With so much natural beauty, it’s no wonder that Slovenia has become one of Europe’s most sought-after tourist destinations, it’s a real gem that not too many people know about. We think that Slovenia is one of the most under-rated countries in the whole of Europe.
Whether you’re looking to drink in the picturesque views of Alpine peaks, terraced vineyards, emerald lakes, and rushing rivers or hike through dense forests and ascend snow-capped peaks, Slovenia has it all.
We haven’t even gotten to the best part yet. You see, with such natural wonders at your fingertips, there are plenty of things to do in Slovenia that will blow your socks off. From enjoying hiking trails and skiing runs to taking a dip in thermal springs and sampling locally produced wine, this small Central European country has some very big adventures in store for you, so read on to find out about our favourite must-do activities in Slovenia.
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Go hiking through pristine forests and along scenic trails.
If you’re visiting Slovenia in the summer, you’re in luck. This is the best time to go hiking here. With average temperatures hovering between 20 and 23 degrees Celsius, you can enjoy hiking trails and scenic trails without having to worry about excessive heat, especially if like us you’re travelling with your dog. While you’re at it, don’t forget to bring your camera. You won’t regret it.
Slovenia’s natural beauty is no secret, and its pristine forests are the perfect place to enjoy it. You’ll find hiking trails in all four of the country’s national parks. Most trails range from 3 to 10 miles, so you can choose an activity that’s right for you and your travel companions.
We visited Slovenia in April and the weather varied so much. We had beautiful sunny days some of the time, and then a few miles away towards the mountains we had lots and lots of snow. We did the most amazing hike we have ever done which was on the Vršič Pass. The whole place was completely covered in snow and it was a complete winter wonderland. We thoroughly recommend this hike, it’s so beautiful.
Ski the day away on some of Europe’s best slopes.
If you visit Slovenia during the winter season, a trip to one of its ski resorts is a must. Slovenia’s ski season usually lasts from mid-December to late March, so you have plenty of time to enjoy the slopes. Popular ski destinations include the Julian Alps, the Karavanke range, the country’s southern mountains, and the Pohorje Mountains.
Slovenia is a popular summer and winter tourist destination. This means that you’ll find excellent skiing conditions, a variety of terrain and ski lifts, as well as plenty of ski holiday accommodation options.
We got the Vogel Cable Car from Lake Bohinj to the Vogel Ski Resort to try skiing for the first time ever which you can see in our YouTube video below! –
Cruise along rivers and lakes and enjoy a picnic with a view.
Lake Bled is probably the most popular and iconic spot in Slovenia, and this is with good reason. It’s not one of those over-rated spots, it’s genuinely one of the most beautiful places we have ever been to. You can hire a rowing boat to Bled Island which is the island in the middle of Lake Bled which you’ll probably see in most of the photos that you see of Lake Bled, where you could enjoy a picnic or an ice cream from the café on the island.
We can’t recommend hiring a boat and going over to the island enough, it was so much fun and one of our favourite things that we did in Slovenia.
There are so many other picture-perfect lakes to visit in Slovenia. If you’d like to know about Slovenia’s lakes in more detail, you can check out our blog post to find out more – Discover The Best Hidden Gems Of Slovenia’s Lakes: From Lake Bled To Beyond!
Soak in thermal springs and enjoy the local cuisine.
Slovenia’s thermal springs are one of its most interesting features. Many of these springs are open all year long and are visited by tourists from all over the world.
Most thermal springs have been developed and have become spas and health resorts where you can relax and enjoy a spa treatment. Be sure to try out some of the local cuisine while you’re at it.
There are many restaurants that serve traditional Slovenian cuisine, such as potica (a nut roll), žlikrofi (a baked pasta dish), žganci (a type of porridge), fiš in klobasnik (a type of sausage), pečenec (a type of sausage), and žlikrofi with apple and walnuts.
Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites and discover Slovenian culture.
Slovenia has many UNESCO World Heritage sites, which make for an excellent way to discover Slovenian culture. Some of the most popular UNESCO sites in Slovenia are the Postojna Cave, the Robba Fountain, and the Predjama Castle. Be sure to visit these and other sites to gain an understanding of Slovenian heritage and culture.
Other popular cultural attractions include the Ethnographic Museum, the Museum of Architecture, and the Museum of Modern Art.
Top 10 Must-Do Activities in Slovenia
Visit Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj
Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj are the most popular lakes in Slovenia. There are so many amazing activities to do at both, from hiking, cycling, swimming and water sports, to visiting the famous Bled Castle at Lake Bled, no matter what sort of experience you’re looking for, you’re guaranteed to find an activity for you.
Located in the heart of the Julian Alps, Lake Bled and Bohinj are two of the most beautiful and serene destinations in the country.
Visiting Lake Bled is a must for any traveller. The stunning emerald-green lake, surrounded by the majestic Julian Alps and a church perched atop a small island in the middle, makes it a sight to behold. The Church of the Assumption is a popular attraction and hiring a rowing boat or taking a Pletna ride to the Church is a must-do activity.
Lake Bohinj is another spectacular destination, located nearby Lake Bled. This lake is larger and quieter than its neighbour and offers a wide range of activities for visitors. You can explore the surrounding nature by hiking or cycling around the lake. The lake is also a popular destination for swimmers, kayakers and canoeists. So, if you want to experience some of the most beautiful and serene places in Slovenia, then you need to add Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj to your list.
If you’d like to know more about the best things to do at Lake Bled, then you can find out more here – What To Do At Lake Bled ( Top 6 Things To Do )
Postojna Cave and Skocjan Caves
Slovenia is home to two of the most beautiful caves in the world – Postojna Cave and Skocjan Caves. Both of these caves are protected as UNESCO World Heritage sites and are a must-visit for any traveller to Slovenia.
Postojna Cave is the most visited cave in Europe and the second-longest cave system in the world. It is 20 kilometres long and has been enjoyed by visitors since 1818. The cave is an impressive network of caverns and passages, featuring beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Tourists can view the cave in a variety of ways, either by train, boat, or on foot.
Skocjan Caves is also a UNESCO World Heritage site in Slovenia and is one of the largest underground canyons in the world. The caves are over 6 kilometres long and feature some of the most spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. The cave also offers a variety of activities such as hiking, caving, and rafting.
Both of these caves are excellent places to explore and experience Slovenia’s natural beauty and we certainly think that they’re must-do activities.
Triglav National Park & Mountain
Triglav National Park, located in Slovenia, is the only national park in the country. This unique park is home to some of the most breath-taking scenery and wildlife in the world, including the highest mountain in Slovenia, Triglav Mountain.
The park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. From hiking and rock climbing to camping and canoeing, the park has something for everyone. In addition to its stunning landscape, Triglav National Park is also home to a variety of flora and fauna. The park is home to over 800 species of plants, including rare and endangered species. The park is also home to many species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, including wolves, lynx, chamois, and brown bears.
The park is a popular destination for visitors from around the world. From May to October, visitors can enjoy the Triglav National Park’s many trails and activities. In the summer, the park offers guided hikes, climbing routes, and other activities to suit every interest. During the winter, visitors can take advantage of the park’s ski resorts, which offer some of the best skiing in Slovenia.
Triglav National Park is an amazing destination for visitors to explore and experience the beauty of Slovenia. From breath-taking views of Triglav Mountain to the abundance of flora and fauna, the park is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Slovenia. With its wide range of activities and attractions, Triglav National Park is the perfect destination for an unforgettable adventure.
Vintgar Gorge
Vintgar Gorge is a 1.6 km long gorge carved by the Radovna River and located near the town of Bled. It is a popular tourist destination in Slovenia, attracting tourists from all over the world to admire its beauty.
The Vintgar Gorge is filled with lush green vegetation and is a haven for nature lovers. It is an excellent spot to observe different species of birds and other wildlife. The gorge also has many waterfalls, cascading down the steep walls of the gorge. The Radovna River runs through the gorge and is a stunning sight.
The Vintgar Gorge is accessible by a wooden walkway built in 1893. It is a great way to explore the gorge and admire its beauty. It is also a great spot for photographers to get some amazing shots of the gorge. The walkway is 1.6 km long and offers stunning views of the gorge.
The Vintgar Gorge is also home to many cultural attractions. It is home to a monastery and a museum which offer a glimpse into the history of the area. There are also several churches which can be visited. Vintgar Gorge is also a great destination for outdoor activities. It is the perfect place for hiking, cycling, kayaking and other activities. Vintgar Gorge is a beautiful natural wonder in Slovenia and is definitely a must-visit spot.
Pericnik Waterfall
Pericnik Waterfall is one of the highest waterfalls in Slovenia at 52m high. There are lower and upper levels to the waterfall, and once you reach the upper waterfall you can do something really special and walk behind it.
There is a great hike that you can do to get to the upper waterfall if you want to experience walking behind it, so if you’re looking for something fun to do, taking in the stunning natural beauty of Slovenia whilst also getting out and getting some exercise, this is a must-visit spot.
Vrsic Pass
The Vrsic Pass is a high mountain pass across the Julian Alps in Slovenia and we think it gives some of the very best views in the whole of Slovenia.
It is a paved road so it is driveable, and it is up there with some of the most scenic roads to drive on in the whole of Europe.
Whilst we were in Slovenia, it had snowed and the Vrsic Pass was a complete Winter wonderland. We had not seen anywhere quite as beautiful before, the scenery was absolutely breath-taking.
There are so many amazing hiking routes in the vicinity of this road. We took a hike from Kranjska Gora to Lake Jasna which was just breath-taking.
So if you’re travelling in a campervan or motorhome like we do, then we can’t recommend taking a drive on the Vrsic Pass enough, however, you will need to be a confident driver, as it can be nerve-wrecking drive with plenty of hairpin bends. If you do decide to drive the road, you need to do some prior research, and we recommend going early, to beat the crowds if you can.
The road is not open during the Winter due to the weather conditions, so if you want to check if the road is open when you plan to visit, you can check that information out here – PROMET.SI
Soca Valley
The River Soca is considered to be one of the most beautiful rivers not just in Slovenia but the whole of Europe. The river flows through waterfalls, canyons and gorges and is truly a must-visit spot in Slovenia.
The Soča Valley was the first destination in Slovenia to earn the title European Destination of Excellence (EDEN) due to its sustainable development of tourism.
There are so many activities to do – from kayaking, rafting, canoeing and fishing – the Soca Valley region is a hive of adventurous water sports.
The natural beauty surrounding the river is some of the very best in the world.
Ljubliana
Ljubljana is the capital city and the largest city in Slovenia, which is also considered one of the most liveable capital cities in Europe.
Some of the highlights of things to do in Ljubljana include Ljubljana Castle, National & University Library, Triple Bridge, Presernov Trg (Presernov Square) and the National Museum of Slovenia.
No trip to Slovenia is complete without visiting this pretty, picturesque city.
Savica Waterfall
Savica Waterfall is located by Lake Bohinj in the Triglav National Park and is one of the most popular waterfalls for visitors in Slovenia.
It is a unique waterfall in that the water flow splits into two streams in the hidden underground. With a short hike from the carpark, this is a pretty accessible waterfall for anyone who wants to visit one of the most visited attractions in Slovenia.
Vogel Ski Resort
Vogel Ski Resort is located high above Lake Bohinj. It has a total of 22 kilometres of ski slopes, 8 kilometres tracks for cross country skiing and a snowboard park, and is considered one of the best places for skiing in Slovenia. Take the Vogel Cable Car up to the ski resort and take in the magnificent views over Lake Bohinj.
If you’d like to know more about Vogel Ski Resort, you can check out their website to find out prices, opening times and any info you need – Ski resort Vogel Bohinj | Winter
Don’t miss out on these activities in Slovenia that will blow your socks off!
Whether you’re a nature lover, a thrill seeker, or someone who just wants to relax, Slovenia has something to offer everyone. With excellent weather conditions and a wide range of experiences to choose from, this tiny Central European country is a must-see destination.
With so many must-do activities in Slovenia that will blow your socks off, what are you waiting for? Book your trip and enjoy this amazing European country as soon as you can!
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I have always wanted to travel and luckily I always got to travel to some amazing countries while I was growing up with my family and this really encouraged me to continue this and get out into the world on my own when I was older.
My goal growing up was really to see as much of the world as I could, but then I started going to work and really concentrating on my career and travel took a back seat. I still tried to get away a few times a year but I always knew there was an end goal which was to travel as much as possible.
So I got my head down and worked as hard as I could as an e-commerce manager. I have always been techy, I love computers and websites, so that’s where it gave me the idea to start this blog and also have my own web design agency. If you want to check it out or need any help then please take a look rrwebdesign.co.uk (shameless plug there)
But after covid, we both knew this was now the right time to take the leap and go and see the world after being trapped inside our house and working from home for a couple of years. We realised more than ever that you only get one life and you really need to make the most of it and do what you love!
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