10 Days in Slovenia: Itinerary, What to Do & Where to Go

Carving out 10 days in Slovenia? On nearly any Slovenia itinerary, centuries-old towns collide with blissful seascapes, beech-shaded forests, turquoise glacial lakes, and majestic snow-dipped alpine scenery. As you sort out where to go, you’ll quickly discover one of Central Europe’s best-kept secrets.

Whether you want to take on the medieval streets of Ljubljana, the seaside pleasures of Piran, or the blissful hiking trails around Lake Bled, discover what to do in Slovenia in 10 days with this complete 10-day itinerary…

Where to go in Slovenia: A complete 10-day itinerary

Whether you’re a light adventure traveler, beach bum, or an urban explorer, there are a ton of things to do in Slovenia. The biggest challenge is fitting it all in.

If you only have 10 days in Slovenia, you’ll have to resign to carving out a tighter travel plan. Even in a country as compact as Slovenia, you don’t want to spend all of your precious vacation days in transit!

Renting a car resolves some of the issues. Driving in Slovenia tends to be far quicker to get between point A to point B than relying solely on public transit.

This is especially true for more rural destinations like Predjama Castle, where public transportation is less frequent, slower, or less convenient. Booking local sightseeing tours to pack more sights into your day is another option to consider for making more efficient use of your time.

Ljubljana

4 Days

Nearly every visit to Slovenia begins with a stay in Ljubljana. Slovenia’s tiny capital is not only one of Europe’s most compact but one of its most mesmerizing. Even if you can’t wrap your vocal cords around the tongue-twisting name, Ljubljana is bound to become one of your favorite European cities, even if you can only dedicate a few days to it.

It’s also the perfect destination to base yourself for epic Ljubljana day trips. In a small country like Slovenia, getting from place to place is easy. If you’re super tight on time and don’t want to pack your bags so often, I’d recommend sticking around longer in Ljubljana (otherwise, check out this itinerary for one day in Ljubljana).

Four days in Ljubljana seems to be a good compromise. It’ll allow for two full days of exploring Ljubljana itself and two days for day trips elsewhere in the country.

What to do in Ljubljana

Planning out things to do in Ljubljana hardly involves much guesswork. Most of its top tourist attractions lie within tightly-packed central Ljubljana, especially in and around Old Town. You can reach just about everything you’d want to see in Ljubljana on foot.

Wander around Old Town

Ljubljana’s life emanates from its Old Town, a smattering of medieval streets studded with graceful architecture. With Triple Bridge and Prešeren Square as your anchor, dig into the Old Town by crossing east over the Ljubljanica into the old quarter.

There’s a host of excellent cafés and restaurants perched along the Ljubljanica. Stop in for a quick bite or a coffee to fuel up for the day ahead.

Admire the city from Ljubljana Castle

What better way to experience Ljubljana than from above? Trek up (or take the funicular) to Ljubljana Castle, the city’s most famous landmark. The castle grounds are shrouded in sheer beauty and are a wonderful way to spend some time unwinding.

Rehydrate with a sip of wine or beer in the courtyard before stealing some incredible views over the medieval center from the castle ramparts or Outlook Tower.

Soak in the artful Ljubljana Cathedral

Ljubljana Cathedral is also worth a detour when touring Old Town. As beautiful as the quintessentially Central European church towers and domes are, the biggest drawcards of Ljubljana Cathedral are inside, not out. Enter through the sculpted bronze doors to marvel at the incredible 18th-century Baroque frescoes and marvel at the gilded details.

Time travel on a day trip to Škofja Loka

Choosing just one contender from all the possible day trips from Ljubljana seems an impossible task. One of the easiest is a quick half-day out to the beautiful medieval town of Škofja Loka.

Experiencing Škofja Loka is as easy as simply allowing yourself to become lost in the ageless streets. Besides slogging up to Škofja Loka Castle and its Loka Museum, keep on the lookout for Capuchin Bridge north of the old town to snap that classic postcard of Škofja Loka.

Discover the Slovenian tradition on a day trip to Kamnik and Velika Planina

One of the most interesting sites in the whole country to uncover Slovenia’s past is in Velika Planina, outside of the town of Kamnik. For its Old Town and two castle ruins (Mali Grad and Stari Grad), the town of Kamnik is itself worthy of a day trip. Throw in a visit to Velika Planina, and you’ll soon declare the day a huge winner.

When in Velika Planina, don’t miss the “herdsmen’s settlement.” This small village, characterized by its traditional pine-shingled huts, swings back into action every summer starting in June.

Resembling something you’d sooner uncover in a fairytale than in a modern European country, Velika Planina’s delightfully quirky village is bound to spellbind you.

Feeling extra adventurous? Gulp down a traditional herder’s meal of sour milk and corn.

Where to stay in Ljubljana

The quality of accommodations in Ljubljana is generally good and always improving. With the city’s recent burst of popularity, trying to grab a reservation at one of the best places to stay in Ljubljana during high season often presents a challenge. Book early to avoid wrecking your travel plans!

Getting to Ljubljana

By air: Several airlines serve Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU) from the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada, including Adria Airways, Slovenia’s flagship carrier. If you’re looking to save money, easyJet flies to Ljubljana from London (Stansted) and London (Gatwick).

By bus: There are regular buses to Ljubljana from Zagreb (2h15m), Venice (3h29m), and Vienna (5h47m).

By train: From elsewhere in Central Europe, there are several trains to Ljubljana, including Zagreb (2h18m), Vienna (6h4m), Salzburg (5h8m), and Bratislava (7h31m).

Piran

3 Days

Everyone knows about Croatia’s famous Adriatic coastline; fewer realize that Slovenia rocks out its own little blissful Istrian Riviera wedged between the Croatian and Italian coasts.

The most famous—or at least prettiest—Slovenian resort town is Piran. If you’re craving fun in the sun after a little sightseeing in the deep alpine woods or historic cities, Piran’s the answer.

What to do in Piran

The overwhelmingly picturesque Piran isn’t as jam-packed with activities as other Slovenian destinations. Discover this Mediterranean gem at a relaxed pace to truly appreciate what it has to offer.

Not that there aren’t plenty of things to do in Piran. But expect your days to be filled less with an over-stuffed itinerary than with small memorable moments like enjoying a seaside coffee, downing succulently-fresh seafood, and sucking in the sea breeze sliding off the Adriatic.

Hike up to the city walls to steal a bird’s-eye view of Old Town

Besides wandering aimlessly throughout Piran’s Old Town, no better experience awaits in Piran than finding your way up the old city walls for a view over the town.

Piran—not unlike more famous destinations like Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik in Croatia—features stunning Venetian architecture impressive enough to trick you into thinking you’re in Italy.

(Although Italy is just steps away, so it’s not a stretch!)

At the height of tourist season, scaling along the city walls will also give you a much-needed break from the thick crowds of central Piran.

Enjoy a seaside meal on Prešernovo nabrežje

If you love seafood, there’s no better place in Slovenia to stuff yourself than in Piran. Break through to the edge of the peninsula where Old Town pokes into the Adriatic, and you’ll find Prešernovo nabrežje, a coast-hugging street that hosts a wealth of Piran’s tastiest restaurants.

Explore the earth on a day trip to Škocjan Caves

Spending at least three days in Piran provides a chance to grab a day trip or two. Of all the Piran day trips, one of the most satisfying might be Škocjan Caves. Although you could also visit as a day trip from Ljubljana, attacking them from Piran will save you a little time.

Thanks to their uniqueness, Skocjan Caves was protected by UNESCO in 1986 as an important natural world heritage. The cave system features one of the world’s largest underground canyons and its own distinct ecosystem.

Marvel at Postojna Cave

Like nearby Skocjan Caves, you shouldn’t miss out on the marvelous Postojna Cave while you’re visiting Piran! This karst cave system, stretching a staggering 24,340 meters, is the second-longest of its kind in the world and one of the top tourist destinations in Slovenia.

Although it’s a little more touristy than UNESCO-listed Skocjan Caves, Postojna Cave is perhaps the more visually impressive of the two, thanks to its eerie stalagmite & stalactite rock formations.

Get medieval at Predjama Castle

Even if you think that you’ve seen all the castles you could handle in Europe, be sure to carve out time in your Slovenia trip itinerary for Predjama Castle. Although the site dates back to the 13th century, the current Renaissance castle dates back to 1570 during Austrian rule.

Predjama Castle is famous for its dramatic setting; it’s carved into the side of a karst cliff to give it a look unlike any other castle in the region. From its exploring dungeon & cellars to the hidden passageways connecting to the outside world, visiting Predjama Castle is a must for families and solo travelers alike.

Where to stay in Piran

There’s a good selection of accommodations in Piran. At the height of tourist season, things get busy in the seaside town. You’ll often need to book several months ahead to snag deals and secure a room in the most popular hotels in Piran.

Getting to Piran

By bus: The bus from Ljubljana to Piran costs €12 and takes between 2 and 2.5 hours, depending on traffic.

By train: There’s no train station in Piran. The closest train service is to Koper, 30 minutes away. Unless you’re planning a stopover in Koper, you’re better off taking the bus.

Bled

3 Days

As much as you’ll love visiting Ljubljana, it’s hard to leave Slovenia without a trip to Bled tugging at your heartstrings. You can sort through hundreds of reasons to visit Bled. But you need only one to pull the trigger: Experiencing the transcendent beauty of Lake Bled for yourself.

Bled is one of the most amazing outdoor destinations in Europe and offers some of the prettiest landscapes you’ll find anywhere on the planet.

What to do in Bled

Digging into all the things to do in Bled begins and ends with what you’ll find outdoors. The country has done a superb job of making the Lake Bled area a top adventure destination. The bustling tourism center of Bled acts as the perfect base to explore an area whose crystalline lakes and snow-kissed alpine scenery will no doubt stick with you for a lifetime.

Walk around Lake Bled

After arriving in Bled, the easiest activity for beginners is to grab a view of the turquoise waters of Lake Bled from every possible angle. The 2-kilometer walk around Lake Bled is the perfect place to start.

The walk around Lake Bled is an easy one, sliding along over flat terrain. The most spectacular views are from the southern and eastern shores of Lake Bled, where the towering Julian Alps spill into the panorama, accented by Bled Island and Bled Castle.

Trudge up to Bled Castle

The views over Lake Bled from Bled Castle are among the most majestic you’ll find anywhere in Europe. Getting up there isn’t always easy. But burn out those calf muscles to reveal a sweeping panorama over Lake Bled that will knock your socks off.

After soaking in some views, stop at the Bled Castle wine cellar to cork your own bottle of souvenir Slovenian wine with the resident monk sommelier.

Explore the depths of Vintgar Gorge or the beauty of Lake Bohinj

Extending your stay in Bled opens up an array of day-tripping opportunities. A mere one-hour walk (or a 10-minute drive) will get you to Vintgar Gorge, one of Slovenia’s most popular outdoor destinations. Trek your way through the 1.6-kilometer Vintgar Gorge along wooden bridges and paths that hover above the Radovna River.

Will to go a little further afoot? Slovenia’s second most famous lake, Lake Bohinj, lies on the fringes of Triglav National Park, just 40 minutes from Bled.

A walk around Lake Bohinj clocks in at 12 kilometers, requiring a little more gusto than the comparably zippy walk around Lake Bled.

Unlike Lake Bled, motorized boats are allowed on Lake Bohinj.

Snag your chance to see the lake up close aboard the Bohinj and Zlatorog, the lake’s two sightseeing boats that depart from the lakeside town of Ribčev Laz.

Where to stay in Bled

If there was ever any doubt about Lake Bled’s popularity, simply take a look at the sheer number of hotels & places to stay in Bled.

Like all of the most popular places to visit in Slovenia, Bled books up quickly, requiring a little pre-planning to score a good room.

Unless you have a car, try to stay close to town so that you’re within close walking distance of Bled’s top attractions and restaurants.

Getting to Bled

By bus: The most convenient way to get to Bled is by bus. From most destinations in Slovenia, you’ll need to backtrack to Ljubljana to find your way to Bled. Buses from Ljubljana leave roughly hourly and take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes (or less). A one-way ticket from Ljubljana will set you back about €7.

By train: There are two train stations around Bled: Lesce and Jezero Bled. Neither station is convenient for most travelers as they are located several kilometers away from town. Trains from Ljubljana stop in Lesce, while Jezero Bled serves trains from Jezenice. If you simply must take the train, save cash for a taxi or a bus into town.

More Slovenia itinerary ideas

• Want to dig deeper into the outdoors? Stay longer in Bled, overnight at Lake Bohinj, or add Bovec and the nearby Soca Valley to your itinerary. Whether on the western or eastern edges of Triglav National Park, you’ll be in touch with the spectacular Slovenian outdoors.
• Need some more fun in the sun? Hang out longer on the Istrian Coast. Choose to extend your stay in Piran or try spending time in the tourist-resort retreats of Portorož or Izola.
• A self-proclaimed oenophile? Carve out a day in Ptuj, an ancient town in the heart of Slovenia’s best-known wine-growing region. The Ptuj Wine Cellar is the oldest in the country and offers some of the country’s finest white wines.
• Visiting Slovenia in winter? Pack up your skis and head to the winter sports resort of Kranjska Gora near Triglav National Park.

Things to know before you go to Slovenia

When to go to Slovenia

For its size, Slovenia is surprisingly diverse in its climate. Slovenia sports a typical continental European climate with four distinct seasons. But that’s not quite enough to give you an exact idea of when to visit Slovenia.

This small Central European country has three main climatic zones. In the alpine areas, winters are cold and unpredictable. The coast is a little more pleasant, offering a warmer, more Mediterranean climate that avoids the deep chills of the country’s more northern areas.

The best time to visit Slovenia is May or September. Both of these months fall in the country’s shoulder season. The crowds during these months are much less dense than in the height of the summer tourism high season. The weather is still pleasant, though, and you’ll get plenty of warm days and sunny skies on average.

Do I need travel insurance for Slovenia?

Like any destination, I’d never recommend visiting Slovenia without purchasing a good travel insurance policy. Actually, for Slovenia, it might not be an option for some travelers.

As with all 26 countries in the Schengen area, if you require a tourist visa for Slovenia, you’ll need to show proof of travel insurance with at least €30,000 in medical coverage, including repatriation.

Even if you don’t need to apply for a Schengen visa, it’s a great idea to take out a travel insurance policy with good medical coverage. The quality of medical care in Europe is high, but so are the costs. Should you have an accident and require hospitalization or surgery, the small cost of a travel insurance policy will more than pay for itself.

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Other travel planning resources

• Guidebooks: As much as I rely on technology these days, I rarely travel without print guidebooks as a backup. Lonely Planet Slovenia offers one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date travel guides for the country.
• Phrasebooks: Although there’s not as much of a language barrier in Slovenia as in some other Central European countries, the Lonely Planet Central Europe Phrasebook & Dictionary includes a chapter on Slovene to help you connect deeper with locals.
• Language learning resources: If you want to dive deeper into the Slovene language before your trip, check out Routledge Colloquial Slovene, one of the only English-language Slovene courses still available in print.

Where to visit next

• Croatia: Explore more of the former Yugoslavia with a short jaunt down to Croatia. Follow along with this Croatia itinerary to get the most out of your trip.
• Austria: From Slovenia, it’s a short train ride north into Austria. Start your Austria itinerary off in Graz or Salzburg, the two closest major Austrian cities to the border.
• Italy: On Slovenia’s Istrian Coast, you’re literally steps away from Italy. Continue on from Slovenia to Venice to launch an Italy itinerary in grand style!