9 Days in Slovenia: Your Road Trip Itinerary
Slovenia is small but surprisingly diverse, which makes it perfect for a road trip. In just over a week, you can drive through historic cities, alpine lakes, and mountain roads to wine country and the Adriatic coast without long travel days.
Locals are friendly, English is widely spoken, and the country is easy to navigate. You’re going to love Slovenia!
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Where is Slovenia?
Slovenia is located in Central Europe, bordered by Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia, with a small, but scenic, coastline on the Adriatic Sea.
Is Slovenia safe for travelers?
Slovenia is considered one of Europe’s safest travel destinations. We felt comfortable walking around day and night, even in the busier tourist areas. Petty theft can happen, as it does in most places, but we never experienced or noticed anything concerning.
Is Slovenia expensive?
Slovenia is generally affordable, especially compared to popular nearby destinations like Italy and Croatia. The country uses the euro, and most places accept cards, though it’s still helpful to carry a bit of cash for small shops or rural areas. We found food and lodging to be very reasonable, especially when compared to prices in the United States.
Getting to Slovenia
Getting to Slovenia is straightforward, with most travelers flying into Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU). It’s the country’s main international hub and has connections to major European cities.
Slovenia is well connected by rail, making train travel an easy option if you’re already in Europe. Direct routes link Slovenia with Austria, Italy, Croatia, and Hungary. Trains are reliable, comfortable, and a great way to enjoy the scenery on your way in.
Flying over the Alps
Driving in Slovenia
This road trip requires a car and driving in Slovenia is straightforward. We found it similar to driving in the United States – you’ll drive on the right side of the road, and the road signs were mostly intuitive.
We were thankful to have GPS included with our car rental. It told us the speed limits and warned us if a route was inadvisable. Our rental also included a vignette (toll sticker) for highways and parking. This also made it easy to park in garages that scanned our license plate to pay.
When to visit
Fall
September to November
Fall is one of the best times to visit Slovenia. Temperatures cool down, crowds thin out, and the changing leaves make the landscapes incredibly beautiful. The days are mild, evenings are crisp, and although you may see some rain, the weather is generally pleasant. Overall, it’s a great season for hiking and exploring towns.
Winter
December to February
You can expect winter in Slovenia to be quiet and peaceful, with few tourists and low prices. Temperatures often dip below freezing, especially in the mountains. Some sights, like the famous Vintgar and Tolmin Gorges, along with other hiking trails, close for the season, although it’s an ideal time for winter sports.
Spring
March to May
Spring in Slovenia has mild temperatures, but the weather can be unpredictable. Snow lingers on higher trails, while lower areas are easier to explore. While spring is considered the shoulder season, tourism picks up the closer you get to summer.
Summer
June to August
Summer is Slovenia’s warmest, but busiest season. You’ll have long daylight hours and ideal conditions for hiking, swimming, and outdoor activities. Although the temperatures vary by region, they generally don’t exceed 90°F (32°C).
How long to stay
You’ll need five days to explore this itinerary at a minimum, but having eight days or more would be ideal. Slovenia is so diverse you’ll easily be entertained for a week or more.
Metelkova, an art district in Ljubljana
Best activities
Slovenia has so much to offer. In particular, we loved driving through the Triglav National Park’s, hiking Slovenia’s famous gorges and caves, and stopping to check out every scenic lake.
This itinerary covers a large number of Slovenia’s best activities, but this blog has a breakdown of everything there is to do in the country.
Road trip itinerary
This itinerary is designed to loop around the country, with stops at all the best spots in Slovenia.
Itinerary breakdown
Day 1: Arrive in Ljubljana
Day 2: Explore Ljubljana
Day 3: Drive to Lake Bled
Day 4: Hike the Vintgar Gorge
Day 5: Drive Vršič Pass and hike the Tolmin Gorge
Day 6: Drive to Piran
Day 7: Explore Piran
Day 8: Drive to Ljubljana
Day 9: Depart from Ljubljana
Day 1-2: Arrive in Ljubljana
You’ll likely catch a flight or train to Ljubljana, the capital and center of Slovenia. This is a great place to begin your trip, and if you’re flying from a long distance, we’d highly recommend giving yourself an extra day here. An extra day will give you a buffer in case of travel delays and provide time to rest and thoroughly explore the city.
We’ve got details about everything you should do in the city here.
Day 3: Drive at Lake Bled
Mileage: 56 km
Drive time: 45 minutes
Start: Ljubljana
End: Lake Bled
From Ljublijana, you’ll drive about an hour to Lake Bled. Along the way you’ll pass by adorable towns bordering the Julian Alps. Right before you get to Bled, stop at Lincer. It’s an allergy friendly (yes – gluten free!) bakery that makes Bled’s infamous kremšnita, or creme cake.
Choose a combination of activities, including biking around the lake, taking a pletna boat ride to Bled Island, or touring Bled Castle. End your day by eating at Oštarija Peglez'n, an adorable, homey restaurant.
Day 4: Hike the Vintgar Gorge
Mileage: 76 km
Drive time: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Start: Lake Bled
End: Lake Bled
Day four of your trip will be a busy one! You’ll need to purchase timed entry tickets for the Vintgar Gorge in advance. Plan your day around your entry time here and visit Lake Bohinj on the way there.
Vintgar Gorge
Lake Bohinj
If it’s clear out, take the cable cars up to Mount Vogel or check out Savica Waterfall if you’re up for more hiking. The drive there along the lake was incredibly beautiful. If you extend your stay here, consider hiking through the Mostnica Gorge and Voje Valley.
The trail to Savica Waterfall
Savica Waterfall
Day 5: Drive Vršič Pass and hike the Tolmin Gorge
Mileage: 163 km
Drive time: 3 hour and 30 minutes
Start: Lake Bled
End: Bovec
Vršič Pass
Driving over Vršič Pass was one of the highlights of our trip. From Lake Bled, it takes about two hours of driving to reach Bovec in the Soča Valley, with roughly 90 minutes spent crossing the pass and navigating more than 50 hairpin turns.
Lake Jasna
Vršič Pass
Plan to stop at Lake Jasna, the Russian Chapel, Erjavčeva Koča mountain hut, and the Vršič Pass summit viewpoint. On the descent toward the Soča Valley, don’t miss the Šupca Viewpoint, the Kugy Monument, and river pullouts near the Great Soča Gorge.
Russian Chapel
Great Soča Gorge
Backup route
Vršič Pass can close due to weather. If that happens, take the A2/E61 north toward Jesenice. From there, you’ll briefly cross into Italy near Tarvisio. Stop at Lake Predil for a scenic view, then drive over Predil Pass back into Slovenia and continue on to Bovec. If you’re unsure whether Vršič Pass is open, ask your hotel for help understanding.
If you plan on leaving Slovenia, make sure to let your rental car company know in advance.
Tolmin Gorge
We reached Bovec by mid-day thanks to an early start. If you have extra time, hiking Tolmin Gorge is worth it. The gorge is about 40 minutes from Bovec. Tickets are required during peak season and should be booked in advance, though this wasn’t necessary when we visited in mid-October. While there are scenic stops along the drive, save them for the following day to avoid rushing the hike.
Day 6: Drive to Piran
Mileage: 226 km
Drive time: 3 hour and 45 minutes
Start: Bovec
End: Piran
Soča Valley
As you leave the Soča Valley and head toward Piran, plan for a few scenic stops along the way. Stop at Slap Boka for a seasonal roadside waterfall, Napoleon’s Bridge, and this viewpoint of the San Fermin Church and town of Drežnica.
San Fermin Church
Goriška Brda Wine Region
From the Soča Valley, direct yourself to Šmartno to reach the heart of the Goriška Brda wine region. Nicknamed “Tuscany of Slovenia,” this area is known for rolling vineyards and views into Italy.
Many wineries require reservations, so plan tastings in advance if that’s a priority for you. If not, stop at the Goriška Brda lookout tower or climb the Gonjače Monument for panoramic views of Brda, the Julian Alps, and Italy.
Predjama Castle and Postojna Cave
You could easily spend a full day exploring the castle, cave, and exhibits here. If you have an extra day, stay onsite or in the nearby town of Postojna to enjoy everything the Predjama Castle and Postojna Cave offers; otherwise, choose between touring the castle or the cave. Tours for both attractions often sell out in peak season, and spring and fall have limited time slots, so it’s best to plan ahead.
Piran
You’ll get to Piran late in the evening. Take time to walk the quiet streets, find a late dinner, and enjoy familiarizing yourself with the town. We felt very safe exploring at night, and Piran is especially peaceful after dark.
Day 7: Explore Piran
Mileage: 128 km
Drive time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Start: Piran
End: Ljubljana
Piran is located on the narrow Istrian Peninsula and is the most unique stop on this road trip. Developed under Venetian rule, it feels more like a small Italian coastal town than Slovenia.
While you’re here, walk along the Seaside Promenade, visit St. George’s Parish Church and Bell Tower, and visit the Piran Town Walls.
The Piran Town Wall
With extra time, consider the Maritime Museum (Sergej Mašera), a visit to the Sečovlje Saltpans (a 10–15 minute taxi ride away), or a swim in the Adriatic Sea like the locals.
Day 8: Drive to Ljubljana
Mileage: 163 km
Drive time: 3 hour and 30 minutes
Start: Lake Bled
End: Bovec
Škocjan Caves
On your drive back to Ljubljana, stop at the Škocjan Caves if you’re up for another hike. Between October and April, tours cover about 3 km (1.8 miles) of walking with 800 steps. From March through September, tours are 5 km (3 miles), with 1,000 steps and an option to exit at the shorter 3 km point. After your visit, continue on to Ljubljana for your final night in Slovenia.
Exit of the Škocjan Cave
Day 9: Depart from Ljubljana
It takes about an hour to reach the airport from Ljubljana by car. Plan to arrive two to three hours early for international flights.
What if you have more or less time
If you have more time
Extend your stay in any of the locations in the itinerary above for a more in-depth and slower-paced trip.
For romance:
Stay longer at Lake Bled if you’re looking for romantic activities, such as dining above the lake at the Bled Castle or taking a pletna boat ride to explore Bled Island.
Pletna boats on Lake Bled
For wine lovers:
Plan extra time in Goriška Brda Wine Region to enjoy scenic wineries, great food, and tasting tours.
For adventure:
Stay longer in Soča Valley. The area offers rafting, biking, fishing, and paragliding tours, and it’s one of Slovenia’s best regions for outdoor activities.
If you love castles and caves, spend an extra day in Postojna to have plenty of time to visit the Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle.
If you have less time
This itinerary can be done in as few as five days, but it will feel very rushed. Limiting your time to one day in each location could work, but we’d advise flying into Ljubljana early to make the most of your time or limiting the places you visit.
Search the blog for more adventures! Try searching for topics such as “backpacking”, “waterfalls”, or “national parks”.
