view of bled cathedral and bled castle at Lake Bled Slovenia
If you’ve ever found a hidden gem that you can’t wait to tell friends about, you’ll know how we feel about Slovenia. The country is a mass of rolling green hills dotted with cute colorful houses, breathtaking landscapes, and natural wonders just waiting to be explored. And it’s a little off the beaten travel path — meaning your wallet doesn’t suffer, and you’re more likely to get lost in a quaint outdoor market in Ljubljana or wandering the trails around Lake Bled than in a crowd of tourists. But don’t let us convince you, that’s what Slovenia’s scenery is all about:

Walking past rows of pastel buildings downtown ljubljana slovenia

Gondola with view of lake bled slovenia
Photographing Bled Church on the Lake in Slovenia
Castle overlooking ljubljana city downtown
Pink building in Ljubljana's Town Center
Pastel buildings square downtown ljubljana slovenia

 

3 DESTINATIONS

you should visit

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7 DAYS

to see it all

 

Lake Bled  •  3 days
a beautiful lake town with all the picturesque views you’ll need, an old-castle-turned-modern-restaurant, and nearby day excursions.
Ljubljana  •  3 days
a bustling city with trendy shops and restaurants, and one of our favorite old town centers.
Postojna  •  1 day
home to the picturesque medieval Predjama castle and the largest caves you can visit in Europe.

view of bled cathedral at Lake Bled Slovenia

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Lake Bled

[3 days]

Where to Eat

  • Blejski Grad Restaurant – if you’re going to splurge, this is the place to do it. Make sure to call ahead to make a reservation for dinner, then take the charming walk up through the forest behind the castle to indulge in some photos. Bonus: you’ll get free entry to visit the museum with a dinner reservation!
Dinner at Blejski Grad Castle Slovenia Lake Bled

Dinner at Blejski Grad

Vintgar Gorge Water near Lake Bled Slovenia

Vintgar Gorge

What to See

  • Vintgar Gorge – a 15 minute drive from Lake Bled, this one mile walk through the jagged vertical rocks of the surrounding hills is worth bringing a nice camera for. Enjoy the journey and grab a refreshing drink overlooking the waterfall at the end of your walk.
  • Bled Lake – plan a morning to walk around Bled Lake and enjoy the constant flow of locals starting their day. We loved seeing the villas around the lake up close, basking in the sun on park benches, and exploring some trails off the main path for photos of the church.
  • Lake Bohinj – about 30km from Bled likes Lake Bohinj. While Bled Lake is home to a bustling town with shops and hotels, Bohinj is its tranquil sister with one lone church and endless nature views.
Lake Bled Church and Castle Through Trees in Slovenia
Walking Bled Lake on water in Slovenia

A walking trail on Bled Lake

Tobogganing near lake bled slovenia in summer

Tobogganing in Summer

What to Do

  • Go tobogganing – across the lake from the castle, follow signs for the “Adrenaline Park” to find this spot. You can purchase rides in your individual toboggan and take turns racing down the hill for 3 Euro a piece.

Where to Stay

  • Airbnb – aim to find one nearby the castle on the north side of the lake. All the cafes and shops you need will be within walking distance.

 

Colorful buildings architecture and fountain in ljubljana slovenia

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Ljubljana

[3 days]

Where to Eat

  • Lolita – perfect for an afternoon sweets craving. Delicious cakes and treats, and photo-worthy design. Order the hot chocolate!
  • Pop’s Place – California-born owner Greg moved to Slovenia 7 years ago with his wife, to follow in his family’s footsteps. His juicy, mouth-watering burgers are a mix of California cuisine with curated Slovenian influence.
Burger and Beer at Pop's Place in Ljubljana Slovenia

A juicy burger at Pop’s Place

Interior design of Lolita in Ljubljana Slovenia

The interior of Lolita’s

What to See

  • Ljubljana Castle – take the newly-built funicular up and walk around for spectacular views of the city and old town.
  • Central Market – in the town center vendors travel all over Europe and post up in this open-air market to feature their best products. We couldn’t get enough of the Italian salami and cheeses, Slovenian pastries, and Mediterranean olives.
Cute Restaurant in downtown ljubljana slovenia

A fish restaurant in Ljubljana

Italian Cheese at the Outdoor Market in Ljubljana

Cheese-y goodness at Ljubljana’s outdoor market

Where to Stay

  • Airbnb – look for something in the old town, or within 5 minutes walking from it. The outskirts of the town are not as appealing.

 

Medieval Predjama Castle in Postjama Slovenia

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Postojna

[1 day]

What to See

  • Postojna Cave – if you have to fit one touristic outing into your trip, make it this one. The caves are stunning and the ride on a train into the depths of the cave interior are not to be missed. You’ll walk for 3 kilometers and board the train to leave from the “Congress Hall”, a section of the cave which doubles as a venue for concerts.
  • Predjama Castle – a 1,000 year old medieval castle built into the open mouth of a cave. Not to be missed. Tip: Buy a combo tickets for the castle and Postojna Caves for a discount.
Rolling green hills near predjama castle slovenia

Rolling hills near Predjama Castle

Walking over Bridge in Postojna Caves

Postojna Cave

Where to Stay

  • Postojna was a day trip for us, but you could easily stay one night nearby to take it all in.

Sitting by Predjama Castle Slovenia

Slovenia is our definition of a “hidden gem”. We can’t wait to go back.

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Ever stumbled upon a destination that made you wonder why it’s not at the top of everyone’s list? Let us know in the comments below!
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