Top Things to See
From fairy tale castles sitting atop dragon’s lairs to medieval cities and coastal resorts, Slovenia has an impressive range of things to see within its borders. Its capital Ljubljana is one of the most underrated and charming cities in Europe, offering enough attractions to fill an entire trip. The Adriatic Coast has some gems as well, such as the town of Piran. But the real magic of Slovenia comes from the wealth of natural highlights which balance its manmade wonders. Sparkling lakes, towering mountains and vast underground cave systems offer plenty of distractions if the urban scene starts to wear thin.
 Adriatic Coastline
Another feather in the cap of Slovenia is its lovely coast along the Adriatic Sea. Beach towns along this coast range from Italian flavoured Koper with its medieval architecture to Piran, which is often compared to Venice. Visitors will find the best beach at Fiesa thanks to its restriction on boats, its soft sand and great views of Miramare Castle in Italian Trieste. Most towns along the Adriatic are well-connected to the capital Ljubljana.
 Julian Alps
The northwest corner of Slovenia is the home of the Julian Alps, a scenic mountain range punctuated by stark white limestone peaks, narrow valleys and blue lakes. Whatever the season, the Julian Alps provide plenty of outstanding sights and activities, especially Slovenia’s highest peak Mount Triglav. Triglav National Park protects the entire area and offers great hiking and amazing scenery. A summer drive over Vrsic Pass from Bovec to Kranjska Gora rewards you with some of the best alpine views in Europe, while Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj are centres of fun and recreation.
 Ljubljana
Slovenia’s capital is the most charming town in the country, and well worth a few days of exploration. Spread out around its hilltop castle, replete with dragon-embossed flags, there’s a tangible sense of history here. The medieval Old Town is particularly impressive and well-preserved. Ljubljana has been a cultural centre for centuries, and its lively university scene helps keep the city fresh and exciting. Plenty of trees, parks and the placid Ljubljanica River flowing through its heart make Ljubljana a real gem. Best of all, it’s still off the tourist route so you can enjoy its pleasant streets, cafés and museums in relative peace.
Ljubljana Castle (Ljubljanski Grad)
It’s hard to miss the imposing presence of Ljubljana Castle watching over the capital spread out beneath it. The castle supposedly sits over the cave where St George killed the legendary dragon, and it certainly bears all the hallmarks of a classic medieval fortress. Visitors can ride the funicular car up to the castle or walk the street route. From the ramparts and towers there are sweeping views over Ljubljana. A café provides refreshments and the large courtyard is often hosting a special cultural event. Phone: +386 1 232 9994.
 Maribor
Slovenia’s second largest city is the capital of the northeast region of the country. This charming medieval city is situated at the confluence of five natural regions along the placid Drava River. The surrounding countryside, with its traditional fields and vineyards, is the gateway to the impressive Pohorje mountain range. Aside from the town, which is worth a couple days of exploration, this is a major recreational area as well as one of Slovenia’s most famous wine regions.
Piran
There is some lovely coastline in Slovenia which provides a pleasant alternative to the chilly mountains and rolling interior of the country. Among the many quaint fishing towns, Piran is arguably the nicest. Rising above the sea, enclosed within its 500 year-old fortified walls, Piran is a maze of cobblestone lanes, lively squares and wonderful architecture. Within walking distance is the modern party town of Portoroz. A favourite among the chic crowd, Portoroz has the action while Piran has the tranquility and style.
 Skocjan Caves
These awe-inspiring caverns are truly massive, and clearly deserve their UNESCO World Heritage status. The main attraction at ·kocjan is the incredibly deep underground chasm which visitors cross on an exhilarating little footbridge. Completely devoid of commercialism, visitors move through the 3km network of caverns with a genuine sense of being deep underground. Highlights include the hushed roar of Murmuring Cave, the absolute silence of Silent Cave and some of the most dramatic drop-offs and towering galleries of any cave system on earth. Visitors can take a two-hour walking tour which ends with a funicular ride back to the entrance. Phone: +386 5 708 2100; website: www.park-skocjanske-jame.si/eng.
Top Things to Do
 Drive through an ancient Roman town on the way to Slovenia’s untapped wine region, the Jerusalem Valley. Like many European countries, Slovenia has a small but reputable wine industry. Renting a car and touring the Jerusalem Wine Road makes a great excursion. Start at the charming medieval town of Maribor, then drive through some of Slovenia’s nicest countryside to the Roman city of Ptuj, which is worth a couple hours exploration. While stopping off at the wineries for a taste, keep in mind that many of them offer lodging and a traditional farm dinner should you want to linger longer.
 Earn your views by making the 15-minute trek up the hill to the cliffside Bled Castle. With the Julian Alps and Mount Triglav looming right in your face, Bled Castle offers the best views possible over the lake and valley. Built in 1004, this impressive fortification is the most popular of Lake Bled’s many attractions. Perhaps not as mysterious or romantic as some of Slovenia’s more remote castles, it is still worth climbing the trails (or driving on the road) to the top. Its museum is rather dull, but it’s really the views from the ramparts that make it worth the effort.
Get an intimate experience with the Radovna River by dropping into the Vintgar Gorge. Just to the north of Bled is one of the greatest natural attractions in Slovenia, the mile-long Vintgar Gorge. It was opened in the 19th century, and visitors use the original bridges and walkways to get right next to the crushing rapids and churning waterfalls that pound the gorge. The raw power of the river pushing its way through the narrow canyon is a really impressive sight, and there are few other places around that can get you so close to the action.
If it’s a Saturday, rent a boat and row out to Bled Island in the middle of Lake Bled for a real surprise.Lake Bled is one of Slovenia’s most popular travel destinations for many reasons. At the heart of this lake lies a tiny speck of land with a picturesque little building called the Church of the Assumption. Saturdays are the best day to visit this island as Slovene couples come from all over the country to get married at the church. Entertainment abounds as the groom must carry his bride up the 99 steps to the church. It’s all good fun, and of course, the scenery is simply magical.
Immerse yourself in the fairytale environment that surrounds Lake Bled. This turquoise body of water surrounded by dramatic mountains and comes complete with a picturesque church on a tiny island and an imposing castle perched atop a neighbouring cliff. Lake Bled has emerged as one of Europe’s hottest travel destinations for good reason. It offers incredible scenery with fashionable resorts and plenty of creature comforts. Summers find the lake crawling with people boating, swimming and enjoying the frequent festivals. In winter it’s just as spectacular, offering a frozen white wonderland that’s breathlessly serene.
 Penetrate the depths of the earth in Postojna Cave, a vast system of underground caverns, rivers and limestone formations. Part of Slovenia’s vast karst region, Postojna Cave offers visitors a superlative subterranean experience. Chambers dripping with stalactites and stalagmites, large tunnels, hidden lakes, underground rivers and strange creatures await adventurous travelers. The largest cavern system in Slovenia contains 20kms of rooms connected by passageways, making it the equivalent of Disneyland in the underworld. Just an hour’s train ride from the coast, Postojna is a very popular tourist attraction but still worth dealing with the crowds to experience its grandeur.
Take the cable car to the top of Mount Vogel for panoramic views over Slovenia’s largest lake, Bohinj. Measuring more than four kilometres long, Lake Bohinj has been remarkably undeveloped due to its location within Triglav National Park. There are several natural highlights around the lake well worth exploring, as well as excellent walking trails around the shore. Slovenia’s most famous waterfall, Savica Falls, is within a short hike. Visitors can also take the cable car to the top of Mount Vogel for panoramic views or check out the Church of St John’s beautiful frescoes at the head of the lake. There’s plenty to do at this peaceful alternative to busy Lake Bled, and the tiny lakeside villages provide lodging and food.
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