26 Things to do in Slovenia (that aren’t Ljubljana and Bled)

There are so many cool things to do Slovenia has to offer.

For such a small country, there are plenty of things to do in Slovenia to keep you entertained for a week or more.

Most people dash through the ever-popular Lake Bled and Ljubljana when they visit Slovenia but I say check out the more unusual things to do in Slovenia; break the mould and stay a bit longer.

If you’re wondering where to visit in Slovenia, here are things to do in Slovenia that are a bit different from the usual.

You won’t find Lake Bled or Ljubljana (one of the super-popular cities in Slovenia) as the main features in this list of the top things to do in Slovenia since everyone mentions them, and I’m sure they’re on your list already.

The best things to do in Slovenia (that aren’t Ljubljana and Lake Bled!)

Visit the Soca Valley

Just a few hours’ drive from Ljubljana is Soca Valley: an outstandingly beautiful area and a Slovenia must see.

It’s one of many beautiful places in Slovenia thanks to the emerald green Soca River to the hills and forest.

The Soča River starts in the Julian Alps and makes it way through Western Slovenia before ending in the Adriatic Sea.

There’s plenty of adventure to be found when exploring Slovenia’s Soca Valley and you should absolutely check out the Soca Valley when looking at Slovenia places to visit.

From the beautiful turquoise waters to the opportunities for adventure like wild swimming, kayaking, white water rafting, and hiking, if you’re an active traveler you simply HAVE to visit since it’s full of so many fun things to do in Slovenia.

Go hiking in Triglav National Park

If you’re looking for things to do in Julian Alps of Slovenia then look no further than Triglav National Park. This National Park of Slovenia is absolutely stunning and one of the most beautiful places in Slovenia as a whole.

Think turquoise waters, mountains, and cute little lodges.

You’ll love it here, make sure it’s on your list of what to do in Slovenia.

If you’ve seen any Slovenia pictures then chances are you’ve seen one from this beautiful Slovenia National Park since it’s always going to feature in a Slovenia top 10 list.

AllTrails is my go-to hiking app for finding, planning, and navigating while I’m out on the trails. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you can be confident you’re still on the right track, even without mobile signal.

Visit the Postojna Caves

The Postojna Caves are right near the Predjama Castle (see below) and are one of the best places to visit in Slovenia.

The caves are a super interesting mix of nature, history, and, actually, architecture too.

You can get to these caves easily as a day trip from Ljubljana too which makes them a top Slovenia thing to do if you’re based in the capital city.

Postojna Cave is known for the super impressive stalactites and stalagmites, and their most well-known one is ‘Brilliant’, a 16-foot tall, brilliantly white stalagmite. The cave is pretty touristy, it has to be said, as it’s got its own underground railway but that does make it extra fun if you’re visiting with kids. You can also see mysterious olms or ‘baby dragons’, blind aquatic salamanders.

Visit Predjama Castle

Predjama Castle is the world’s largest cave castle and is a fairy-tale-like structure.

It seems to be seamlessly integrated into a cliff face in the village of Predjama and you can easily combine a visit here with a trip to the Postojna or Škocjan Caves since they’re all relatively close by to each other.

This castle in Slovenia dates back to the late 13th century and was once the stronghold of a Slovenian robber baron!

Check out the Skocjan Caves

The Škocjan Caves are one of the coolest UNESCO World Heritage sites in Slovenia.

These caves are in the country’s Karst region and you’ll get the chance to have a subterranean adventure when you visit.

As with most caves, these are formed by a river and it goes to show the true power of water!

These caves were formed by the Reka River and there are two main caverns: the Silent Cave, with stalactites and stalagmites, and the Murmuring Cave, where the river roars through an enormous underground canyon!

Visit Tolmin Gorge Triglav National Park

In the southernmost section of Triglav National Park is Tolmin Gorge, an absolutely stunning gorge that was carved out by the Slovenian river.

While Vintgar Gorge gets most of the attention, Tolmin Gorge isn’t any less pretty or worthy of visiting. In fact, I think it’s got even more selling points!

For one, you’re in the beautiful Triglav National Park with plenty of things to see and do and secondly, there are so many cool spots around the gorge itself to check out.

Wander through moss-covered canyons and across suspension bridges as you discover this beautiful part of Slovenia.

Eat Soca trout

Head to the village of Plave in Soca Valley and eat at Gostilna Pri Mostu or Gostilna Dermota to try the freshest trout from the Soca River just outside both restaurants.

There are many different toppings to add to your trout including; bacon, parsley, and cheese – go wild! If you want to try the best of Slovenia food then try this! 

Ride the Vogel Cable Car

For awesome views of the Julian Alps, the Vogel Cable Car, which goes up from Lake Bohinj, is a must-do in Slovenia.

At the upper station, you’ll get an incredible panoramic view of Lake Bohinj, and for the adventurous, further chairlifts and hiking trails further up to the higher mountains.

OR, Go skiing in Vogel

In the winter Vogel is one of Slovenia’s top destinations for a skiing holiday.

There’s quite a wide array of slopes and tracks for skiing and snowboarding and the surroundings are just so pretty!

Do the 7 Lakes hike

The Seven Lakes Hike is a great hiking trail in Slovenia where you’ll get to see some of the most incredible scenery.

As given away by the name of this hike in Slovenia, you’ll pass by 7 incredible lakes. The trail is aroudn 12 km long so you should allow at least 3 hours for it, and ideally longer since there’s a hefty 1500 m ascent too!

Honestly, though, it’s so worth the effort! You’ll go through beautiful mountain meadows and forests as well as see the lakes.

Explore Maribor

Maribor is often overlooked by people visiting Slovenia, and so it’s something of a hidden gem in Slovenia.

This town is a great place for skiing in Slovenia in winter and, come spring, there’s the lively Kurent Carnival. During summer the streets come alive with musicians and performers and in Autumn you can attend the vineyard harvest!

Head to Kranjska Gora

Kranjska Gora is a beautiful resort town that sits at the entrance to Triglav National Park and the Julian Alps.

It’s best known as being a hub for winter sports, but even if you don’t plan on skiing, it’s definitely still worth visiting.

This town has stunning mountain views whatever the season and there’s a cool Gothic-style church.

Visit Lake Jasna

Sure, you’ve heard of Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, but perhaps you haven’t come across this one.

Lake Jasna, near Kranjska Gora in northwest Slovenia, is another beautiful lake in Slovenia.

While these aren’t completely natural, these two artificial lakes are at the confluence of two streams are then there’s the beautiful mountain backdrop too.

Take the Most na Soci car train

We love this and would recommend it if you’re looking for Slovenia things to do. In fact, you should jump at the opportunity to try this unique form of transport from Most na Soci to Lake Bohinj.

Whether by car or on foot, you can board this train as it hurtles through the valley and tunnels and takes you to some great places to visit in Slovenia.

See Slap Savica Waterfall

This iconic A-shaped waterfall in Triglav National Park is amazing and well worth visiting.

Dropping 256 feet into a beautiful green pool, this waterfall emerges from an underground cave, adding a mystical touch to its already stunning appearance.

Though you can’t swim in Savica waterfall, it’s definitely still worth visiting.

The journey to get to the falls involves a forested walk with over 500 steps. There’s also a great view over Lake Bohinj along the way.

Explore Vintgar Gorge

Found near Lake Bled, Vintgar Gorge is a magical and beautiful place to visit in Slovenia.

You’ll walk along 1.6 km of wooden boardwalks that wind along the Radovna River, creating an enchanting landscape.

The river rushes through the gorge and there are rapids and waterfalls too.

It’s a popular spot to see in Slovenia so it does get busy, but if you’re already visiting Bled then it’s definitely worth adding to your Slovenia itinerary.

Take a SUP trip

Want to do some Slovenia sightseeing with a difference? Bananaway runs SUP (standup paddleboarding) trips that take you to some of the best places in Slovenia.

Opt for the SUP adventures in Most na Soci for a chance to glide over the emerald green waters and take in some of Slovenia’s top attractions from the water.

Did I embarrassingly fall in the canal while paddleboarding and have an old woman take photos of me? Yes. Yes, I did.

Did I still have fun? Absolutely!

This is one of the best things to do Slovenia has to offer, even if you do fall in!

Spot bears in Slovenia

Did you know Slovenia has bears? I didn’t until my visit to Slovenia!

Having spent over 6 years living in Canada I LOVE seeing bears. Yeah, I know you don’t want to be super close to them, but I’m obsessed.

The bears in Slovenia can be found roaming freely in areas like Lož Valley Triglav National Park, and the Pokljuka plateau. The Lower Bohinj Mountains and the Trenta Valley are also popular for bear sightings.

Always remember to keep your distance, and never try and feed the bears.

Find the best (hidden) beach in Slovenia

In the southwestern corner of Slovenia, you can find the beautiful beaches of Strunjan and Moon Bay.

These beaches aren’t well known by most visitors to the country so you can usually get a nice and peaceful experience.

Moon Bay is my favorite and has cliffs and pebbly shores as well as loads of rock pools which can keep me entertained for hours.

Visit Piran on the Adriatic Sea

Piran is a cute town on the coastline of Slovenia overlooking the Adriatic Sea.

It’s a colorful place with loads of history and culture, medieval walls, and a great seafood scene so be sure to try some during your visit!

Tartini Square, the heart of the town is worth visiting, as is the port.

If you have time, book a night in a hotel in Piran as that way you get to witness the beautiful sunsets and/or sunrises that happen here!

Visit the wine region

Who knew Slovenia was such a big wine producer? If you’re looking for more unusual things for your list of what to see in Slovenia then check out the Slovenian vineyard region.  These vineyards have fast become one of the top Slovenia attractions.

Around 80 million litres of wine are made in Slovenia annually from about 22,300 hectares of vineyards. Stroll through some of the vineyards and drink the wines on a winery tour in Goriška Brda.

If you love wine then this will be at the top of your ‘Slovenia best places to visit’ list.

Check out Pečno park

This privately owned, magical park, is open to the public to explore but it’s a great addition if you’re wondering what to visit in Slovenia.

Pecno Park is full of tiny sculptures and art as well as a little hut in which you can pick up a new book to read during the afternoon. It might not be one of the particularly well known Slovenia tourist attractions but it’s a great one.

Stop and grab a handful of bird seeds for the bird houses further up into the park – they deserve a treat!

Visit Lake Bohinj

While Lake Bled is surely a must do Slovenia item, I’d argue Lake Bohinj should be on that list too.

You can’t visit Slovenia without checking out a lake. The lakes are some of the best things to see in Slovenia and are great Slovenia destinations for visitors.

While Lake Bled is overrun with people, Lake Bohinj remains a little quieter. It’s absolutely stunning (prettier than Bled!) and is definitely a place to add to your Slovenia what to see list.

Looking for Lake Bohinj things to do? The perimeter of the lake is about 8km long which makes it perfect for a walk. Or you can take a tourist boat out on to the lake. Arrive early to get the lake to yourself.

Road Trip Slovenia’s Highest Road

Take on the ultimate driving challenge by ascending Slovenia’s highest road, reaching the majestic Mangartsko Sedlo at 2,072 meters.

This route is an adrenaline-pumping experience that offers stunning views of Slovenia and Italy. This drive isn’t for you if you’re not good with heights or windy roads!

Stand on the Slovenian-Italian border

In Nova Goricia you can stand with one foot in Italy and one in Slovenia which makes it one of the coolest places to see in Slovenia. Previously, there was a fence between the two countries which wasn’t removed until 2004.

Nowadays you an easily pass from one to the other. The history of this town makes it one of the most fascinating Slovenia points of interest and one of the most interesting Slovenia landmarks.

There is a memorial plaque just outside Nova Goricia’s train station. It marks the spot where the border was opened.

There’s also an interesting museum where you can find out more about Yugoslavia’s history and how part of it became Slovenia.

Have An Epic Road Trip Along The Vršič Pass

Not the highest road, but the highest pass, the Vršič Pass is another great option if you’re looking for an awesome road trip in Slovenia. In fact, I think it’s a must do in Slovenia.

This road, high up at more than 1,500 meters, shows you amazing views of different places in Slovenia.

Picture yourself driving through tall pine trees, seeing mountains with a little bit of snow on top, looking at clear, blue lakes, and finding old, interesting buildings as you go. Ah-mazing.

The ideal time to traverse the Vršič Pass is during summer, when the countryside is awash with vibrant greens, and colorful blooms, and the climate is mild. However, if you’re a fan of winter and have appropriate tyres on your car, it’s well worth visiting this winter wonderland then too.

When is the best time to visit Slovenia?

There’s never a bad time to visit Slovenia. The country has something to offer in every season whether it’s hiking in summer or skiing in Slovenia in winter.

Temperatures are fairly moderate all year round. In summer the average temperature is around the low to mid-20s, and in winter it may fall to just below zero. It all depends on what’s on your Slovenia to do list as to which season is best!

Awesome Slovenia facts

• Slovenians love their bees and around 1 in 20 people are beekeepers!
• If you visit Slovenia in winter you should visit Europe’s cheapest ski resort – Slovenia is a great destination for a budget ski holiday!
• Slovenia is one of the world’s most environmentally friendly countries
• Slovenia = nature. Over half the country is designated protected land and it’s this that is one of the top Slovenia sights.
• Slovenia is one of the 10 tallest countries in the world
• There’s a vineyard for every 70 people, that’s a lot of wine!
• Wondering “what’s the capital of  Slovenia?”, that’s the pretty city of Ljubljana

Getting to and around Slovenia

Getting to Slovenia from the UK is super easy (and super cheap!) Flights start from £38! I always book my flights with Skyscanner since it’s super easy to find the cheapest deals (that’s how I found that price).

Skyscanner is what I use to find cheap flights.

Getting around the beautiful sights of Slovenia is easiest if you rent a car.

I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!

Last Updated on January 14, 2024 by Hannah