How to plan the perfect road trip in Slovenia
Slovenia is a charming tiny country where you will be constantly mesmerized by its natural wonders. Chances are that you have not yet put this European gem on your bucket list but I strongly suggest you go now, before it becomes more and more popular. That being said, you can imagine that a small country offering so many good things and stuck between two major European tourist hubs such as Italy and Croatia will become a prime destination in a few years. Therefore, I will show you in this article how to plan your Slovenia trip to perfection and make your Slovenia by-car trip a complete success.
Below, I will address some tips on how to plan the perfect Road trip in Slovenia and how to make this a 10-day Slovenia itinerary. Together, we will discover foodie, cultural and nature stops!
I love road trips, they give you plenty of freedom to stop wherever you want and to do and allow you to get out of the cities and visit national parks.
A Little History
Slovenia is nestled between Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. The country has been at a crossroads of cultures and influences for centuries, this can be visible in the architecture and the delicious traditional cuisine. You will be able to learn about ancient Roman settlements, and medieval castles dotting the countryside. In more recent times, Slovenia was part of the former Yugoslavia until gaining independence in 1991. Slovenia has plenty of history to be learned if you are a history buff.
Useful tips before starting
Getting to Slovenia
Air transportation to Slovenia is not very convenient and you might have to make several stops before reaching your destination. However, the country is located in south-central Europe bordered by Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast and Croatia to the south. Being extremely close to these other air hubs might be a good reason to start your road trip in one of these neighbouring countries. We decided to land in Venice, take a rental car at the airport and drive to Slovenia. The border is only 1 hour and 30 minutes away from the Italian airport.
Driving tips
You might be asking if it is easy to drive in Slovenia, well the answer is yes! The roads are in extremely good condition and very pleasant to drive. The most popular attractions in the country are clustered in the western half of the country, making the trajectory span between 1 to 3 hours.
Heads up, some of the stops are in the Alps so knowing how to drive on the sinuous mountain roads might make your road trip easier and less stressful to drive. It might be a good idea to glance over the European driving code, there were a lot of signs that we did not know what they meant (coming from Canada).
If you are renting your car outside of Slovenia, you need to buy a Vignette. The Slovenian toll sticker allows you to drive without getting a fine (they are expensive!). The vignette can be bought for different lengths such as weekly, monthly and yearly. The price is around 15 euros for a week. The stickers can be bought at any gas station in the country or in some stations near the border. Here is a complete list of vendors. All you need to do is to stick the vignette on the windshield. If you are renting a car in Slovenia, the vignette will already be available in the car.
The ultimate10-day itinerary road trip in Slovenia
Here is the itinerary that we did. These are just examples of how much time you can stay in each region. It will be up to you to plan how long you will want to stay. One of the positive sides of visiting Slovenia is that the distances are short and you can choose to do the trip in any order. If you don’t like to change hotels every other night you can base yourself in Ljubljana and do day trips.
Day 1: Brda
Day 3: Soca Valley
Day 5: Lake Bled
Day 6: Ljubljana
Day 8: Velika Planina
Day 9: Piran
If you have less PTO available for your trip, here is the Slovenia itinerary 7 days: I would suggest doing Soca Valley, Lake Bled and Ljubljana. I think these are the must-do
Brda, the Wine country - 2 days
The first stop of this Slovenia travel guide is Brda. If you landed in Italy, like we did, you can start your Slovenia Road trip in the wine country. Slovenia is slowly craving a spot as one of the finest winemakers in Europe. Being a wine lover, we had to make a stop in the Goriška Brda region, the biggest wine region in the country.
The region is located at the Italian border and is characterized by sparse small villages, perched on top of rolling hills and miles and miles of vineyards. The panoramic roads connecting the vineyards and the villages are absolutely stunning. The typical wines in the region are Rebula and Friulano, white and orange wines. The towns of Šmartno and Dobrovo are the most picturesque ones and the ones with the most wineries.
For a complete guide to the wine country check my in-depth article about the Brda wine region. In this article, I detail where to drink, dine and sleep, and of course, a list of the best wineries!
The other wine region in Slovenia is Vipava Valley which can be done as a day trip from Ljubljana.
Psst: be sure to check your country’s import alcohol limit so you can bring home some wine!
Where to stay?
We decided to stay in the small medieval village of Šmartno, a tiny picturesque village in the middle of hills and vineyards. We stayed at the San Martin Hotel. The hotel is also known for its restaurant and wine cellar. The wine list is spectacular as one of the most reputable sommeliers in the region owns the hotel.
Even if you are not staying at the hotel, just come and stop for a glass of wine, the view of the Brda hills is worth it, trust me!
Soca Valley - 2 days
The Julian Alps were awarded one of the 10 regions to visit by the Lonely Planet in 2018; should I say more?
The Soča Valley and the Julian Alps are probably the most beautiful nature destinations in Slovenia. The region is characterized by the Soča River which has emerald and blue hues that will make you fall in love with it at first sight.
We used the town of Kobarid as a base for our travels in this region. From there, you can do many day trips like going to the beautiful Tolmin Gorges where you can hike and admire the river to its fullest. Not far from there, you will see the famous Slap Kozjak waterfall. This waterfall streams from a hidden rock formation which makes the green colours of the river stand out even more; breathtaking!
While road-tripping, going through Vršič Pass is simply a must! This is one of the most scenic drives in Slovenia. The country’s largest nature reserve, Triglav National Park, is also nearby so be sure to leave enough time to visit this mountainous park. Be sure to visit the small town of Kranjska Gora and the natural beauty surrounding it.
One of the main highlights of this region is the town of Kobarid with its pastel colours and the snow-capped mountains in the background. The town is close to the Italian border and is home to the famous restaurant, Hiša Franko. This restaurant was one of the reasons we went to Slovenia after we watched the mouth-watering Netflix award-winning show Chef’s Table. Chef Ana Roš was named the world's best female chef by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants and the lauded Michelin Guide awarded her with 2 stars.
She offers six- or 11-course tasting menus that change every month, featuring foraged local ingredients. Her husband is a sommelier which makes the perfect pairing with the food. This is truly one of the best restaurants we have ever tried! If you are looking for a more affordable option, I suggest eating at the Hvala Hotel or at the town pizzeria.
Lake Bled - 1 day
From Kobarid, we took the sinuous mountain road of the Julian Alps to reach Lake Bled. Lake Bled is probably the most well-known location in Slovenia. This is the third stop in the 10 day road trip,
Bled feels like a fairy tale town with its iconic blue water and the Alps in the background are simply stunning. Bled is also the perfect day trip from Ljubljana. The town has a few things to do to fill your day or two, it all depends on how you wish to distribute your time.
In the summer, Lake Bled can be the perfect place to spend by the water, you can swim, kayak or paddle. You can embark on a 6km trail that snakes around the water, perfect to walk or to bike around. Of course, the main attraction is the castle perched in the mountains. Bled castle is now a museum that traces the history of the lake from ancient times. The second main attraction is the church on the island in the middle of the lake. You can also learn about the superstitions surrounding the church.
For the foodies, the must-try of the region is the famous Bled Cream Cake which is made of vanilla cream & whipped cream with a golden crispy crust.
For a complete guide on what to do in Bled in one day, check out my other article!
The small town is a good hub to visit other attractions such as Lake Bohinj, the other must-see lake with emerald colours and the beautiful Vintgar Gorge. Unfortunately, we did not have time to visit either of them, I guess we will need to come back!
Ljubljana - 2 days
While nature is a big portion of this road trip through Slovenia, a visit to the capital cannot be missed. Ljubljana is the biggest city in the country but it remains a small city compared to other European capitals. The charming capital holds numerous activities and delicious restaurants. This youthful and vibrant city is perfect to visit in 2 days, and it is especially pleasant to walk in all the car-free zones.
The main attraction of the city is the castle that reigns over the city. The medieval construction dates back to the 15th century. The castle has been restored into a museum, a venue for cultural events and a high-end restaurant. Who doesn’t like to dine in a castle? You can read our review of the Strelec restaurant here. Spoiler alert it was delicious!
The other things to do in the capital are to wander Ljubljanica River, an emerald green river and see the beautiful Dragon Bridge. Prešeren Square is the heart of the city because it holds several events. The capital owes Jože Plečnik its modern look. In fact, his landmarks have been included in UNESCO's World Heritage List. You can spend a couple of hours spending time at Tivoli Park and Metelcova Mesto, an alternative cultural center.
For a complete list of what to do, where to eat or where to sleep in the Slovenian capital, I will suggest reading my complete Ljubljana itinerary.
The Slovenian capital is located in the center of the country and it is the perfect base for many day trips, like Predjama Castle which is the largest cave castle in the world. the Postojna Cave or the Škocjan Caves which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site (there are 5 in total in Slovenia) and one of the largest underground canyons in the world. Most of the other towns or attractions are between 1 or 2 hours away. The city is a great central place for a multitude of day trips in the country or in neighbouring ones. I have collected more than 20 day trip options from Ljubljana for you to select. You can add these to your itinerary ideas.
Where to stay?
We stayed at the three-star B&B Hotel Ljubljana Park Hotel. The hotel is rated the #1 most eco-friendly hotel in Ljubljana and is centrally located. From the hotel, you can walk for less than 5 minutes to Metelkova or to the city centre with its main attractions.
Velika Planina - 1 day
Only 20 minutes from Ljubljana, Velika Planina and Kamnik are some of the hidden gems of the country. These 2 nature getaways have alpine trails and gorges like no other.
Velika Planina is the largest shepherd settlement in Europe. It is a beautiful day trip option from the capital to hike in the Julian Alps. In the mountains, you can learn about the way of life of the shepherds and taste the local specialties such as buckwheat with pork and the local cheese.
Kamnik is a unique medieval old town located 20 minutes away from the capital. The landscapes were absolutely stunning going from clear blue water to a beautiful gorge. Also, Kamnik is building its reputation to be the craft beer hub of Slovenia, so be sure to stop for a drink or two.
If you like botanical gardens, then be sure to visit Volčji Potok Arboretum which is located between Kamnik and Ljubljana.
Where to stay?
After so much food and hiking, we chose to rest and relax near Velika Planina. In a small town called Snovik, there is a beautiful eco-resort spa, perfect to continue enjoying nature at its best. Terme Snovik, a 4-star spa eco-resort offers different types of accommodation going from rooms to superior apartments, all located in their apartment complex. All the rooms, suites and apartments are eco-friendly. There are no elevators, and the lobby of the resort is 5 minutes away walking from the apartment complex. Everything is made for you to stay active. When walking along the road to the lobby, you can admire the beautiful trees planted next to the road. Every tree is different and they even named the apartments based on the tree planted in front of them. The resort has 2 swimming pools, one indoor and one outdoor. There is also a restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also, in order to make their guests feel good physically, the resort has a physiotherapist on site. She specializes in Kneipp therapy and offers different activities such as barefoot walking on different elements to make you feel better.
Piran - 2 days
Slovenia has a tiny coastline of only 46.6 km. The Istrian peninsula, with towns like Piran, and Portorož, is heavily influenced by the Mediterranean culture and has a different vibe and feel than the rest of the country.
Piran is a seaside medieval town that feels like the laid-back distant cousin of Venice. In fact, Piran was heavily influenced by the Venetian Republic. This influence is mostly visible in the architecture, with the bell tower and Tartini Square being the main visual queues. Piran also seems to be more of an Italian town than a Slovenian town.
The city is extremely walkable so stroll around the intricate colourful streets in the old town. Another major attraction of Piran is the beach. I have to warn you that it is not a beautiful sandy beach, as the beach is made of big pebbles and rocks that are not very friendly to your feet. After sunbathing, walk around the beach promenade and indulge in seafood and some drinks (the prices are very cheap!). Don’t forget to catch the sunset by the promenade, it is a real spectacle.
If you are looking for more beaches, here are the 10 best beaches in Slovenia.
Where to stay?
In Piran, we stayed in the artsy and hip hotel, Art Hotel Tartini. The boutique hotel is astonishing with modern rooms, a restaurant a trendy bar and a delicious cafe. The hotel was conceptualized by the world-renowned artist, JAŠA. The hotel feels like a work of art in itself. You can read more about it in our Art Hotel Tartini review.
This 10-day road trip itinerary through Slovenia is one of the most beautiful and enjoyable trips we have done! For once, we successfully balanced being on the road without being tired with all the moving and unplugging completely from work. If you want other Slovenia travel ideas, you can add Maribor to the list which is the country's second largest city.
Wondering how much it approximately costs to travel to Slovenia? Paul and Sandra from Minimalist Journeys did a great post about trip finance. This will give a great ballpark on how to manage. You can then adjust it to your budget and needs.
Practical Information
WHEN TO GO
Slovenia has 4 seasons, so it all depends on which season you prefer to travel and the things that you like to do. Summer is great because you can go to the beach and enjoy the lakes. Fall must be beautiful with all the colours in the many national parks. Slovenia is also a great place to enjoy winter and do lots of winter sports. If skiing is your thing, then you should check out these ski resorts!
GETTING IN AND OUT
Ljubljana International Airport is called Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU). The airport doesn’t have many connections, so you will probably need to have a layover at a bigger destination. Another option will be to arrive in Venice and then drive 1,5 hours to Dobrovo. This is what we did on our Slovenia road trip. It was the cheapest option.
SAFETY
The country is extremely safe! However, do exercise the usual precautions
TAP WATER
You can drink your tap water. So ditch your plastic bottle and fill your reusable bottle wherever you want! Remember that in Europe you have to pay for your water at restaurants, so you better not forget your water bottle!
POWER
Slovenia uses the European standard of 220V to 230V, with a frequency of 50Hz. The plugs are characterized by two or three round pins in a row. They use plugs Type F, C and E.
Currency
Slovenia has been using the Euro (€) since 2004.
Do you have any questions about the road trip to Slovenia? Write them in the comments below!
Disclaimer: Velika Planina, Arboretum and Kamnik were a press trip organized by the Ljubljana tourism board. A big thank you! All opinions are my own
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