Where is Slovenia

Small yet stunningly beautiful, Slovenia is an exceptional destination in the heart of Central Europe, bordered by European heavyweights: Italy, Croatia, Austria and Hungary.

It’s a breath of fresh air amidst other European destinations that, as some might say, are affected by mass tourism. Arguably, its greatest gift to travellers is its compact size, which makes Slovenia the ideal destination for an adventurous road trip.

In just a few hours, you can drive from the peaks of the Julian Alps in the north, to the Capital in the centre of the country, the vineyard-covered hills of the Vipava Valley in the west, to the Adriatic Coast in the southwest.

This, oftentimes, feels as though you’re travelling several countries at once.

Day 1 | Arrive in Ljubljana – drive to Bohinj

If you arrive in Slovenia by air, your first stop on this Slovenia itinerary will, in all likelihood, be Ljubljana, Slovenia’s bite-sized yet lively capital city.

Ljubljana is absolutely amazing – it might even be my favourite capital in Europe. Therefore, I’d advise dedicating at least two days of your itinerary to exploring this charming little city.

That said, I’d suggest picking up your rental car first thing and heading to Lake Bohinj, leaving beautiful Ljubljana for the end of your Slovenia adventure.

I believe this decision should be based on your arrival time and the duration of your inbound travel journey.

Day 1 – 4 | Lake Bohinj – one of Slovenia’s best-kept secrets

Slovenia is an untouched natural paradise, and the stunning Lake Bohinj has been my absolute favourite ever since I first visited this extraordinary country back in 2021.

Somewhat hidden within the boundaries of the Triglav National Park, Lake Bohinj is one of Slovenia’s best-kept secrets, and therefore, the first point of call on this Slovenia itinerary.

You see, Bohinj is a tranquil alpine escape that feels worlds apart from the more touristy vibe of its famous sibling Lake Bled, offering travellers a more precise representation of Slovenia’s incredible wild character.

Its essence may not lie in a wide variety of tourist sights, but more so in the quiet power of its natural surroundings, making it the perfect place for those into the outdoors, slow travel and wellness.

Here are some of my favourite things to do in Bohinj:

Hiking | Bohinj is a dream for hikers, with countless trails winding right through the densely forested alpine meadows, offering breathtaking views at every turn.

Walk around Lake Bohinj | Imagine taking a walk around the lake, the morning mist rolling in, and just a few people there to enjoy the serenity – that, for me, sums up Lake Bohinj.

Spent the night in Hotel Bohinj | If wellness and quiet luxury floats your boat, look no further; spending time in the stunningly beautiful Hotel Bohinj is as calming as it is rejuvenating.

Slap Savica Waterfall | The leisurely 20-minute walk to Slap Savica is absolutely stunning.

Church of St. John the Baptist | Nestled on the edge of the lake, the Church of St. John the Baptist is a true icon, and admiring it from various angles is truly magical.

Day 4 | Drive to Bovec – Kobarid and the stunning Soca Valley

After unwinding in stunning Bohinj, it is time for a delightful little road trip adventure in the direction of Bovec, with plenty of scenic stops along the way.

Though each sight could easily hold its own on this itinerary, I decided to bundle them so I could uncover more of Slovenia’s incredible offerings, without rushing or compromising on comfort.

While slightly out of direction, the first stop of the day is Kanal ob Soci, a small yet captivating settlement on the left bank of the Soca River. The scenic town’s bright buildings provide a stunning backdrop against the rough riverbed of the emerald waters of the Soca River.

Next up is the majestic Memorial Church of the Holy Spirit, a largely wooden church nestled on the edge of the Javorca Hill and overlooking the Polog Plateau. For me, this church is downright gorgeous, and the sweeping vistas surrounding it make it truly enchanting to witness.

Then it is time to head towards Kobarid, a cosy village that serves as the gateway to two of my favourite spots on this Slovenia itinerary; the time-worn Italian Charnel House and the mysterious Kozjak Waterfall.

After your outdoor explorations around Kobarid, take a 30-minute drive to Bovec, where you’ll have a good night’s rest before exploring the stunning Soca Valley first thing next morning.

Day 4 – 5 | Bovec – Slovenia’s outdoor adventure paradise

Bovec is the gateway to outdoor adventure and some of Slovenia’s most striking natural highlights, and is framed by towering peaks and the turquoise waters of the Soca Valley.

One of the region’s most impressive sights is the fascinating Slap Boka, arguably the mightiest waterfall in Slovenia, with a total height of 144 metres. A quick stop along the road offers a humbling reminder of Slovenia’s sheer natural beauty.

Next up is obviously exploring the Soca Valley itself, where you will find the Great Soca Gorge and Velika Korita Soče, two captivating places where the vivid shades of the Soca River truly come to life, intimidatingly rushing through the rocky limestone walls.

As mentioned above, the Soca Valley is a paradise for outdoor & adventure, making it the ideal place to engage in thrilling outdoor experiences, including kayaking, rafting, zip-lining, and climbing, among others.

Bovec itself is charming, yet relatively small, so there’s not much to do other than a leisurely walk, a good meal out, or a calm afternoon at your hotel, which is exactly what I did at Hotel Soca after my outdoor adventures.

Day 5 – 6 | Kranksja Gora, Mangart Saddle and the Vrsic Pass

Leaving Bovec behind, this day starts early, with an absolute highlight on this Slovenia itinerary; a dramatic drive along the narrow, thrilling, one-lane road to Mangart Saddle.

While somewhat frightening, the views you’ll have once you reach the top are truly spectacular, and something you can’t miss out on – trust me, you will instantly forget about the drive once you’re there. 

After taking in the views, head back down, where the journey continues over the famous Vrsic Pass, a mind-blowing pass marked by 50 hairpin turns, connecting the extraordinary Soca Valley with Kranksja Gora. 

While making your way along the picturesque, serpentine mountain pass, you’ll be greeted by dazzling views at just about every hairpin turn, with the Russian Orthodox chapel at turn #8 as one of the absolute highlights. For all the highlights, give my ‘Vrsic Pass guide’ a read too.

From here, it is time to move onwards to Kranksja Gora. While a quick stop at Lake Jasna feels inevitable, I’d highly recommend doing this first thing the next morning.

Once arrived in Kranksja Gora, it’s time to slow down and enjoy everything this charming little town, encircled by the immense beauty of Slovenia’s Triglav National Park, has to offer.

Day 6 | Drive to Bled – Lake Jasna, Zelenci Nature Reserve

While the attractive Lake Bled is technically speaking the next stop on this Slovenia itinerary, there are a few highlights you simply can’t ignore on your way to the famous lake.

The early morning brings you to the first stop, Lake Jasna, a truly picturesque place where the surrounding peaks mirror in the motionless waters of the lake itself – a stunning sight to behold.

After taking in the calm and breathtaking ambience of Lake Jasna, it is already time for the next stop on this Slovenia itinerary: the pristine Zelenci Nature Reserve.

Somewhat of a hidden gem among Slovenia’s many natural highlights, the Zelenci Nature Reserve is a pristine wetland area encircling the picture-perfect Zelenci Lake. While rather compact, Zelenci is absolutely worth visiting.

Then, just after leaving Zelenci, is the 52-metre-tall Slap Pericnik, a waterfall where you can walk a cave-like path right under the waterfall itself, which is a truly spectacular experience.

In the afternoon, make your way to Bled and get your bearings by checking into your hotel, roaming the city centre, and enjoying a meal around the iconic lake.

Day 6 – 9 | Lake Bled – Slovenia’s iconic lakeside escape

Easily the most famous place on this Slovenia itinerary, the immaculate Lake Bled and its iconic church are without doubt the main reasons travellers flock to this outstanding country.

Despite its popularity and the huge crowds that come with it, Bled still manages to keep a quiet charm, revealed mostly in the early mornings, when crowds are significantly thinner.

Though its reputation as one of the most beautiful places in Europe is righteous, I personally tend to feel some resistance to places dominated by mass tourism. For that reason, I’d advise skipping a visit to Bled Castle and exploring the stunning nature around Bled instead.

Here are some of my favourite things to do in Bled:

Take a walk around the lake | When a place is famed for its lake, taking the time to walk along its beautiful shorelines is an absolute must. Around the iconic lake is a 6km loop, offering ever-changing viewpoints, quiet corners away from the main crowds, and reflections that shift throughout the day.

Vintgar Gorge | Only a short drive from Bled, the Vintgar Gorge guides you through narrow canyon walls, all while the turquoise water rushes freely down below. It is truly breathtaking and easily one of the most fascinating walks in the region

Sample Bled’s traditional cake | I mean, have you even been to Bled without trying its famous kremsnita? I think no. Vanilla custard and light layers of cream sit between mouthwatering flaky pastry; this icon makes the perfect reward after a morning exploring Bled and its surroundings.

Watch sunrise over Lake Bled | There are few better moments to experience the lake than at sunrise. At this time, the water is motionless and gentle, the light soft, and the island church emerges quietly from the morning mist, providing stunning photography opportunities.

Day 9 – 11 | Ljubljana – Slovenia’s vibrant capital city

As mentioned at the beginning of this Slovenia itinerary, the last stop will be Ljubljana, one of Europe’s smallest capital cities, yet a vibrant place where you can easily spend a couple of days.

You see, what Ljubljana lacks in size, it makes up for with an inviting, familiar character.

From its charming cobblestone streets to its lively cafes, its stunning bridges to its charming riverbanks packed with trendy eateries, Ljubljana is a city that feels both welcoming and inspiring.

It’s a city that is best explored slowly, preferably on a roam without a plan, when Ljubljana’s authenticity and charm effortlessly guide you in all the right directions. 

While a roam without a plan is definitely the way to go, here are some of my favourite things to do in Ljubljana:

tipoRenesansa | As someone who studied Graphic Design and Typography, stumbling upon tipoRenesansa was an absolute blessing. If you’re into all things art and creativity, make sure you visit Marko’s inspiring studio at the banks of the lively Petkovsek Embankment.

Ljubljana Castle | Towering high above the Old Town, the 16th-century Ljubljana Castle is a true icon and a must-visit for everyone visiting Ljubljana for more than 24 hours. 

Pop’s Place | Those who follow WTSW for a bit will know how much effort I put in finding burger joints wherever I travel, so having Pop’s on here is your sign to visit if you fancy a juicy burger whilst exploring Ljubljana.

Wander around Old Town | The bite-sized Old Town of Ljubljana is picturesque, and exploring it on a roam without a plan is as inspiring as it is wonderful.

Metalkova | Artistic, bold, and a tad peculiar, Ljubljana’s artistic hub of Metalkova is, safely said, different. Those into street art and graffiti will easily spend a morning exploring here.