The 12 Most Beautiful Places in Slovenia to Visit

During my Interrailing trip around Europe, I spent two weeks in the beautiful country of Slovenia, exploring its vast range of lakes, incredible caves, and stunning mountainous landscapes.

To the rest of Europe, Slovenia is one of its smallest countries and is very easy to explore.

Using its vast train network or via a road trip, you can cover one end of the country to the other in as little as four hours. Yet despite its small size, the difficult part is deciding where to go.

Maybe you’ll explore the bustling capital of Ljubljana or take in gorgeous views of one of Europe’s most renowned lakes.

To help you decide, I’ve narrowed down the 12 most beautiful places in Slovenia to visit, so you can get your itinerary all set. So, without further ado, let’s get into it!

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Most beautiful places in Slovenia

1. Ljubljana Old Town

Rarely is a capital talked about as one of the most beautiful places, but Ljubljana is an exception, boasting a picturesque Old Town.

The Old Town is compact and walkable. Much of its charm lies along the banks of the Ljubljanica River, which you can stroll along and admire the colourful buildings and cross the famous architectural bridges.

Dragon Bridge is the most popular, with its two fiery dragons on either side. According to a local legend, these were built to protect the city.

Another popular bridge to cross is the Triple Bridge, which leads to the main square, Prešeren Square. This is home to the Church of the Annunciation, with its clear, vibrant pink façade on show.

Once you’ve explored the cobbled streets of the Old Town, take the funicular or walk up to Ljubljana Castle for the best view of the city.

There’s plenty of lore and history to uncover at the castle, but it is the views of Ljubljana that draw most of the crowds, best seen from the castle’s lookout tower or along the castle’s outer walls.

You only need a day to see most of the Ljubljana’s highlights. I recommed using Ljubljana as a base to visit some of the other best places in Slovenia on this list, as it centrally located with great transport links.

2. Škocjan Caves

Yes, if there’s one thing you need to know about Slovenia, it is that it is full of underground caves! There are over 10,000, to be precise, with Škocjan Caves without doubt being one of the best of the bunch.

Carved by the Reka River, this UNESCO Heritage Site is famous for its underground caverns, waterfalls, and formations of stalagmites and stalactites.

To enter the caves, you must take a guided tour that typically explores the Silent Cave and the Murmuring Cave.

You can take an extended tour, though the main tour covers only a snippet of the cave (3 km) and takes around 2 to 2.5 hours.

One of the main highlights of the tour is the walk along the Cerkvenik Bridge, which feels reminiscent of Bridge of Khazad-dûm in Peter Jackson’s Fellowship of the Ring. You get the feeling of walking through Tolkien’s world, a truly otherworldly experience.

Top tip: Bring comfortable footwear to the cave and an extra layer of clothing as it is very cold inside. A constant 12°C (54°F) to be exact!

3. Maribor

Next up on this list of most beautiful places in Slovenia is Maribor, the country’s wine capital and a perfect day trip destination.

Despite being Slovenia’s second-largest city, Maribor is a compact city that’s easily explored on foot and brimming with things to do. Enjoy its many squares, beautiful Habsburg architecture, and rich wine culture.

The first place to visit in Maribor is the heart of the Old Town, Grajski Trg. Alongside cafes and restaurants, you can find Maribor Castle, a beautiful Baroque interior and the home of the Regional Museum of Maribor.

This museum dives deep into the history of Maribor from the Stone Age to the early 20th century.

Just a short stroll from here takes you to Glavni Trg or Trg Svobode (Freedom Square) to learn about the history of Maribor.

Glavni Trg holds the Plague Column, a monument to remember the 17th-century plague that impacted the city, while Freedom Square holds the Maribor Liberation Monument, celebrating the city’s liberation during WWII.

And not to forget, Maribor has a long-standing wine tradition. To enjoy the wine culture, take a short walk along the Lent district to see the world’s oldest grapevine. Or enjoy a fine glass or two at a restaurant overlooking the picturesque Drava River to finish the day.

4. Lake Bled

If you’ve ever seen a postcard of Slovenia, the likelihood is you’ve seen Lake Bled. The emerald-green waters with an islet in its centrepiece is often cited as one of Europe’s most beautiful lakes.

I spent one day in Lake Bled, making it my second stop in Slovenia on a day trip from Ljubljana. On my visit, it was easy to see why it’s known as Slovenia’s poster child.

While on the photos it might just look like a pretty lake, there are so many things you can do around its surroundings. Here are some of the things you can do around Lake Bled:

• Walk around the lake: It takes 1.5 hours to walk around. Follow the trail along the boardwalks and allocated paths and take as many photos of the lake as you can!
• Visit Bled Island: Take the traditional Pletna boat or rent a rowboat to paddle across to Bled Island. On the island, you can visit the Church of the Assumption or grab a gelato at the mini ice cream store.
• Do a water activity: Go for a swim or rent a paddleboard. This is best done in late spring or summer, as at any other time of year, the water is too freezing to go in.
• Enjoy a viewpoint: Take in postcard-worthy views of Lake Bled from Bled Castle, the medieval castle perched above, or from Mala Osojnica or Ojstrica viewpoint.
• Try Bled Cream Cake: This local speciality wafer filled with cream, is available at many eateries around the lake. I recommend trying it at the Kavarna Park, where it was first made, and enjoy it on its outside terrace where you’ll find amazing views of Lake Bled.
• Zipline or Toboggan at Straža Bled: Go on a zipline or ride the summer toboggan track, taking in views of Lake Bled from above.

When to visit: June is the best time to visit Lake Bled. You’ll benefit from smaller crowds, cheaper accommodation and comfortable weather with average highs of 23°C. This is perfect for leisurely walking and enjoying water activities on the lake.

5. Soča Valley

The Soča Valley, located in the north-western region, is where the picturesque turquoise waters of the Soča River meander through parts of Slovenia.

What brings tourists to the Soča Valley is the abundance of hikes and water activities. We spent a few days here and still felt like we barely scratched the surface.

If water activities and hiking are on your agenda, the best place to start is in the town of Bovec. 

Bovec is the Soča Valley’s adventure hub, where you can book various water activity tours like white water rafting, canyoning and kayaking to explore the Soca River.

Note: You can swim in the river around areas like Bovec and Tolmin. However, since it’s an alpine river and 10–15°C on its warmest days, I only recommend swimming during a hot day. 

For hiking in the Soča Valley, follow the riverside paths and cross the suspension bridges to get from one side to the other. While these bridges are functional, they double down for taking some fantastic photos of the Soca River. The Čezsoča Bridge in Bovec is my favourite, but there are plenty of other suspension bridges to find during your hikes.

As well as Bovec, you can find so many other incredible towns and sights in the Soča Valley. 

Kobarid has the scenic Kozjak Waterfall, alongside a fascinating WWI history. Tolmin Gorge is also another must-see, with plenty of mini waterfalls and turquoise pools.

You’ll have so much to cover in the Soča Valley, and you can be assured your itinerary will be full!

6. Postojna Caves

Rivalling Škocjan as one of Slovenia’s most famous underground caves, Postojna Cave is an absolute must-visit for your Slovenian itinerary.

Formed over millions of years, the cave stretches over 24 km, with 5 km open to the public on a guided tour.

The tour begins with an exciting ride on an electric mine train through 3.7 km of the cave, then continues with a 1 km walk around to see some of the cave’s stalagmites and stalactites.

Some of the highlights include the Spaghetti Chamber and the 5m white stalagmite called ‘Brilliant’, which is a symbol of the cave.

Postojna Caves are also home to some peculiar wildlife. Inside the caves is a slender-like creature called ‘OLM’, which is blind and bound to the conditions of the underground. You can get a closer look at OLM at the Vivarium Exhibition.

If you plan to visit Postojna Caves, I recommend using Ljubljana as a base with its close connections to the capital.

Predjama Castle is also adding to your trip, which is the world’s largest cave castle. It is near Postojna Caves and offers free shuttle buses to and from the caves in the summer to take you to the castle.

Read more: Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle day trip from Ljubljana.

7. Koper

Next up on the list of most beautiful places in Slovenia is Koper, a small town located on the southern coast next to Italy and Croatia.

One of its striking features is its resemblance to Venice, Italy. This is because it was once part of the Venetian Empire, and it has since preserved much of its Venetian architecture.

In the Old Town, you can admire the Venetian style in the gorgeous pastel-colored houses and landmarks like the Muda Gate and the Koper City Walls.

The best place to see the Venetian architecture is in Tito Square, the town’s main square, which is surrounded by landmarks including the Praetorian Palace.

Some of the other best things to do in Koper include enjoying the promenade and heading to the beach.

The nearest beach to the Old Town is City Beach, just a few minutes walk away. Žusterna Beach is a quieter option as it is around a 30-minute walk away.

Note: Beaches in Slovenia are pebbly. I recommend bringing a towel or renting a sunbed for a more comfortable experience.

8. Lake Bohinj

Often overshadowed by Lake Bled, this hidden gem is easily one of the most beautiful places in Triglav National Park.

We spent a fantastic day around Lake Bohinj, coming straight from Bled. Away from the tourism, Lake Bohinj felt more secluded. You can enjoy many outdoor activities like water rafting, swimming, paddleboarding, and hiking, without feeling overwhelmed by large crowds.

What impressed the most was the endless postcard-worthy views. If you arrive by car or bus, you’ll arrive to an amazing view of the lake and the Julian Alps next to the Church of St. John the Baptist.

For the best view, I recommend taking the Vogel Cable Car up to Vogel Ski Resort and seeing the many panoramas of Lake Bohinj and Triglav National Park.

If you plan to hike, the circuit hike around the lake is a great option and takes 2-3 hours.

Although I highly recommend hiking to the Savica Waterfalls, if its a long, rewarding hike you’re looking for. Savica Waterfalls is a 70m high, two-part waterfall that cascades down into a beautiful turquoise basin.

9. Vintgar Gorge

The natural wonder of Vintgar Gorge is yet another fantastic place to visit in Triglav National Park. Carved by the Radovna River, the gorge follows a 1.6km trail which you can walk along.

On the elevated wooden bridges, you’ll zigzagg around the river, passing many cascading waterfalls, turquoise waters, and rapids.

At the end of the trail, you’ll find Sum Waterfall, the largest river waterfall in Slovenia.

There is also a small cafe with benches, where you can enjoy a beverage and listen to the soft sounds of the waterfall.

We visited in the summer, which was packed with crowds coming from Lake Bled, as it only 4km away and very easy to get to with accessible transport links. I highly recommend visiting in the early morning to avoid the larger crowds in the afternoon and enjoy a peaceful walk.

Note: Vintgar Gorge is closed during the winter.

10. Vršič Pass

If you’re planning a jam-packed road trip around Slovenia, Vršič Pass is your ultimate fix for long hikes, incredible panoramas, and a whole lot more.

Vršič Pass is the highest mountain pass in Slovenia, at 1,611 meters (5,285 feet), starting at the alpine town of Kranjska Gora and winding around 50 hairpin bends of road toward the Soča Valley.

You need at least 1 to 2 days to fully enjoy the Vrsic Pass, as the area is huge. There are various parking spots around the pass, where you can stop to take in the views and go on plenty of hikes.

Some of the best highlights include:

• The Russian Chapel: Walk along the Russian Road and find the Russian Chapel that Russian prisoners built during WWI, who also worked on constructing the pass.
• Hike to Slemenova Špica: Beginning at the Vrsic Summit, hike to the Slemenova Špica viewpoint, taking 4 hours for incredible views of Vršič Pass and even see some parts of Italy and Austria.
• View from the Vršič Pass Summit: Park up at the Vršič Pass Summit car park and see the fantastic views of the Julian Alps and surrounding greenery.
• Local resort towns: The Vršič Pass passes near a few local resort towns that are worth visiting. Kranjska Gora and Bovec are both nearby and brimming with things to do in them.

Note: The Vršič Pass is often closed during the Winter due to potential avalanches. If it is closed during your visit, the Predel Pass is a great alternative.

11. Piran

If you’re planning a trip to one of the most beautiful towns in Slovenia, Piran should be high on your list of places to visit.

Similar to Koper, this Venetian-inspired town is built on the edge of a peninsula, with a pretty promenade and a Old Town lined with pastel-colored homes.

The Old Town is more compact than others on this list, but still, there’s plenty to do to fill a jam-packed one day here.

Start in Tartini Square, the central square that overlooks the promenade. This is the best place to find cafés, restaurants, and quaint shops. You’ll often find buskers and other city performers here, making it a brilliant place to people-watch.

If you want to try some local food, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Various restaurants serve Istrian cuisine, or for a more general dish, try the Italian food at a trattoria. There are a few in Piran, due to its proximity to Italy.

Once you’re finished enjoying what the Old Town has to offer, be sure to take in some of the fantastic vantage points. There is a fantasic one from St George’s Church’s Bell Tower.

However, the one I recommend is a little farther out. Head up to the Piran Town Walls, where you can see Piran’s terracotta rooftops from afar, topped off by that glistening Adriatic Sea in the distance.

12. Izola

This small fishing village, just a 20-minute drive from Piran, might be one of the most underrated spots on this list.

We visited Izola when exploring the southwestern part of Slovenia and found it to be really authentic. Similar in style to Piran, with its Venetian-style buildings and medieval architecture, you can enjoy the town of Izola with half the crowds.

The main highlight is the Old Town, which is compact and very walkable. You can explore its charming narrow streets, check out the local farmers’ and flea markets, and head out to walk along its pretty promenade.

For the best view of the Old Town, visit the Church of St. Maurus and climb its bell tower. To access the bell tower, you must get permission from the church.

After permission has been granted, climb the 99 steps for some stunning panoramas.

If you want to relax at the beach, you can find a small beach along the peninsula called Sventilknik Beach.

This is mostly paved, as there isn’t much beach space, but there is plenty of room to put your things down and go for a refreshing dip.

You only need half a day to explore Izola, and it’s perfect to combine with a trip to Piran if you want to make it a full day out.

Map of the most beautiful places in Slovenia

To help you navigate to each location on this list, I’ve created an interactive map highlighting the best places to visit in Slovenia.

How to use: To use the map, select the icon on the left with an arrow to view all the locations. To use the map on Google Maps, click the box icon on the right.

Final thoughts

And there you have it! So many places to visit in the beautiful country of Slovenia to fill up your jam-packed itinerary.

Slovenia was definitely in my top 5 of the places I’ve ever visited.

Whether it was a trip to the bustling Ljubljana, admiring the lake views of Lake Bled or Bohinj, or seeing millions of years of geological history at Postojna and Skocjan Caves, for such a small country, it offered diversity that is unmatched in its capacity.

I hope your time exploring there was just as brilliant as mine. 

Which of these beautiful places in Slovenia would you like to visit the most? Leave your answers in the comments below.

PLAN YOUR TRIP TO SLOVENIA

Slovenia Flights – Looking for cheap flights to Slovenia? I’ve used Skyscanner more times than I can remember. It scans 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’s 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.