Take an Epic 7 Day Road Trip Through Slovenia

Ljubljana is just like any other romantic European capital, only in miniature. It just takes a few hours to stroll all the old streets surrounding the Ljubljanica river. You don’t need much of an itinerary here, just a few hours of wandering through cafes and alleyways should take you through most of the famous sites like the Dragon Bridge and Prešernov trg which serves as the main square.

Keep your day unplanned and carefree. Just make sure you make it up to the castle at the top of the hill for stunning views of the old town. Make sure you don’t miss out on the outdoor market every Saturday! There’s a good chance you’ll either begin or end your trip on a Saturday, so you might be able to make it!

You can pick your rental car up from Ljubljana airport and then you’re less than an hour's drive from the most spectacular caves in all of Europe! Postojna cave is by some measures the largest cave on the whole continent, spanning up to 24km in length.

The cave is so big, they even built a train system inside to help you navigate the subterranean wonders. You’ll feel like you’re on another planet as you whizz by glistening stalactites and chambers large enough to host an entire symphony

If you want to keep up with the cave theme of the day, you can visit Predjama Castle, the largest cave castle in the world. You can tour the inside of this castle, but even just the sight from outside is enough to amaze.

Even without the cave, the castle itself is magnificent. Dating back to the 1200’s, this castle has an elegant renaissance facade and it’s positioned in the mouth of a cave halfway up a 123 meter cliff face.

At the end of the day, continue driving towards the coast to spend the night in the coastal town of Piran.

On the third full day of your Slovenia road trip, you can enjoy Slovenia's coastline — all 47 kilometers of it! Although the coastline is small, it makes up for it with charm. We recommend the quaint medieval town of Piran.

Being so close to Italy, you’ll soon notice the Italian influence in the architecture and cuisine. On a clear day, you can see the dramatic peaks of the Italian alps all the way across the Adriatic. With this view, you have the perfect backdrop for enjoying a fine pasta dinner and a sunset stroll across Tartini square as you lick a gelato. Be sure to climb the bell tower as well as visit the old Piran town walls, both of which offer beautiful views over the town and coastline.

As if charming towns and cave castles weren’t enough, Slovenia also has some incredible wine regions. Perhaps the most scenic is the Vipava Valley. Here you can enjoy Sauvignon Blanc, Malvasia, Welschriesling and Chardonnay alongside enchanting alpine views. Make sure you try the indigenous Zelen and orange wines while you’re there! One of our favorite wineries we visited was Lepa Vida Winery.

This region is also known for its food scene, so you can find many amazing restaurants all specializing in local and seasonal food.

One of the most iconic scenes of Slovenia is the turquoise blue waters of the Soca. This river zigzags along the western portion of the country and takes you all the way up towards Triglav National Park.

If you are looking for some adventure, there are a number of white water rafting and hiking trips you can do in this area. Just make sure you check the season because some of the mountain passes will close in the colder months.

Now is the moment you’ve been waiting for, the famous Lake Bled. This lake is home to the only natural island in the whole country, and what an island it is! There is a church on the island, which you’ll probably recognize if you’ve ever seen a postcard or guidebook from Slovenia.

There is actually quite a lot to do around here that we would recommend spending 2–3 nights. You can spend the night in a nearby hotel, or even stay directly on the lake itself to enjoy sunrise views.

We recommend taking a traditional pletna boat to the island. The baroque staircase leading up to the church has 99 steps, and it is a tradition for newlywed husbands to carry their bride up all 99 steps!

Also not to miss is Bled Castle, which is precariously positioned on a cliff overlooking the lake. Here you can learn a bit about the history of the lake, including its longtime use as a wellness retreat for Europe’s wealthy elite. This view, in addition to the Mala Osojnica viewpoint are my favorites from above. Of course, you need to also walk around the lake to take in the beautiful views. If it’s warm enough, you can even swim!

Spend the morning continuing to visit Lake Bled, or maybe taking a small trip to Lake Bohinj.

Then, with a memorable Slovenia road trip in the rear view mirror, it’s time to relax and spend your last night in Ljubljana. Here you can recount the highlights of your trip over a nice glass of local wine and take one last stroll over the Dragon Bridge.

In the morning, you’ll take your car back to Ljubjana airport and leave this beautiful country, but you’ll always get to take the memories with you!