EXPLORE SLOVENIA
Your Comprehensive Destination Guide
At a Glance
Total area: 7,827 square miles
Capital: Ljubljana
Religion: Various religions, including Christianity, Islam, Orthodox, Protestantism, Buddhism, and Judaism.
Population: 2.1 Milion
Languages: Slovenia
Money: Euro
Banking Hours: M-F 08:00–12:00, 14:00–17:00 and Sat 08:00–12:00
Telephone/Communication: Country code: +386
Climate:
Slovenia has three main climate types: sub-Mediterranean, Alpine, and continental.
Slovenia’s climate also varies by region, and local influences can create a wide range of climate conditions.
The best time to visit Slovenia is in spring and fall, especially mid-May–June and September–early October. These seasons offer good weather and fewer crowds.
Travel Requirements
Passport: A valid passport valid for at least three months after you leave Slovenia.
Visa: You don’t need a visa if you’re a US citizen traveling for business or tourism for less than 90 days. If you want to stay longer than 90 days, you’ll need a long stay “D” visa or a residence permit.
Entry and exit stamp: You’ll need to get a stamp in your passport when you enter the Schengen Area and show it when you leave.
Health: The CDC recommends that all international travelers be fully vaccinated against measles. You should also consider getting a TBE vaccine if you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors in areas where ticks are likely to be found.
Customs: You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. For example, you can’t take meat, milk, or products containing them into the EU. You should also declare cash or travelers’ checks if the value is 10,000 euros or more.
You can contact the nearest Slovenian embassy or consulate for more information about visas, currency, customs, and quarantine rules.
Transportation Options
Main Airport:
Slovenia currently has three international airports located in Ljubljana, Maribor, and Portoroz. In reality, flying to Ljubljana is the only option at the moment.
Ljubljana Airport: The Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport is the No. 1 airport in Slovenia. The airport is located about 16 miles (26 km) north of the city center. From the airport, there is an airport bus to the city center; travel time is about 50 minutes; other travel options you can find here. As mentioned above, the airport in Ljubljana is, in most cases, the best option when traveling to Slovenia, especially if you are traveling to cities in the central, north, or northwestern part of the country. Some of the main sights in Slovenia—Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, the Triglav National Park, and the Postojna cave—are fairly close to the airport.
Maribor Airport: The Maribor Edvard Rusjan Airport is about 6 miles (10 km) south of the city center; you can either take a taxi or a pre-arranged transfer there and back. Currently, the airport is mainly used for seasonal and charter flights, which means you, in most cases, will have to fly to Ljubljana airport if you are going to the Maribor area; alternatively, traveling to Graz airport might be an option to consider.
Portoroz Airport: The airport in Portoroz is located 4 miles (6 km) south of Portoroz, which is basically on the border with Croatia. The airport has now been used for smaller charter, business, and cargo flights, but a planned expansion of the runway could make Portoroz an attractive alternative to the airports in Trieste and Pula. Within one hour from the airport, the following cities are located: Trieste, Koper, all cities on the Slovenian Adriatic coast, Umag, Novigrad, Rovinj, and Porec on the Istrian peninsula.
Zagreb airport is located only 25 miles (40 km) from the Slovenian border, 78 miles (125 km) from Maribor, and 93 miles (150 km) from Ljubljana, so it could be used as an alternative when traveling to Slovenia.
Bus: A popular way to get around, with many city and suburban lines that run throughout the day and seasons. Ljubljana has excellent bus connections to all European countries.
Train: You can travel to most places in the nation using the Slovenske eleznice (S) train network. However, routes can be circuitous, and you usually need to transfer to Ljubljana.
Taxi: A convenient way to get around, especially if you’re arriving in Slovenia without a car.
Car: The easiest way to travel around the country, especially if you want to explore more places. Slovenia’s roads are well-signed, but some local roads are narrow and winding.
Kavalir: An environment-friendly electric vehicle that can be used to get around short distances within the car-free city center area of Ljubljana.
Bike: A popular means of transportation, especially in urban areas. You can rent a bike at many points if you don’t have one.
Driving: See our Balkan Road Trip
Travel Safety Tips
Slovenia is considered one of the safest countries in the world, but there are some things to be aware of when traveling there:
Crime: While violent crime is rare, petty crimes like pickpocketing and purse snatching can happen, especially in crowded areas. To protect yourself, be aware of your surroundings, keep your belongings safe, and don’t leave them in visible places.
Drink-spiking: Drink-spiking can happen at popular nightclubs and can lead to sexual assault. To avoid this, don’t accept drinks from strangers, and stick with people you trust.
Vehicle break-ins: Vehicle break-ins can happen, especially at petrol stations and service areas. To avoid this, lock your vehicle, use anti-theft devices, and park in well-lit areas.
Demonstrations: Demonstrations can occur sometimes, especially in Ljubljana. To stay safe, exercise caution, avoid affected areas, and monitor local news.
Mountain activities: Mountain activities can be dangerous, especially if you’re not well prepared. Weather conditions can change rapidly.
Road safety: Main roads are generally safe, but secondary roads tend to be narrow.
Extreme weather: All parts of Slovenia can experience sudden, extreme storms, including strong winds, rain, snowfall, lightning, and hailstorms. Storms can cause landslides and road closures.
Travel insurance: The U.S. Embassy recommends purchasing additional travel insurance to cover medical evacuations, extended hospital care, and canceled flights.
Health Safety
Slovenia is generally considered a safe country to visit, and it has a nationalized healthcare system that provides high standards of care.
Fun Facts!
- The capital city of Slovenia is Ljubljana, which translates to “the loved one.”. Slovenia is the only country in Europe with the word “love” in its name.
- Slovenia has the most caves in the world, with over 10,000 caves.
- Slovenia’s highest mountain is Mount Triglav, which is 9396 feett (2,864 meters) tall and is part of the Julian Alps. The word “Triglav” means “three heads” in Slovenian.
- Slovenia’s brown bear population has helped reintroduce the species across Europe.
- The world’s largest ski jump is in Slovenia, and it has been the site of 60 world record jumps.
- Slovenia was rated 96 out of 100 on sustainability indicators in 2017.
- Slovenia is known for its Lippizaner, a patented breed of white horse.
- Lake Cerknica is the largest intermittent lake in Europe.
- Slovenia hosts the Red Bull 400, the world’s most vertical race, which is only 1312 feet (400 meters) long.
- Slovenia has the highest number of tractors per person in the world.
- Slovenia is the only country in Europe that has the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Pannonian Plain, and the Karst.
- The first musical instrument was discovered in Slovenia.
ATTRACTIONS and ACTIVITIES
Lake Bohinj
A quieter alternative to Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj is located in Triglav National Park. With stunning Alpine scenery all around, it's great for hiking, swimming, and kayaking. Take the cable car up Vogel for breathtaking views of the Julian Alps.
Kranjska Gora
A popular winter destination for skiing and snowboarding, Kranjska Gora also offers hiking trails and beautiful alpine landscapes in the summer.
Lake Bled
This destination feels like stepping into a fairy tale, with its emerald-green waters, charming island church, and medieval Bled Castle perched on a cliff overlooking the lake. If you have time, you can rent a boat or the traditional “pletna” boat to visit the small island with the Church of the Assumption, where you can ring the wishing bell!
Ljubljana
Slovenia’s capital was smooth and picturesque, filled with views of rolling hills and serene countryside. The riverside promenades, pastel-colored buildings, and the dragon statues guarding the Dragon Bridge instantly charmed us upon our arrival in the city. The capital city has a pedestrian-friendly old town, a vibrant cultural scene, and beautiful architecture.
Logar Valley
This glacial valley offers hiking and cycling trails with amazing views of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. It’s one of the most beautiful valleys in Slovenia.
Maribor
Maribor is famous for its vineyards, especially the world’s oldest vine, over 400 years old. Visit the Vinag Wine Cellar for tastings, or take a trip to the surrounding wine-growing hills.
Piran
A coastal town on the Adriatic Sea, Piran is known for its narrow streets, charming squares, and beautiful sea views. Visit Tartini Square and the Church of St. George for great views of the town and sea. Enjoy the beaches along the coastline or take a day trip to nearby towns like Portorož.
Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle
Postojna is a massive karst cave system with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. The cave train is a unique feature. Just 9 km from Postojna, this medieval castle is built into a cliff and has a fascinating history of sieges and a secret tunnel
Škocjan Caves
UNESCO World Heritage Site: One of the largest underground canyons in the world, the Škocjan Caves offer a spectacular underground experience with an impressive network of chambers, waterfalls, and rivers.
Triglav National Park
The tallest peak in Slovenia and a symbol of national pride, this is a must for experienced hikers. For others, there are easier trails around the park, including Seven Lakes Valley.
