15 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Slovenia
Slovenia is one of those countries where, no matter how many times you visit, you always find yourself discovering new gems.
When I first visited, I didn’t know if I would be in awe of my surroundings. It is a country that is relatively under the radar, with other neighbouring countries receiving the attention that they feel Slovenia itself deserves.
If you are planning a trip to Slovenia, then good! Get ready for thrills, stunning natural wonders, picturesque views, mountainous landscapes and much more.
Here are 15 things you must know before visiting, with recommendations, tips and all you need for a wonderful trip to Slovenia
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Things you must know about Slovenia
1. Slovenia is very safe for tourists
Slovenia is incredibly safe for all tourists. In fact, it was voted the 8th safest country in the world by the 2023 Global Peace Index.
Much of Slovenia’s crime is kept out of the tourist areas, and for those walking at night, you’ll never feel safer. So much of Slovenia is stunning at night, with illuminated lights shining out its best attractions.
And I wouldn’t be too concerned about roaming out; the only thing you need to worry about attacking you at 3 am in places like Lake Bled is the stampede of mosquitoes.
2. It is part of the Schengen Area
Slovenia is one of many countries in the Schengen area. So, for those travelling by train from a Schengen country, you won’t need to worry about the headache of border checks before entering the country.
It is perfect for those hopping from country to country around Slovenia during your interrail trip!
A few countries need a Schengen visa to enter the area, which will be valid for 90 days. Here is the complete list of countries.
Note: Non-EU residents can’t travel around the Schengen area for more than 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa.
3. Slovenia is very compact and small
You’ll be happy to hear Slovenia is a very small country and takes no more than 4 hours to get from end to end. So it can easily be explored in less than a week if you plan your trip well and prioritize the places you want to visit.
Despite its size, Slovenia has a lot to offer – from picturesque towns and cities to stunning natural landscapes.
If you’re interested in history, culture, or outdoor activities, then you’re in luck..this beautiful country has it all.
4. Slovenia is cheap
By typical European standards, Slovenia is a very cheap country. This is to be expected, with many of its cities and towns untouched and away from tourism.
You’ll find places like Lake Bled or Ljubljana double the prices of other countries’ counterparts. But that’s no surprise, it’s much busier there and naturally will cost more to match the visitor demand.
A meal out in Bled or Ljubljana averages around €15-€25 per person, whereas away from its most touristy areas, it costs on average €5-€10.
And for those on a budget, some of Slovenia’s most beautiful places can be explored for free, which brings me to my next point.
5. There are a huge number of hiking trails
Slovenia has many beautiful places, lush greenery, and stunning mountainous landscapes that can be accessed through long hiking trails.
Areas like Triglav National Park and the surroundings around Lake Bled offer some of the most scenic trails you can find in Europe.
There are many glacial lakes, gorgeous viewpoints and all you need for an all-thrilling adventure. They don’t call Slovenia the ‘Green Heart of Europe’ for nothing!
Read next: 8 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Triglav National Park.
6. Slovenia has a lot of caves
Yes, Slovenia is renowned for its natural wonders. It has a huge collection of 13000 caves discovered so far, and that number is expected to grow in the near future!
Postojna Cave and Škocjan are the most renowned caves, showcasing Slovenia’s best underground caverns, huge rock formations, and just another level of beauty.
They are possibly my favourite thing about Slovenia. Each cave has its own unique features, showcasing some impressive rock formations that have been naturally formed over millions of years.
7. English is widely spoken in Slovenia
Although Slovenian is the official, you’ll be pleased to know that English is widely spoken in Slovenia, especially in its most touristy areas.
Proficiency in the language is not surprising, given the country’s emphasis on a high level of education.
However, I wouldn’t go around using jargon or slang. Stick to the basic set of English with a simple ‘hello whenever you need directions and go from there.
And then, if you feel comfortable, you can start mingling all the works of Shakespeare together—whatever floats your boat!
8. There are many stunning lakes and rivers
Slovenia is home to some of the most beautiful lakes and rivers in the world. Honestly, you’ll be spoilt for choice while you’re here.
Lake Bled is Slovenia’s most famous lake, but other lakes like Bohinj and Jasna are just as beautiful.
There are so many brilliant hiking trails next to many of Slovenia’s rivers!
Trails around the Soca River offer hikes with constant jaw-dropping stop-offs in charming towns, natural gorge formations and cascading waterfalls; you name it!
9. Transport in Slovenia is efficient and punctual
The transport networks in Slovenia are accessible, with many connections in most cities, so you can travel around the country efficiently. And the best thing about it is the public transport system is very punctual, which can be hard to say for most of Europe!
On trains, you’ll have a ticket inspection pretty much everywhere you go. Tickets can be bought the old-fashioned way from a ticket inspector. Other ways to purchase your ticket include from the station, online or using the online mobile app on both IOS and Android.
Recommendation: For the best place to use as a base to travel around Slovenia, I’d stay in the capital, Ljubljana.
Ljubljana has accessible public transport routes to some of Slovenia’s most popular destinations, including Lake Bled, Piran, Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle.
10. You will have to pay for tourist tax
Ah, yes, the dreaded tourist tax. It hits you when you least expect it! Slovenia requires you to pay a tourist tax, and your charge will depend on where you stay.
In more popular areas like Lake Bled and Ljubljana, you can expect to pay around €3 per night. I stayed just outside Bled in Jesenice, a much quieter area where I only paid €2 a night.
So, in that case, it is well worth checking how much you might have to pay before your stay.
11. Slovenia hasn’t got many dining specialties
When you’re just a quick drive away from Italy, there might be a lot to live up to when it comes to food.
That being said, Slovenia doesn’t have many of its own delicacies. Mind you that isn’t to say the food they do have isn’t great; it’s incredible.
Although there aren’t many specialities, there are a few you must try. If you’re travelling around Lake Bled, don’t miss the Bled Cream Cake—a famous puffed pastry filled with custard and whipped cream. It’s honestly delicious!
A few establishments sell Bled Cake by the lake, including Bled Castle, perched on a hill right above Lake Bled.
You can dine in the castle restaurant, sitting on the outside terrace overlooking the lake. Who could say no to a perfect view with a sweet treat?
12. Slovenia doesn’t have many beaches
While it may have mountainous landscapes and lush greenery, it does lack in its coastline. Slovenia, for the most part, is landlocked, so beaches are a rarity!
On the bright side, Slovenia does share some of its coastline with Croatia along the Adriatic coast, with some pristine beaches next to Venetian-styled areas like Izola and Koper.
Right by the town of Piran, you can find Portorož Central Beach, one of the best in Slovenia!
13. Tap water is free and delicious
Like many countries along the Adriatic Coast, the water in Slovenia is among the cleanest in the world.
Tap water is safe and delicious to drink, with refillable water fountains available in most major areas.
You can get around with just a refillable water bottle in Slovenia, so instead of purchasing a new bottle, save your pennies!
14. Tipping is customary and not compulsory
Tipping in restaurants isn’t a requirement in Slovenia, but it is considered a customary measure. Those dining out are expected to pay a 10% tip.
When I visited Ljubljana, some restaurants also charged me for bread and the use of cutlery and tablecloths.
This is mostly unheard of in Slovenia and more well-known in its neighbour Italy, which the waiter explained was the reason for the charge, as some restaurants have adopted their customs.
However, don’t expect this in every Ljubljana restaurant. Make sure to double-check with the staff before ordering.
15. Slovenia is renowned for its wines
Slovenia is renowned for its wines, sharing the same passion for wine production as its close neighbour, Italy.
Maribor is the place to be for wine tasting. It holds the world’s oldest vine, which has been in business for 450 years and still distributes grapes today.
Fun Facts: Slovenia has around one vineyard for every 70 people, with 75% of its wine production being white wine.
Although its main production is white, there are a few popular reds. Terrano is a notable favourite, a dark red wine made from the popular Refosco Grape.
Don’t worry if you’re not a massive wine drinker! Slovenia has every bit of alcohol ready to suit any taste buds.
Final thoughts
And there you have it, all you need to know before visiting Slovenia to ensure a wonderful trip.
Slovenia is a real delight, and I’m sure once you get there, you’ll soon fall in love with its natural beauty, picturesque landscapes, and lovely people.
Looking for more Slovenia inspiration? Read more:
How To Spend a Brilliant Day in Lake Bled
12 Best Things to Do in Ljubljana: Best Attractions
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO SLOVENIA
Slovenia Flights – Looking for cheap flights to Slovenia? I’ve used Skyscanner more times than I can remember. It will scan the entire internet for prices on flights from all airlines, so you can find the best deal on your flight!
Slovenia Travel Insurance – Do I need travel insurance for Slovenia? Yes of course! I always get travel insurance in case anything happens during my travels. I highly recommend SafetyWing as your go-to, for the best travel insurance.
Slovenia Rental Cars – Should I rent a car in Slovenia? Absolutely! I’ve rented a car to travel around Slovenia multiple times. With many remote areas in Slovenia, it definitely the best way to get around. Discover Cars is my go-to rental agency and offers the best rates wherever you travel.
Slovenia Hotels – Need to find accommodation in Slovenia? I’ve been booking all my hotels through Booking.com for years. Their large range of flexible accommodation options can suit all travel styles. Plus, their loyalty discounts are a huge bonus!
Slovenia Tours/Activities – For your tours or activities in Slovenia, I couldn’t recommend GetYourGuide enough! I use it everywhere I go, and it is brilliant for thinking of ideas for activities to do.
Slovenia Phone Plans – If you need phone data for your travels around Slovenia, I recommend getting an eSim using Airalo. It’s been my saviour! It offers affordable roaming with great coverage. You can download the sim straight from their app and top it up whenever you want.
