Slovenia is best known for its mountains, ski resorts and lakes - more specifically Lake Bled - and is one of the lesser explored countries in this part of Europe, with most travelers choosing to either just transit through the country between visiting Italy and Croatia, or skipping it altogether.
But that is such a mistake!
If you've followed along our journey through Slovenia on Instagram, you'd know by now just how enamored we were by this country. We're not kidding - we spent four amazing days in Slovenia and posted about it for a month!
How to spend 4 days in Slovenia
Ljubljana
Ljubljana is one of the smallest European capitals, and you can visit the entire city by foot, which we loved. The city was voted the best European Destination 2022 and we can see why! One of the biggest takeaways for us was the cleanliness and greenery of the city - (and country overall). Everywhere we went was so clean - and so green!
PRO TIP: stay in the city center and access the entire city by foot! Any city map will show you that all the main sites can be accessed within a 10 min walking radius, which was perfect. We stayed at Best Western Slon, which we found was great value for money right in the center!
Things to do in Ljubljana:
Metelkova
An autonomous social and cultural centre in the city centre of Ljubljana. In the past, the site was a military headquarter of the Army of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, before it became the Slovenian headquarter of the Yugoslav National Army. It consists of seven buildings (military barracks), which have been squatted since September 1993. Metelkova art center had some pretty impressive street art and graffiti. Visit during the day to see the art, and at night for an eclectic mix of different bars and clubs. Whatever music you are into, there will be a place for you!
The Dragon Bridge
The dragon is the city’s most recognizable symbol, and is basically on every flag, bridge, coat of arms - even the crest of the national soccer team. But do you know why?
Legend has it, long time ago, a fearsome dragon lived in the swamps around the Ljubljanica river. Everybody who trespassed was an easy prey - until a Greek hero by the name of Jason came along. Jason, according to the mythology, stole the golden fleece from the Greek King and then fled aboard the Argo with his comrades (known as the Argonauts) across the Black Sea and up the Danube and the Sava until they reached the Ljubljanica. He then kills the dragon and sails back to his uncle in Greece, with the proof he is now worthy enough to be a king. His teammates stayed behind, mingled with the local folk, and formed the first permanent settlement of Ljubljana.
Dragon symbols have thus been present in Ljubljana since ancient times. From its initial portrayal as a monster, the dragon gradually transformed into a symbolic protector of the city, embodying power, courage and wisdom!
Triple Bridge
The Triple Bridge is a group of three bridges across the Ljubljanica River. It connects Ljubljana's historical medieval town on one bank and the modern city of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, on the other. The areas on either side of the river with its picturesque bridges and the central market have a distinctive appearance, and gave us a regal yet artsy vibe.
Ljubljana Castle
The castle's Outlook Tower and ramparts offer some of the most beautiful views of the city, while the castle houses a museum exhibition on Slovenian history, a puppet museum, and a number of historical rooms. The castle can be reached by foot (or by funicular railway) and provides space for art exhibitions, houses a café, a nightclub, a wine bar, two restaurants, and serves as a venue for cultural events, family entertainment, dance evenings, and open-air film screenings held in the summer. In fact we saw two weddings taking place - one photoshoot in the outdoor grounds and one cocktail session in the wine bar!
If you have more time:
Ljubljana Cathedral: Roman Catholic cathedral with a baroque interior, not far from the Triple Bridge
Nebotičnik Skyscraper: rooftop terrace with perfect sunset views! We planned to visit but it started to rain, so we ended up skipping this
Bled
Bled is located 30 min north west of Ljubljana, and is best known for Lake Bled and Bled Island, Slovenia's only natural island. The most recognizable symbol of Bled Island is the church. The wishing bell is popular among the many visitors; you're meant to make your wishes and then ring the bell 3 times to make them come true!
FUN FACT: Lots of Slovenian newlyweds come to Bled Island to ring the bell and make wishes for their new lives together!
Things to do in Bled:
Bled Castle
Perched atop a steep cliff above Lake Bled is Bled Castle - one of Slovenia's oldest castles. The first mention of the castle dates back to 1011! Its super well-preserved. The lower courtyard has stunning views of Lake Bled and Bled Island, as well as a cafe if you want a wine with a view!
Of the many sights located on the castle’s premises, you can visit a small but informative museum of the region’s history from the first human settlements till the present day, a 16th-century chapel, the wine cellar, an herbal gallery, a recreated Gutenberg printing press (that still sees heavy work printing souvenirs for visitors) and of course a restaurant with breathtaking views of the lake below and mountains beyond.
PRO TIP: One of the best spots to catch the sunset on Bled Island is from the top of Bled Castle. Get there for around 8pm (in the summer) to catch those last rays! It was a little cloudy when we visited but still had these stunning views!
Bled Island
There are a couple of ways to get to the island in the middle:
Rent a paddle boat or canoe (up to 4 people). This costs EUR 20 per hour and gives you full freedom and flexibility to row around the lake and island, and moor up when you're ready. (Also, there's something wildly attractive about your husband rowing you around a lake.... no? just me? okay then ☺️)
Buy a ticket to travel by traditional boat called pletna. Pletnas are wooden flat-bottom boats designed according to the concept of the Venetian gondola boat, but it has its own features. It has a pointed bow and the stern widened with a step to enable passengers to enter. It can fit 18 people. The boat is propelled with the special ''stehrudder'' technique where the oarsman is standing and rowing with two oars. This costs EUR 12 per person and provides shade from the sun (and is relaxing as you dont have to row!)
Swim. Definitely an option in the summer months! We visited early June and we were in 29 degree heat, so swimming would have been a great way to cool down!
Best place to rent a boat:
When taking a walk around the lake, you'll find plenty of establishments offering boats or paddleboards for rent. While the prices are pretty much standardised, where you actually pick up your boat makes a huge difference, as the time you will need to row to Bled Island and back will vary greatly. 🛶
PRO TIP: Walk towards the other end of the lake towards all the hiking trails - it will take you about 45 min from the main village - getting as close to the island as possible. Rent a boat from a place called - wait for it - ''Rent a Boat'' 😆 Good service, nice clean boats, no waiting time, and only 10 min of rowing to get to Bled Island! This allowed us to take our time, enjoying the waters and the view!
BONUS: you will pass by these amazing photo spots for the perfect shots of Lake Bled! We’re seriously obsessed!
Best views of Bled:
There are so many viewpoints for Bled island - here are our top 3:
Bled Castle - probably the quickest to get to from the main village, this is an easy way to combine a visit to the castle with getting one of the most gorgeous views of the lake. You don't even need a ticket to the castle for the views, which are accessible from the lower courtyard
Cafe Belvedere - this is a beautiful terrace café not far from our recommended spot to rent a boat (see previous posts on this!). It was the perfect location for a bit of respite after the rowing, and we relaxed on the terrace with a well-deserved beer and Bled's famous cream cake
Mala Osojnica - Mala Osojnica rises steeply above the southwestern part of Lake Bled. It is part of a bigger Bled monadnock hill called Osojnica. If you're after a bit more of an adventure, try this trail, which takes about 45 min to the top along a steep forest path. The path is a mixture of steps, pathways and rope ladders, and isn't the best with small kids (or small dogs), but the views are stunning! Note: For those iconic views from the top, you will need a proper camera due to the distance; iPhones wont quite capture the beauty as well as a camera would!
Vintgar Gorge
Vintgar Gorge is one of Slovenia's most popular attractions. The gorge is 1600 m long and on the eastern part of Triglav National Park, and is just a 15 min drive from Bled. The gorge is carved by the Radovna, a pristine river that turns emerald green or aqua colour, depending on the light!
The hiking route through the gorge is in one direction only though, and visitors can choose between different circular routes to return to the entry point. All routes are clearly marked on the information boards and signposts along the route.
Boardwalks and walking paths crisscross across the gorge, creating a fascinating landscape that's both photogenic and fun to explore! Coco loved it too - just look at her face 😍
Bohinj
Lake Bohinj lies in the heart of Triglav National Park (a UNESCO Heritage site and one of the oldest national parks in Europe). It is the largest natural lake in Slovenia, nested at the foot of the unspoilt Julian Alps.
The blue-green waters of Lake Bohinj, its many trails for cycling and walking, and the endless opportunities for kayaking, swimming, hiking and horseriding make it a lovely day or even weekend destination. While Lake Bohinj lacks the glamour of Lake Bled, it more than makes up for it in authenticity. We found it far less crowded, and a lot more relaxed, with kids, dogs, and families all on a lovely day out by the water. Some even call it ''an oasis of peace and pristine nature in the Julian Alps and in the Triglav National Park''.
FUN FACT: there's no actual town called Bohinj; the name refers to the region! We put ''Bohinj'' on our car GPS, which told us we arrived about 20 minutes before we actually found the lake!
5 most beautiful viewpoints at Lake Bohinj:
Bohinj has plenty of gorgeous viewpoints. Check out the below spots for some stunning views!
Viewpoint Peč - At 720 metres above sea level, viewpoint Peč is a fantastic location for recreation and photography enthusiasts. It is located 50 metres below the top of peak Peč. In all seasons, it offers a beautiful and easily accessible view of the Bohinj valley with the Komna plateau, Lake Bohinj, Ribčev Laz and the surrounding peaks.
Rudnica - The Rudnica forest peak rises right in the heart of Bohinj. The hill is accessible from almost all the villages of the Lower and Upper Bohinj valleys, and therefore offers numerous views of almost every corner of Bohinj and the mighty Julian Alps.
Vogar - Vogar is one of the most visited destinations thanks to its quick access and mountain hut. The climb up can be a single excursion or a starting point for longer hikes in the surrounding area. It has become a popular excursion point thanks to its magnificent views of the Upper and Lower Bohinj Valley, the lake basin and the peaks of the Bohinj-Tolmin mountains.
Vogel - The Vogel is a great excursion point, reachable by cable car, with spectacular views at the top! The Vogel ski resort and viewpoint is named after the 1923-metre-high mountain in the south-eastern part of the Julian Alps. The cable car takes you to Brown Rock, 1000 metres above Lake Bohinj, and from there you can enjoy an unforgettable view of the Bohinj Basin with Lake Bohinj.
Vodnik viewpoint - Vodnik viewpoint is a great family viewpoint - with very little effort, you are rewarded with stunning views over a good part of Bohinj and the surrounding Julian Alps.
Brda
Often referred to as the “Tuscany of Slovenia”, Brda is located just across the border from northern Italy, and is Slovenia’s most famous wine region. In fact, you actually travel through a few kilometres of Italy before emerging on the other side in Slovenia once again!
We visited a wine market at Vinoteka Brda, which allowed us to taste 10 wines for EUR 10. Most of the wineries in the region participate, and its a great way to taste many wines in one place.
PRO TIP: Best to have some space in your luggage to carry the wine back home. Shipping internationally does not come cheap!
If you have more than 4 days, consider adding the following into your itinerary!
Piran - Piran is a resort city on Slovenia’s Adriatic coast, known for its long pier and Venetian architecture. It is one of the three major towns of Slovenian Istria, and is famous for its medieval architecture, with narrow streets and compact houses - and until the mid-20th century, Italian was actually the dominant language!
Idrija - Enjoy a boutique luxury stay in the Slovenian countryside. Choose from any farmhouse or Airbnb, or for a more luxurious experience we recommend Kendov Dvorec, a Relais and Chateaux property that is a country mansion originally built in 1377 and beautifully restored since. It offers 11 bedrooms, a stunning garden and terrace, and beautiful views across the Idrijca Valley. An oasis of tranquility after a long day.
Maribor - Both famous wine regions. Maribor is the second largest city in Slovenia and the capital of the Štajerska region. Pleasantly lodged between the wonderful nature of the Pohorje on the one side and wine growing hills on the other, Maribor is an ideal base for wine tourism
And fin!
This country has impressed us so much - from its hospitality to the cuisine to the absolutely stunning natural beauty. We hope we have inspired you to add Slovenia to your travel list!
Enjoy the pictures xx
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