The Best Time to Visit Slovenia: A Climate Guide

Backpacking in Slovenia

Slovenia is a dream destination for all nature lovers. From mountains, rivers and waterfalls to beautiful lakes and the Adriatic coast, this small country has a lot to offer. In fact, more than half of the country is covered with forest.

Other places of interest include: the old castles, the capital city of Ljubljana, Lake Bled, and the beach resort of Piran. A holiday here presents you with a number of activities such as, hiking, swimming and even skiing in winter.

Your trip will be made a lot easier when you know the best time to travel. So, if you are looking to find out the best time to visit Slovenia, this climate guide will assist you in picking the perfect time for your trip.

At a Glance:

• Peak Season: June to August
• Off-season: September to May
• Northern Lights: September/ October and February/ March
• Whale Watching: June to September
• Surfing: May to September
• Hiking: April to September

What is the Climate Like in Slovenia?

The climate in Slovenia depends on the region. While the coastal region in the southwest of the country has a Mediterranean climate, the northwest has an Alpine climate. The mainland and the east are characterized by a continental climate. The farther you are from the sea, the more extreme the temperature differences between the seasons are.

Spring and autumn are rather short in Slovenia, while summer is very warm and sunny – even at high altitudes. During winter, it gets quite cold everywhere except for the coastal areas, and rain falls as snow. After winter, the precipitation levels increase, peaking in late spring or early summer. In general, the coastal region experiences the most rain.

Climate in Ljubljana

Climate in Piran

Climate in Bled

Seasonal Climate Guide for Slovenia

Off-season (October to April)

After the summer season, rainfall increases in October. Temperatures are still pleasantly mild, while in November they drop to single-digits. The winter sports begin in December, with a number of world cup competitions. For example, Kranjska Gora is a venue for the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup. Along the northern border of the country are ski resorts where you can ski to your heart’s content.

Winters on the coast are temperate compared to the rest of the country. However, it is occasionally tormented by Bora – a cold and stormy wind. During this time, sunshine is very low. Depending on the region, you can expect one to three hours of sunshine per day.

With the arrival of spring in March, cold temperatures are still common. Though, the snow begins to melt and the duration of sunshine is slowly increasing alongside the rainfall.

Peak Season (May to September)

In May and June, it gets rainy. Depending on the region, the probability of rainfall during this time is between 46% and 68%. As early as May, there can already be maximum temperatures of 20 °C. From June, the bathing season begins – July and August offer the best bathing conditions with a water temperature of 25 °C. Some lakes, such as Lake Bled, heat up and are therefore suitable for swimming. The temperatures drop again from September, but definitely still warm enough to spend some time hiking or visiting any of the impressive castles.

Conclusion: The Best Time to Visit Slovenia

The pleasant travel times in Slovenia coincide with the warm months in Germany. The summer months, from June to September, are perfect for beach lovers. If you want to avoid waves of tourists and enjoy city tours or outdoor activities, then May, June, September and October are the best choice. Autumn may even be preferred for its low rainfall. For winter sports fans, December to March and sometimes April is ideal.

Having taken you through the monthly climate, your best travel time to Slovenia totally depends on the kind of adventure you want. Explore and enjoy!