# e-Slovénie — Your Slovenia Journey Starts Here

> The leading travel guide to Slovenia, created in 2000 by Patrick Faust, a French expat living in Slovenia since 2004. Over 400 articles, 200 restaurant reviews and 16 destination guides.

Last updated: 2026-08-16

## Destinations

- [Ljubljana](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/ljubljana/) — Slovenia's capital, on the banks of the Ljubljanica. One of Europe's smallest capitals, European Green Capital 2016, shaped by the architect Jože Plečnik whose works are UNESCO-listed.
- [Lake Bled](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/lac-de-bled/) — Slovenia's iconic glacial lake in the Julian Alps, Upper Carniola. Home to the country's only natural island, crowned by the Church of the Assumption, and a medieval castle 130 m above the water.
- [Piran](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/piran/) — A Venetian jewel on Slovenia's Adriatic coast. Perfectly preserved medieval town with narrow streets, Tartini Square and breathtaking views from the ramparts. Slovenia has just 46km of coastline total.
- [Triglav National Park](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/parc-du-triglav/) — Slovenia's only national park, covering 880 square kilometres in the heart of the Julian Alps. Dominated by Mount Triglav (2,864m), the national symbol that appears on the flag and currency.
- [Soča Valley](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/vallee-soca/) — The great alpine valley of north-western Slovenia, threaded by the emerald Soča from its source at Trenta down to Friuli. A whitewater playground, the theatre of the Isonzo Front and a gastronomic destination around Kobarid.
- [Postojna](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/postojna/) — The Postojna Cave is Europe's largest system of karst caves open to the public, with 24km of passages. Visitors descend by underground train—a unique world experience. Nearby, Predjama Castle is literally built into a 123-metre cliff.
- [Kranjska Gora](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/kranjska-gora/) — An alpine resort at the foot of Vršič Pass, at the tri-border junction of Slovenia, Italy and Austria. Skiing in winter (World Cup slalom), hiking and mountain biking in summer. Ideal base for exploring Triglav National Park.
- [Maribor](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/maribor/) — Slovenia's second city, in the heart of the Styrian wine region. Known for the world's oldest vine (over 400 years old), the historic Lent quarter on the Drava River, and proximity to Pohorje for skiing and hiking.
- [The Karst](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/karst/) — Mythical limestone plateau between Ljubljana and the Adriatic coast. The Slovenian Karst is the birthplace of speleology worldwide — the word 'karst' originates here. A land of pršut (cured ham), Teran (red wine), spectacular caves and stone villages. Lipica, the cradle of Lipizzan horses, and the troglodyte Predjama castle are among its treasures.
- [Celje and the Savinja Valley](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/celje-savinja/) — Slovenia's third city, Celje is dominated by the ruins of the country's largest medieval castle. The Savinja Valley, stretching to Logarska dolina (one of Europe's most beautiful glacial valleys), offers a unique blend of thermal heritage, hops (Žalec, the 'beer city') and authentic gastronomy.
- [Prekmurje](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/prekmurje/) — Slovenia's easternmost region, beyond the Mura River, on the Hungarian and Austrian border. Pannonian plain with landscapes of storks and sunflower fields. Famous for gibanica (layered cake), bograč (stew), the thermal spas of Moravske Toplice and the unique architecture of Plečnik in Bogojina.
- [Goriška Brda](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/goriska-brda/) — The 'Slovenian Tuscany' — gentle wine hills on the Italian border, dotted with medieval perched villages, cherry blossoms in spring and exceptional wine cellars. The fortified village of Šmartno and the view from Gonjače offer unforgettable vistas. Star wines: Rebula, Chardonnay, Merlot.
- [Vipava Valley](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/vallee-vipava/) — Secret wine valley between the Karst and the Soča valley. Mediterranean climate, distinctive Burja wind, and some of Slovenia's finest natural wines. Majerija and Zemono (Gostilna pri Lojzetu, Michelin-starred) count among the country's most renowned tables.
- [Koroška](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/koroska/) — Alpine region in northern Slovenia, on the Austrian border. Forested mountains, mining and craft traditions, and terroir gastronomy with Carinthian influences. Slovenj Gradec is a UN Peace Ambassador, and the Pohorje peaks offer hiking and skiing.
- [Nova Gorica](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/nova-gorica/) — Twin city of Gorizia (Italy), Nova Gorica was European Capital of Culture 2025 — the first spanning two countries, a title that gave its cultural scene a lasting boost. Gateway to the Brda hills, Vipava valley and Soča valley. The food scene is booming with creative restaurants and natural wine bars.
- [Dolenjska](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/dolenjska/) — Rolling region southeast of Ljubljana, crossed by the Krka River and its natural waterfalls. Home to cviček (a light, acidic wine unique to Slovenia), romantic castles (Otočec, the only island castle in the country) and spas. Gastronomy blends Pannonian influences and local traditions.
- [Lake Bohinj](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/lac-de-bohinj/) — Slovenia's largest permanent lake, in the heart of Triglav National Park — the wild alternative to Bled, a 25-minute drive away.
- [Škocjan Caves](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/grottes-de-skocjan/) — Slovenia's first natural UNESCO World Heritage site (1986): the underground canyon of the Reka River, crossed on foot over dizzying walkways.
- [Ptuj](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/ptuj/) — Slovenia's oldest town: a castle above the Drava, medieval lanes, Haloze wines and the UNESCO-listed Kurent carnival.
- [Kočevje](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/kocevje/) — Slovenia's wild lung: UNESCO-listed primeval forests and Europe's highest density of brown bears.
- [Logarska Dolina](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/logarska-dolina/) — One of Europe's most beautiful glacial valleys: 7 km of meadows beneath the walls of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, ending at the Rinka waterfall.
- [Velika Planina](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/velika-planina/) — One of Europe's largest preserved herdsmen's settlements: shingle-roofed shepherd huts, summer herds and trnič cheese, at around 1,600 m.
- [Radovljica](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/radovljica/) — A painted-facade old town 10 minutes from Bled: Slovenia's capital of beekeeping, gingerbread and chocolate.
- [Škofja Loka](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/skofja-loka/) — One of Slovenia's oldest towns: the Capuchin Bridge, a castle and medieval lanes, 30 minutes from Ljubljana.
- [Kamnik](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/kamnik/) — A medieval town at the foot of the Kamnik Alps, 25 minutes from Ljubljana: the Mali grad chapel, Šutna street and the gateway to Velika Planina.
- [Krvavec](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/destinations/krvavec/) — Ljubljana's ski resort: slopes between 1,450 and 1,971 m half an hour from the capital, and mountain-bike pastures in summer.

## Latest Articles

- [Village Day in Rateče 2026: the Three-Border Village Festival on 15 August](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/articles/village-day-ratece/)
- [Idrija Geopark: Best Hiking and Cycling Trails (2026)](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/articles/idrija-geopark-trails/)
- [Solar Eclipse in Slovenia (12 August 2026): Where and How to See It](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/articles/solar-eclipse-slovenia/)
- [Idrija Žlikrofi: Slovenia's First Protected Dish — and My Grandmother's Recipe](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/articles/idrija-zlikrofi/)
- [Gusti di Frontiera 2026: the Giant Food Festival on Slovenia's Doorstep](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/articles/gusti-di-frontiera-festival-gorizia/)

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Slovenia or Croatia: which one for a week?

For one week, Slovenia: distances are short (2-3 hours of driving at most) and you can combine the Alps, lakes, caves and the Adriatic coast in a single trip, with no ferries or long transfers. Croatia wins for a fully beach-and-islands holiday. The two pair well over two weeks — Piran is only 30 minutes from the Croatian border.

### Can you visit Slovenia without a car?

Yes, for the essentials: buses run from Ljubljana to Bled every 30 minutes, trains reach Bohinj on the scenic Bohinj railway line, and summer shuttles serve Vintgar Gorge and the Soča Valley. Ljubljana, Bled, Bohinj and Piran are easy without a car. A car remains useful for the Karst, the wine regions (Brda, Vipava) and remote valleys.

### Postojna Cave or Škocjan Caves: which one to choose?

Postojna for the spectacular, developed experience: an underground train, vast chambers, great with kids. Škocjan for authenticity: it is the UNESCO World Heritage site (1986), with a dizzying underground canyon crossed on foot over walkways. Both work as a day trip from Ljubljana; if you must pick one, Škocjan impresses hikers, Postojna delights children.

### Where can you swim in Slovenia: sea or lakes?

Both. On the coast, you can swim off the quays of Piran and the beaches of Izola, in an Adriatic that tops 24°C in midsummer. Among the lakes, Bled and especially Bohinj are swimmable from June to September. The Soča stays ice-cold even in August — admire it, raft it, but don't linger in it.

### Do I need a visa for Slovenia?

No for EU citizens, Swiss, Canadian and many other nationals. Slovenia is in the Schengen area. A valid ID card or passport is sufficient for Europeans. Canadians and Americans can stay 90 days without a visa.

## Resources

- [FAQ (67 questions)](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/faq/)
- [All articles](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/articles/)
- [Restaurants](https://www.e-slovenie.com/en/restaurants/)
- [llms.txt](https://www.e-slovenie.com/llms.txt)