I’ve been living in Slovenia for fifteen years, and these are the places I keep coming back to. Not only because they’re beautiful, but because they still feel special every time I visit them.
Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, these 9 spots belong on your list.
And don’t miss the video at the end—it captures the quiet magic of Slovenia better than words ever could.
Lake Bohinj, an unspoilt Alpine paradise
Lake Bohinj is surrounded by high mountains and feels wonderfully remote. From the lakeshore, you can set off on hikes that lead deep into Triglav National Park—whether for a few hours or several days in the mountains.
In winter, you can also ski at Vogel, the small ski resort above the lake, which offers some of the most spectacular views in the country.
Good to know: many travellers end up preferring Bohinj to nearby Lake Bled. It’s quieter, less developed, and feels much closer to nature.
Piran – the charm of Slovenia’s coastal village
Piran is the prettiest village on the Slovenian coast. After a dip in the Adriatic, you can relax on the terraces of the bars and restaurants in this small fishing port. Try fried calamari, Italian coffee for €1.80 or a large ice cream for €3. Wander the narrow streets of Piran in your flip-flops, and before you know it, the whole day has slipped by. Tourists often leave Piran with only one desire: to return the next day to spend the same day there.
Worth knowing: Summer evenings in Piran are magical and the sunsets are often magnificent .
Prešeren Square – the heart of Ljubljana
Three Bridges Square is the heart of Ljubljana. It’s also where Slovenians meet up. I like to sit for a few minutes on the pedestal of the large statue of Preseren to feel the slow, soothing rhythm of the Slovenian capital (try it yourself when you’re there). Ljubljana’s city centre is car-free. The hum of traffic has been replaced by the sound of the river and the melodies of small acoustic concerts in the evenings. In spring and summer, you can listen to them almost every evening.
June is the busiest month on the streets of Ljubljana. There are also dozens of incredibly pleasant terraces along the Ljubljanica river. In my opinion, Ljubljana is one of the three most liveable capitals in Europe.
Velika Planina – one of the most beautiful hikes in the Julian Alps
To discover the magnificent Velika Planina plateau, start by climbing up an old cable car dating from the Communist era. At the top of the gondola, take a chairlift to the top of the hill. A staggering 140 pastoral huts appear! Meadows, shepherds, cows tinkling their bells… Velika Planina is an Alpine paradise — as beautiful as any mountain pasture you’ll find in Switzerland.
It’s my favourite walk in the whole of Slovenia and the Julian Alps. You must go there during your stay.
Vintgar Gorge, 2 km of crystal-clear water
Just a few kilometres from Lake Bled lies the beautiful Vintgar Gorge. A vivid emerald-green river rushes through this narrow canyon, creating one of Slovenia’s most impressive natural sights.
Wooden walkways allow visitors to walk almost three kilometres through the gorge, right above the rushing water.
Tip: arrive early in the morning, as soon as the site opens. The light entering the canyon is beautiful, and you’ll have a chance to experience the gorge before the crowds arrive.
If you’re looking for a quieter alternative, the nearby Pokljuka Gorge is also well worth discovering.
Lake Bled, Slovenia’s picture postcard
Lake Bled is Slovenia’s postcard. A place to spend a bucolic day or a week’s holiday. I’ve devoted two articles to it, which I wrote while spending seven days there, the first on the best activities and the second on the secret spots around the lake. Use them to enjoy a wonderful stay around Lake Bled.
Skocjan caves – one of Europe’s most spectacular cave systems
I love these caves because they are completely unique in Europe. The Škocjan Caves are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and lie just a short distance from the road connecting Ljubljana to the Adriatic coast.
It’s one of the most extraordinary experiences you can have in Slovenia.
The visit begins like a typical cave tour, with stalactites and stalagmites. But suddenly the landscape changes—and you find yourself standing inside a gigantic underground canyon.
The Peričnik waterfalls – hidden gems in Triglav National Park
It took me quite a while to discover these waterfalls because they are tucked away in a quiet valley of Triglav National Park.
The waterfalls are not far from Lake Bled, so the two visits combine easily.
Once you reach them, the setting is breathtaking. Even better, you can actually walk behind both waterfalls. It’s a fun experience—although you should expect to get a little wet.
I spent several days exploring this valley at the foot of Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak, and created a full itinerary for a perfect day in the area.
Postojna Cave – the most famous cave in Slovenia
Postojna Cave is vast and incredibly beautiful, although it is also extremely popular.
When you arrive, you’ll notice the large car park, the souvenir shops and the crowds. In a way, it feels a little like “Postojna-land”.
But everything is very well organised, and the cave visit itself is unforgettable.
The tour begins with a fast underground train ride through enormous caverns before continuing on foot through spectacular halls illuminated with carefully designed lighting.
Despite the relatively high entrance fee and the crowds, Postojna Cave remains one of Slovenia’s must-see attractions.
Zajamniki – a beautiful shepherd village in Slovenia
An incredible longmountain village on the Pokljuka plateau, where you can go for some great hikes and even stay overnight. There are very few tourists here, so if you want to get off the beaten track, this is the place to go. You can also reach it by taking the magnificent route des alpages.
The incredible diversity of Slovenian landscapes on video
To get an idea of the incredible diversity of landscapes in Slovenia and plan your visits, watch this splendid video. All these landscapes can be found in a Slovenian territory no bigger than Picardy.
Slovenia remains almost unknown in France. If you don’t want to hear“What, you’re going on holiday to Slovenia? But what are you going to do there, it’s a grey Eastern country?”, you could share this article on your Facebook page.
Vivek
Thanks a lot for all your lovely blogs and the wealth of information. This has really helped me to finalize my trip.
We (couple) are coming on Sep 02, 2025 and planning to stay for 3 days. Based on the your blogs and advise, this is what I have finalized and wanted to your views on two points –
1) Should we rent a car on first 2 days to save time and see off track places you have mentioned in your blog
2) Should we stay at Bled and Bohinj for 1 noght each or plan to stay at Ljubljana and travel every day?
Here is the plan –
1. Arrive on 02 Sep morning to LJU airport – visit Bled and Vintgar Gorge
2. 03 Sep (Wed) – Lake Bohinj, Vogle Cable Car and Skocjan caves
3. 04 Sep – From Ljubljana, take return bus to Venice, Spend evening
4. Train from Ljubljana to Innsbruck ( We hear it is beautiful)
Not sure if we would be able to visit Velika Planina? or Should we cancel Venice trip and extend stay by 1 day in Ljubljana
Let me know your views as we are open to change the plan between 2-5 Sep.
adminflorent
Hi Vivek,
Thanks so much for your kind words—I’m really glad the blog helped you plan your trip!
To be honest, I think you’re trying to do a bit too much in just three days. Venice is incredible—maybe even the most beautiful city in Europe—but visiting it as a day trip from Ljubljana will be extremely tiring. You’ll spend hours on the road (or on the bus), and it won’t leave you enough time to really enjoy either Venice or Slovenia. I’d suggest saving Venice for a separate trip of at least 2–3 days. It deserves it!
Instead, you could use that day to explore something more peaceful and unique to Slovenia, like Velika Planina, which is stunning in September. Or, simply enjoy a slower pace around Bohinj or Ljubljana—especially since travel can be tiring.
If your flight lands early on Sept 2, your Day 1 plan—**Bled + Vintgar Gorge**—works well. You could add Bohinj. You’ll definitely save time and enjoy more flexibility if you **rent a car.
About where to stay: **spending one or two nights in Bled or Bohinj would be ideal (d’on’t do both).
In short:
– Yes to the car
– Keep Venice for another time
– Consider Velika Planina or just a more relaxed itinerary instead
Let me know if you want a revised 3-day plan—I’d be happy to help!
Brian
Thanks so much for the great info! My wife and I are visiting in mid-october 2025 and are planning on staying 3 to 5 days (part of an East coast Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia trip). You have convinced me to rent a car for part of our visit as well has stay a day or 2 at Lake Bohinj and probably 2 or 3 days in Ljubljana. Do you have a car rental company in Ljubljana that you would recommend?
Thanks again!
adminflorent
Hello Brian, You’re very welcome! For renting a car in Ljubljana, I recommend Avant Car. They have good prices, a modern fleet, and offices both in the city center and at the airport. I’ve used them myself a lot of times and had a smooth experience. They’re a reliable local company and a great alternative to the big international brands.
Vivek
Thanks a lot. I have gone with your advice and dropped Venice for some other time.
I have rented a car. Was looking for your blog but could not find it 🙁 Booked it through Discover.
Staying in Lake Bled area for 2 days and then 1 day in Ljubljana City.
Thanks a lot. and I think I will come back again for sure.
Once again thanks for your time and efforts. I am going to tell al my friends to look for your blog when planning Slovenia trip.
adminflo
That sounds like a fantastic plan — and great choice to leave Venice for another trip, you’ll enjoy Slovenia more that way!
Discover is a very good option for car rentals — they often have great prices and a clear booking process.
Thank you so much for your kind words — it really means a lot. Wishing you both an amazing trip, and I’ll be very happy to help again !
Vivek
Here is my Revised 3 day plan. Please share your expert comments and I will be happy to make changes
Day 1 – Lake Bled, Vintgar Gorge, Bohinj .
Day 2- Skocjan Caves
Day 3 – Ljubljana City
From your blog, I have thought about Pericnik Waterfalls, Piran. Not sure if I do add them on day 2 or 3? Also we love to drive and would prefer long scenic drive so no sure if their is any special drive which we are missing.
Thanking you in advance.
Also, thanks a lot for the parking trips. Those were great.
adminflorent
Hello Vivek, Your plan looks great! Just a few quick tips:
Day 1 is full — start early to enjoy Bled, Vintgar, and Bohinj without rushing.
Day 2: Visit Škocjan Caves, then drive to Piran and spend the evening there — it’s scenic and worth it.
Day 3: Keep it for Ljubljana as planned.
Brian
Great, Avant it is! Thanks much!
Brian 😊👍
Joeri
Hello,
We are thinking of coming to Slovenia by car beginning of September. Are there many charging points for electric cars available in the areas to visit and along the higway?
Kind Regards,
Joeri
adminflo
Hello Joeri,
Yes, you will find plenty of charging stations in Slovenia. Along the highways, charging points are very frequent and easy to use, with several fast-charging options. In most towns and popular tourist areas, you’ll also find public charging stations, often located near supermarkets, parking garages, and hotels.
If you’re planning to visit more remote mountain valleys, it’s a good idea to check the map of charging points in advance, but overall Slovenia is very well prepared for electric cars.
https://polnilnice.gremonaelektriko.si/
Kind regards,
Stefanie
Hi there,
I’m a solo traveller heading into Slovenia next Wednesday for 3 or 4 days and whilst looking at where to go I’ve stumbled across your blog!
I would very much appreciate advice on what you would recommend as the tope things to do/see would be if travelling by train (as I am).
Thanks so much un advance for your help!
Stef
adminflo
Hi Stef,
That sounds like a wonderful trip! While trains in Slovenia are useful between some of the bigger cities, you’ll find that buses and ride-sharing (locally called Prevoz.org) are usually much more practical to reach the highlights.
For must-see places, I’d definitely recommend:
Lake Bled – famous for the island church.
Lake Bohinj – even more natural and less touristy, perfect for hiking and swimming.
Kranjska Gora – a lovely alpine town near the Julian Alps, great for mountain views.
Piran and Koper – charming coastal towns with Venetian influence.
Postojna Cave – unique underground scenery.
With just 3–4 days, I’d suggest picking a mix of the lakes and mountains, then at least one coastal stop at Piran, plus maybe a cave visit if time allows. Slovenia is small, so travel is easy, but plan your routes in advance.
Enjoy your trip – You’ll love it!