Slovenia Travel Guide

May, 2016
by Editorial Team

Alternative Travel Index Rank: #23

Slovenia is also in the Top 10 Most Underrated & Eco Travel Destinations
Excels in environment protection, level of peace, and ATMs coverage
Population and tourists density at peak season: 111 (medium)

  • Canal in Slovenia's Capital Ljubljana

A member of the European Union, Slovenia markets itself as “The Green Heart of Europe“. The country lies at the crossroads of Balkans and Central Europe, in the eastern Alps, at the northern end of the Adriatic Sea. Despite its small size, it controls some of Europe’s major transit routes. Formerly one of Yugoslavia’s six republics, present-day Slovenia became independent in 1991. Historical ties to Western Europe, a strong economy based on the service industry, and a stable democracy have assisted in Slovenia’s rapid transformation to a modern society.

Travel Costs

Slovenia ranks #96/141 for price competitiveness in Justraveling’s Alternative Travel Index. Average travel costs per day: $53 (backpacker) – $172 (mid-range). Cheapest Slovenian city: Maribor. Most expensive Slovenian city: Izola.

Best Time to Go

Apr-Jun and Sep-Oct are the best time to go to Slovenia. It has a Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers, and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east.

Places to Visit

Ljubljana is a gracious city full of artists, museums, and galleries. Having no world-famous landmarks, it keeps a very relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

Triglav National Park covers nearly all of the Slovenian section of the Julian Alps, and is centered around Mount Triglav. It is popular for outdoor activities and features numerous gorges and waterfalls, and the spectacular Lake Bohinj.

Piran is probably the most beautiful of Slovenia’s coastal towns, perched on a tiny piece of land jutting into the sea. It feels more like an Italian coastal town, but without the tourist crowds and the inflated prices.

Škocjan Caves have beautiful stalactite and stalagmite structures. There are eleven chambers that stretch for about 6 km, and the landscape was considered so unique that the caves are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Travel Ideas and Things to Do

The Slovenian Mountain Trail, from Maribor to the Adriatic Sea, covers all the alpine ranges in Slovenia. This 500 km, difficult hike is marked by contrasts, passing through beautiful limestone areas, high peaks and fertile slopes.

The Sub-Alpine Trail crosses Slovenia from west to east, letting you explore some of its stunning but relatively unknown hilly and woodland regions. The entire route is 470 km long and can be “easily” covered in about one month.

Sustainability Park Istra aims to revitalize abandoned countryside areas and create a practical example of sustainable rural development. This project is open for volunteers in the warmer part of the year, from May to November.

Cycling in the Solčavsko Region makes you slowly discover the more than 100 natural wonders of the three Slovenian glacial valleys: Logarska dolina, Matkov and Robanov kot. The Solčava panoramic road won’t disappoint.

More active travel ideas for your next trip can be found in the Hiking Series. Check out these five routes to enjoy an awesome day hike in Slovenia.

This Travel Guide is a work in progress. Improve it with a Slovenian touch!

Sources: some text excerpts from Wikitravel & Wikipedia; travel cost data from Numbeo.