Things to do in Slovenia

Slovenia covers about 20,000 square kilometres and touches the Alps, the Adriatic, the Karst and the Pannonian plain. Its coast is only about 46 km long. Most corners are a few hours apart by road.

How the country is laid out

• Ljubljana. The capital and the hub, small enough to cross on foot. Nearly every route starts here.
• Julian Alps. In the north-west, with Triglav at 2,864 m. Lake Bled is under an hour from the capital, Lake Bohinj a little further.
• Karst and caves. Postojna Cave has about 24 km of passages, and a small train carries visitors in. The Škocjan caves hold a river canyon underground and are on the UNESCO list. Both lie south-west of Ljubljana, on the way to the coast.
• Coast. Koper, Izola and Piran on the Adriatic. Piran was Venetian for five centuries, and its old town still looks it.
• Soča valley. A green-blue river in the far west, around Kobarid and Bovec.
• Štajerska. Maribor, the second city, above the Drava in the eastern wine hills.

What people book

Three kinds of trip stand out. In Ljubljana, a phone-led hunt walks you through the old town at your own pace. Private cars leave the capital for Vienna, Bratislava and Zagreb.

Vienna and Bratislava are about four hours by road. Zagreb is under two, which leaves room for a sightseeing stop. From Piran, a catamaran makes a day trip of about twelve hours to Venice.

The Alps, the caves and the Soča are usually done by rental car or local bus.

Practical

• Weather. Ljubljana reaches about 27C in July and about 3C by day in January. The sea off Piran warms to about 25C in August. Postojna Cave stays near 10C all year, so bring a jacket.
• Season. Lake Bled and the coast fill in July and August. May, June and September are calmer.
• Distances. Postojna is about 50 km from Ljubljana, Bled about 55 km and Koper on the coast about 100 km.
• Driving. Motorways need an e-vignette. Rental cars usually carry one, so check at pickup.
• Money. The euro, with cards taken almost everywhere.
• Tipping. Round up, or add about ten per cent for good service.