14 things to do in Slovenia that will reconnect you with nature
A perfect mix of beautiful natural scenery, lively historical towns and a thriving food scene make Slovenia a winning destination, whatever you’re looking for. There really is something for everyone: if you like the outdoors, you can enjoy snow-capped peaks, mountain lakes and river rapids, while those who prefer cobbled streets and cosy cafés will easily fall in love with Slovenia’s historic towns. Although places like Bled, Slovenia’s most popular destination, have been popular for years, there is much more to discover!
Slovenia is a land of breathtaking landscapes and natural beauty. Iconic lakes, beautiful forest and exploring quirky neighbourhoods are just some of the things to do in Slovenia that will thrill any nature lover!
1. Fall in love with the old town of Ljubljana
📸: Sandy Feet
Whether it’s the castle standing guard at the top of the cliff, its narrow pedestrian streets, the bridges spanning the river, or the many restaurants and bars tucked away in the city, Ljubljana knows how to enchant … Oh stop Ljublijana – old flirt! If you’re stuck for things to do in Ljubljana, join a free walking tour to get the right introduction to the city, learn a little bit about its history and pick up a few ‚expert tips‘ to impress your friends back home!
Check out the hostels in Ljubljana . The hippy Hostel Celica is a hostel that will make you fall in love at first sight!
2. Discover the madness of Metelkova Mesto
📸: Sandy Feet
Metelkova Mesto is an eccentric and colourful neighbourhood in Ljubljana, one of the best places to visit in Slovenia, and probably the strangest place you’ll ever encounter. Psychedelic murals adorn the walls, Gollum-like figurines hang from window frames and car parts come together to create surprisingly intricate art. It’s a quirky, alternative space, perfect for getting lost with your phone in hand to snap that photo for Instagram.
You’ll find artists at work here, so you might be lucky enough to see a new piece come to life. Or, pay a visit at night when the streets of this interesting part of town light up with a mix of galleries and bars, creating an alternative place to party in Ljubljana. Celica Art Hostel, a repurposed prison, now an elegant hostel, is on the same block, so you can dance the night away and wake up in the most comfortable prison cell ever.
3. Stop by Predjama Castle
📸: Sandy Feet
It’s not every day you see a castle built on the side of a cliff, right? The intriguing Predjama Castle is just that, perched on a 123-metre cliff and surveying its surroundings, with a curious network of tunnels connecting the main structure to the chambers of Postojna Cave, just 9 km away. You can take a little train through the enormous karst system where you can admire impressive stalagmites and stalactites and vast underground caverns. In addition, the castle has broken the Guinness World Record for being the largest cave castle in the world!
The castle is famous for being a romantic and popular location for wedding photos, largely because of its history and general mystery.
Tickets cost € 13.80 for adults in low season and € 14.90 in high season. If you also plan to go to Postojna Cave, you can save money with a joint ticket! Shuttle buses also run in summer from Postojna Cave, which takes about 20 minutes.
From June to September you can also visit the cave under the castle.
4. Explore Postojna Cave
Prepare to feel like you’re in Harry Potter as the underground tunnels lead you into the largest stalactite cave in Slovenia. Formed over millions of years by water droplets, bizarre but fascinating rock formations have been created over time. About half of the tour is by train, the rest on foot.
There is also something else really wild here: little dragons. Yes, you read that right. For centuries, tiny creatures called Olms have lived in these caves; they have no eyes but are very sensitive to light, can survive without food for up to 12 years and live up to 100 years. All this makes Postojna Cave a perfect habitat for these animals! The Cave is located within the Postojnska Jama Park, where you will find plenty of restaurants and shops.
This is a big attraction in Slovenia, so it is best to book tickets in advance. Tickets for adults cost €25.80 in low season and €27.90 in high season. Discover the area by staying at the Proteus Hostel in Postojna. The hostel has a free shuttle service that can take you around the city!
5. Enjoy the best view of Bled from Mala Osojnica
📸: Sandy Feet
Lake Bled is that beautiful ocean blue lake with the little church in the middle of an island that you see in every guidebook and advertisement for Slovenia. It is basically the face of Slovenia – and for good reason! This lake, located within the Trivlav National Park, is not only stunning, but there are also plenty of activities you can do all year round. Also, it is virtually impossible to take a bad photo here (seriously, we tried).
Bled and its picture-postcard setting is the kind of place that makes you feel like you’re in a fairy tale, so it should come as no surprise that it’s a bit of a tourist magnet. One of the best ways to escape the crowds is to head for the Mala Osojnica.
The lake freezes over in winter, so you can walk or skate on it! In summer and spring, you can swim, cycle, water sports and even ziplining! Hop on a pletna to the island of Bled, where you can get close to the iconic and fascinating church. The church was once a pagan temple dedicated to the goddess of life and fertility. Today, visitors can ring the wishing bell!
Bled Castle, overlooking beautiful Lake Bled, is the oldest castle in Slovenia, dating back to 1011. The perfect place to end your day!
How to get there: You can reach Lake Bled and the Trivlav National Park by bus from Ljubljana. It takes about 75 minutes and costs about €17.
Extend your stay and check out the hostels near Lake Bled! Bled Hostel is a fun and social choice with regular activities such as karaoke, movie nights and outdoor activities like horse riding and paragliding.
6. Eat cake at Cream Cake in Bled
With so much to do in Bled, there will come a time when you’ll want something sweet to reset your energy levels. Luckily, Cream Cake is a typical Bled pastry that features a layer of custard and puff pastry, finished with a dusting of icing sugar. Tasty slices are sold all over town, but it is said that the best can be found at Slaščičarna Zima.
7. Take a walk around Lake Bohinj
Beautiful and untouched, Lake Bohinj is Bled’s most beautiful little sister! Although Bohinj is only a short bus ride away, it receives few visitors.
Take a bus to the small village of Ribčev Laz and drop by the iconic church on the water. From there, a path around the lake leads past mountain peaks, hidden waterfalls and benches – the perfect place to take a break.
The full tour includes 12 km through the forest, although halfway through, you can opt for a scenic boat trip. For the more adventurous, a small diversions will take you to the thunderous Savica waterfall.
8. Lose yourself in the Triglav National Park
There is no shortage of things to do in Slovenia for nature lovers, and if you still haven’t had enough of the extraordinary beauty of this country (and you have enough space on your camera roll), then you need to dedicate some extra time to the Triglav National Park.
Although there are many places to explore in the park, Mount Vogel overlooking Lake Bohinj is an easily accessible option. Climb up in a cable car for epic panoramic views of the lake and surrounding peaks and if you’re looking for something more active, there are several trails that fan out from this spot.
9. Cross the Vintgar Gorge
📸: Sandy Feet
If you have time, make a day trip to the beautiful Vintgar Gorge. Walk 4 km through country villages and lush forests to reach the entrance gate. From there, a wooden footbridge hugs the cliffs and crosses the turquoise river before reaching the Šum waterfall. If you happen to visit Slovenia in autumn, when the forest blushes, a breathtaking panorama awaits you.
10. Eat seafood in Piran
📸: Sandy Feet
This charming seaside village on the tiny Slovenian coast boasts a thriving outdoor dining scene, a labyrinth of cobbled streets and a delightfully slow pace of life.
Built on a strong fishing tradition, Piran is also the best place in Slovenia for a seafood dinner. For lunch, head to the Okrepcevalnica Wine Cellar, a cosy, open-air canteen-style restaurant located under a canopy of vines and tucked away in a small square. In the afternoon, pop into any of the cafés on the main square and enjoy the flowing life and relaxed atmosphere.
Enjoy your stay on the beach at one of the hostels in Piran.Hostal Piran is located right in the centre of town and offers fantastic activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving and trekking so you can make the most of this hidden wonder!
11. Climb the Piran bell tower and sunbathe on the Slovenian Riviera
Grab your swimming costume, because the seaside town of Piran is Slovenia’s best-kept secret, and it’s all sunshine and blue sea. Formerly under Venetian rule, this charming coastal town has a medieval centre reminiscent of King’s Landing, and is only an hour from Trieste. With views of the terracotta rooftops that make up the old town of Piran, a visit to the bell tower is a must!
12. Tackle the rapids of the Soča River
As with many rivers in Eastern Europe, Soča is painted a striking turquoise. Flowing from the Julian Alps through the beautiful Triglav National Park, it is a real playground for adventurers with the attraction of an electrifying rafting experience!
Paddle through the mountains and lush summer pastures while trying to stay on board. Beware though, the water temperatures are freezing all year round, so falling is anything but pleasant… but it does invigorate!
13. Savour typical dishes
📸: Sandy Feet
Among the best things to do in Slovenia is definitely eat. With a bustling produce market inside, a sprinkling of delicious cafes and trendy bars lining the river and a weekly open-air market full of delicious street food, Ljubljana is a place where all you’ll want to do is eat and eat and eat. You can buy local fruit and vegetables at the central market any day of the week or spend a Friday when the lively Open Kitchen event, combining local and international street food and live music, is in full swing.
Slovenia has many local delicacies including Kranjska Klobasa (smoked sausage), Prekmurska Gibanica (dessert with cottage cheese, eggs, walnuts, poppy seeds and apple), Idrijski Zlikrofi (meat dumplings) and Kisla Jukha (pork soup with vinegar and vegetables).
If you have a sweet tooth, stop by the charming café Lolita for a taste of home-made sweets! Klobarsarna is also a bit of an institution in the city, thanks to the tasty local morsels and Carniolan sausage. Or grab a bite to eat at Druga Violina (Second Fiddle) – a restaurant in the city centre that employs people with disabilities. This is also a great place to try some of their delicious local delicacies.
14. Wine in Maribor
Maribor oozes rustic charm. The historic city wraps itself around the Drava River and boasts countryside dotted with vineyards. Arrive on 11 November to join the alcoholic festivities on St Martin’s Day, a celebration to say goodbye to autumn and mark the end of the Old Vine Festival. Maribor is also home to the oldest grapevine in the world!
A hike in the crisp air of the nearby Pohorje hills is the perfect antidote for even the worst hangover and, during the winter, the area transforms into a playground for snow sports enthusiasts.
Check out the Uni Youth Hostel, the perfect place after a busy day of sightseeing and wine tasting. A classy end to a classy day.
15. Walk past shepherds‘ huts in Velika Planina
The herders huts ? 📸:@yanchi.k
Nestled in the mountainous north of Slovenia, the quirky Velika Planina is a community of shepherds who bring their flocks to graze in the lush summer pastures.
It is a beautiful hiking area during the warmer months and a breathtaking sight in winter when the traditional huts are covered in a light dusting of snow. Expect scenes straight out of a Christmas card!
16. Try Slovenian honey
Slovenia is in love with bees. They are the only European country to officially protect their native bee species, and beekeeping in Slovenia is one of their oldest traditions, so preserving these creatures has become a major governmental initiative. The country has also created a UN-recognised World Bee Day. It can come as no surprise that Slovenia produces high quality honey! Three types of Slovenian honey are protected by the EU and have a unique method of beekeeping, producing acacia, lime, chestnut, fir, spruce, floral and forest honey.
Check out Medeni Zakladi in Ljubljana, dedicated to all things honey.
If you want to learn more about the country’s dedication to preserving bees, you can stop by the Cebelarski Muzej (Beekeeping Museum) in Radovljica.
Mountains, beaches and cities… Can the landscapes in Slovenia be more varied than this? Have you been to Bled or Ljubljana? What are some of your favourite things to do in Slovenia? Any places to visit that we have overlooked?
Read on:
🌟 Between dreamy castles and nightlife: here’s what to do in Bratislava
🌟 What to see in the land of Father Christmas!
🌟 History, ice cream and romance: that’s Verona
The authors:
Freya and Chris are the pair of writers and photographers behind the travel blog The Sandy Feet. They are always looking for the next adventure, whether it’s hiking in the mountains of Central Asia, getting lost in a historic city in Eastern Europe or relaxing on a secluded beach in Tahiti. By sharing their experiences in unconventional places, they hope to prove that the less explored corners of the world can be just as beautiful as the destinations we already know and love. You can follow their daily adventures on Instagram.
Get the App.