{"id":21230,"date":"2019-08-30T09:21:47","date_gmt":"2019-08-30T08:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sommertage.com\/?p=21230"},"modified":"2023-10-15T09:23:39","modified_gmt":"2023-10-15T08:23:39","slug":"slovenia-road-trip-itinerary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sommertage.com\/en\/slovenia-road-trip-itinerary\/","title":{"rendered":"Road Trip through Slovenia: Itinerary for 1-2 Weeks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In our opinion, the small country of Slovenia is one of the most underrated travel destinations<\/strong> ever. Slovenia is incredibly diverse with stunning stalactite caves, surreal looking turquoise river, breathtaking waterfalls, magnificent mountains and a rather hipster capital. Of course, we cannot forget the small but beautiful coastal region, home to the picturesque town of Piran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have a very special relationship to this neighbouring country, thanks to familial connections – Kathi has been travelling to Slovenia regularly since her childhood. Nowadays, we have lost track of how many times we have been to Slovenia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our itinerary is perfect for a week long road trip, which will take you around some of the most beautiful places in Slovenia<\/strong>. It’s packed with our best tips and extra travel routes, which you can easily add on and extend your road trip to two weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

1. Slovenia Travel Itinerary: The Most Beautiful Stops & Our Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Two things you should know in advance: we started our journey from Austria and travelled to Slovenia via the Karawanken Tunnel. However, it is also easily possible to arrive in Ljubljana (for example by plane) and start your Slovenian road trip from there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The direction of the route<\/strong> is very easily flexible. As the weather is rather crucial for us, this actually led us to Bled being our first stop on the road trip. There is nothing wrong with travelling in the opposite direction or mixing things up a little. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bled<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Let’s start at the most famous lake in Slovenia, Lake Bled. The tiny island in the middle of the lake with its impressive church is one of the country’s most famous photo spots<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summer, the lake is very popular for a swim<\/strong>, but that’s not all there is to discover. For example, you can do a short hike to one of the view points<\/strong> or visit the beautiful Vintgar Gorge<\/strong>. You also cannot miss the sweet specialty of Bled – their Custard Cream Pastry Squares (Krem\u0161nita).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Bled, it\u2019s not far to the next alpine lake – the Lake Bohinj<\/strong>. This is more local and less touristy than Bled, therefore definitely worth a stopover. In the summer, you can also do some wonderful mountain hikes in the Triglav National Park<\/strong> from this region. You can read more about our tips for Bled in our blog article. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our detailed blog article:<\/strong><\/em> Bled Tips<\/a>
Our hotel tip for Bled:<\/em><\/strong> Vila Mila<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bled<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ljubljana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The country\u2019s capital<\/strong> is somewhere that should not be missed on a road trip through Slovenia. Ljubljana is an easy-going town with a lot of character<\/strong>. It could even be referred to as the \u2018Salzburg of the East\u2019 with its castle and narrow, cobbled streets – although Ljubljana is not as hyped up or overrun as Salzburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Definitely don\u2019t skip the walk up to the castle<\/strong>, because you will be rewarded with a great view of the city. What we really liked about Ljubljana is actually the abundance of hipster cafes, some of which are located directly on the river (\u201cLjubljanica”). You can read more about Ljubljana on our more detailed blog article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our detailed blog article:<\/strong><\/em> Ljubljana Tips<\/a>
Our accommodation in Lubljana:<\/strong><\/em> Toba\u010dna White<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get there: From Bled to Ljubljana<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

On the way from Bled to Ljubljana, we can highly recommend a detour to the small town of \u0160kofja Loka<\/strong>. The picturesque \u0160kofja Loka (see photos 2 and 3) lies at a point where the two rivers converge and is the best preserved medieval town in Slovenia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you prefer the more direct route from Bled to Ljubljana, then the journey will take you just 45 minutes. However, if you take the short detour via \u0160kofja Loka, the journey will take about 1 hour and 10 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An off-the-beaten-track tip:<\/strong> About 20 km from \u0160kofja Loka is a small homestay<\/strong> surrounded by nature called Tesnak<\/a>. It is run by distant acquaintances of ours. We have not been there ourselves, but it seems like a really great place to stay!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"Road<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Slovenia<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Postojna Caves<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From Ljubljana, the road trip continues onwards to some of the most famous caves in Slovenia<\/strong>, the Postojna Caves. Not only are they one of the country’s most important tourist attractions, they are also the second largest caves (open to tourists) in the world. The caves are beyond impressive, although this also attracts large crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another highlight is located just a few kilometres from Postojna. The medieval cave-like Castle of Predjama<\/strong> is built within a giant rock and happens to be one of the most famous photo motifs of Slovenia. You can find more information in our detailed blog article here. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our detailed blog article:<\/strong> <\/em>The Postojna Caves<\/a>
Our accommodation tip for Postojna:<\/strong><\/em> Smrekarjeva Doma\u010dija<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get there: From Ljubljana to Postojna<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This section of the trip will take you just 45 minutes<\/strong>. Theoretically, you could start from Ljubljana in the morning, visit the caves and then continue onwards. However, we wanted to take it easy and therefore opted for an overnight stay in Postojna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Postojna<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Piran<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Small but beautiful: the coast of Slovenia is just 46 km long. But not that it matters, because here lies one of the most beautiful towns along the Adriatic Sea<\/strong>. Piran is a real gem and should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Slovenia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Piran is very small and you can explore the entire city in just a few hours. Nevertheless, we recommend you to stay at least one night and enjoy the atmosphere and peaceful tranquility. We immediately fell in love with the pastel-coloured, Venetian style houses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can find our detailed blog article here:<\/strong><\/em> Piran Tips<\/a>
Our hotel tip for Piran:<\/strong> <\/em>Memento Piran<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get there: From Postojna to Piran<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

From the Postojna Caves, it is approximately an hours drive<\/strong> directly to Piran. (You can find more information about the rather complicated parking situation in our Piran blog article.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our tip: If you find the Postojna caves too touristy, then there is another alternative cave you can visit on the way. The \u0160kocjan Caves<\/strong> are a little less well-known, but by no means less impressive. We visited this stalactite cave years ago and found it very worthwhile seeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Stadtmauer<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

So\u010da Valley (Bovec)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We saved the best for last: the scenic So\u010da Valley is definitely one of the highlights of our entire trip through Slovenia. Along the turquoise blue So\u010da river<\/strong> you will find beautiful waterfalls, gorges, canyons and suspension bridges<\/strong>. From short walks to longer tracks (for example in the Triglav National Park), you can find everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summer, many people like to go swimming in the So\u010da<\/strong> – the refreshing river water is a welcome feeling on hot days. There are endless beautiful and worthwhile stopovers awaiting you in the So\u010da Valley. More information and tips can be found in our detailed article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our detailed blog article:<\/strong> <\/em>Best Places in the So\u010da Valley<\/a>
Our accommodation in the So\u010da Valley:<\/strong><\/em> Hotel Sanje ob So\u010di<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get there: From Piran to the So\u010da Valley<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

On our last trip we decided to take the route over Vipava Valley<\/strong>. This valley is so picturesque and makes for the perfect stopover. After about 1 hour and 20 minutes you reach the bordering town of Nova Gorica (or “Gorizia” on the Italian side). This is where the So\u010da Valley starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another route you could take is through the Italian side<\/strong> (Trieste<\/a>) before reaching Nova Gorica. The journey will also be about 1 hour and 20 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either way, if you would like to make a stopover before you reach the So\u010da Valley, we have a secret tip<\/strong> for you. Near Nova Gorica, on the Slovenia side, lies the beautiful wine region called Gori\u0161ka Brda<\/strong> – in other words, the Tuscany of Slovenia. A few years ago we spent a few days in the picturesque village of Medana (accommodation tip: Belica Bed and Breakfast<\/a>). What a gem this place is!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Onward journey: From the So\u010da Valley to the north (Austria)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A route we can highly recommended is the one over the Vr\u0161i\u010d Pass<\/strong>, Slovenia’s highest pass. Once on the other side, you end up in Kranjska Gora on the beautiful Lake Jasna. From there, it\u2019s just a few kilometres back to Austria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you need to return your rental car in Slovenia (for example, in Ljubljana), then your journey will lead you back to Bled instead. From Kranjska Gora you can reach Bled in just half an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Velika<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Map: Overview of our Slovenia Route<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Slowenien<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Extra Tips for a Road Trip through Slovenia: Driving & Vignette<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Booking a Rental Car<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you can\u2019t or prefer not to travel by car, that\u2019s no problem. Most likely, you will start in the capital – Ljubljana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For us, we personally always book our rental car via Sunny Cars<\/a>. Sunny Cars basically acts as a middle man and they give you an overview of the cheapest car rental deals. The big advantage of Sunny Cars is that you have full comprehensive insurance – so in case of accident or damage you will be reimbursed the excess (or deductible). The prices for rentals cars are relatively cheap: In the high season, you can expect to pay around 250 \u20ac (excluding petrol) for a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vignette (Road Toll Pass) in Slovenia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The highways in Slovenia do incur in road toll fees. Therefore, to drive in Slovenia, you will need to have a Vignette for your car – which is basically a one off Road Toll Pass. The cheapest option is to purchase the 7-day Vignette<\/strong>, which currently costs 15 Euros (as of April 2019). If you are staying longer than a week in Slovenia, then you will require a monthly Vignette (30 Euros). These can be bought just before crossing the border at one of the shops or petrol stations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not included is the drive through the Karawanken Tunnel<\/strong> (cost: 7 Euros). You usually drive through this border tunnel if you travelling from Vienna to Bled, for example. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How expensive is Slovenia?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Overall, we would say that Slovenia is a rather affordable country. However, in the more touristic regions (which include some of the places mentioned on our road trip), we found the prices to be almost comparable to that of Austria and Germany. The high entrance fee to certain sights and attractions definitely took us by surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few examples to give you an idea of how much things cost:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n