There are so many awesome places to visit in Slovenia, that we simply couldn't fit it all in our complete Slovenia Travel Guide. That's why we're diving a bit deeper to share all of our favorite locations with you!
With just a week in the country we were able to visit almost every single one of these amazing places to visit in Slovenia. From beautiful waterfalls and turquoise rivers to rolling hills and charming towns, there truly is something for everyone in Slovenia. Its size allows you to see an incredible amount of places in a short amount of time, and most spots don't require much effort to visit at all!
While nearby countries like Switzerland or Austria require demanding hikes to reach some of their top destinations, all of the best places to visit in Slovenia can be reached within minutes! So let's jump right in and discover all the beautiful gems that this country has to offer.
*Please note that this blog post may contain some affiliate links, which we make a small profit on, at zero cost to you. Links are only used on products & services that we've used and believe in, to give you the best buying experience. Purchasing from these links helps us to continue providing free travel guides for you- so thank you for your support!
Awesome Places to Visit in Slovenia: Cities & Villages
Some of the most highly visited places are cities, as they are the best places to base yourself, and to learn about the history and culture of a country. Here are some of the best cities and villages to visit in Slovenia.
1. Ljubljana
Ljubljana is the capital of the country, and it's the perfect place to base yourself for a trip around Slovenia. Located in the middle of the country, it's really easy to do day trips from Ljubljana to most of the best places to visit in Slovenia, and it's the most fun spot for enjoying nightlife, as well as a variety of dining options.
The city center itself is very small, and can easily be done in just a day! That being said, we definitely think it is worth visiting Ljubljana, and even if you don't want to base yourself there, it is still an excellent place to start or end your trip in Slovenia.
2. Piran
Piran is the most beautiful town along the Slovenian coast. With its vibrant orange roofs contrasting the turquoise waters, it looks very similar to a lot of the pretty coastal towns of Croatia, and it's definitely one of the best places to visit in Slovenia.
3. Skofja Loka
Located just a half hour from the capital, Skofja Loka is the perfect town to spend a few hours. It is small, but very picturesque, and yet to be discovered by mass tourism. We even went to a super cute coffee shop, and all of the people working there were so shocked we were there! The people were extremely welcoming and even treated us to a free pizza while we were there.
It's honestly towns like Skofja Loka that really allow you to interact with locals, and get a feel for what life is like for the average Slovenian.
Here are a couple of tours that visit Skofja Loka:
4. Radovljica
This is another small town that we absolutely loved, and found was the perfect place to walk around and grab a cup of coffee. There is a small museum you can check out, a view of the valley, and some great shops with local products to check out.
5. Koper
The first time I actually visited Koper was when I was working on a cruise ship. It's an increasingly popular cruise port which is located on the Slovenian coast. Similar to Piran, it is characterized by its bright orange roofs and its picturesque small streets running through it.
6. Maribor
Maribor is the second largest city in the country, and is located a bit far from the rest of the top places to visit in Slovenia. The beautiful old town is perched over a river and it is also known for its wine culture, which are two reasons alone to include Maribor to your Slovenian itinerary.
7. Stanjel
If you're looking for a fairytale village packed with history, then Stanjel is definitely one of the places to visit in Slovenia for you.
The medieval village is one of the oldest settlements of Karst, in the west of Slovenia. It has a castle which is often used as a wedding venue, gardens, an exhibition, and a wine shop. Stanjel is the perfect place to spend an afternoon, or to spend a night to truly immerse in local life.
Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!
8. Planina Zajamniki
Planina Zajamniki is the name of a plain, but it has an adorable village that will truly make you feel as if you've stepped back in time.
One of the most quaint places we visited in Slovenia, it certainly wasn't as easy to find as we were imagining. You can either reach here by driving down dirt roads, or by a lengthy trek (but we would definitely recommend driving).
Awesome Places to Visit in Slovenia: Lakes
Slovenia is most famous for its lakes, and it truly has some of the most beautiful lakes in all of Europe! More than just bodies of water, each one of these spots has something special to offer- whether it be the surrounding landscapes, or the amenities and activities surrounding them.
9. Lake Bled
Lake Bled is the most iconic of all of the places to visit in Slovenia, and definitely the most famous spot in the entire country. This gorgeous lake itself makes Slovenia a country worth adding to your bucket list.
The fairytale lake is known for it's small island in the middle with a church on it. Lake Bled also has a castle overlooking it, a beautiful viewpoint, and boat rentals. If you have one day in Slovenia, then let it be a trip to Lake Bled.
10. Lake Bohinj
While tourists typically flock to Lake Bled, there is another stunning lake that is just around the corner! The first time I visited Lake Bohinj it was simply captivating with the snow surrounding it.
Unfortunately the second time we visited (in early Autumn) the weather wasn't in our favor. Apparently if you wait until the late morning though, the clouds typically clear. So make sure to plan a visit closer to midday if you aren't visiting in the sumner.
Here are a few excursions that go to Lake Bohinj:
11. Lake Jasper
One of the most underrated lakes in Slovenia is definitely Lake Jasper. With deep blue waters and mountains surrounding it, this place is extremely magical.
There is also an incredible hotel located right on the lake that you can stay at. It is beautifully lit at night, and also has a restaurant, as well as plenty of outdoor seating to relax and enjoy the views.
12. Lake Cerknica
Located just outside Slovenia's capital, Lake Cerknica is one of the most peculiar lakes in Europe, as it goes back and forth from full to vanishing. In the spring it fills ups from all of the snow melting, while by the end of summer much of it dries up.
Lake Cerknica is a great place to go kayaking, and to enjoy the nature outside of the city - just make sure to go there before it disappears!
13. Plansarsko Jezero
Located in the north of Slovenia near the border, this lake is the perfect place to visit in Slovenia if you are driving to or from Austria.
Plansarsko Jezero is a picturesque lake with a backdrop of the alps behind it. There is also a restaurant right next to it so you can enjoy a meal along your road trip. The entire area surrounding it is super picturesque, with large green fields and cute cows roaming around.
Will You Buy Us A Coffee? ☕
As coffee lovers, we always enjoy the energy of caffeine. It helps us get the best free travel guides out there for you! 😄
Awesome Places to Visit in Slovenia: Waterfalls
Slovenia has some really great waterfalls, and most of them are right near one another! Here are a few of our favorites to add to your Slovenian bucket list.
14. Kozjak Waterfall
This is definitely the most popular waterfall in Slovenia. It is surrounded by a canyon, and is accessed by a small trail. There are two different areas that you can park. The main parking lot is a 25-30 minute walk, but if you park by the suspension bridge you can make it there in just 10-15 minutes.
The waterfall can be accessed from 8 am to 8 pm, and has a charge of 5 euros to enter. You're not allowed in the water, but you can appreciate the views from the platform above. We accessed the waterfall from below for the picture, but made sure to still take the photo from outside the water.
15. Pericnik Waterfall
Another popular waterfall to visit in Slovenia is Pericnik Waterfall, which was definitely our favorite. With just a 5 minute walk you can appreciate the waterfall from the front, but also get right behind it!