Slovenia is popular for its snow-capped Alpine mountains, emerald-green lakes, winding rivers, and intricate cave systems. Despite the country's small size, Slovenia is one of Europe's best outdoor destinations, with many experiences for visitors to explore. Here is a list of the most fun things to do in Slovenia:
1. Visit the picturesque Lake Bled
Lake Bled is Slovenia's most visited resort, located Northwest of Ljubljana. The emerald green lake is within a basin surrounded by rugged, snowcapped Julian Alps. The resort boasts a castle on the hill, a gorgeous island, secluded swimming spots, and short hiking trails, making it one of the most beautiful places in Europe.
The historic Bled castle was built on a rock outcrop 100 meters above the lake in the 17th century. The Castle Museum, Grajski Muzej, is home to archeological exhibits, ancient furniture, and an armory that takes you back to the historical journey of Slovenia. The castle provides some of the best views of the lake.
2. Visit Ljubljana
Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and is largely described as a colorful and vibrant city. Most people's itineraries start from Ljubljana, from where you can make day trips to other towns and tour the cities. The city features pretty pastel buildings, dragon bridges, and castles and offers you the ultimate small-city charm. The compact nature of the city makes it possible to tour the city's landmarks in one or two days.
3. Tour the Old Town, Ljubljana
Old town Ljubljana is characterized by impressive architecture, a hilltop castle, and atmospheric riverside bars. Though primarily baroque, the Old Town Ljubljana dates back to the medieval period and is the only part of the city that survived the 1897 earthquake.
The waterfront promenade of Cankarjevo nabrežje's is lined with cafes, and on Sunday mornings, a flea market is hosted there where vendors sell antiques and souvenirs like memorabilia of Communist Yugoslavia.
4. Explore the Skocjan Caves
This UNESCO World Heritage site features the world's largest subterranean canyon. Take a 90-minute tour of the breathtaking caves through a 2.5 km trail of the total 6 km network. Admire the Silent Cave, decorated with stalagmites and stalactites, and the Murmuring Cave, an underground gorge carved by the emerald green River Reka.
5. Visit Triglav National Park
The magnificent Triglav National Park is home to endemic animal species like wolves, bears, golden eagles, and lynxes, and a wide variety of plant species with 19 endemic species. The vast enchanting forests, stunning alpine mountains, valleys, lakes, and rivers flowing from the slopes of the highest mountain, Triglav, provide a dramatic backdrop to outdoor activities like cycling, hiking, skiing in winter, and white-water rafting.
6. Tour Ptuj
Ptuj is Slovenia's oldest town, packed with remnants of its Roman and medieval past. This fascinating town was founded by the Romans in the 1st century A.D. as Poetovio and had 40,000 inhabitants. The town has transferred rulership over centuries, so it is a historical hub full of mysteries and is currently famous for its Kurentovanje carnival celebrations.
7. Roam Piran
Nestled on a small pointed peninsula, the old town of Piran is Slovenia's most beautiful coastal town. The town features pastel-colored Venetian-Gothic buildings and Italianate squares and is presided over by a hilltop church.
8. See the unspoiled nature of Lake Bohinj.
This spectacular lake in Triglav National Park is larger and wilder than Lake Bled. Unlike its sister lake, Lake Bohinj has remained almost untouched by modern development with an unspoiled alpine landscape of pine woods and lush meadows dotted with wildflowers and a backdrop of snowcapped mountains.
9. Tour the Postojna Cave
Postojna Cave, located near the town of Postojna, southwest of Ljubljana, is the most visited cave in Europe. The cave constitutes 20 km of halls and passages, a quarter of its pen to the public. Take a 90-minute tour through the illuminated tunnels and grottoes dripping with stalactites and stalagmites.
10. Explore Vintgar Gorge
The magical Vintgar Gorge curves along the River Radovna and features rocky outcrops and birch woods. A 1.6 km long series of suspended wooden walkways and bridge crisscross passes over the thundering waterfalls and rapids, making the Gorge one of Slovenia's most adventurous and thrilling places to visit.