Hello! Welcome back to my blog! This week you will embark on an unforgettable adventure with me as we explore the breathtaking landscapes with my ultimate Slovenia Road Trip Itinerary. Nestled in the heart of Europe, this charming country is a haven for nature lovers, hiking passionates and avid road trippers alike. So join me while I share all the tips and must-see spots I discovered during the one week I spent in Slovenia.
Picture yourself winding through the lush greenery of the Julian Alps, exploring castles perched on top of hills, and indulging in the warm hospitality of Slovenian people. This Slovenia road trip itinerary will give the perfect blend of adventure, cultural activities, and relaxation. So, buckle up and get ready to witness the magic of Slovenia unfold before your eyes!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SLOVENIA
Here are some interesting facts about Slovenia that you might not know:
- Did you know that Slovenian people think their country resembles in shape to a chicken?
- Slovenia is only a bit over 30 years old. It was part of the former Yugoslavia and it only became independent in 1991.
- There are more than 46 dialects in Slovenia. Slovene, the official language in Slovenia, varies a lot depending on the region.
- There are over 1000 bears in Slovenia. The country is home to the largest population of brown bears in Europe. This species was almost at the border of extinction after WWII, but thanks to the environmental efforts of the country, the population of bears is rising.
SLOVENIA ROAD TRIP ITINERARY
Before I share my Slovenia road trip itinerary, I would like to clarify two things:
- My trip to Slovenia was mainly focused on hiking and visiting Triglav National Park and the Julian Alps. However, there are many other activities and areas that you can do in the country. I will share some other possibilities at the end of this post.
- Our initial itinerary also included 2 days in the Logar Valley. However, since we visited the country in August 2023, this area was restricted by the government due to the huge impact of the flooding.
Let’s get started with the road trip!
DAY 1: Arrive in Ljubljana
Route: From Ljubljana Airport to Ljubljana center (Distance: 26,6 km; Driving time: 28 minutes)
Hotel: Ahotel Ljubljana
The first day of your trip is all about traveling and getting to Ljubljana. Most probably, you will land at Ljubljana Airport so just take it slow, pick up your rental car, and drive to your hotel.
In our case, we decided to drive from Belgium to Slovenia with our car, so our first day of this road trip was a bit less relaxed and it included plenty of driving.
Our hotel in Ljubljana was very comfortable and we chose it because it had free parking available for its guests.
DAY 2: Explore Ljubljana
Route: From AHotel Ljubljana to Ljubljana City Center Parking and return (Distance: 6km; Driving time: 14min)
Walking: 15 km
Hotel: Ahotel Ljubljana
Rise and shine! It’s time to start exploring the beauty of this country! Today we will not be driving much, but we will for sure be walking a lot to find out everything there is to see in Ljubljana.
STOP 1: Ljubljana Castle
Our first stop of the day is to visit the Ljubljana Castle. Perched on top of a hill, this medieval fortress overlooking the city will make you feel like you have stepped into a living history book.
To make your way up to the castle you can opt between taking a scenic walk through the castle’s park or, riding the funicular. I recommend going up with the funicular and walking back down through the park on your way back to the city. This is what we did and it was the perfect option for us.
Once you’re inside the castle, you can visit several exhibitions with archeological and historical artifacts from Slovenia, and visit its panoramic tower, the castle prison, and the chapel. In addition, the views of Ljubljana from the Castle are fantastic!
Practical information:
- The castle is open between 9:00 and 19:00 during the winter months and between 9:00 and 22:00 during the summer months.
- Book your ticket for the Ljubljana Castlen and Funicular Ride here.
STOP 2: Ljubljana Old Town
Once we were done visiting the castle, it was time to go back downhill and explore the old town for the rest of the morning. We decided to walk back to the city center but it is also possible to take the funicular again.
We spent the rest of the morning visiting the main sights such as:
- Ljubljanica River and the many bridges that cross over it.
- Preseren Square and the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation.
- Church of St Nicholas (Ljubljana’s Cathedral)
- The town hall
STOP 3: Lunch with the best views of Ljubljana Castle
At lunchtime, we headed to Neboticnik Skyscraper. At the top of this building, there is an observation terrace with a café that has the best views of Ljubljana’s most famous landmark, the castle! The Neboticnik building, with its 70 meters of height, was the highest building in the Balkans and the ninth tallest building in Europe at the time of its construction.
Important: The observation terrace is only accessible to customers of the cafe. However, prices are not that expensive so why not enjoy a nice brunch while you admire the views?
STOP 4: Roznik Hill
After lunch, we went on a short hike (30 minutes walking) up to Roznik Hill to visit the church of the Virgin Mary’s Visitation.
Roznik is a 391-metre-high wooded hill that is accessible by several trails from Ljubljana’s Tivoli Park. This little church is a favorite spot for local walkers to visit during the weekend but in the past, it was used as a place to seek refuge from epidemic diseases.
Right next to Roznik Church, there was a small food truck offering drinks and snacks with some garden chairs next to it. We decided it was time to relax and cool down and spent the rest of our afternoon here.
STOP 5: Dinner next to Ljubljanica River
In the evening, we went back to Ljubljana city center and had dinner next to Ljubljanica River. If you want to do the same, make sure to make a reservation in advance, especially during the summer months. It is a very popular area to have dinner.
DAY 3: Lake Bled
Route: From Ljubljana to Lake Bled (Distance: 67.9km; Driving time: 57min)
Walking: 11 km
Hotel: Kirkhouse Aparment
On day 3 it was time to leave Ljubljana and head to Slovenia’s most famous landmark, Lake Bled!
STOP 1: Hike to Mala Ojstrica and Osojnica
The first activity of the day was to hike to the most famous viewpoints in Lake Bled: Mala Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica. These can be completed as 2 separate short hikes or combined as one (which is what we did). They are not very technical or difficult hikes but you will have to go uphill for a while to reach the viewpoints. Just take it slow and you will be rewarded for your effort, trust me.
From both of these viewpoints, you will get fantastic aerial views of the lake. Trust me, you will not be able to stop staring at Bled island with Bled Castle in the background. This was one of my favorite activities in Lake Bled!
Tip: Get here as early as you can to avoid the crowds.
STOP 2: Hike around the lake
Once we were back at lake level, it was time to walk around it to admire its beauty from every possible angle. The path that takes you around the lake is only 5,5 kilometers long and it is almost flat so it was a very nice activity to do for the rest of the day. We even had a small picnic next to the water for lunch.
Walking around the lake, allowed us to stop at the many different photo spots and visit the main tourist attractions in Bled as well.
STOP 3: Bled Island
Halfway around the lake, we decided it was time to visit the iconic island in the middle of the lake. We hopped into a Pletna (a traditional boat that can fit up to 20 people) and in 10 minutes we were there. For 19 euros per person, we got the boat rides to and from the island plus 40 minutes to explore the island (it doesn’t feel like a lot of time but it was more than enough).
On the island, we visited the church, had some ice cream, and admired the views of Bled Castle from it.
STOP 4: Go for a swim in the lake
Can you think of a better way to end your day in Bled? Surprisingly, the water temperature is not as cold as it looks! After walking all day long in really warm weather it was the perfect day to cool down and relax.
DAY 4: Mostnica Gorge and Voje Valley
Route: From Bohinjiska Bela to Stara Fuzina and return (Distance: 43km; Driving time: 51min)
Walking: 12 km
Hotel: Kirkhouse Aparment
Time for a new adventure! On the fourth day of our itinerary, we did a beautiful day hike along a lesser-known gorge within Triglav National Park.
STOP 1: Mostnica Gorge
In the first part of the hike, we explored Mostnica Gorge, a beautiful gorge carved by the Mostnica River. This gorge surprised us in the best of ways. The color of the water was amazing, there were barely any people there and we were able to get close to the water. In addition, there were some very interestingly shaped rocks thanks to the erosion of the water.
Practical Information: To visit this Gorge and complete this hike, you will have to pay a small entrance fee. During the low season, the entrance ticket for adults is 3 euros and during the summer months, it is 4 euros. You can check the updated prices here.
STOP 2: Voje Valley
After the gorge, the hike continued into the Voje Valley with a big and open grassland in the middle of the valley at 700 m of altitude. This is a typical glacial valley in the shape of the letter U. It looked so idyllic, with small mountain huts scattered and the Julian Alps in the background.
At the end of the valley, we reached Mostnica Waterfall (also called Voje Waterfall), a 21m high waterfall where the Mostnica River originates. This waterfall, even though it is not the most impressive waterfall I’ve ever seen, had a lot of charm and was the perfect way to end our hike.
Tip: Along the hike, there are two mountain huts where you can get some food and refreshments. Just remember to bring some cash because they don’t accept credit cards.
DAY 5: Mount Vogel
Route: From Bohinjiska Bela to Ukanc and return (Distance: 43km; Driving time: 51min)
Walking: 11 km
Hotel: Kirkhouse Aparment
On the 5th day of our road trip, it was time for another impressive day hike.
STOP 1: Vogel Gondola
The first stop of the day was to catch the Vogel Gondola that would bring us from Lake Bohinj to the Vogel Mountain Station at 1535 m in altitude, from where you can get amazing views of Bohinj Lake. The gondola ride was quite fast and in only 10 minutes, we were at the top station. Unfortunately, the morning we were there it was quite cloudy and we could not see the lake but we were able to enjoy the magnificent views on the return ride.
Practical information: Check operating times and prices at Vogel Cable Car official website.
STOP 2: Mount Vogel
Once we were done admiring the views, it was time to start our hike to Vogel’s summit. This hike was challenging but so impressive! We went through beautiful mountain meadows where cattle were peacefully eating, we got a little scrambling through rocks to reach the summit, and then descended through some skying slopes.
I have a separate blog post about our experience hiking Mount Vogel in case you want to check it out.
STOP 3: Lake Bohinj
After our hike, we intended to explore the area surrounding Lake Bohinj. However, the weather was quite stormy and the visibility conditions were not the best. You could barely see the Julian Alps in the backdrop so we decided to call it a day and try again the following day.
DAY 6: Lake Bohinj, Vintgar Gorge and Kranjska Gora
Route: From Bohinjiska Bela to Kranjska Gora (Distance: 89.3km; Driving time: 1h 47min)
Walking: 9.4 km
Hotel: Hotel Kranjska Gora
Time to leave the Bohinj and Bled area and move a bit further north in the country. But before we leave, let’s check some remaining spots in the area.
STOP 1: Lake Bohinj
The day began super sunny so we decided to go back and explore Lake Bohinj. Lake Bohinj is a lesser-known lake in Slovenia but still a super pretty. So if want to avoid the crowds but still enjoy some water activities in breathtaking scenery, this is the place for you.
We spent the morning exploring walking along the shore of Lake Bohinj and enjoying this idylic location while relaxing a little after hiking the previous days.
You can check all there is to do in Lake Bohinj in the dedicate post I have.
STOP 2: Vintgar Gorge
Vintgar Gorge is a 1.6 km long gorge located on the eastern part of Triglav National Park. This natural landscape has been carved by the Radovna, a river with aquamarine-colored water that makes a beautiful contrast with the sharp rocks and lush beech forest that cover them. Throughout the 1600 m-long gorge you will be walking through elevated walk boards that zigzag over the river while you enjoy the many rapids, small waterfalls, and erosion potholes created through time.
We visited Vintgar Gorge a bit skeptical because of the bad reviews about it being overcrowded that we had read in the interview but I have to admit we were very pleasantly surprised. The gorge was not crowded at all, on the contrary, it was quite peaceful and relaxing to visit!
STOP 3: Kranjska Gora
After the gorge, it was time to drive to Kranjska Gora, a small town almost at the border between Slovenia and Austria. This town is a big sports center in the area. During the summer months, many hikers and mountaineers visit it, and during the winter, it is a snow sports paradise.
We spent the rest of the day exploring the area and just chilling. Our favorite spot was Lake Jasna, where we relaxed with some drinks and had dinner with the best possible view.
DAY 7: Vrsic Pass
Route: From Kranjska Gora to Bovec (Distance: 47.2km; Driving time: 1h 20min)
Walking: 8 km
Hotel: Panorama Rooms
On day 7 it was time to go hiking again. We were going to drive up the Vrsic Pass and hike in the mountains that we could see the day before from Kranjska Gora.
STOP 1: Slemenova Spica Hike
The Slemenova Spica hike is a short and not-too-difficult hike in the Vrsic Pass, from which you will get incredible views of the Julian Alps. It is named after the viewpoint with the same name. Slemenova Spica sits at 1909m above sea level and 300m above the Vrsic Pass.
This hike was gorgeous and the views from Slemenova Spica are just spectacular. To make it even more special, the meadow right below the viewpoint had some really friendly sheep wandering around it.
STOP 2: Vrsic Pass Hike
We completed the day with a second short hike around the Vrsic Pass. The hike was not difficult at all and you got amazing views over the Trenta Valley. In addition, we got to see the face of the Pagan Girl carved in the rocks!
The legend of the Pagan Girl: Ajdovska Deklica, or the Pagan Girl, was a warm-hearted giantess that lived in the mountains and would help mountaineers and people transporting goods find their way through snow blizzards over Vrsic pass to Trenta Valley. She was also a fate deity and would visit mothers and foretell the destiny of their babies. One night, she had a prophecy of a baby being born that would grow to be a hunter and would kill Zlatorog, a god in the shape of a golden horned chamois, sell horns for money, and become incredibly rich. Angry by her prophecy, the other maidens cursed her. When she returned to her home in the mountains, she turned into stone, where she remains gazing over the Trenta Valley.
DAY 8: Soca Valley & Drive Back to Ljubljana
Route: From Bovec to Ljubljana (Distance: 141km; Driving time: 2h 41min)
Walking: 8 km
Hotel: Ahotel Ljubljana
On our last day in Slovenia, we explored the Soca Valley.
STOP 1: Great Soca Gorge
Our first stop of the day was to explore the Great Soca Gorge. This gorge was not originally on our itinerary but we saw it the previous day while driving to Bovec and we decided to check it out. This gorge, carved by the erosion of the Soca River is a 750 m long gorge and 15 meters deep with emerald green pools that intertwine together.
The gorge is not fully accessible and can only be seen from above in a few points so we were able to see it quite fast. Nevertheless, in the spots were you can see the gorge, it was amazing!
STOP 2: Boka Waterfall
After the Soca Gorge, we headed to Boka Waterfall. This is the highest waterfall in Slovenia with a total height of 136m and a width of 18m. This waterfall is easily accessible (or at least its viewpoint) from the road with a short 15-minute hike.
According to the folklore this waterfall was created in a very cruel way. The legend tells that a boy and a girl who went to collect mushrooms were hungry and knocked on the door of a small house, where they found an old lady, who gave them food. However, the lady was not as good as she seemed and wanted to kill them and make a roast out of them… To avoid this, the boy killed the lady and her blood turned into a waterfall that was named Boka Waterfall.
STOP 3: Kozjak Waterfall
The next stop was Kozjak Waterfall. This waterfall is located not far from Kobarid and is created by the Soca River falling in the Kozjak Gorge. The waterfall is only 15 m high but its location inside the gorge and the contrast between its dark walls and the turquoise of the water make it feel like you have arrived in heaven.
This waterfall and the short hike you have to do to reach it were the highlights of our last day in Slovenia!
To access the waterfall you’ll have to pay a small entrance fee of 5 euros per person and it is only accessible between April to October.
After the waterfall, it is time to start driving back to Ljubljana. Along the way, depending on the time, you can add a fourth stop to visit the Tolmin Gorges, which also look spectacular!
However, since we drove with our car from Belgium instead of flying, we skipped this last visit and started driving our return way. This way, it would be a more comfortable ride for us on the last day.
DAY 9: Return Home
Route: From Ljubljana to Ljubljana Airport (Distance: 26,6 km; Driving time: 28 minutes)
Hotel: Ahotel Ljubljana
On the ninth day of the trip, it is time to return home. Just drive back to the airport, return your rental car, and fly back home.
Depending on the time of your flight, you can maybe check out some last-minute places in Ljubljana.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO SLOVENIA
- Book your flights with WayAway.com
- Book your car with Rentalcars.com
- Find the best places to stay with Booking.com
- Get reliable travel insurance.
- Find the best activities to do like with Get Your Guide.
- Don’t forget to pack your Airtag to always help you locate your checked-in baggage.
- Remember to bring with you your portable battery and Insta360 Flow to capture the best photos and videos.
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT IN SLOVENIA
As I mentioned at the beginning of the blog, our trip to Slovenia was mainly focused on hiking and the Julian Alps. However, there are many other places to consider in Slovenia. Here are some other suggestions you can include in your itinerary.ç
- Postojna Cave: Postojna Cave is a 24 km long karst cave system near the town of Postojna in southwestern Slovenia. These caves are one of the top tourist places in the country.
- Logar Valley: The Logar Valley is one of the most beautiful alpine glacial valleys in Europe and flows into the Kamnik-Savinja Alps from the north.
- Maribor: Maribor is the second largest city in Slovenia and is another super special destination within the country.
- Piran: If you’re looking for a coastal experience in the Adriatic Sea, then you should the city of Piran to your itinerary.
MAP WITH ALL LOCATIONS
And that’s it for my blog about our One Week Slovenia Road Trip Itinerary. I hope you liked it and it encouraged you to visit this beautiful country. Let me know what you think in the comments!
Happy travels!
DISCLAIMER: Did you know? This blog uses affiliate partnerships. When you click and book or make a purchase through one of my blog posts, I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting The Travelling Hiker!
OTHER ARTICLES ABOUT SLOVENIA
- THE 15 BEST THINGS TO DO IN LJUBLJANA
- 10 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN LAKE BLED
- HIKING IN LAKE BLED
- EXPLORING MOSTNICA GORGE AND VOJE VALLEY
- THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN LAKE BOHINJ
- HIKING MOUNT VOGEL
- EXPLORING VINTGAR GORGE
- ONE WEEK ROAD TRIP ITINERARY IN SLOVENIA
- HIKING IN THE VRSIC PASS
- PLAN A ROAD TRIP IN SLOVENIA
ENJOYED THIS GUIDE? PIN IT FOR LATER!
