Slovenia unfortunately often gets overlooked when it comes to planning a getaway. I am about to introduce you to 18 marvelous places and sights that are a must-see in Slovenia!
Four major European geographical regions converge in the country: the Alps, the Dinaric Alps, the Pannonian Basin, and the Mediterranean. About half of the country is covered by forests, placing Slovenia third in Europe in terms of forest area size, following Finland and Sweden.
Table of Contents
The most beautiful places in Slovenia
Lake Bled
Slovenia’s second-largest lake, located in the Julian Alps, is surrounded by picturesque scenery, mountains, and forests.
Its iconic attraction is „Bled Island”, situated in the middle of the lake. The island hosts several buildings, but the most prominent is the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary, built in the 17th century in a Baroque style. It is adorned with beautiful frescoes. Its tower is 52 meters high. The staircase leading to the top of the church consists of 98 steps.
On the northern side of the lake stands a castle, which can be accessed on foot or by car. The castle hosts a museum, an armory, and a café. A magnificent view awaits.
Piran and Portorož
Slovenia’s coastal area is quite small, but Piran and its settlement part, Portorož, are popular with tourists in every season.
Piran is a Mediterranean town with an Italian vibe, not by chance as Italy is just a few kilometers away. Its old town stretches into the sea in a narrow triangle shape. Its ambiance and structure are very similar to the Croatian-Venetian-style old towns like Dubrovnik. Its main attraction is the church named after the town’s patron saint, St. George, and the castle on the hilltop, which can be reached through narrow, romantic streets. From here, a wonderful view of the town and the sea opens up.
Portorož is the country’s most elegant and popular seaside resort with a main street lined with palm trees. It’s the center of nightlife. Here you can find one of the largest sandy beaches on the Slovenian coast.
Ljubljana
We can confidently say that the Slovenian capital is among the most atmospheric cities in Europe. With only about 290,000 inhabitants, Ljubljana offers the tranquil, yet marvelous experience of a “small town.”
The city is dominated by the castle above the old town, from where a great view opens up. Although the city center is not large, it’s still worth taking a walk and sitting out on the terraces of the restaurants along the Ljubljanica River in the evening.
Škocjan Caves
As part of the UNESCO World Heritage, it’s not just the sight of stalactites that makes this a must-visit.
The cave system is also a canyon carved out by the Reka River. This is the world’s widest underground canyon. The sizes of the chambers are staggering, with the largest hall being 146 meters high and 120 meters wide.
It fits a shorter hike, a little fitness won’t hurt to explore, but the view compensates for everything!
Vintgar Gorge
Located 6 km from Lake Bled, this gorge was carved by the Radovna River. In the 1.6 km long gorge, you can see waterfalls and rapids.
The gorge ends with the 16-meter high Šum Waterfall, which is Slovenia’s highest river waterfall.
Its natural beauty makes it one of Slovenia’s most beautiful attractions, helped by the proximity of Lake Bled.
Maribor
Slovenia’s second-largest city, being close to the Hungarian border, makes it a potential destination for us.
As the center of Slovenian Styria, this city on the Drava River exudes a strong Austrian vibe. The narrow streets hide many Baroque buildings, with the Main Square, Castle Square, and the Lent district comprising most of Maribor’s attractions.
The city is most famous for its connection to viticulture. Here, you can find the world’s oldest producing grapevine.
Rinka Waterfall
One of the most beautiful and well-known waterfalls in Slovenia, it’s a popular destination among tourists.
The cascade of 20 waterfalls – achieving a total drop of 105 meters – is topped by Rinka, plunging down from a height of 90 meters.
A designated tourist path leads up to the viewpoint below the waterfall, reachable by an easy 20-minute walk.
Triglav
Slovenia’s highest mountain, located in the heart of the Julian Alps in Triglav National Park.
Among the peaks of the Alps, it is one of the most popular mountains since conquering it does not require mountaineering experience. Of course, good fitness and a bit of high-mountain routine are necessary, as the 2864-meter summit includes some more challenging sections.
Needless to say, the view from the top is magnificent. With an early start, it’s possible to ascend and descend in one day.
Postojna Cave
The caves were created by the Pivka River, extending over 24 km in length, making it Slovenia’s second-longest cave system.
Its fame not only comes from the countless stalactite formations and its unique wildlife but also from being home to the world’s first cave railway and the only underground post office, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists annually because of these features.
The cave system has three levels. The Pivka River flows at the lowest level, hence the cave is still expanding today.
Predjama Castle
Very close to the Postojna Cave stands this unique Renaissance castle built within the mouth of a cave.
The cliff face closes off a valley, and the Lokva stream plunges underground here, contributing to the cave system’s formation. The cave (Luknja) served as a hideout, accessible only across a rocky ridge along the edge of a 60-meter deep abyss and through a secret passage that leads to the mountain peak after 38 meters.
The museum in the castle operates all year round, with popular knight tournaments held in the field next to the castle during the summer. The passages beneath the castle form the country’s second-longest accessible cave system.
Lake Bohinj
Alongside Lake Bled, this is another popular lake, being Slovenia’s largest natural lake in the Julian Alps.
The lake offers numerous recreational activities, including swimming, rowing, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, diving during the warmer months, and occasionally ice skating in winter. Additionally, walking around the lake and boat trips on the lake are also possible.
Savica Waterfall
While at Lake Bohinj, consider visiting one of Slovenia’s most beautiful waterfalls.
It stands 78 meters tall and is directly fed by the Savica karst spring just above the waterfall. Although climbing the stairs requires conquering a nearly 130-meter elevation gain, a wonderful panorama of Lake Bohinj opens up from there.
Soča Valley
The Soča River is considered one of the most beautiful Alpine rivers, not just because of its stunning blue-green color, but also because of the landscape.
The Soča Valley is a paradise for nature activity enthusiasts: white-water rafting or kayaking through the Soča rapids, exploring the gorges, descending the steepest ziplines, seeking the most beautiful views from the surrounding peaks on foot or by bike, and skiing in the Kanin – Sella Nevea mountain resort during winter.
Boka Waterfall
The two-step waterfall’s highest height is 144 meters, with a width of 18 meters, making it Slovenia’s tallest waterfall.
An interesting fact is that the water flows directly from the rock into the valley, with no preceding river to feed it, thus it also functions as a spring.
Velika Planina
North of Ljubljana, near the Austrian border, you can find the most well-known part of the Great Plateau.
The village showcases about 140 wooden huts, a typical Slovenian architectural solution. Additionally, it’s a popular hiking spot, accessible also by cable car.
Branik Castle
Also known as Rihemberk Castle, located above the village of Branik in Southwest Slovenia.
Originally a medieval fortress from the 13th century, it was built on a strategic high rocky outcrop to control the surrounding areas and the valley below. The castle was later augmented with Renaissance and Baroque elements, especially during the 16th and 17th centuries when it underwent significant renovations and expansions.
Today, the castle and its surroundings are a popular tourist destination offering magnificent views of the Vipava Valley. The building hosts periodic exhibitions and cultural events that showcase the region’s rich history and cultural heritage.
Brda
The region near the Italian border is also referred to as the Slovenian Tuscany.
This hilly area is one of the most outstanding wine-growing and gastronomical centers in Slovenia, famous for its quality wines and olive oils. The area lies at the intersection of Mediterranean and Alpine climates, creating ideal conditions for viticulture. The local grape variety is Rebula.
Brda’s hilltop villages and vineyards make this region especially attractive for lovers of nature and the quiet countryside life. The area houses several small villages like Šmartno, Dobrovo, and Medana. Their medieval architectural features and narrow, cobblestone streets make for charming settlements.
Ptuj
One of the oldest towns in Slovenia, located on the Drava River, its main attraction is the well-preserved medieval architectural heritage.
In the Middle Ages, it played an important role in the region, especially because of its castle, which still dominates the townscape and offers an excellent view of the town and the surrounding landscape. The Ormož Museum currently operates in the castle.
The town center features many Gothic and Renaissance buildings, as well as churches and monasteries built in the Baroque style.
