A small country in Central Europe, Slovenia packs quite a punch with verdant national parks, formidable mountains, picturesque lakes, mysterious caves, hidden castles, wineries, and vineyards, among other stunning destinations. Driving around Slovenia on a road trip, every destination seems straight out of a picture postcard. Home to over 8,000 caves and a baby dragon housed in one of them, Slovenia, once part of Yugoslavia, is probably one of the youngest countries in Central Europe. We set off on an enchanting ten-day road trip itinerary across Slovenia to explore its capital Ljubljana and towns like Piran and Maribor, while stopping by sights like Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, Julian Alps and the Vingtar Gorge.
Best time for a road trip across Slovenia
The best time for a road trip across Slovenia is between April and October when the weather is perfect to explore the outdoors. Head to the mountains and go hiking or rafting around the lakes. The peak tourist season is from June to August but it can get crowded and you need to plan well in advance. However, if you prefer to go skiing, you can also drive around in winter but look out for heavy snowfall.
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The ultimate itinerary for a road trip across Slovenia
Slovenia road trip days 1-2: Exploring Ljubljana
We started our Slovenia road trip by exploring Ljubljana, the capital city still oozing old-world charm. We stayed at a quaint bed and breakfast on the outskirts of the city and our first stop was the medieval Ljubljana Castle, the fortress perched atop a hill, guarding the city since the era of the Holy Roman Empire. We took a cable car to the rooftop for sweeping views of the city and photo opportunities.
We then headed to the bustling Prešeren Square with its iconic Triple Bridge followed by a selfie at the legendary Dragon Bridge, dotted by the symbol of the city. Be prepared for an assault on your senses at the Central Market, where you can also have a quick lunch and feast on local delicacies. We then went on a self-guided walking tour of the Old Town, with its atmospheric Cobbler’s Bridge and the charming Stari Trg filled with medieval houses, 19th-century wooden shopfronts, and cobblestone lanes with courtyards oozing old-world charm. On the tour, we explored the Town Hall, Cathedral of St Nicholas, City Museum, Museum of Contemporary History, and Modern Art and spent our evening on a cruise sailing away, listening to stories, and having dinner on board.
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Our day 2 in Ljubljana was more relaxed as we pottered around Tivoli Park and visited the eclectic Metelkova Art Center, an alternative cultural centre filled with street art, live music, and local cuisine. A quick stop at the Ethnographic Museum and we ended our evening with a wine tour at Dvorni Bar and a traditional dinner.
Book your stay at Grand Plaza Hotel & Congress Center via Booking.com
Book your stay at Grand Plaza Hotel & Congress Center via Agoda.com
Days 3-4: Maribor
The next stop on our Slovenia road trip was Maribor, nestled in the Štajerska wine region, famous for the white wines, especially Reisling. We started early, driving 130 km in about a couple of hours. Amongst the numerous wineries and cellars here, we visited the Vinag Wine Cellar, one of the oldest in Europe dating back to the 19th century. Atmospheric and historic, don’t miss the tours here, which include a visit to the “Maribor Underground” while you can savour the tastings as well.
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The tastings at the Old Vine House are also recommended where you can also see the world’s oldest, over 400 years old, living grapevine. We also drove around the Pohorje Hills for more tastings and vineyard tours exploring picturesque estates and for leisurely walking trails. It’s a perfect haven for outdoor enthusiasts, trekkers, and bikers.
We spent day 4 of our Slovenia road trip itinerary exploring the Old Town. It is closed to traffic, so we walked around, taking in the old-world vibes. On our itinerary were the Maribor Castle, the Synagogue, the Franciscan Church, the Maribor Cathedral and the Water Tower, and the Maribor Regional Museum, among others. There are self-guided and walking tours in the city while Maribor is also a culinary destination with its share of master chefs and Michelin-starred restaurants, traditional eateries, and cafes. Some recommended restaurants include House Denk, Mak Restaurant, Restaurant Seven, City Terasa, Fudo, and Nana Bistro and Cafe, among others.
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Slovenia road trip itinerary days 5-6: Lake Bled and Vingtar Gorge
Slovenia’s famed beauty is best experienced in the lakes, gorges, national parks, and mountains. For the next four days, we immersed ourselves in the pristine natural environs where every scenery surpassed the other. A Slovenia road trip is not complete if you don’t visit the two enchanting lakes — Lake Bled and Lake Bovinj — nestled in the alpine mountains along the Upper Carniola Region near the Julian Alps.
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Our first stop was Lake Bled, a journey that took us a couple of hours from Maribor, although the tourist hotspot is barely an hour away from the capital town. Sparkling in shades of emerald and nestled amidst the mountains with a picturesque church on its banks and a hilltop castle perched on the cliffs, Lake Bled is straight out of a fairytale castle.
We rented a traditional pletna boat ride to Bled Island, explored the castle, had a delicious lunch, rang the bell at the Church for good luck, and immersed ourselves in the verdant greenery. A visit to Lake Bled is not complete if you don’t try the Bred cream cake at the lakeside cafe. We stayed at the elegant Hotel Triglav Bled although there are a few bed and breakfasts around as well.
On day 6 of our Slovenia road trip itinerary, we drove to the Vingtar Gorge across the Radovna River, about 4 km away. We walked along the 1.6 km trail, crossing wooden bridges and boardwalks, losing ourselves in the breathtaking views. It’s only a one-way trail and you will be penalised if seen walking in the wrong direction. Also, helmets are mandatory. The entry fee is EUR 10 (HKD 81) per person.
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Book your stay at Hotel Triglav Bled via Booking.com
Book your stay at Hotel Triglav Bled via Agoda.com
Itinerary days 7-8: Lake Bohinj and Triglav National Park
We continued our journey towards Triglav National Park and Lake Bohinj, both in the same vicinity. It’s recommended to drive slowly as the views are breathtakingly beautiful and the alpine hamlets welcoming. It barely took 30 minutes to drive from one lake to another, but for me, Lake Bohinj was a personal favourite. Wrapped in the folds of the Julian Alps, you could lose yourself in its reflections as time stood still.
But if you are looking for some activity over the next couple of days, you could go on a trek into the woods, bike around the national park, kayak around the lake, and even hike to Savica Waterfall, just 4 km from the lake. Another personal recommendation is to take the Vogel Cable Car up the Julian Alps where you can go hiking or skiing in winter. You can also join a guided canoeing tour. Foksner is a good restaurant for local vegetarian fare or you can head to Triglav Bohinj for traditional cuisine. We stayed in Lake Bled and explored the region but there are boutique hotels like Hotel Jezero and other bed and breakfast options.
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Book your stay at Hotel Jezero via Booking.com
Book your stay at Hotel Jezero via Agoda.com
Day 9: Postojna Caves and Predjama Castle
They say the best is always preserved for the last. And for us, this was indeed the most jaw-dropping experience of the Slovenia road trip. We drove a couple of hours from Lake Bohinj to reach Postojna Caves, home to the endemic and endangered “olm” or “ baby dragon” living in these mysterious caverns. Stretching over 24 km, this is one of the largest karst caves in Europe with surreal and stunning formations that tease your imagination. We boarded a miniature electric train and chugged along in the underground chambers taking us into the depths of the earth where spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations awaited us.
Just when we thought we had experienced the crown jewel of Slovenia, we found ourselves staring at yet another breathtaking sight — the Predjama Castle. Perched dramatically on a cliff that rises 123 metres above ground, the world’s largest “cave castle” is an architectural marvel that blends with the rocky outcrop. A medieval wonder, the mysterious castle echoed with macabre tales and took us into a different realm with hidden tunnels and escape routes.
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We continued our Slovenia road trip to Piran, a pretty resort town on the Adriatic coast near the Italian and Croatian border. After an hour’s drive, we spent the evening walking along the town, admiring the Venetian architecture.
Book your stay at Zlata Ladjica Boutique Hotel via Booking.com
Book your stay at Zlata Ladjica Boutique Hotel via Agoda.com
Slovenia road trip itinerary day 10: To Piran
We started day 10 of our Slovenia road trip itinerary soaking in the Mediterranean vibes of this picturesque seaside town, known for its architecture. We went to the colourful Tartini Square adorned with the statue of composer Giuseppe Tartini and explored the Venetian House. Pottering around the cobblestone lanes, we lost ourselves in the town’s medieval charm. For scenic views, we climbed St George’s Cathedral, while Punta Lighthouse is a tourist favourite as well. If you have time for just one museum, let it be the Maritime Museum. There are several seafood restaurants and cafes around the promenade and we quickly grabbed a lunch and continued our journey into Croatia and the Istrian Peninsula.
How to prepare for a road trip itinerary across Slovenia
- Your Slovenia road trip should include several key destinations, and the first thing should be to plan your route.
- Include destinations like Lake Bled, Lake Bovinj, Julian Alps, Triglav National Park, Postojna Caves, and Predjama Castle, among others.
- Hire a car and ensure you have all the documentation, including travel insurance.
- If you are not from the European Union, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) and your national driving license to drive in Slovenia.
- You can start your road trip from Ljubljana’s capital and spend at least a few days exploring the city.
- You also need to be acquainted with the road rules in Slovenia. While the country is well connected by highways, the speed limit on motorways and expressways is between 110 km/hr to 130 km/hr, 50 km/hr within built-up areas, and 90 km/hr outside built-up areas.
- In Slovenia, tolls are called vignettes, and for cars that are 3.5 tonnes and 1.3 metres high, the toll is 16 Euros (HKD 130) and you need a vignette sticker on your car.
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(Feature Image Credit: Edwardwexler, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
A week is good to do a road trip in Slovenia.
Slovenia is well-connected with roads and the highways connect key cities, attractions, and neighbouring countries.
Yes, if you are not from the European Union, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) and your national driving license to drive in Slovenia.
The speed limits on motorways and expressways are between 110km/h - 130km/h. The speed limit within built-up areas is 50km/h and outside built-up areas is 90km/h
In Slovenia, tolls are called vignettes, and for cars that are 3.5 tonnes and 1.3 meters high, the toll is 16 Euros (USD 16) and you need a vignette sticker on your car.
There are three parking zones in Slovenia. While white can be free or paid, yellow is for reserved parking and blue is for short-term parking which will be for 15-30 minutes.
Some scenic drives in Slovenia include driving to Lake Bled, Predjama Castle, Postojna Caves, Skocjan Caves, and Vršič Pass. While Solčava Panoramic Road is beautiful, other scenic routes include Lake Bohinj and Triglav National Park which the Alps surround.
There are some important rules to know about driving in Slovenia. You must drive on the right side, always wear seat belts, and use dipped headlights even during the day. Using a mobile phone is prohibited unless it is hands-free and there is zero tolerance for drinking and driving as the blood alcohol level limit is very low at 0.05 %. You should also carry a mandatory equipment kit including a first aid kit and a reflective jacket among others.
There are several bed and breakfasts, boutique hotels, guesthouses, and camps available during a road trip in Slovenia
Written By
Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi is passionate about everything that is local — from cultural traditions to art and architecture ..Read More
