This article is a guest post from my friend Noah! He spent a month traveling in Europe with some friends and will be highlighting the beautiful Slovenia in this article. Continue reading for Noah’s guide on how to spend 3 adventurous days in Slovenia.
When planning a European adventure, the small nation of Slovenia is often an afterthought. Nestled between Italy and Croatia and bordering the northern Adriatic Sea, Slovenia boasts stunning mountains, beautiful beaches, rolling plains, and charming cities, all contained in an area smaller than the state of New Jersey. This country is often referred to as the gateway between western and eastern Europe, and it certainly lives up to that reputation. With manageable prices and exceptional transportation, I highly recommend adding this hidden gem to your itinerary!
You could easily spend a week in Slovenia and not be bored for a minute. I visited Slovenia for three days and three nights in the Summer of 2024. I think this is the perfect amount of time to spend in this country, with ample opportunities to explore everything Slovenia has to offer without feeling rushed. Enjoy this three-day travel itinerary on how to maximize your time in Slovenia, including must-try dishes and plenty of activities!
Contents:
- Day One: Get to Know Ljubljana
- Day Two: Visit the Adriatic Sea
- Day Three: Soar Above the Alps
- The People of Slovenia
- Important Links
Day One: Get to Know Ljubljana
Arriving in Slovenia
There are a couple options for getting to Slovenia, and most will take you to the capital and largest city of Ljubljana. Pronounced ‘Loo-Blah-Nah,’ this city is central to all the locations you’ll want to see across the country, and offers plenty of options for accommodations, restaurants, and other activities. Flying into Ljubljana is easy, as plenty of European cities offer direct flights to the airport, including Frankfurt, London, Munich, or Paris. You can also fly into Venice, Italy or Zagreb, Croatia if you can find cheaper airfare, and it will only take roughly two hours by bus or car to reach Ljubljana.
Another easy option is taking a train into Slovenia. This is what my group did, and we traveled overnight from Zurich to Ljubljana through Nightjet. The Ljubljana train station drops you off right in the heart of the city, which is very convenient. If you do take a night train, I do recommend not cutting costs on the cabin or seat you choose. You will sleep much better if you pay a couple extra bucks on a reclining chair or a cot, and you will be able to go into your Slovenian adventure refreshed and energized!
During my trip, we decided to rent a car when we arrived in Ljubljana, and that may have been the best decision we made. Slovenia is small enough to reach any corner of the country in no more than three hours, and their road infrastructure is top-notch. Renting a car was easy, and both the airport and train station have various car rental agencies to choose from, including AVIS, Sixt, and Enterprise. Slovenia has an extensive bus system that can get you anywhere you want to go, but having the freedom of a vehicle allows you to experience Slovenia on your own terms. If you’re only staying for three days, this is the right way to go! We chose Sixt for our car and had a great experience.
Exploring Ljubljana, the City of Dragons
Ljubljana has plenty of great hotel and hostel options, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. My recommendation would be to find a place to stay as close to the Ljubljanica River as possible. This area is within walking distance from the train station but also the cultural and historical hub of the city, with countless quaint riverside eateries and historical monuments. I stayed right next to the Zmajski Most, at Most Hostel. Zmajski Most, or the Dragon Bridge, has two mint-green dragon statues guarding the entrance. This is where we learned that Ljubljana is nicknamed the “City of Dragons,” and you will notice that almost everything in the city is dragon-themed.
Once you are settled in, take the rest of day one to get to know Ljubljana. You’ll immediately notice the massive castle that extends high into the air around the river. This is the Ljubljanski grad, also known as Ljubljana Castle. You can take a short ride on the funicular, which is a type of cable car, to the castle itself, where you can learn about Slovenian history and gaze out at the vast cityscape. You can also take some time to walk around Tivoli Park or weave your way through the intricate cobblestone streets. If you are visiting with your significant other, swing by a shop and buy a padlock to bring to the Mesarski most, a bridge filled with “love padlocks” that don the initials of lovers who made the trip to Slovenia.
The Flavors of Slovenia
It’s not often you’ll hear your friends talk about the cool new Slovenian food joint around the corner. You likely aren’t familiar with Slovenian food, but I can assure you it is some of the best, and most underrated, in all of Europe.
For breakfast, try burek, an Eastern European classic. Burek is a thin, flaky pastry that can come with a variety of fillings, such as meat, vegetables, or potatoes. We popped into a corner cafe by the Ljubljanica, and I was blown away by how delicious these pastries were, and they are also ridiculously cheap.
Slovenian cuisine consists of a lot of beef, pork, and potatoes, but incorporates various unique flavors as well. These dishes are often paired with a truffle sauce, or even pesto, a clear influence from their Italian neighbors. They are also big on stews, where you can find both meat and vegetable iterations. You can also snack on štruklji, which is similar to burek but much smaller and often incorporates spinach and various cheeses.
Day Two: Visit the Adriatic Sea
Scenic Drive to the Coast
On day two, it’s time to take advantage of Slovenia’s intimate size and take a day trip to the coast. Slovenia has a mere 29 miles of coastline, but it’s a beautiful contrast to the mountainous and jagged land that makes up the majority of the country. It takes an hour and a half to reach the sea, and within an hour you’ll begin to smell salt in the air and catch glimpses of the hills rolling down towards the water.
Unique Beachside Towns
When you reach the ocean, you’ll find there are three primary towns on the coast to explore. Each one is vibrant and charming in its own way, and they are close enough together that you will have time to explore all three!
Koper: The Historical Hub
The town of Koper is the largest city on the Slovenian coast, which allows it to be full of history and a valuable economic center for the country. It has a very large Italian influence, and is very close to the Italian town of Trieste, as well as having close historical ties to Venice. When visiting Koper, you’ll want to visit the Praetorian Palace, a magnificent landmark located on the notable Tito square. You’ll find other palaces, churches and cathedrals to explore as you get to know Koper, as well as plenty of parking!
Izola: Seaside Cuisine
Just south of Koper, you will find the hidden gem of Izola. This is one of the least visited towns in the area, but it’s gaining popularity quickly. You can find some of the best seafood in the Mediterranean here, as it’s a large fishing hub. Take some time to eat fresh fish or other seafood, as well as try locally made wine and olive oil. Before you go, spend some time walking on the marina or bathing in the sun on the golden beaches.
Piran: A Picturesque Must-See
Finally, you need to spend some time in Piran. This town is straight out of a postcard, and extends on a small peninsula into the sea, allowing for oceanside views from almost anywhere. The Italian influence is clear, and it resembles a city you’d find in Cinque Terre. Enjoy shopping around at the various markets or dining by the water, and wander up the bell tower to get the best view in Slovenia. The beaches are abundant and the water is crystal clear, so make sure you give yourself ample time to spend in Piran.
If you’d like to get even more adventurous, you can cross the border into Italy and visit Trieste or into Croatia onto the Istria Peninsula (just make sure you let the car rental company know you’ll be crossing borders ahead of time!). No matter what you choose, the journey out west to the Slovenian coastline is essential for any trip.
Day Three: Soar Above the Alps
Head Towards the Mountains
Mountains are always surrounding you in Slovenia, but on day three, it’s time to get up close and personal. Slovenia’s jagged peaks are a part of the southeastern portion of the Alps mountain range, which are called the Julijske Alpe, or the Julian Alps. You absolutely need to visit these mountains up close, as winding roads lead to small mountain villages and vast lakes and rivers.
You’ll drive north out of Ljubljana, and soon after you’ll begin your ascent to the higher elevations. The roads are definitely windy, but they are very well-maintained, and you will always be within reach of convenience stores, gas stations, or small neighborhoods and communities.
Earn Your Wings: Skydiving in Slovenia
Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or a first-time jumper, you should make a plan to skydive while in Slovenia. There are very few places on Earth that offer more stunning views than high above the Julian Alps, and the small town of Bovec is often ranked one of the top skydiving destinations in the world. Make sure to plan your jump date in advance, but if you are interested, this is a spectacular activity. I recommend Skydive Bovec for the best skydive experience!
Bovec lies about two and a half hours north of Ljubljana, so make sure to leave early enough to get to the jump site with time to spare. Once you arrive, the friendly folks at the jump site will check you in and guide you through what to expect and how to prepare. You’ll be surrounded by exhilarated jumpers and experienced guides, all so excited to share this experience with you.
When your name is called, you’ll load up in the plane and head for the skies. My tandem jump partner put my nerves at ease, cracking jokes and encouraging me to enjoy the view. The skyline was mesmerizing; the high mountain peaks go for hundreds of miles, and I noticed a sky-blue river piercing and weaving below. My partner also pointed out the exact peak where Slovenia ends and Italy begins. Before you know it, you move towards the open door of the plane, and whoooosh… you’re free-falling, weightless above the clouds. Bovec lives up to the hype, and skydiving in the Alps is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Check Out Lake Bled
When thinking of Slovenia, many will picture the scenic Lake Bled. This lake is close to the Austrian border and deep in the mountains, but is absolutely stunning and worth a trip. You can reach Lake Bled on the return trip from Bovec, so whether you want to swing by and get a glimpse or spend a day hiking, you will not regret it.
Blejski grad, or Bled Castle, overlooks the lake from a nearby hillside and offers the best view of the water as well as stunning architecture from the eleventh century. If the weather is nice, head into the town of Bled and take a boat out to Blejski Otok, an island in the middle of the lake with a church and a cafe. It’s a great spot to relax and get a bite to eat before journeying back to Ljubljana.
The People of Slovenia
I quickly realized during my trip that the best part of visiting Slovenia is the people. Everyone is incredibly friendly and welcoming, and they are so excited for you to experience their home and their culture. We met a woman working at a cafe outside our hostel who was so excited to recommend her favorite dish and was delighted when we visited her again the next day. We stumbled into a local restaurant, presuming it was closed, but were welcomed by the owners and received the best meal I had during my trip. We talked to a shopkeeper who was delighted that I was a fan of Luka Doncic, the Slovenian superstar for the Lakers and Ljubljana native, and gave me a free postcard to remember him by.
Whether you head home or continue to a new destination after your trip to Slovenia, you will be left with unforgettable memories and a deep sense of connection to Slovenia and its people.
If you’re looking for other adventurous destinations, check out another Maddie Around the World guest post, “You Need to Visit These 4 Adventurous Destinations in Brazil.”
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