Ljubljana
There is a lot to discover in Ljubljana, from imposing buildings, museums, and parks to fantastic bars, clubs, restaurants, and cafés. The city is the perfect introduction to Slovenia, plus, it’s diverse and yet very affordable!
Ljubljana has a population of about 288,000 people and is the country’s center. According to some locals, the name “Ljubljana” comes from the Slovenian word “ljubljena”, which means “beloved city”. We’re sure that you’ll end up loving this capital too!
The old town of Ljubljana is beautiful, and you should visit the stone arch bridge Tromostovje, as it’s the city’s symbol. The main building of Ljubljana’s university is also very impressive. The capital is home to about 60,000 students, so be prepared for its vibrant nightlife.
If you need a break, why not visit the university’s Botanic Gardens or Tivoli Park? The latter is Ljubljana’s largest and most charming park and reaches all the way to the city center. It opened in 1813 and covers an area of about 5 km2.
You have the choice between a few hostels in Ljubljana, although a night in a 6-bed dorm will be around €20 in any of them.
Postojna
It’s about €5 to get to your next stop, Postojna, by bus. The town is located in the southwest of Slovenia, towards the Adriatic coast, and has about 8,500 inhabitants.
Nearby, you’ll find the Postojna Cave Park, the second-largest accessible cave system in the world. Its underground passages, galleries, and halls span over 24 km. Most of the cave was discovered more than 200 years ago. The Postojna Cave is open all year round, so you’ll always have plenty of time to explore it!
Not far from the caves, you can also visit Predjama Castle. It dates back to the Middle Ages, making it more than 800 years old.
You can stay in one of the nearby youth hostels, where a bed in a 3-bed dorm will cost you around €18.
Piran
After spending some time underground, your next stop will take you directly to the Adriatic Coast. The bus to Piran costs only about €8. Accommodation here is also pretty affordable, with a night in a 6-person dorm being only around €26.
Piran is a fascinating city! It was once part of the Venetian Empire, and this legacy is still visible in the city’s beautiful architecture. The city’s location on the coast means you’ll also have plenty of opportunities to go swimming, so don’t forget your swimwear!
In addition, Piran has many great cafés and offers fantastic views, which you can enjoy from the former city walls.
Overall, Piran is pretty small and its alleys are all very narrow, so you can explore the town on foot without getting too exhausted. Although you can walk through the whole place in half an hour, we highly recommend taking as much time as you can to see the sights, because there is just so much to discover here!
Bovec
The easiest way to get to Bovec is by bus, which costs around €20. The town is located at an altitude of 460 m, and it’s near the Italian border in the Julian Alps. Bovec is the capital of a municipality with same name, and it’s home to about 3,200 people.
Here, you’re surrounded by a beautiful landscape. Take the opportunity to explore the two waterfalls Boka and Virje, both of which are absolutely spectacular.
You also have the opportunity to refresh yourself in Bovec, as the nearby Gorejca stream has been dammed up, creating a small swimming pool. Slovenia's largest mountain lake, Lake Krn, is also not far from Bovec . Its stunning beauty makes the hike up here definitely worth it!
If you have time left in Bovec, we also highly recommend visiting the Kluže Fortress and Fort Hermann, dating from the 15th and 19th century respectively.
During your time in Bovec, you can stay in one of the local hostels. You can get a bed in a 6-bed dorm for about €19 per night.
Vršič Pass
Your next stop is in Vršič. The bus ticket from Bovec is only around €4.
Vršič is a mountain pass, but not just any pass – with 1,611 m, it’s the highest one in all of Slovenia. It connects the town of Kranjska Gora with the village of Trenta.
You just can't get enough of the Slovenian nature? Don’t worry, the scenery around the Vršič pass is incredibly beautiful, and there’s a lot for you to discover here.
In addition, the Vršič pass is the ideal starting point for hiking tours through the Julian Alps. For example, it’s part of the famous Alpe-Adria-Trail, a 750 km-long hiking trail that partially runs through Slovenia.
To recover from all the walking, choose one of the nearby hostels. A double room costs usually around €48 per night there.
Lake Bled
The final stop on your trip through Slovenia is Lake Bled, which lies at an altitude of 475 m above sea level.
You can try out a range of activities here, depending on the season. In winter, the mountains surrounding the lake are ideal for skiing, while in summer you can go swimming or diving in the lake itself. If you prefer something a little more challenging, you can also try out rafting or parachuting here.
Of course, Lake Bled is also a great place to just relax and reflect on the past few days. Why not walk around the lake and enjoy the green surroundings? Alternatively, you could also visit Bled Castle and the adjoining museum, which lie 140 m above the lake and offer a fantastic view.
Finally, the small island of Blejski Otok in the middle of the lake is also worth a visit. Take the chance to explore its famous church and the excavation site, where artifacts from the early and high Middle Ages are unearthed. We recommend taking one of the traditional wooden boats to cross over to the island, as this makes the whole experience even more special.
As you can see, there really is something for everyone at Lake Bled, and we’re sure you’ll have a great time here. Spend your final few nights in Slovenia in one of the hostels on the shore of the lake. A night in a 12-bed dorm is usually around €20 here.