9 Things to Know Before Visiting Slovenia

I’ve yet to meet someone who didn’t enjoy visiting Slovenia. I know it’s certainly got a hold of me, with at least four visits to this small country in central Europe over the years. And yet, Slovenia is still an underrated destination amongst international travellers. 

Slovenia has a lot going for it. It neighbours popular destinations such as Italy, Austria, and Croatia. It’s a small and relatively affordable place to visit, which together with its wealth of places to visit, makes it an easy place to travel. Slovenia is always worth visiting, no matter if you enjoy mountains, cute towns, quiet landscapes, or curious local history. Visit Slovenia and you’ll find it has many of the benefits of major European destinations, but with generally fewer crowds.

See for yourself and plan a trip to Slovenia. Below you’ll find all the things worth knowing before visiting Slovenia to have a great time and see why it remains a favourite of mine and a great place for tourists to visit.

1. A useful comparison

Everyone loves those views of green hills and valleys you see in Switzerland right? Well, I like to think of Slovenia as a sort of mini-Switzerland. Sorry, a much cheaper, mini-Switzerland. Now it might not be great starting with a direct comparison to a nearby country but I think it’s the best way to get a better picture of the country.

In Slovenia, you’ll find a country bordered by immense Alps to the north and west. Among its stunning mountain destinations are alpine lakes like the incredible Lake Bled and valleys like Jezersko. Elsewhere, there are the rolling, undulating green hills that spread across the countryside.

In the more rural parts of Slovenia, you’ll find small farmhouses and chalets that you would swear were actually in Switzerland. Oh, and there are quite a few ski fields to be found like the one over the city of Celje, further encroaching on the Swiss. If you are a fan of the outdoors and pristine, verdant nature, Slovenia is the place to be.

2. How to get to Slovenia and get around

Slovenia is a member state of the European Union and part of the Schengen Area that allows free movement between countries. This means that Slovenia is a very straightforward country to visit as it has the same requirements for entry as many of its European neighbours, including Italy and Austria.

Your stay in Slovenia counts towards your 90 days of your Schengen Visa, or visa-free period for countries like Australia. You also won’t encounter passport control when travelling within the EU. As always, you should check your own visa requirements before travelling. A good place to start for more information is here.

Since Slovenia is a relatively small country, it’s possible to get from one side of the country to the other without too much hassle. The country’s train network is centred on Ljubljana and connects to both Austria and Croatia, but sadly not Italy. A decent bus network also connects destinations around Slovenia and reaches parts the train network doesn’t.

Honestly, though, many travellers will find driving around Slovenia the best way to get about. Slovenia has quality roads, and renting a car in Ljubljana makes the whole visit easier. Do note that you will need to purchase a vignette to be allowed to drive on Slovenian motorways.

3. Classic castles and Slovenian history

I knew very little about the country’s history before my first visit and each visit serves as a reminder. Over time I’ve come to learn the complex and often messy history of the region that now calls itself Slovenia. If you want to learn of Slovenia’s history then it’s best to head straight for its many awesome castles. Each that I’ve been to has been visually stunning and offered plenty of history on the castle and the region.

Visiting the castles at Celje, Skofja Loka, Velenje and even Bled taught me about each of their individual complex medieval histories. The fantastic castle museum at Ptuj covers the history of much of the country’s entire eastern part.

Two Slovenian castle museums have so far stood out to me. One was the World War II section at Skofja Loka Museum, detailing the fierce local resistance that liberated the country by itself, a rare feat. The other is the extensive museum in the castle over the capital Ljubljana, which takes you through the country’s entire history right up to independence in 1991 and the modern day. Both are well worth the cost of admission.

4. It has a small, but scenic coast

A small slice of Slovenian coastline squeezes between Italy’s coast along the top of the Adriatic Sea and the long, extensive coast that Croatia is so well known for. Many people don’t even realise that this small country even has a coast but those people are missing out.

Admittedly, I’m not talking about soft sand beaches, but the coat is still super scenic and the water’s clean and clear.

While there is the city of Koper and smaller towns like Izola and Portoroz on Slovenia’s coast, I think the pick of the litter has to be the quiet and lovely town of Piran. Just a small old town, Piran sits on a peninsula jutting into the Adriatic, giving it plenty of waterfront and some really scenic views.

Beyond its main square and several churches are plenty of small lanes that work their way up the hill towards the old town walls. There you’ll find the best view of town as you can see above. Slovenia’s coast is a sublime, lesser-seen part of the Adriatic coast.

5. Is Slovenia a cheap destination?

Given all that it has to offer, you might expect Slovenia to be far more expensive than it is. Slovenian has been a success story of a country adopting the Euro and being in the European Union. And yet, Slovenia remains a surprisingly affordable place to visit.

Indeed, it may not be as cheap as other parts of the Former Yugoslavia, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina or North Macedonia. However, your money will go further here than in neighbouring Austria and Italy. It may just be one of the most affordable spots in Central Europe, in fact.

To get a sense of prices, here are a few common expenses:

• The cost of intercity transport is pretty average for this part of Europe. A trip of several hours costs between 10-15€.
• Accommodation prices in Slovenia are also middle of the road. You should be able to find a fairly standard room for 2 people for around 50€.
• Food, in particular, is quite affordable. Meals in one of Ljubljana’s best restaurants cost the equivalent of a far more humble restaurant in some of the neighbouring countries.

6. Is Slovenia safe and friendly to tourists?

I always find it interesting when people wonder about their safety in some countries. Maybe it’s the fear of the unknown or some lingering perception of danger from events decades ago. But the idea of Slovenia being unsafe couldn’t be any farther from reality.

In my experience, Slovenia is about as safe as it gets in Europe. There aren’t gangs of pickpockets preying on tourists. It’s not known for violent protests. Landmines are not a problem. I’m not saying things can’t happen, such as being targeted when walking alone late at night. But look at any study of the safest places in Europe and near the top you’ll see Slovenia.

What about local attitudes towards tourists? I’m sure there are some Slovenians who get frustrated by tourist crowds, particularly around Lake Bled in summer. But I’ve never experienced or witnessed rude treatment while there. And Slovenia hasn’t been hit with the issues of over-tourism like certain European hot spots that have caused backlashes against visitors.

My advice? Follow all the usual precautions, be a respectful guest in Slovenia, and you’ll be fine.

7. Is English widely spoken in Slovenia?

The national language of Slovenia is quite simply Slovenian, a Slavic language with similarities to languages like Croatian and Czech. If you know another Slavic language you might find some overlap which can be useful.

If not, don’t fret, as in my experience English is widely spoken in Slovenia and you should be able to get by with it. You’ll also find that languages like German and Italian are spoken with some frequency closer to the borders of Austria and Italy respectively.

If you do want to learn a little Slovenian, which people always find welcome no matter the country, here are a few basic phrases to get you started. They include Zdravo which means ‘Hello’; Hvala for ‘Thank you’; Prosim for ‘Please’; Oprostite for “Excuse Me” and Ja and No for ‘Yes’ and ‘No’.

8. What to eat and drink in Slovenia

I have to be honest, Slovenian cuisine is not enchanting on the level of say, Italian food. A large part has to do with the similarities it shares with Austrian, Croatian and a little with Italian food. Again, it’s that interplay of regional influences, so finding famous Slovenian dishes is harder.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had great food in Slovenia, from fresh seafood pasta to sausages and meat stews. It’s just the differences in its cuisine are quite subtle compared to food elsewhere. That sadly goes for the beer as well. Laško, the national beer of Slovenia, is perfectly drinkable, especially after a big hike. But it wouldn’t rank near the top of many lists.

The one exception to all of this is the beloved, devilish Kremsnita or Bled Cream Cake. A deliciously decadent vanilla slice with a generous helping of whipped cream, the Bled Cream Cake is a must for most tourists who visit the picturesque lakeside town. While it can come in flavours like chocolate, if it’s your first, then go with the original.

9. So many wondrous caves

While it may not be my cup of tea, thanks to claustrophobia, the activity of exploring caves is something many travellers jump at the chance to experience. Those travellers should make a beeline straight for Slovenia, as it boasts some truly remarkable cave networks.

Slovenia’s wealth of caves is largely due to a significant limestone plateau that the Karst region of the country sits upon. Yes, Slovenia is where the term “karst” comes from.

The two most popular cave sites in Slovenia are Postojna Caves and Skocjan Caves in the country’s southwest. Tourists will know Postojna for the train that travels through its caves and Predjama Castle, a castle found at a nearby cave entrance.

Skocjan is perhaps a little less popular, but equally incredible, with immense caverns and subterranean cliffs high above underground rivers. Despite my claustrophobia, I went down into Skocjan Caves and loved it! It looked like the mines straight out of Lord of the Rings.

Resources for visiting Slovenia

• Getting There: To find the cheapest and most convenient flights to Slovenia, check Kayak.
• Accommodation: Here you can find hotels, apartments, and guesthouses across Slovenia.
• Tours: There are so many day trips and sightseeing tours to choose from in Slovenia.
• Car Hire: If you want to travel more independently, why not rent a car in Slovenia to drive yourself?

What other things would you like to know before visiting Slovenia? Have you visited Slovenia and have other insights to share? Please share them in the comments below.