Slovenia is a beautiful country, and one of Europe’s hidden gems. Two weeks in Slovenia will give you time to explore beyond the major tourist sites and really explore some of the untouched nature that Slovenia has to offer. If you only have one week, be sure to check out our One Week Itinerary.
Note about this itinerary- This is a jam-packed itinerary that we did as an adults only trip. Many of the days are very full. If you are traveling with children, I highly recommend breaking up some of these days into two days to allow time for playgrounds, naps, and resting for the kids.
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Overview
- Day 1: Ljubljana Arrival. Sleep in Ljubljana
- Day 2: Daytrip to Skocjan Caves and Predjama Castle. Sleep in Ljubljana.
- Day 3: Explore Ljubljana. Sleep in Ljubljana.
- Day 4: Daytrip to Goriska Brad for wine tasting. Sleep in Ljubljana.
- Day 5: Drive from Ljubljana to Logar Valley, stopping at Velika Planina. Sleep in Logar Valley
- Day 6: Explore Logar Valley. Sleep in Logar Valley
- Day 7: Drive from Logar Valley to Lake Bled. Sleep in Bled.
- Day 8: Explore Lake Bled. Sleep in Bled.
- Day 9: Explore Lake Bohinj. Sleep in Bled.
- Day 10: Drive Lake Bled to Kobarid via the Vrsic Pass. Sleep in Kobarid.
- Day 11: Explore Soca River Valley. Sleep in Kobarid.
- Day 12: Explore Soca River Valley. Sleep in Kobarid.
- Day 13: Return to Ljubljana or Venice to fly home.
Day 1- Arrival Day- Ljubljana
Arrive in Ljubljana. If you are flying from North America, you will probably fly into Venice and pick up your rental car there- it is an easy drive from Venice to Ljubljana. If you are arriving from within Europe, you may be arriving at Ljubljana’s train station or airport. Check into your hotel or apartment and spend the evening exploring Ljubljana. Stop at one of the excellent restaurants along the river for dinner, and stroll the pedestrian zone to check out the artisan shops.
Spend the night in Ljubljana. Note– this link will take you to our favorite part of Ljubljana to stay. This historical walking district is lively, full of great restaurants, and a great location to see all of Ljubljana’s sites.
Important Tip– If you are driving from outside of Slovenia, be sure to purchase a vignette for your car before arriving in Slovenia. This sticker allows you to use the roads in Slovenia and can be purchased at gas stations before entering the country. Without it, you will receive a hefty fine. If you rent a car from within Slovenia, it will already be equipped with the vignette.
Day 2- Daytrip to Skocjan Caves and Predjama Castle
The UNESCO listed Skocjan Caves are absolutely breathtaking. After a short walk to the cave entrance, you explore the Silent Cave, or the dry part of the cave. Although beautiful, this section was similar to other caves we have explored. Then, you begin to hear a river as you enter the Murmuring Cave. A wooden drawbridge crosses 150 feet above the river.
Overall, the cave is beautifully lit and truly an incredible site. At the end, you have an option to hike out of the cave’s crater or take an elevator. While this cave does involve a bit of walking, it is manageable for most people with good mobility, including children.
After your visit to Skocjan Caves, be sure to stop by Predjama Castle- a castle built into a cave. This unique site is a great stop for lunch or a snack. We chose not to visit the inside of the castle, but there are incredible views from the cafes in the area. Expect to walk about 10 minutes from the parking lot.
Spend the night in Ljubljana.
Day 3- Explore Ljubljana
Hopefully, today is a Friday. If not, we recommend moving your Ljubljana days around so you can spend a Friday in Ljubljana and experience Open Kitchen. The main market square becomes a food fair with restaurants across the country showcasing their best dishes. Pick up a glass of wine and stroll the booths, where you can find classic Slovenian dishes, as well as international fares. Each serving costs only a few euros.
After stuffing yourself full, take the funicular to the castle perched above the city. You will be delighted by the beautiful views of the city. Walk down the hill, back into Ljubljana to continue exploring.
To see even more of the city, rent bikes and head over to Tivoli Park to enjoy the art exhibits. Or perhaps join a food tour to experience more local cuisine. Stroll along the Ljubljana River and pop into the many great shops in the pedestrian zone. Our favorite souvenirs were all purchased in Ljubljana- delicious hot sauce, truffle olive oil, and sea salt from Piran.
Spend the night in Ljubljana
Day 4- Daytrip to Goriska Brda for Wine Tasting
Slovenia is a country full of delicious wine, although most wine is consumed in the country instead of being exported. One of Slovenia’s specialties is Orange Wine.
Wine tasting in Slovenia is very different than wine tasting in the US. You must have a reservation to taste the wine, and many wineries are small family businesses that are not open to day trippers. It is also difficult to find a tour located in wine country. Most tours originate in Ljubljana.
We chose to stay in Smartno, a small town in Goriska Brda. The town closed as soon as the day trippers had left, and there were very limited food options available. In hindsight, visiting with a tour from Ljubljana, and returning to Ljubljana to sleep would have been a better option.
Spend the night in Ljubljana.
Day 5- Velika Planina
Take an adventure to a herders’ settlement high above the tree line in the Alps, only 45 minutes outside of Ljubljana. First, ride a cable car to a chair lift, and then take a short (30 minute) hike to the herders’ settlement. Hike down into the settlement and among the homes before looping back to the chairlift to head home. Grab a beer and lunch at the top of the chair lift- the struklji is delicious.
If you are driving, be sure to navigate to the Velika Planina Cable Car Station. Bring a jacket and sunscreen- the mountain is cold and exposed.
After exploring Velika Planina, you will drive a few hours to the Logar Valley near Solcava to spend the night on a tourist farm within the valley.
Spend the night in Logar Valley.
Read our Complete Guide to the Logar Valley here.
Day 6- Explore the Logar Valley
The Logar Valley is a very quiet region in Northern Slovenia. Very few tourists visit this area, and the views are stunning. The valley itself reminds us a lot of Yosemite Valley, but without the crowds.
Start your morning with a stop at the Logar Valley Visitor Center in Solcava to learn more about the area and get more information about the Solcava Panoramic Road. Pack a picnic and drive the Solcava Panoramic Road for the best views of the Logar Valley. There are places along the way to buy treats and jams from farms, but no restaurants- plan accordingly.
Finish your day with a short hike to Slap Rinka, or the Rinka Waterfall. Drive to the very end of the valley, past all the tourist farms, to reach the parking lot and trailhead for Slap Rinka. The trail will take you on a 1 mile hike up a steep and slippery path to reach Slap Rinka, a tall waterfall with a swimming pool at the bottom. We visited in late September, and it was far too cold for swimming, but there is a cafe next to the waterfall with a delicious blueberry brandy.
Plan to eat dinner at your tourist farm or hotel. Food options in Logar Valley and Solcava are very limited.
Spend the night in Logar Valley.
Day 7- Drive to Lake Bled
Today, you will drive 2 hours from the Logar Valley to Lake Bled, stopping along the way to see medieval towns and beautiful lakes.
Use google maps to navigate from Logar Valley to Lake Plasnar to Skofja Loka to Kranj to Radovljica, stopping along the way when you see something interesting.
Jezersko Valley
Your first stop is Jezersko Valley, the land of lakes. This idyllic countryside is home to Lake Plasnar, a beautiful green heart-shaped lake. If it is time for a meal, stop at Gostisce ob Jezeru for beautiful views of the lake.
Skofja Loka
This medieval town will be the most touristed of the locations you visit today. It is known for its beautiful 600 year old bridge and cobbled walkways.
Kranj
Kranj is a larger fairytale city- the third largest in Slovenia. Explore the Old Town area with the large town square. There is also a deep canyon next to the town with an idyllic trail and beautiful bridge. Kranj is a great spot to stop for lunch.
Radovljica
As you get closer to Bled, you reach Radovljica, a charming Medieval town with views of the Slovenian Alps. There are several small museums to visit, including the Beekeeping Museum and the Gingerbread Museum. Outside of the town is Castle Kamen, a beautiful castle ruin from the 12th century.
Spend the night in Lake Bled.
Day 8- Explore Lake Bled
It’s another big day of adventure, so be ready to wake up early. Today, you will visit Vintgar Gorge. For the best experience, plan to arrive about 15 minutes before they open. Walk through a gorge and enjoy blue water and beautiful limestone cliffs. This is an out and back trail, with some of the most beautiful sites at the beginning. If your little ones have less stamina, it’s still worth a visit- just turn around when your family is ready. Strollers are not advised.
After exploring the gorge, head to Lake Bled for lunch. We recommend eating at one of the scenic restaurants along the walking path. You certainly won’t find any life changing meals, and your lunch will be overpriced, but enjoying a nice afternoon with views of this picturesque lake make it all worthwhile.
After lunch, continue your walk around the lake. About halfway around the lake, you reach the camping beach. On Just past the camping beach on the right is the trailhead for Ojstrica viewpoint, offering the best views of Lake Bled. This is a steep hike and can be slippery- it is not recommended for small children.
After your hike, grab some gelato from the award winning gelato stand at the camping beach. This was our favorite gelato stop in Slovenia. Continue your walk around the lake, stopping to enjoy the viewpoints and beaches as you go.
Spend the night in Lake Bled.
Day 9- Explore Lake Bohinj
Lake Bohinj is the quieter, and much larger, sister like to Lake Bled. A short 30 minute drive will bring you to this enormous lake.
Head to the campsite near Ukanc for one of the most beautiful views of Lake Bohinj. This loose gravel beach offers stunning views of the lake, as well as the mountains. You may even spot some trout swimming in the lake.
Other great viewpoints include:
- The pier in the middle of the south bank near Voglom
- The grassy patch near Ribcez Laz
- Strandcafe Kramer- a restaurant situated right on the lake
If the weather is nice, take the cable car to Mount Vogel for incredible views and scenic hikes. Be sure to bring plenty of water and a jacket.
Spend the night in Lake Bled
Day 10- Drive the Vrsic Pass
The Vrsic Pass is the highest mountain pass in Slovenia. The route features 50 hairpin turns and stunning views. Plan to spend the full day driving the Vrsic Pass from Lake Bled to Kobarid in the Soca River Valley. There are not many options for food along the way, so plan to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of the beautiful viewpoints.
Slap Pericnik (Pericnik Waterfall)
This is a short and steep half-mile hike. Parking is 2 euro per car. There is a pathway to walk behind the waterfall, but be prepared to get wet.
Zelenci Nature Reserve
Don’t miss this site! This was the most beautiful site of the day, and one of the most accessible. A 30 minute walk along a flat trail brings you to a beautiful boardwalk over a green-blue pond with stunning mountain views.
Lake Jasna
If you are short on time, skip this stop. This manmade lake is beautiful and is a great swimming spot if the weather is warm. There is a restaurant on the shore as well. Parking can be tricky. This is your last stop before beginning the Vrsic Pass.
Vrsic Pass
There are 50 hairpin turns that make up the Vrsic Pass. Each turn is labeled, and there are a few stops worth pulling aside along the way.
- Turn 8- Russian Orthodox Chapel- This chapel was built as a memorial to the Russian POWs that died constructing this road during World War I.
- Turn 16- Pagan Girl- Pull aside to find the face of a girl in the rocks
- Turn 17- Rock Stacks
- Top of the Pass- There is a parking lot at the top with a small store and cafe. When we visited in September, these amenities had already closed for the season. We enjoyed our picnic lunch at the picnic tables here.
Great Soca Gorge
The Soca River has crystal green water as it runs over the white limestone rocks in this area. One of the most scenic places to see the river is at the Great Soca Gorge.
After the Vrsic Pass and before reaching Bovec, turn right towards Lepena Valley. From the parking lot, walk back towards the bridge.
For other scenic overlooks, use Google Maps to find Mala Korea and Velika Korita.
Sleep in Kobarid.
Day 11- Kobarid
Spend the day exploring the Kobarid Historical Trail. This 3-5 hour hike is 5km and includes stops at a beautiful waterfall, walks through World War I trenches, and stunning viewpoints.
History lovers should begin their day at the Kobarid Museum, which showcases the World War I history of the Soca River Valley. After exploring the museum, begin your walk on the Historical Trail.
Italian Charnel House
This memorial on a hill houses the remains of 7,000 shoulders that died in the area. If you choose to skip the hike, this church is also accessible by car.
Italian Line of Defense
The historical trail weaves through ruins from the Isonzo Front of World War I. Some of these ruins have been taken back by the forest, but others are very obvious, even holding bunks from the War.
Soca Gorge
There is a beautiful footbridge that crosses over the Soca Gorge, with views of the green water.
Slap Kozjak (Kozjak Waterfall)
This beautiful waterfall is inside a limestone amphitheater. Reaching the waterfall requires several stream crossings, so your feet may get wet. It’s a great place to wade in the water.
Napoleon Bridge
To end the hike, you will cross the Napoleon Bridge over the Soca River. There are swimming areas nearby.
Note– If you don’t have time or energy for the full hike, we recommend parking in the lot near the Napoleon Bridge and taking the trail to Slap Kozjak. You will be able to view some of the World War I ruins, the footbridge over the river, and the waterfall. This portion of the hike is much shorter and less steep.
Sleep in Kobarid.
Day 12- Bovec
Bovec is the other main town in the Soca River Valley. Visit the main square for a glimpse of this fun, outdoorsy town, and to enjoy a craft beer on the patio at Thirsty River Brewing.
If you are up for an adventure, book a canyoning, rafting, or zip lining tour from Bovec. For a closer look at the beekeeping culture in Slovenia, schedule a tour of Maya’s Bee Farm. And of course, it wouldn’t be a day in Slovenia without a visit to a beautiful waterfall. Slap Virje is a fairytale waterfall located 5 minutes by car from Bovec. It is a short 10 minute walk to a beautiful pool with (cold) swimming.
Day 13- Return home
Return to Ljubljana or Venice to return your rental car and head home.
Does this itinerary look great, but you don’t have 2 full weeks to spare? Be sure to check out our one week itinerary and our favorite sites in Slovenia.
Protect Your Trip
If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is that insurance is necessary to protect our travel investments and keep our family safe on the road. Depending on the policy that you choose, travel insurance can protect your family in the event of medical emergencies and canceled trips. It also takes the sting out of minor trip mishaps, such as lost baggage and delayed flights. Check out Squaremouth to compare plans and choose one that fits your family.
Planning a Trip to Slovenia?
- Slovenia’s Most Beautiful Destinations and Must Visit Sites
- Complete Guide to the Stunning Logar Valley
- Traveling to Slovenia- The Complete One Week Itinerary
