Slovenia has some of the most stunning landscapes in the European continent – the Alps, Mediterranean Sea, Karst area, stunning caves and picturesque valleys, rivers, and lakes.
Slovenia is a great country to enjoy nature – you can relax and pamper yourself, or challenge yourself with exciting outdoor activities. Besides simply taking a long walk to enjoy breathtaking landscapes, you can experience Slovenia with ziplining, canyoning, mountaineering, rafting, skiing, and many more.
Postojna Cave
The karst cave of Postojna, located in southwestern Slovenia, is beautiful – and maybe even the most beautiful cave in the world. Postojna Cave is one of the top tourist spots in Slovenia as well. The cave system consists of a complex of tunnels created by the erosion caused by the Pivka River.
For more than 140 years, a small train is driving visitors through magnificent rooms of the beautiful cave. The Postojna cave railway was also the first railway ever to operate in an underground cave system. The train ride offers the best experience of the amazingly big and beautiful cave and its stalagmites, stalactites, and curtains. One of the rooms, Concert Hall, is so big that it can hold 10 000 people. Concert Hall and Dance Hall are a place where concerts, theatre performances, screening, and receptions are regularly organized.
The highlights of the complex include Brilliant – a 5-meter-tall stalagmite named due to its bright white color; Skyscraper – a 16-meter-long stalagmite and Calvary, a massive hall that is 168,000 cubic meters big. Calvary is so big it could house London’s St Paul’s Cathedral.
The cave is home to the endemic olm (proteus anguinus), the largest troglodytic amphibian in the world. Visitors can see them in a pool, which makes Postojna cage one of the rare places in the world where people still can see this fascinating animal. They can live for 100 years and not eat for almost 12 years.
Soča Valley
The Soča river gives the name to the valley that looks straight out of a fairy tale. The deep emerald colors of the water surrounded by densely forested mountains under a blanket of blue sky is a sight that will take your breath away. The valley is famous for the amazingly beautiful Soča river, waterfalls, caves, and other stunning landscapes scattered all around. Its beauty is so mesmerizing that the producers of the Hollywood movie, Narnia, decided to shoot some parts of the film here.
Visitors to Soča valley can enjoy hiking, climbing, biking, photography, flower picking, and other outdoor activities. And there is a zip line here, that speed through the canyons at a speed of over 40 km/h!
During the Soča outdoor festival, a lot of adventure activities are carried out. Hundreds of paragliders get to jump off the tall mountains and get a bird’s eye view of the enigmatic valley beneath them. Some other activities conducted during the festival include bungee jumping, hydrospeeding, skydiving, fishing, bouldering, yoga, running, and horseback riding!
Lake Bled
Lake Bled is one of the most iconic spots in Slovenia and one of the most visited places in the country. High mountains and dense forest surround Glacial Lake located high in the Julian Alps in northwestern Slovenia. Bled’s beautiful Lake, enchanting castle, and lush nature are topped with a scenic tiny island and St. Mary’s Church in the middle of the Lake.
To get to the adorable island located in the middle of the Lake, you can hire a pletnas, a local wooden boat operated by standing rowers. The island has the Assumption of Mary Church, and from there, you can ring a bell that is said to make your wishes come true. Around the Lake is a paved road, great for taking long strolls or cycling.
During summers, you will see locals and tourists taking a dip in the cool waters of the Lake. There is a designated swimming spot that includes slides and jump board. The Castle Bathing Area has sun loungers and umbrellas so that you can soak up some sun sitting next to the Lake. Around the Lake, you can see 15 marked hikes that go uphill from the paved roads. The hikes range from 20 minutes to 3 hours, and from the top, you will get a panoramic view of the Lake and its surrounding areas.
Bohinj Lake
If you liked Bled Lake, you must visit Bohinj, another Slovenian fairy-tale destination – a lovely glacial lake surrounded by mountains and lush greenery. It is a place to enjoy long walks, kayaking, hiking, kayaking, swimming. Vogel cable car takes you to enjoy amazing views of Triglav National Park and walk to the most famous waterfall in Slovenia, Savica.
The clear water of Bohinj Lake reflects the Alps perfectly, like a mirror. The Lake is very tranquil, with many secluded beaches where you can enjoy swimming, relaxing and charming views.
Vintgar Gorge
The Vintar Gorge is undoubtedly one of the biggest Slovenian natural attractions. The Gorge is flanked by steep slopes and thick beech forests and is at least 1,600 meters long. It’s a gorgeous place to walk in, easy to get to and incredibly beautiful. A charming boardwalk suspended over river is charming and provides impressive views of the river and the gorge.
Triglav National Park
The only national park in the country is Triglav National Park, named after Slovenia’s highest point (9396.325 ft), the Triglav Mountain. The park is located in the northwestern part of the country, in the Julian Alps, near Austria and Italy. Triglav National Park is one of the largest national reserves in Europe – with its territory of 840 sq km. It covers over 4% of Slovenian territory.
The captivating mountain landscape is rich with gorges, stunning lakes, canyons, beautiful forests, and charming meadows. The park is blessed with an abundance of waterfalls, but the one that is must-see is the Savica waterfall. The Sava River feeds a stunning waterfall, surrounded by lush greenery all around.
Mount Triglav, the highest point in the park, is famous as a fantastic hiking and climbing destination. It overlooks the mesmerizing national park and surrounding areas.
Škocjan Caves
UNESCO World Heritage Site, Škocjan Caves, is a karst cave system at least 6 kilometers long. They reach a depth of 200 m. Along the way to the bottom, there are numerous waterfalls and one of the largest known underground chambers. Around the Škocjan Caves is a Karst Biosphere Reserve.
Logarska Dolina Country Park
This is one of the most beautiful places in Slovenia. The glacial valley beneath the Kamnik-Savinja Alps is simply adorable. It offers a relaxing setting for hiking, long walks, or biking. Rinka Waterfall (Slap Rinka) is the park’s main attraction.
