Things to do in Slovenia

Things to do in  Slovenia

The fairest one of all

It doesn’t get much greener than in the unassuming alpine country of Slovenia, where forests sit below the country’s snowy mountains and blanket its rolling hills. Even many of Slovenia’s rivers and lakes bear a shade between turquoise and emerald. All of this makes Slovenia effectively one big outdoor playground, both for locals and visitors alike. And yet, the best things to do in Slovenia just as often feature Slovenia’s cozy cities such as Ljubljana and Maribor, mighty castles, neverending karst caves, and the country’s all-to-brief seaside.

Top 15 attractions in Slovenia

Ljubljana Old Town

star-51,271
Between Ljubljana’s medieval hilltop castle and the Ljubljanica River lie the narrow cobblestone streets and charming pastel-colored buildings of Old Town. The neighborhood’s impressive architecture, picturesque bridges, riverfront walkways, and heaps of cafés and bars with terrace seating help make Ljubljana a true jewel of Central Europe.More

Lake Bled

star-53,536
Nestled into the foothills of the Julian Alps in northwest Slovenia, glacial Lake Bled is a place of spectacular natural beauty. Subterranean thermal springs keep the lake’s exquisite blue-green waters relatively warm during summer, making it a hot spot for water sports. Bled also makes a perfect base for exploring the Julian Alps.More

Soca Valley

star-51,701
The emerald Soca River winds through Slovenia’s Julian Alps and lures outdoor adventurers with its abundance of river sports and mountain activities. The Soca Valley, including the recreational hotspot towns of Bovec and Kobarid, was also one of the major fronts in World War I; evidence of the conflict can still be seen here.More

Ljubljana Cathedral (Church of St. Nicholas)

star-5662
With its enormous green dome and twin clock towers, the St. Nicholas’ Cathedral (Stolnica Sv. Nikolaja) towers over Ljubljana Old Town and is one of the city’s must-see attractions. The cathedral’s lavish interior is its biggest draw; nearly every inch of the inside is covered in art from the baroque-style frescos and portraits to the magnificent carved altar and bronze doors.More

Ljubljana Castle Funicular

star-5781
Since 2006, the Ljubljana Castle Funicular has been transporting passengers between the city center in Slovenia’s capital and Ljubljana Castle, perched on top of Castle Hill. Featuring a modern design, the glass-enclosed cable railway also offers spectacular views over Ljubljana, as well as the ruins of a medieval defensive wall.More

Bled Castle (Blejski Grad)

star-52,611
Built into a rocky precipice in the Julian Alps foothills of northwest Slovenia, Bled Castle (Blejski Grad) sits high above the stunning blue-green Lake Bled. With moats, a drawbridge, ramparts, towers, and terraces with magnificent views of the lake, this 9th-century fortress is everything you would imagine a medieval fairy-tale castle to be.More

Dragon Bridge

star-5929
Spanning the Ljubljanica River in the heart of Old Town Ljubljana, the Dragon Bridge is one of the most popular landmarks in the city. Four menacing bronze dragons guard the bridge, two at each end, with 16 smaller dragons adorning its span. These mythical beasts are symbolic of the city’s founding and have become the emblem of Ljubljana.More

Ljubljana Castle (Ljubljanski Grad)

star-5781
Perched on top of Castle Hill overlooking Slovenia’s capital city, the mighty medieval Ljubljana Castle (Ljubljanski Grad) dates back to the 11th century. This well-preserved fortress is visible from most everywhere in town and is a must-see for unbeatable views of the city. Tour the castle’s Museum of Slovene History for a fascinating introduction to Slovenia’s past.More

Ljubljanica River

star-545
The Ljubljanica River flows right through the center of Old Town Ljubljana and was once an important trade and supply route. Today, the river embankments are the heart of Ljubljana’s social scene. Lively outdoor cafes and restaurants, street markets, and picturesque buildings line the canals and tourist boats cruise up and down the river.More

Preseren Square (Presernov Trg)

star-5722
Located at the foot of the iconic Triple Bridge over Ljubljanica River—and dedicated to beloved national poet France Prešeren—Prešeren Square is one of Ljubljana’s most famous public spaces. Perched by the riverside, the square is connected to many of the city’s main thoroughfares, making it the perfect spot from which to explore the city.More

Postojna Cave

star-51,919
The Postojna Cave—a subterranean wonderland of karst tunnels, caverns, and galleries, adorned with dramatic stalagmites and stalactites—is one of Slovenia’s most remarkable natural wonders and among the country’s most visited tourist attractions. It stretches along the Pivka River for an impressive 12.5 miles (20 kilometers).More

Triple Bridge (Tromostovje)

star-51,081
One of Ljubljana’s most recognizable landmarks, the Triple Bridge over Ljubljanica River connects the city’s historic center with the popular meeting point, Prešeren Plaza. The bridge’s three interconnected pedestrian-only pathways are the inspired masterwork of Slovene architect Jože Ple?nik and stand among his many humanist architectural gems in the city.More

Tartini Square (Tartinijev Trg)

star-5334
Piran’s Tartini Square (Tartinijev Trg) is one of the most impressive plazas in Slovenia, and that's not just because of its grand Venetian and neo-Renaissance surroundings. Originally outside city walls, the square first served as a fishing dock, and by the end of the 19th century, was completely overrun with sewage, prompting city officials to build the public square on top. Today, the pedestrian-only plaza sits between Piran's Town Hall and Court House, and serves as a scenic venue for concerts and events, as well as a popular meeting spot for city locals. Go for the people-watching or for excellent views of the surrounding hills, architecture, and Adriatic Sea.Within the square, you'll see a 19th-century monument of the violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini, for whom the square is named for, and two stone flag poles from the 15th century at either side of its entrance.More

Congress Square (Kongresni Trg)

star-5469
Congress Square (Kongresni trg) is a historically significant Baroque piazza uniting some of the city's most beautiful landmarks and attractions. The peaceful square and the tree-filled Star Park at its center is a popular place to relax like a local, while admiring the iconic Ljubljana Castle at a nearby hilltop.More

Bled Island (Blejski Otok)

star-51,051
With its picture-perfect church and ornate steeple peeking out above the treeline and perched on Bled Lake, tiny Bled Island (Bled Island (Blejski Otok) looks like something out of a fairy tale. Local tradition has it that a groom must carry his bride up all 99 steps that lead from the island’s dock to the church to ensure a happy marriage.More

Top activities in Slovenia

Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle - Entrance Tickets Included
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out
Lakes Bled & Bohinj and Vintgar Gorge Small-Group Day Trip from Ljubljana
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out
Traditional Slovenian Dinner and Show
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out
Operators have paid Viator more to have their experiences featured here

All about Slovenia

When to visit

Wait until the summer sun melts the snow off Slovenia’s mountains for uninterrupted access to its many hiking trails, mountain passes, and viewpoints. But fair warning: This is also sure to be the busiest time to visit ever-popular Lake Bled, with crowds of tourists descending on its attractions and small towns. Over in Ljubljana, the festive spirit is alive and well in summer with the twin events of the Ljubljana Festival and Ljubljana Jazz Festival.

Getting around

Slovenia’s smaller size makes it easy to get around, but that’s only if you have a car. Travel by bus is the best alternative to driving yourself around, with bus routes to most cities and towns in the country, and Ljubljana at its center. Train travel in Slovenia though is more limited due to the country’s mountainous terrain and is generally slower than traveling by road.

Traveler tips

Traveling between Ljubljana and Lake Bled is a staple of most Slovenia itineraries, but few realize that there are interesting destinations to visit in between. Don’t miss Skofja Loka with its castle and riverfront, while the city of Kranj offers a pretty old town and historical curiosities that include World War II tunnels beneath it.

Local Currency
Euro (€)
Time Zone
CEST (UTC +1)
Country Code
+386
Language(s)
Slovenian
Attractions
48
Tours
863
Reviews
15,111
EN
4bbcd3e9-5ea5-493b-9ee9-5cf389cd81db
geo_hub

People Also Ask

What is Slovenia famous for?

The central European nation of Slovenia is famous for being a small, green country covered in mountains, caves, and vibrantly colored lakes and rivers. It’s also home to some of Europe’s top ski resorts.

...More
What is the most beautiful part of Slovenia?

There’s no question that the most beautiful part of Slovenia is the mountain region in the country’s northwest, home to romantic Lake Bled, the sweeping views from Mount Triglav, and the emerald waters of the Soca Valley.

...More
Is Slovenia good for tourists?

Yes, Slovenia is a great place for tourists to visit. It’s a small country that’s easy to get to, it has a high rate of English speakers, and it offers a range of destinations to explore, from mountainous national parks and seaside towns to wine regions and more.

...More
How many days do you need to see Slovenia?

Five days in Slovenia is enough time for you to see the country’s highlights. Slovenia is a relatively small country, so you can visit several different destinations in that time, from the capital Ljubljana to the mountains through the north, and even its small stretch of Adriatic coast.

...More
Is English spoken in Slovenia?

Yes, a large majority of the population of Slovenia speaks English, especially the younger generations. In fact, it has one of the highest percentages of speaking English at a conversational level among countries in the EU.

...More
What do people do in Slovenia?

The people of Slovenia, Slovenians, are generally very fond of outdoor activities that let them spend time in nature, such as hiking, cycling, skiing, and swimming.

...More
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the top things to do in Slovenia?
Q:
What are the top activities in Slovenia?
Q:
What are the top things to do near Slovenia?
A:
Check out things to do near Slovenia: