When individuals ask me about my favourite international locations on this planet, one in all my solutions at all times takes them abruptly: Slovenia. Sure, Slovenia is one in all my favourite international locations on this planet!
This little former-Yugoslavian nation nestled between Croatia and Austria packs an enormous punch. It is bought unbelievable landscapes, scrumptious meals and wine, heat and real individuals, and is blissfully ignored by many vacationers in Europe.
I first visited Slovenia in 2013, and completely fell in love with its colourful capital of Ljubljana, and its alpine gem of Lake Bled. After I was planning a return journey to Slovenia in 2023 with my buddy Ashley, I used to be actually fearful that the nation would have modified past recognition, as usually occurs with under-the-radar locations.
However guess what? Slovenia felt just about precisely the identical 10 years later! All the issues I cherished about it on my first journey – the attractive cities, untouched nature, and very nice individuals – had been all nonetheless there. And I feel you’ll in all probability like it, too.
If you happen to’re contemplating taking a visit to Slovenia anytime quickly, listed here are some important issues I feel you must know first. As a result of, whereas Slovenia is a reasonably simple nation to journey in general, it nonetheless positively has its quirks.
Issues to know earlier than you go to Slovenia
1. Slovenia isn’t giant
First, a fast geography lesson. Slovenia is situated in southern Central Europe, and is taken into account a Balkan nation. It is bordered by Croatia to the south, Hungary to the east, Austria to the north, and Italy to the west.
It isn’t a big nation by any means; it covers simply 7,827 sq. miles (20,271 sq km), and you may drive throughout the widest a part of Slovenia in roughly 3.5 hours. (For comparability, Slovenia is about half the dimensions of Switzerland, and barely smaller than the US state of New Jersey.)
It isn’t very crowded, both, being dwelling to about 2.1 million individuals.
2. Slovenia has numerous landscapes
For a comparatively small nation, Slovenia has some unbelievable range in what you possibly can see and do! You’ll be able to benefit from the (admittedly tiny however nonetheless there) coast in Piran, go climbing within the Julian Alps in Triglav Nationwide Park, discover cities like Ljubljana and Maribor, go underground in unbelievable karst caves, drool over alpine lakes like Lake Bled, and go to one in all three completely different wine areas.
On my first go to to Slovenia, I used to be completely blown away by how unbelievable the surroundings was. A lot of Slovenia is hilly and mountainous, which I do not assume most individuals notice!
3. Slovenia is a brand new(ish) nation
Slovenia after all has been populated for hundreds of years. It was a part of the Holy Roman Empire for practically 1,000 years, after which was beneath Habsburg rule as a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire till the tip of WWI.
After WWI, Slovenia united with Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia to type the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes in 1918. That kingdom lasted till 1929, when it formally modified its title to Yugoslavia (and finally added Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Macedonia).
Throughout WWII, the Axis powers invaded Yugoslavia in 1941, and divided up present-day Slovenia for occupation. Nazi Germany, Italy, and Hungary all managed completely different components of the Slovenian lands, and impressed one of many largest resistance actions of WWII. (Study extra about WWII history and sites you can visit in Slovenia right here.)
After WWII (1946), Yugoslavia turned a socialist federation, largely beneath the rule of Josip Broz (AKA “Tito”). Slovenia was the primary nation to secede from Yugoslavia, declaring its independence in 1991.
So, technically, Slovenia as a rustic has solely existed since 1991!
4. Slovenia is a member of the EU
Regardless of its relative “youth,” Slovenia is a member of the European Union, having joined formally in 2004. Which means that the foreign money utilized in Slovenia is the Euro.
5. You continue to want to hold money
In contrast to many different Euro-zone international locations, you will nonetheless wish to carry some money on you in Slovenia. You should utilize a bank card at motels and most eating places in bigger cities, however outdoors of the cities money remains to be most well-liked, particularly for smaller purchases.
So positively hit up an ATM if you arrive so you possibly can be sure you have some money on you.
6. You may get by nice with English
Slovene (or Slovenian) is the official language of Slovenia, and is a Slavic language. You may additionally discover Hungarian and Italian spoke as co-official languages, together with some Croatian, Serbian, and German.
However do not let this intimidate you; most Slovenians communicate no less than two languages, with English being the most typical second language. So for those who solely communicate English, you will be simply nice visiting Slovenia. Individuals who work in tourism communicate wonderful English in my expertise, and it is often in rural areas close to the border the place English may not be somebody’s second language.
7. Slovenia could be very inexperienced
Slovenia is a inexperienced nation – each actually and figuratively.
Slovenia is 73% rural, with 61% of land lined by forests, based on the European Commission. Add in loads of farmland and a few protected nationwide parks, and Slovenia is kind of actually very, very inexperienced.
Slovenia can be “inexperienced” within the sense that it is fairly a eco-conscious nation. The complete nation has been deemed a Inexperienced Vacation spot of the World, and Ljubljana was named Europe’s Inexperienced Capital in 2016 (a incontrovertible fact that Ljubljana’s mayor remains to be very, very pleased with).
Slovenia leans into its inexperienced and sustainable fame, with a Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism plan, plus photo voltaic panels and electrical automotive charging stations all over the place.
8. Beekeeping is huge right here
The artwork of modern-day beekeeping was born proper right here in Slovenia – it’s even been designated an instance of Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. And it’s certainly ingrained in Slovenian tradition; roughly 1 in each 200 individuals in Slovenia is a beekeeper, and you will find colorfully-painted beehives and native honey on the market in practically each city.
Bee tourism (AKA apitourism) is alive and effectively in Slovenia, and you will discover all kinds of bee-related issues to do, from honey massages (sure, it is an actual factor!) to staying in a single day in a beehive or bee-themed lodge. (Try the best bee experiences in Slovenia right here.)
Or, avoid the bees and simply take pleasure in all of the native honey and honey-based treats and desserts as you journey round Slovenia.
9. Slovenia makes nice wine
Do not feel too dangerous for those who did not know that Slovenia makes wine in any respect; Slovenian wine is not usually exported, and a lot of the tourism emphasis right here is placed on locations like Ljubljana and Lake Bled. However I am right here to let you realize that Slovenia is dwelling to a few completely different wine areas, and makes some nice wine!
Slovenia has truly been making wine for a really very long time; it is dwelling to the world’s oldest grape vine within the metropolis of Maribor, which is greater than 400 years outdated and STILL produces grapes!
The three completely different wine areas in Slovenia are the Podravska Wine Area within the northeast, the Posavska Wine Area within the southeast, and the Primorska Wine Area within the southwest (the latter of which could be very Italian-influenced). A lot of the wines produced in Slovenia are white, and a vineyard proprietor defined that the majority Slovenians favor their wines candy and fruity, so you will discover lots of these right here (as a result of, bear in mind, the overwhelming majority of Slovenian wine produced is drunk by Slovenians!).
On my most up-to-date journey to Slovenia, I traveled to Maribor particularly to go to some native vineyards. I spent a day within the Styrian wine area that straddles the Slovenia-Austria border (it’s the Štajerska area inside Podravska in Slovenia, and known as the Steiermark in Austria), and it was so price it! Undoubtedly an underrated wine vacation spot in Europe.
10. Beware portion sizes
Slovenia is not essentially recognized for its big portion sizes like another international locations (taking a look at you, USA), however we had been persistently shocked (and generally hilariously appalled) by being delivered huge portion sizes of meals.
Just like the “meat platter for 2” that ought to have truly been known as the “meat platter for 2 households,” or the “small burgers” we ordered at a roadside restaurant that had been larger than our heads, or the seafood risotto at Lake Bled that was served in a cooking-sized pan.
It isn’t a nasty thought to ask about portion dimension if you’re ordering – although Slovenians prefer to downplay issues, so that you may simply wish to plan to share meals with a buddy for those who can, simply to be protected!
11. Driving in Slovenia is simple (largely)
The best strategy to discover Slovenia past Ljubljana is to drive your self. There’s not a terrific prepare system right here, and public transit leaves quite a bit to be desired (largely as a result of Slovenia is simply so rural).
The excellent news is that driving in Slovenia is fairly easy. There are a pair fundamental highways that join all the key cities, and roads generally are paved and well-maintained. They drive on the best right here, and we did not discover Slovenian drivers to be overly aggressive or something.
However there are some quirks to driving in Slovenia! A number of issues to know:
- Technically talking, you want an Worldwide Driving Allow to drive in Slovenia together with your house driver’s license for those who’re not Slovenian. (For my American readers, you will get one in all these at any AAA location.) Nevertheless, in apply nobody ever requested us to see this in Slovenia. But it surely’s in all probability nonetheless finest to get one, simply in case.
- Slovenia LOVES street indicators; there are such a lot of alongside all the key roads. Weirdly, although, some vacationer points of interest appeared to lack what appeared like important signage.
- Double test the instructions out of your mapping app if you are going to barely extra distant components of Slovenia. Waze led us astray greater than as soon as, sending us down unpaved farm tracks as a substitute of roads. If a street is numbered, you are nice. If it isn’t numbered, you may wish to double test that it is truly a street earlier than you drive down it.
- If you happen to’re driving into Slovenia from one other nation, know that your automotive requires a vignette sticker or e-vignette so as to drive/pay on Slovenian toll roads. (If you happen to hire a automotive IN Slovenia, nevertheless, your rental automotive ought to have already got one.)
12. Slovenia is a well-liked biking vacation spot
One different factor to learn about driving in Slovenia is that you simply may end up sharing the street with bikes and bicycle cyclists, particularly up round Triglav Nationwide Park.
Slovenia in a well-liked vacation spot for biking, with among the prime cyclists on this planet coaching right here yearly. And its beautiful countryside and winding mountain roads are additionally enjoyable to journey for motorcyclists.
So positively simply hold an eye fixed out for bikes of all kinds, and provides them loads of house as you share the street.
13. Slovenia is an energetic vacation spot
Past the capital metropolis of Ljubljana, the primary issues to do in Slovenia are largely open air – climbing, biking, visiting caves, paddling on lakes, seeing waterfalls, and so on.
And whereas the tourism infrastructure in Slovenia is usually excellent, lots of the most well-liked issues to do and see embrace some quantity of strolling and climbing stairs. And, in my expertise, native individuals (and web reviewers) severely underplay simply how a lot of every you may have to do so as to go to a spot.
Ljubljana and Lake Bled have accessible motels, eating places, and so on. However Slovenia as an entire actually does require first rate mobility so as to absolutely see.
14. Generally there is not any information on-line
One of many main challenges to planning a Slovenia journey that goes past the primary highlights (and generally even together with them) is the dearth of information obtainable on-line.
Positive, you will discover motels to e-book and get instructions. However if you wish to discover data on when a small vineyard is open, or the best way to e-book a keep in a beehive cabin? Good luck! Slovenia – and particularly rural Slovenia – remains to be lagging a bit behind with regards to getting data up on the web. Even some main points of interest have complicated web sites that appear to be lacking essential information.
In some circumstances, you will simply need to wing it, or present as much as locations and see what occurs! (Or learn blogs like this one, the place I share all the things I discovered with you!)
15. Folks in Slovenia are pleasant and real
Slovenians are, in my expertise, beautiful individuals. They are often instantly trustworthy generally, however they’ve a terrific humorousness and are usually open and pleasant to guests. My buddy Ashley and I had so many beautiful interactions with beautiful people in Slovenia, a few of which we’re nonetheless speaking and laughing about to this present day.
Folks will not essentially smile at you for no cause on the road in Slovenia (this is not the American Midwest, in any case!), however for those who ask for assist or have a query, the rapid response from a neighborhood is more likely to be “After all!”
16. Slovenia remains to be beneath the radar
Regardless of it being well-positioned in Europe and really simple to journey round, Slovenia nonetheless stays delightfully under-the-radar as a vacationer vacation spot.
Will that finally change? Maybe. However the nation’s mostly-rural make-up coupled with its dedication to sustainability makes me assume (or hope, no less than) that it’d by no means develop into utterly overwhelmed with vacationers – which is nice information!
I anticipated Slovenia to have modified quite a bit in 10 years, however it actually felt virtually the identical in 2023 because it had in 2013. Sure, among the hottest spots in Slovenia do get busy through the summer season months, however for essentially the most half that is nonetheless a spot you possibly can go to with out coping with lengthy traces and big crowds.
17. Slovenia is comparatively reasonably priced
The Balkan international locations are usually considered a extra reasonably priced a part of Europe to journey in, however I’d say that Slovenia might be one of many dearer Balkan international locations to go to.
Are you able to go to Slovenia on a funds? Sure, after all. There are hostels and guesthouses, and you may grocery store and focus totally on free out of doors issues to do. However for those who’re touring with a extra average funds, I’d say that Slovenia compares to Italy and Croatia by way of price of journey. (It appears fairly a bit like Switzerland in some areas, however fortunately it is way more reasonably priced than Switzerland!)
Meals is reasonably priced, many out of doors issues to do are free, and you may positively discover mid-range motels within the $100-$150 an evening vary. My buddy Ashley and I spent about $3200 between the 2 of us (not together with flights) throughout a 10-day street journey the place we did not stress about our funds an excessive amount of. We rented a automotive, booked nicer motels, did a number of paid actions, and ate out 2-3 meals per day.
Hopefully this provides you a greater thought of what touring in Slovenia is basically like. It is one in all my favourite international locations on this planet, and I hope these Slovenia journey suggestions may help you with your individual journey.
Is Slovenia a spot you want to go to?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 international locations on 6 continents from her dwelling base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by means of the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares suggestions based mostly on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!
