Nestled between Italy, Croatia, Austria and Hungry, you will find a beautiful country that many travelers skip visiting. Slovenia is a small, but it needs to be on every bucket list.
The size of Slovenia allows you to visit many spots within 1 or 2 weeks. Exploring Slovenia means going from a lively relaxed city to, hiking in the Julian Alps, to swimming in Lake Bled to watching the sunset over the Adriatic coast.
I chose to do this trip in 10 days and this Slovenia itinerary will help you plan the perfect trip.
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Want to book the perfect Slovenia vacation? Use the tools below for the to plan a perfect trip!
Book hotels: booking.com | tripadvisor.com
My recommendations of where to stay:
- Ljubljana: Occidental Ljubljana
- Logar Valley: Hotel Plesnik
- Lake Bled: Central Bled House
Book Flights: kayak.com | skyscanner.com | cheapoair.com | kiwi.com
Car rental: rentalcars.com | expedia.com
Slovenia Tours: Klook.com | getyourguide.com
Digital & Printable Travel Planners: Pack and Jet shop on Etsy
Table of Contents
How to get to Slovenia?
Slovenia has one main international airport:
- Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU)
This airport is located 1.5 hours from the capital city. There are multiple direct flights from main cities in Europe, making it quite accessible.
Other ways to get to Ljubljana are by bus or train. Slovenia connected by rail to Austria, Italy, Hungary, and Croatia. Some popular routes include Vienna to Ljubljana, Zagreb to Ljubljana or Venice to Ljubljana.
Another easy and cost efficient way to get there is by bus. Bus companies such as FlixBus make an easy option for budget travelers as they link Slovenia with most major European cities. Make sure to check the bus schedules to plan your itinerary perfectly. If you want to buy your bus ticket in advance, check out this website.
For our trip we decided to take a train from Venice to Trieste and then took a short bus ride from there to Ljubljana.
Of course, you can always drive from different European countries. There are great highways from Austria, Italy, Croatia, and Hungary that make for an enjoyable and easy road-trip. Just make sure you check the rules on passing borders with the car rental companies. This Slovenia itinerary is more tailored for those on a roadtrip, who will get around by car.
How to get around Slovenia?
Slovenia may be small, but getting around isn’t always straightforward since its transportation network isn’t as extensive as in other parts of Europe.
Trains in Slovenia are comfortable and scenic, especially for popular routes like Ljubljana to Lake Bled. The coverage is limited and won’t allow you to explore the smaller mountain villages or lakes.
You also have the option of taking the bus with a more extensive network reaching even smaller towns where trains don’t go. The downside to this is that travel times can be longer and you are tied down to the bus schedule.
But of course, the easiest and most flexible way (more pricey also) is to rent a car. This will allow you to explore freely on your own time. This is how we chose to explore Slovenia and I would definitely recommend it.
Don’t wait until last minute to book your car, especially during the high season. Car companies are quite busy in the summer months. Reserve your car in Slovenia here or do a search below:
How many days should I spend in Slovenia?
Depending on the type of trip or adventure you are looking for, and depending on the pace you want to travel at, you can spend anywhere between 7 to 15 days in Slovenia to explore the main sights. In this post, I will share a 7 day, 10 day and 14 day ultimate Slovenia itinerary to help you plan the perfect trip that fits your travel style.
- 7 Days: Ideal for a exploring Montenegro’s key areas and highlights.
- 10 Days: An immersive trip allowing you to have a more relaxed trip with more diverse experiences
- 14 Days: Ideal for those who seek more adventure and more exploration of less popular spots
Travel tip: Never worry about having access to the internet while travelling and don’t need to waste your time looking for a local plastic SIM card. Purchase an eSIM that can be activated either immediately after installation or upon arrival at your destination.
Purchase your eSIM here:
When is the best time to visit?
For an unforgettable summer adventure, the most ideal time that I would recommend visiting is between May and October.
Spring time (May – June) is the perfect time for sightseeing and hiking. During this time, there will be fewer crowds, you will see lush green landscapes in milder temperatures
Summer months (July – September) are peak months, when the temperatures are hot and you can enjoy swimming in the lakes and in the Adriatic along the coast. I find these months perfect for a summer adventure but also be aware that it’s the busiest time with more crowds.
Fall and winter (October – April) will be the cooler months of the year. From December to March, the Julian Alps become the perfect spot for skiers and winter adventure lovers. There are amazing ski resorts in the country that would be great to visit.
What not to miss?
Here are the top must-visit places in Slovenia:
Ljubljana: The capital city in my opinion is very underrated and still feels like a hidden gem. It is one of the cleanest and most beautiful cities in Europe. You will find beautiful riverside cafés, a castle overlooking the old town, and a vibrant street life.
Logar Valley: This picturesque valley is one of Slovenia’s most breathtaking places. The dramatic peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps surrounding the area really make it magical.
Triglav National Park: The only national park in the country and definitely one that’s worth a visit. Here you will see nature at its best with some awesome hiking trails.
Lake Bled: For postcard views this is the place to visit. One of the most popular destinations in all of the country. Once you visit, you will understand why.
- Lake Bohinj: This is Slovenia’s largest natural lake inside Triglav National Park. It is a beautiful spot and less crowded than Lake Bled.
The Perfect 10-Day Slovenia Itinerary
Unless you drive to Slovenia and cross the border at a different point, you will likely start your trip in Ljubljana. This is the perfect place to start your Slovenia itinerary.
Day 1-2: Ljubljiana
Highlights:
- Hike up or take the funicular to Ljubljana Castle above the old town for panoramic views of the city.
- Explore the Old Town and take a river cruise on Ljubljanica River
Where to stay in Ljubljana:
On our trip, we stayed at an Airbnb but there are also some great hotels to choose from.
Luxury: Grand Hotel Union, Occidental Ljubljana
Mid-Range: Art Hotel, Hotel Emonec
Budget: i Design 9 apartment, Vila Jakopič apartments
The Old Town is the best place to stay and there are a lot of options to choose from:
When you arrive in Ljubljana, you will immediately be taken aback with how charming this city is. At least that’s how I felt. After you’ve settled into your accommodation, start your visit in the heart of the city at Prešeren Square, where colorful architecture and the famous Triple Bridge welcome you into the Old Town.
Wander through narrow streets that wind along the Ljubljanica River. This is where you can choose to sit at one of the many cafes or restaurants along the river for some food and drinks.
Continue exploring and you will come across lively shops and markets. One place you must stop at is the Central Market. This open-air market is full of local produce, crafts, and snacks and great way to get a sense of the local culture.
Take a Ljubljana river cruise to get a different perspective of the city. The boats will cruise under Ljubljana’s famous bridges – the Triple Bridge, Dragon Bridge, and Cobblers’ Bridge. The cruises are usually about an hour long. They also offer the option to sit out on the deck and soak in the sunshine.
Evening cruises can be special as the city lights reflect off the water and the riverside comes alive with people dining and strolling. It’s a relaxing break from walking and the perfect way to end a day of sightseeing.
If you have some time and want to do something different, I recommend a wine tasting tour. This is a great way to learn about Slovenia’s wine regions, history, and grape varieties and meet socialize with other travelers.
On your second day in Ljubljana, slow down and enjoy the city. Begin your morning with a walk through Tivoli Park, the city’s largest green space.
The city is also very bike friendly, so if you like you can hop on a bike and explore the city more like a local. This is a perfect city tour on a bike.
I recommend taking a walking tour to learn more about the city, the rich history and stunning architecture. This is a great way to see some of Ljubljana’s gems like the Saint Nicholas’ Cathedral.
The highlight of the Old Town is Ljubljana Castle located on a hill above the city. You can’t miss it. You can hike up or take the funicular to get to the castle. From here, enjoy awesome views of the city and you will get views of the out to the Julian Alps as well. If you have time, you can go inside the Inside, explore the exhibitions and learn about the city’s history. The best time to go to the castle is at sunset, where you can sit at the cocktail bar at top or on the side of the bar, to enjoy the sunset. It’s a great way to end an evening before heading back down for dinner.
Day 3: Velika Planina & Logar Valley
Highlights:
- Traditional herdsmen’s settlement at a high-altitude shepherd village
- Amazing hiking & cycling trails and jaw-dropping landscape views
- Rinka Waterfall is the tallest waterfall in Slovenia (105 m)
Hit the road on day 3 and visit one of Europe’s most unique villages. Velika Planina is where you can find unique wooden huts in the alpine meadows where the shepherds still live a traditional life. It is one of the largest herdsmen’s settlements in Europe and it’s a must-see.
It is the perfect place to spend a few hours outdoors, go for a walk through the meadows or take a hike across the plateau. Make sure to make a stop at one of the huts to taste locally made sour milk, cheese, and žganci (a traditional Slovenian dish) from the shepherds.
To get to this village, you will have to take a gondola from the parking lot and then either hike up or take another chairlift. A return trip for both gondola and the chairlift is 29 Euros. If you are in good physical shape, you can skip the chairlift and hike up to the top after you get off of the gondola.
After a few hours of exploring Velika Planing, make your way to Logar Valley.
Logar Valley is one of the most beautiful spots I’ve seen in Europe. It is located 90km from Ljubljana and will take you 1 hour 30 minutes if you drive. This is a place that reminds me of Switzerland, with breathtaking views and a calm serene feeling.
Logar Valley is a protected landscape park, so there’s a small entrance fee if you drive (7 Euros). As soon as you enter the valley, the scenic route will impress you immediately. This is where you can stop for the classic viewpoint of alpine meadows and peaks.
After a few hours of exploring Velika Planing, make your way to Logar Valley. This was one of my favorite stops on this Slovenia itinerary.
Logar Valley is one of the most beautiful spots I’ve seen in Europe. It is located 90km from Ljubljana and will take you 1 hour 30 minutes if you drive. This is a place that reminds me of Switzerland, with breathtaking views and a calm serene feeling.
Logar Valley is a protected landscape park, so there’s a small entrance fee if you drive (7 Euros). As soon as you enter the valley, the scenic route will impress you immediately. This is where you can stop for the classic viewpoint of alpine meadows and peaks.
Where to stay in Logar Valley:
We stayed at Hotel Plesnik. A family-run boutique hotel right inside Logar Valley, surrounded by the Kamnik–Savinja Alps. It feels both intimate and luxurious and the location is just unbeatable. Waking up here with fog surrounding the valley and the mountains was just magical. The infinity-style natural swimming pool overlooks the mountains — perfect for a sunrise dip or golden hour relaxation. Inside, the spa has saunas, herbal steam baths, a whirlpool, and a Himalayan salt therapy room.
From the hotel, you can walk or bike, hike to Rinka Waterfall, or drive the Solčava Panoramic Road.
For other hotel options, check out the options below:
Day 4-6: Lake Bled
Highlights:
Traditional boat ride to the Bled Island & Church of the Assumption
Bled Castle for unbeatable panoramic
After a relaxing morning in Logar Valley and maybe a short hike, say goodbye and hit the road towards the most famous part of Slovenia – Lake Bled. This is the lake that you have probably seen on many postcards and maybe like me it was one of the first places that drew you to Slovenia.
We chose Lake Bled as our base to explore the rest of Slovenia. It is the perfect spot to explore and also take day trips from.
Here are some day trips I recommend:
Where to stay in Lake Bled
There are many hotel options around the Lake. We chose to stay at Central Bled House and absolutely loved it. They offer free parking and the location was very convenient.
Some other suggestions for where to stay:
- Luxury – Hotel Park
- Mid-range – Old Bled House
- Budget – Castle Hostel 1004
You first evening in Lake Bled, you can explore the area around Bled. To go around the lake, you would need to walk or bike 6 km lakeside. Although this can be a bit long, it’s a great way to get a perspective on the lake and see the amazing views from all around.
Before dinner, if you’re up for it, do a short sunset hike to the Mala Osojnica viewpoint. It’s such a low effort and high rewarding hike – my favorite!!
When you head back down, have dinner lakeside and if you’re a dessert fan, try the famous Bled Cream Cake (kremšnita).
Day 5: Adventures at Vintgar Gorge
Start your day by hearing early to Vintgar Gorge. This beautiful gorge gives you an awesome experience walking through wooden walkways through turquoise rapids and waterfalls.
The Gorge is only a 10 minute drive from Bled, however there is no parking on site. Therefore the best way to get there is to use the shuttle service they offer. The entry cost is 15 Euros and in the high season they are open 7 am to 6:30 pm. When buying tickets, you need to choose the time slot that is best for you. Check their site for more information here.
Tip: Be sure to reserve your Vintgar Gorge tickets early to snag your preferred date and time, as entry slots can fill up quickly.
Head back to Lake Bled, where you can take a boat ride on the lake and visit the Bled Island & Church of the Assumption. This is the only natural island in Slovenia, sitting in the middle of the beautiful lake. It looks like it’s straight out of a fairtytale. Inside the 17th century church, you can ring the famous “wishing bell.” From the island, you get a unique angle of Lake Bled, with the castle and Julian Alps as a backdrop.
Day 6: Explore more of Bled and visit Peričnik Waterfall
Next stop on the Slovenia itinerary is a short road trip to visit Peričnik Waterfall. This is one of the nicest waterfalls I have ever seen. You have to do a short hike up (10-15 minutes) to get to the viewpoint but it is well worth it. If you want a little more challenge, you can also hike up to the higher viewpoint for a different perspective. Most people just stop at the first part.
What’s unique about the waterfall, is that you can walk behind it, giving you a different perspective. On hot summer days, this is the perfect day to cool down also.
Back in Lake Bled in the afternoon, visit the Bled Castle. The castle is located on a 130-meter cliff above the lake and it is the oldest castle in Slovenia. From here you get incredible panoramic views of Lake Bled, the island, and the Julian Alps.
Inside the castle, there is a museum, chapel, printing works, and exhibitions from the medieval times that you can enjoy. One of the most unique activities is that you can fill, cork, and seal your own bottle of Slovenian wine with wax.
If you here in the evening, you can enjoy the sunset vibes at the Bled Castle Restaurant. The restaurant has panoramic terraces overlooking Lake Bled and the island. It’s definitely one of the most scenic dining spots in Slovenia. This is where you can enjoy the views and also try traditional Slovenian dishes.
Day 7 : Lake Bohinj
We will again leave Lake Bled. This time for it’s sister lake Lake Bohinj. Some prefer to stay around this lake for a few days but we decided to only to a day trip.
If you plan on staying in Bohinj for a quieter, more relaxing experience compared to Bled, then here are some recommendations. These hotels are all beautiful and offer an experience like no other:
If you want to see more options, do a search below:
When in Bohinj, first thing to do is to take the Vogel cable car up to 1,535 m. The cable car costs 33 Euros for a return trip. At the top enjoy panoramic views of Bohinj and the Julian Alps. If you’re into hiking, there are some amazing trails here that take you to the peak. The hike we did rewarded us with some of the most incredible views. If you want to just relax, you can also do that at the mountaintop café. This is a popular spot for skiing and winter activities in the winter.
To avoid the crowds, make sure to go early. It does get busier as the day goes on.
After hiking and enjoying the views from Vogel, head back down and enjoy Lake Bohinj. You can take a dip, go for a swim, kayak, or paddleboard on the lake. Enjoy a lunch or late-day meal at Kramar Restaurant by the lake. I loved the food and the view from this place.
Lake Bohinj is perfect for sunset watching and if you want a quieter, more relaxing alternative to Lake Bled. It’s very picturesque add less touristy, with just as much alpine charm.
Day 8: Triglav National Park
Hit the road early towards Triglav National Park. This is Slovenia’s only national park and just incredible for all of you outdoor and nature lovers. There are so many beautiful hikes you can do in this park and in the region in general. Check out AllTrails to see which hikes suit you best. Entry into the park itself is free but make sure to plan for an early day as parking becomes more and more difficult the later it gets into the day. This is a popular area for hikers and bikers, so make sure you plan accordingly.
While in this area, make sure to drive through Vršič Pass that takes you around 50 hairpin turns and breathtaking views.
If you want to make good use of your time, you can make a stop to visit Lake Jasna. This is a picturesque lake with amazing mountain views. You can swim or paddleboard in the lake during summer or relax on the small beach. There are two turquoise lakes, a short walk from Kranjska Gora and really worth a quick stop on your through Vršič Pass.
From here, you will head towards Bovec or Kobarid to rest for the adventures ahead on Day 8.
Day 9: Soča River Valley
This is the day that adventure lovers will really enjoy. Drive to explore the Soča River Valley. You can head to your first stop, the Small Soča Gorge. Stroll along the walkways and admire the amazing canyon and the emerald river.
If you’re looking for a good photo spot, then stop at the stone bridge near Mala Korita. You can then head to Large Soča Gorge. The gorge here is wider and really beautiful, with cliffs up to 15 meters high. If you’re brave enough, you can take a dip in the freezing water. If you don’t want to go for a swim, this is also a popular place for kayaking.
Day 10: Piran
This is when you say goodbye to the outdoor adventures and head to the coast for enjoy the Adriatic Sea. Head towards the town of Piran. This town is a venetian-style seaside town with narrow streets and red rooftops, much like coastal towns you see in Croatia.
When you arrive, you can start exploring the Old Town and climb the city walls. Also head to St. George’s Church bell tower for panoramic views of the Old Town and the sea.
There are multiple spots along the coast, where you can relax by the water and go for a swim. Relax on the coast. You also have the option of heading over to Portorož for sandy beaches and spa vibes.
If you’re a foodie like me, then you must enjoy the amazing seafood offered along the coast. There are endless options in Piran’s main square or along the harbour.
If you have more time
Slovenia has so many highlights and you could easily spend 1-2 more days exploring the country, its mountains, villages and various regions.
Two other spots that I would add to this perfect Slovenia itinerary, if I had more time would be:
- Skocjan Caves – A UNESCO Heritage site underground that feels unreal
- Predjama Castle – A castle built into a side of a cliff. So pretty that it looks fake!
These can be both visited in one day and are located between Piran and Ljubliana.
Make sure you save this Slovenia itinerary for your visit. This underrated country was definitely one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited.
Whether you use follow this exact itinerary or use it as a starting point, I can tell you that Slovenia is not on your bucket list, then make sure you add it because I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.
To be well prepared for your trip, check out the post below for packing hacks, which will help you travel lighter and more efficiently.
