palaces and pretty, colourful houses. The symbol of the city is undoubtedly the Maribor Cathedral, which dates back to the 13th century and is now a mixture of different architectural styles ranging from Romanesque to modern.

The Lent district, where the river port once stood, is the oldest area of the city and here is the Jewish quarter with one of the oldest synagogues in Europe. Maribor is also famous because the city is home to a 400-year-old vine that is believed to be the oldest in the world and has therefore entered the Guinness Book of World Records.

Piran and Portorož

For those who want to spend a few days at the seaside in Slovenia, Piran is definitely the best town not only for its beautiful beaches but also for its historical heritage. Situated about an hour’s drive from Trieste and half an hour from the Croatian town of Umag, Piran is an old port town that still retains its medieval structure and the remains of the city walls, which had no less than seven gates. The most beautiful gate is Dolfin Gate, which dates back to the 15th century and is adorned with a sculpture of three dolphins. The heart of the city is Tartini Square, named after the violinist Giuseppe Tartini, where you will find the Palace of Justice, the Church of St. Peter, the Venetian House, as well as numerous bars and restaurants.

Considered to be one of the most cosmopolitan and lively towns in Slovenia, Piran developed during Venetian rule, as can be seen by St George’s Cathedral, which is strongly inspired by St Mark’s Basilica. Don’t miss a visit to Portorož, a hamlet of this municipality that is famous not only for its beautiful beaches but also for its spas. Portorož, in fact, attracts visitors thanks to the healing power of its waters, which have a high concentration of minerals.

Country code of Slovenia

The international dialling code for Slovenia is +386, which means that if you want to call a Slovenian number, you must dial 00386 before the number you wish to contact.

Flag of Slovenia

The flag of Slovenia is characterised by three equal horizontal bands of white, blue and red. Between the blue and white bands on the upper left side is the national coat of arms, which is a blue shield with Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak, drawn in white.

In the coat of arms below the figure of the Mount, two blue lines representing the main Slovenian rivers can be seen, while above them are three golden stars that were inherited from the coat of arms of the family of Celie, which was an important Slovenian family in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Coin of Slovenia

In May 2004, Slovenia became a member of the European Union and from 1 January 2007 the national currency is the euro, which replaced the Slovenian tolar adopted in 1991 after independence.

Where is located Slovenia

Slovenia is a country in Central and Eastern Europe bordering Austria to the north, Hungary and Croatia to the east, Croatia to the south, Italy to the west, and the Adriatic Sea to the southwest.

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Insights

Postojna Cave

Postojna Cave

The Postojna Caves are a wonderful karstic complex located in the town of Postojna. On a trip to Croatia, a stop in Postojna to visit them is a must!
Lake Bled

Lake Bled

Referred to as the 'Alpine Pearl', Lake Bled is a romantic and picturesque destination that impresses every visitor with its historical, natural and cultural heritage.
Ljubljana

Ljubljana

Lively, elegant and well-kept, Ljubljana has a rich historical and architectural heritage and is the perfect destination for a romantic weekend getaway.
Piran

Piran

Located just a few kilometres from the Croatian border, Piran is a Slovenian town with a wonderful historical and architectural heritage.
Portorož

Portorož

A well-known seaside resort in Slovenia, Portorož is a part of the municipality of Piran that attracts visitors for its beautiful beaches and natural heritage.
Thermal Spas in Slovenia

Thermal Spas in Slovenia

On a trip to Slovenia, why not carve out some truly relaxing moments? In addition to natural landscapes, Slovenia is also famous for its spa facilities.