Best Things to Do in Slovenia

Slovenia is one of Europe’s most underrated destinations, with everything from snow-capped mountains, sapphire lakes, and turquoise rivers to breathtaking coastline and historic landmarks. Natural beauty is discovered at nearly every turn along with opportunities for recreational activities like hiking, rafting, kayaking, and skiing that will immerse you within it. 

As you start planning, you’ll find a nearly overwhelming number of things to see and do in Slovenia, from exploring fairytale-like medieval towns to adventurous pursuits. To help you narrow it down, when it comes to the very best, you’ll want to be sure and put these options on your list.

This famous lake is renowned for its little island that sits in the middle, topped by Our Lady of the Lake Church and backed by the peaks of the Julian Alps. Rent a small boat and row out to the island and afterward enjoy a breathtaking view over the water from the cliffside of Bled Castle.

Vintgar Gorge, carved by the Radovna River, is just northwest of Bled and is one of the most popular attractions in Slovenia. A nature walk will allow you to soak up its enchanting beauty as it makes its way through vertical rocks, bringing views of spectacular waterfalls, rapids, and pools.

Standing on Castle Hill for some 900 years, Ljubljana Castle is the top attraction in the Slovenian capital. From the Outlook Tower, one can take in some of the most picturesque views of the city. There’s also a museum with an exhibition on the country’s history, a puppet museum, and historical rooms to explore.

Slovenia’s only national park, Mount Triglav is the star of the show, soaring to nearly 9,400 feet in the northwest. Visitors can also enjoy alpine meadows, forests, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, gorges, caves, and canyons. The Vrsic mountain pass is a top spot for beauty, a storied road climbing past numerous points of interest.

The Julian Alps encompass multiple attractions, including Lake Bled, Vintgar Gorge, and Mount Triglav, the symbol of the nation. This nature sanctuary is where you’ll want to go to gaze at the country’s most magnificent beauty which also includes the less-visited Lake Bohinj and the emerald-green waters of the River Soca.

The Soca Valley is home to one of Europe’s most beautiful rivers, the River Soca. Renowned for rafting, kayaking, and fly fishing, it flows through narrow rocky gorges, with pools and waterfalls along the way. It’s inhabited by the marble trout, the Adriatic’s only indigenous trout species, attracting fishermen from across the globe.

Built in Renaissance-style which hides its gothic façade, Predjama sits within the mouth of a cave about midway up an over 400-foot-high cliff. It’s Europe’s only completed cave castle, standing there for more than 800 years and listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest of its kind.

Touring the Skocjan Caves, a remarkable cave system carved by the Reka River is a must. It includes the Silent Cave, part of an underground canyon with its first section, aptly named Paradise, packed with stalagmites, stalactites, and flowstones that look like snowdrifts. Ending at the Great Hall, you’ll see exotic dripstones too.