Interrail in Slovenia: the ultimate country guide 🇸🇮
- Swim in freshwater lakes
- Excellent food
- Hiking in the mountains
- Historic architecture
- Active destination
Swim in freshwater lakes
Excellent food
Hiking in the mountains
Historic architecture
Active destination
Table of contents 🇸🇮
Slovenia overview
- Population: 2 million
- Capital: Ljubljana
- Language: Slovene
- Currency: Euro
- Dialling code: +386
Slovenia is a country that is small in size but one that more than makes up for it in charm and beauty. Often underrated, Slovenia has it all – beautiful and peaceful cities, luxurious resorts, great restaurants, and endless activities – skiing, whitewater rafting, hiking, kayaking, you name it!Â
The capital city Ljubljana, with its castle, is the political and cultural heart of Slovenia. Slovenia’s nature is stunning as well – magnificent mountains, vast and colourful lakes, impressive caves and rivers. Lake Bled is the most photographed location in the country, and with good reason. Its turquoise water, an island in the middle, as well as the picturesque town built around it, make a fairytale scene. An ultra-scenic drive from Lake Bled takes you to Lake Bohinj, another stunning natural beauty with crystal clear water and so many activities in this area to enjoy. The Triglav National Park is the perfect place to go hiking and enjoy beautiful mountain scenery with some impressive waterfalls. The Postojna Cave is an amazing location where you can go on an underground guided adventure and discover a multitude of stalagmites, stalactites and peculiar pillars, and even encounter pink cave salamanders. The Å kocjan Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Â
Slovenia also has beautifully-preserved historic remnants – medieval and baroque cities, like Predjamski Grad. What is fantastic about Slovenia is the fact that it is so compact and easy to explore by train, bus or car. As the country is tiny and the roads are good, most of the must-see attractions are located within a 90-minute drive. In a nutshell, Slovenia is a country of beautiful, elegant cities as well as a land of a great opportunity to reconnect with nature.
The top 4 cities to visit in Slovenia
Ljubljana
Ljubljana, the capital city, has a friendly, small-town atmosphere. Ljubljana is small and walkable, with a population of only 278,800 people. It is a lovely European town with a fascinating history, excellent restaurants, and plenty of green space. In that regard, Ljubljana was designated as the European Green Capital in 2016. Ljubljana Castle, a key medieval landmark, is at the heart of it all. Ljubljana’s symbol is a dragon, which can be seen in stone on the famous Dragon Bridge. Because of its large student population, Ljubljana is a lively and happening place.
To discover the city’s alternative culture, pay a visit to Metelkova – the former military barracks that have been turned into a free zone with street art, art galleries, bars and a wide variety of live music. Slovenia’s capital is a mix of old and new. A modern city with theatres, museums, galleries – including the National Art Gallery, and one of the world’s oldest philharmonic orchestras ,which hosts world-class cultural events and festivals.
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Bled
Lake Bled is a stunning area and one of Slovenia’s most popular tourist destinations. This magnificent location, located in the Julian Alps, is absolutely remote and requires some planning to get to but is a perfectly reasonable day trip away from Ljubljana – reachable via train or bus.Â
Once you arrive at the lake, there are numerous activities to choose from. The main draw is undoubtedly swimming in the lake itself. People come from all over the world to enjoy these waters. The only designated bathing area for Lake Bled is Grajsko kopalie, or the castle, but there are multiple other beach areas.
You could opt to swim out to Bled Island where you’ll find the wishing bell of Bled Church. Will your wishes come true?
Piran
Make a stop in Piran during your interrailing trip around Slovenia. This historic city on the awe-inspiring Adriatic coast is mesmerising. When you’re there, visit the pedestrian-only Old Town. It has traditional places to eat, wine bars, winding alleyways, and Gothic architecture, very much similar to Venice.Â
If you enjoy history and want to learn more about this charming little town, be sure to visit the Venetian House – which is the city’s oldest building – and the charming main square known as Tartinijev trg.
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Vogel
While Vogel is typically a ski resort, it’s located right next to Lake Bohinj, which is more than worth a visit. Many visitors to Slovenia claim they’ve never seen a more gorgeous lake than Bled… until they see Lake Bohinj, 26 kilometres to the southwest. Bohinj isn’t as glamorous as Bled, but it’s quieter and more authentic in many respects. It’s the ideal spot to relax during your Interrail trip, as you can lounge nearby or swim in the crystal-clear lake. Alternatively – if you don’t feel like relaxing – you can get involved in more strenuous activities like hiking, kayaking, and horse riding.
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People who visit Slovenia also visit...
Croatia ðŸ‡ðŸ‡·
Austria 🇦🇹
Hungary ðŸ‡ðŸ‡º
Italy 🇮🇹
Which Interrail pass do I need to travel around Slovenia?
Interrail Global Pass
Interrail Slovenia Pass
Do I need to make train seat reservations in Slovenia?
Most trains in Slovenia don’t require advance reservations, so you can just get on board and find a seat. The train types that you may need a reservation for are international trains to and from other countries and for certain, the InterCitySlovenija train
Where to stay in Slovenia
Hostel Celica - Ljubljana
Bled Hostel - Lake Bled
Hostel Pod Voglom - Bohinj
Adriatic Piran Hostel - Piran
Events in Slovenia
Cherry Festival - Brda
Ljubljana Festival - Ljubljana
Festival of Beer and Flowers - Laško
Bled Days
Read more about Slovenia on our blog
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