I still vividly remember the first time I saw a picture of Lake Bled: a tranquil lake encircled by towering mountains, with a quaint island adorned by a cute little church. From that moment on, visiting Slovenia became a top priority, and I was thrilled to fulfill that dream during our recent trip to Europe. As I began planning our Slovenian adventure, I quickly realized that this small country is brimming with breathtaking landscapes, stunning caves, and impressive gorges. It was clear that exploring all its wonders would be a challenge with our limited time. I had planned a 5-day Slovenian getaway, and below you’ll find a detailed itinerary of our journey.
We took a leisurely drive from Venice, Italy, to Ljubljana. It is the capital city of Slovenia. The drive was just a quick 2.5-hour trip. We rented a car for our entire 5-day Slovenian adventure, and driving through Europe was such a joy. There’s something incredibly special about hitting the road and discovering new places at your own pace, don’t you think?
Day 1: Ljubljana
Ljubljana is the cutest city you can imagine, and despite its small size, it is packed with interesting sights. As the capital of Slovenia, it’s a charming place to explore. You can even fly directly into Ljubljana and start your adventure right away!
In the city center, you’ll be instantly drawn to the Cathedral of St. Nicholas. Its pink facade makes for a fantastic photo opportunity. After visiting the cathedral, we explored three iconic bridges: Butcher’s Bridge, Dragon Bridge, and the Triple Bridge. We strolled along the Ljubljana River, hopping onto each bridge to take in the views.
Even though it was raining during our visit, we had a blast. We discovered a lively farmer’s market in the square where locals sold fresh produce and handcrafted items. Despite the weather, the vibrant atmosphere made it enjoyable.
We also checked out Ljubljana Castle, but it didn’t quite live up to our expectations. The funicular ride up was a fun experience. Nonetheless, you won’t miss much if you decide to skip the castle altogether.
In the evening, we wandered around Stari trg, a bustling street filled with quaint cafes, restaurants, and boutique shops. We wrapped up our day with a delicious dinner at Marley & Me.
I highly recommend Vigò for the best ice cream.
Day 2: Triglav National Park
Today, we started the drive early. I had read that there is often heavy traffic after 8:00 AM between Lake Bled and Ljubljana. While it’s just a 45-minute drive, traffic jams can delay it by up to 2 hours. Our first stop was Vintgar Gorge. For the latest information on hours of operation and ticket prices for Vintgar Gorge, please visit this site.
We arrived at Vintgar Gorge right at opening time and parked in the P1 parking lot. From there, we strolled along a stunning boardwalk, marveling at the crystal-clear alpine water cascading over stones and the lush surrounding greenery. The loop took about an hour to finish. At the end of the trail, we had a choice. We either hike back to the P1 lot on a different, more strenuous path or take a shuttle. We opted for the shuttle to conserve our energy for the busy day ahead.
Next, we visited Lake Jasna, known for its gorgeous emerald-green water. We enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the lake and took plenty of pictures.
We made a brief stop at the Russian Chapel. After that, we headed to Vrsic Pass. It is the highest mountain pass in Slovenia. The drive through the pass features sharp twists and turns. We encountered many bikers, so we had to be cautious while driving.
We parked at Vrsic Pass and hiked to see Ajdovska Deklica, a face-like figure carved into the mountain. Although the hike is a bit strenuous, the breathtaking scenery makes it worthwhile.
We explored the Soca River, visiting two notable spots: the viewpoint at coordinates 46.341797, 13.684140 and the pedestrian bridge at coordinates 46°20’26” N, 13°39’4″ E. We also made a quick stop at Napoleon’s Bridge before heading to our hotel in Lake Bled.
We had dinner at Oštarija Peglez’n. Their Pallela was really good!
Day 3: Lake Bled
This day was dedicated to experiencing the highlight of our trip—Lake Bled. We began by walking around the lake on a 3.7-mile trail, which took about 1.5 hours. For a more immersive experience, we took a pletna boat ride to the island in the middle of the lake. The 15-minute boat ride was relaxing, allowing us to enjoy the stunning views. On the island, there isn’t much to see. However, be sure to ring the bell in the Virgin Mary Church. Legend has it that ringing the bell will make your wish come true.
Back in Bled town, we indulged in a classic Bled pastry at Café Belvedere—an absolute must-try for any visitor.
Next, we visited Bled Castle. The castle itself didn’t impress us much. However, the panoramic views of Lake Bled from its vantage point were breathtaking. These views were definitely worth the visit.
In the afternoon, we tackled the Ojstrica Bled hike. Though it’s a challenging climb, the spectacular views from the summit make every step worthwhile. The hike took us about 1.5 hours round trip and offered a stunning perspective of Lake Bled.
In the evening, we went on a scenic drive. We stumbled upon this beautiful Catholic church of Saint Primus and Felician. I highly recommend a visit here.
At night, we had dinner at Old Cellar Bled. Highly recommend making dinner reservations in advance.
Day 4: Caves and Castle
In the morning, we set off for Postojnska Jama Cave. I had booked our tickets in advance, which I highly recommend, especially if you’re visiting during the summer. The cave was quite crowded when we arrived, and the large tour groups somewhat detracted from the overall experience. However, the cave itself is stunning and unique. It’s the only cave with a train ride that takes you through its interiors.
After exploring the caves, we drove to Predjama Castle. Nestled at the entrance of a cave, Predjama Castle is a striking example of medieval engineering and natural integration. We thoroughly enjoyed wandering through the different rooms of the castle.
Our next stop was the Škocjan Caves. I was eager to visit these caves because they are massive and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Although photography was not permitted inside, walking through these colossal caves and marveling at their scale was a memorable experience. The fewer tourists here made the visit even more enjoyable.
Finally, we arrived in Piran—finding parking was quite the adventure! Despite that little hiccup, we were excited to dive into exploring this charming coastal town.
The night in Piran was enchanting, with live music drifting from the waterfront restaurants and the moonlight shimmering on the sea. The romantic atmosphere made for an unforgettable evening stroll along the beautiful streets.
Day 5: Piran
Piran is a charming coastal town, and we had booked a cute B&B place located right in the city center.
In the morning, we walked along the medieval walls and visited the Bell Tower and the Church of St. George. After a delicious lunch, we explored the old town with its picturesque cobblestone streets. We then found a perfect spot on the beach and spent the rest of the day relaxing by the sea.
In Piran, we enjoyed some of the best food of our entire trip. I highly recommend Fritolin Pri Cantini—we loved it so much that we dined there twice. I only wish I could return to Piran just for another meal at this fantastic spot.
As the sun set, it was time to say goodbye to Piran and head to Venice for our flight back home.
We absolutely fell in love with Slovenia. We hope this blog has inspired you to add it to your travel wish list. If you enjoyed reading about our adventure, please share it with your friends! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment.