What to See and Do in Slovenia Before or After Your Walking Holiday

 

A question I commonly get asked is: “Should I extend my stay in Slovenia?” Having spent the best part of two weeks travelling and trekking around Slovenia, the answer is a big YES from me. Slovenia is a pint-sized country that certainly packs a big punch when it comes to beauty and things to do. Getting around is easy, the people are exceptionally friendly and helpful, and you can get from the Alps to the coast within a couple of hours. One of the bonuses of travelling in a smaller country is that exploring different regions doesn’t have to take up half your holiday. Public transport is reliable, and there are some great local and relatively inexpensive transfer companies such as GoOpti and Daytrip. If you’re wondering about the best things to do in Slovenia before or after your walking holiday, these are my top picks.

Spend a few extra days in Ljubljana

The charming capital city of Ljubljana has around 300,000 residents and is compact and extremely walkable. It’s really worth spending an extra one, two or even three days here getting to know the city more intimately. When I visited, its cleanliness stood out immediately. Ljubljana was the first European capital to commit to a zero-waste goal and has established itself as one of Europe’s greenest capitals. The main tourist attraction is Ljubljana Castle, sitting on a hill above the city. The views from the castle are fabulous, and its history is colourful and fascinating. Originally a medieval fortress, its history stretches back centuries. Have a coffee in the grounds, enjoy a meal at the acclaimed restaurant Strelec or simply spend some time exploring. It’s well worth the trip up, and if you’re not up for another hill after your walking holiday, there’s a funicular to take you to the top.

If you’re a foodie, Ljubljana has a huge range of restaurants, from fine dining to street food. If you happen to be in Ljubljana on a Friday between March and October, visit Open Kitchen (*Odprta Kuhna*) at Ljubljana Central Market. Here you can sample an enormous variety of food while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere where locals gather to start their weekend.

Alternatively, join a food walking tour for a deeper insight into Slovenia’s food culture. Ljubljana is also a hub of music, art, culture and theatre. Take a walking tour or simply find a café along the riverfront and watch the world go by. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

Slow down at Lake Bohinj

Lake Bohinj offers a quieter and more relaxed alternative to its famous neighbour, Lake Bled. The small village right on the lake is picture perfect. It’s almost impossible to take a bad photo here. Although the atmosphere is laid-back, there’s plenty for adventure seekers. Take a canoe or SUP out onto the lake, try paragliding or rock climbing, or spend some time walking around the shoreline. A boat also regularly travels from one end of the lake to the other, so you can combine a walk with a relaxing boat ride back. The spectacular Mostnica Gorge is a pleasant walk from Lake Bohinj through picturesque villages and is definitely worth exploring. You’ll feel a world away from everything.

You can also take the panoramic cable car to Vogel, named after the 1923m-high mountain in the south-eastern Julian Alps. The cable car climbs to an altitude of 1535m, where you can enjoy a coffee and the incredible views or walk one of the ski trails, which become hiking trails during the warmer months. For such a small place, you may also be surprised by the quality of the restaurants. Enjoy dinner overlooking the lake or settle into something more casual with local food, craft beer and mountain views. And all this is just over an hour from Ljubljana.

Relax by the sea in Piran

Located right on the Adriatic Sea, the beautiful seaside town of Piran deserves an extra day or two if you have the time. This wonderfully preserved town is the jewel of the Slovenian coast, sitting on a narrow peninsula jutting out into the sea. Backed by coastal hills, it has a rich cultural heritage and a strong Venetian influence that is immediately apparent in its architecture. Take a refreshing dip in the Adriatic, explore the narrow laneways, browse the shops or wander through an art gallery or two. Then finish your day at one of the many seaside restaurants, where you can enjoy fresh seafood, chilled wine and watch the sun set over the water. If you want to venture further, hire a bike or e-bike and explore more of the Slovenian coast, including Koper, Izola and Portorož. Piran makes a wonderful base from which to do it.

Spend more time at Lake Bled

Last, but certainly not least, is Lake Bled. While many travellers visit as part of their journey through Slovenia, it’s worth allowing extra time to explore beyond the famous view. In the middle of the beautiful glacial lake is Bled Island, home to its iconic pilgrimage church, while medieval Bled Castle sits dramatically on a cliff around 130m above the lake, backed by the Karavanke Alps. Take a traditional *pletna* boat trip across the lake or hire a boat and row yourself out to the island. Visit Bled Castle to explore its history and take in the spectacular views from above.

Although the island and castle are Bled’s best-known attractions, there’s plenty more to do.

Visit a local beekeeper, hire a SUP or canoe, take an e-bike ride or, in summer, enjoy a refreshing swim. You can also hike to one of the surrounding viewpoints for that famous bird’s-eye view over the lake.

And, of course, there’s the food.

You’ll find everything from traditional Slovenian dishes including local cheeses, stews and Carniolan sausage to pizzas, steaks and Bled’s iconic cream cake. Slovenian wines and beers from local breweries make the perfect accompaniment after a day exploring. If food is one of the reasons you travel, read more about traditional Slovenian food and Slovenian wine and walking.

Add food and wine to your Slovenia itinerary

Some of the best things to do in Slovenia have nothing to do with ticking off major sights. This is a wonderful country to experience through its food and wine. Slovenia has three wine-growing regions and a food culture shaped by its Alpine, Mediterranean, Karst and Central European influences. Depending on your itinerary, you could add time in wine country, join a food tour, visit local producers or simply make a point of lingering over dinner. If you’re travelling with friends, this is also a lovely way to turn a walking holiday into something more celebratory. Read why Slovenia works so well for a group walking holiday.

So, how many extra days should you spend in Slovenia?

If you can, I’d allow at least two or three extra days around your walking holiday. If you want to explore several different regions, you could very easily justify longer. For a shorter extension, Ljubljana is the obvious choice. Spend an extra night or two exploring the capital without having to rush off. With a little more time, choose somewhere that gives you a contrast to your walk. If you’ve spent your trip in the mountains, head to Piran and the Adriatic. If you want more time surrounded by nature, slow things down at Lake Bohinj. Or simply give yourself longer at Lake Bled rather than treating it as somewhere to pass through.

That’s one of the things I love most about Slovenia. You don’t need enormous distances or complicated logistics to feel as though you’ve experienced somewhere completely different.

More things to do in Slovenia

If your trip is centred around walking, there is plenty more to discover on foot too. From the Julian Alps and Soča Valley to Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj and Slovenia’s wine country, the landscapes are incredibly varied for such a compact destination. Discover the best places, trails and experiences for hiking in Slovenia.

Or explore all our Slovenia walking holidays and start planning your trip with RAW Travel.