We designed this itinerary to experience the full range of what Slovenia has to offer, balancing time in nature, at the beach and in the capital, Ljubljana.  Plus, we wanted to include some fun adventure activities for the kids.

We chose to stay 2-3 days in each location for a relaxed pace, allowing time to really enjoy each destination. However, if you’re short on time, this itinerary can be adapted into a 7-day or 10-day journey, without missing Slovenia’s highlights.

Driving in Slovenia is a breeze, thanks to well-maintained roads, light traffic, and the country’s compact size, which makes it easy to get from one place to another.  Our longest drive was only three hours.

Our Slovenia road trip begins and ends in Ljubljana, saving our stay in the capital city until the end.  From Ljubljana, we first travel to Lake Bohinj, using it as a base for a day trip to Lake Bled.  Next, we travel to Kranjska Gora in the heart of the Julian Alps and then continue to Bovec in the stunning Soča Valley, where we immerse ourselves in mountain scenery and adventure-packed watersports.

Leaving the mountains behind, we drive from Bovec to the picturesque coastal town of Piran on the Istrian Coast before concluding our road trip in Ljubljana.

Here’s a detailed day-by-day breakdown of our Slovenia itinerary:

If you’re flying to Slovenia, you will land at the Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU), sometimes known as the Brnik Airport.  This is Slovenia’s largest, busiest airport and is situated 25 km outside of the capital in the little village of Brnik.  There are two other international airports, Maribor and Portoroz.

If you are driving, you could easily travel from Croatia in the south or Italy in the north.

We had a late flight from London Heathrow, so arranged to collect our rental car and the airport and stay overnight in a guest house near the airport.  This was to avoid driving for the first time on unfamiliar roads in the dark.  We hired our car from Renty.com.  You can use Discover Cars to compare prices of rental cars in Slovenia.

Our accommodation for the first night was at Rooms & Apartments Jana.  It was basic accommodation, but clean and comfortable and in an ideal location for the airport.

Nestled in the heart of Triglav National Park, Lake Bohinj (Bohinjsko Jerezo) is Slovenia’s largest permanent lake and a true natural gem.  This glacial lake boasts crystal-clear waters, set against a stunning backdrop of the Julian Alps.

With its picture-postcard location, Lake Bohinj is is a haven for hikers, nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers of all ages.  The lake is ideal for watersports like swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding and the area provides a fantastic base for hiking, biking, and exploring the local attractions in the Triglav National Park.

Whilst its neighbour Lake Bled may be Slovenia’s most famous lake, Lake Bohinj offers a more relaxed atmosphere, fewer crowds and traffic, and cheaper accommodation.

From Ljubljana Airport it’s about 62 km to Lake Bohinj.  The drive is about 1 hour or 1 hr 30, depending on whether you use the more direct toll roads.

Ribčev Laz is a village by the church at Lake Bohinj and the ideal place to stay near the lake.  We stayed in Hotel Centre Bohinjsko Jezero, which was only 5 minutes’ walk.

You could also try Hotel Bohinj or Hotel Jezero, both of which have a prime location and free parking.

Alternatively, if you prefer an apartment, there are plenty of good choices in Stara Fuzina.  Plus, there is also accommodation at Ukanc, including Camp Bohinj.

During our 3-day stay in Lake Bohinj, we enjoyed swimming and stand-up paddleboarding in the lake.  We took selfies at the iconic monuments of Goldenhorn and the Triglav Hikers, visited the gorgeous Church of St John the Baptist, and took a scenic hike to the nearby village of Stara Fužina.

Plus, we did two major hikes.  First, we took a short but steep hike to Slap Slavica, Slovenia’s most famous waterfall.  Later, we hiked along the Voje Valley to Mostnica Gorge, a breathtaking location with unusual limestone formations and little cascades.  Both are stunning hikes and extremely family-friendly.

Another highlight of our time at Lake Bohinj was a day trip to nearby Lake Bled.  This is the better known of the two lakes and one of Slovenia’s most popular attractions.

And, of course, we made time for relaxing lakeside walks and unwinding with a local beer!  Overall, we had a wonderful three days in Bohinj and would highly recommend a visit.

Read more:  Best things to do at Lake Bohinj

With its clifftop castle and idyllic island church, it’s no surprise that Lake Bled attracts visitors from all over the world.  It is Slovenia’s most iconic destination and one you shouldn’t miss if you’re visiting for the first time.

You have several options for visiting Lake Bled, either as a day trip from Ljubljana or Lake Bohinj or you could book accommodation in Bled.  Lake Bled is undoubtedly beautiful, but is extremely popular and consequently can get crowded.

Lake Bled is only 27 km (17 miles) drive from Lake Bohinj, so makes a really easy day trip.  Parking is limited and expensive, so it’s best to go early to get a space.  We parked at the car park near the campsite, which was a good location for the Ojstrica Viewpoint, as it is near the trailhead.

Accommodation at Lake Bled tends to be more expensive, so we stayed 3 nights at Lake Bohinj and did a day trip to Bled.

However, if you prefer to stay in Lake Bled, Grand Hotel Toplice is an extremely popular luxury hotel overlooking the gorgeous lake.  Another popular choice with an amazing lakeside location is the Adora Luxury Hotel.

If you are looking for more unique accommodation near Lake Bled, the Garden Village Bled offers glamping, tents and tree houses and has excellent reviews.

We had a busy, fun-packed visit to Lake Bled.  We began our day trip by climbing to the Ojstrica Viewpoint for a bird’s eye view across the lake – a must for any visit to Lake Bled  Afterwards, we strolled around the lakeside,  stopping for lots of photos and sampling the famous Bled cream cake (Kremšnita).

One of the highlights for the kids was the high-adrenaline summer tobogganing at Straža Bled.  Other things to do in Lake Bled include renting a boat to row across to the fairy-tale island or climbing up to the clifftop castle.  Here is our full guide to the best things to do at Lake Bled.

From Lake Bohinj, it is 69 km (43 miles) to Kransjka Gora.  Using the toll roads, the drive takes about 1hr 30 mins, passing through Lake Bled on the way.

If you prefer to use public transport, you could take the bus.  However, this would take about 2.5 hours, with a change in Ljubljana.

For our accommodation in Kranjska Gora, we stayed at the Ramada Resort.  We chose this hotel for its central location and large indoor swimming pool, which we loved.  It was easy to walk to the shops, restaurants and mountains.  After a day in the mountains, we could return to the hotel and relax on sun loungers outside.

For budget accommodation, Hotel Alpina is a good option. Alternatively, if you prefer self-catering accommodation, you could try the Apartments Helena Kranjska Gora.

We spent 3 nights in Kranjska Gora, which gave us time to explore the area.  One of our first activities was a scenic walk along the river to Lake Jasna.  However, be warned – whilst the crystal waters look inviting, the water temperature felt freezing after the moderate temperature at Lake Bohinj!

One of the highlights of our stay was a fantastic hike to the fabulous Martuljek Waterfalls in the Julian Alps.  We also visited the nearby Zelenci Nature Reserve, known for its emerald-green lake.  We drove, but you could also walk or cycle.  Cycling is extremely popular in Kranjska Gora and there are plenty of rental options available.

Kranjska Gora itself has a pretty town centre, with Alpine craft stalls, traditional restaurants and cosy cafés.  It was ideal for unwinding after a day of outdoor adventures!

Read more:  Things to do in Kranjska Gora

Bovec is Slovenia’s ultimate destination for adventure sports.

The turquoise Soča River runs through Bovec and provides opportunities for water sports like white-water rafting and kayaking.  And, with its mountain trails and beautiful landscapes, Bovec is perfect for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and cyclists.

Bovec is 47 km (29 miles) from Kranjska Gora and only takes an hour to drive.  You could also do the activities as a day trip from Kranjska Gora.

We stayed at Apartment Mars, a self-catering accommodation in the village of Žaga, just outside of Bovec.  Although the upstairs maisonette was somewhat old-fashioned in style, it offered a fantastic location and was great value for the price.

Žaga has two local restaurants within walking distance, making it convenient for dining out after a day of exploring.

If you prefer to stay in the heart of Bovec, the Hotel Soča is an excellent choice. This modern hotel features an outdoor pool and spa, perfect for relaxing after a day of adventure. Hotel Soča also organizes adventure activities on the Soča River, so you can easily plan white-water rafting, kayaking, or canyoning directly from your accommodation.

Our 2-day visit to Bovec was all about adventure.

On the first day, the kids had their first try at canyoning, their favourite activity of the trip, whilst we enjoyed a more leisurely dip (albeit freezing!) in a waterfall pool.

The following day, we all went on a white-water rafting trip.  It was great fun, though the water level was a little low, as the weather had been so dry.  You can book online in advance, or there are various local operators you can use.  They all offer a similar package at a comparable price.

For those seeking an extra thrill, Bovec is also home to one of Europe’s longest ziplines.

After an adventure-packed itinerary in the Julian Alps, we headed to Slovenia’s Adriatic Coast to spend three days relaxing in Piran.  Slovenia is mostly landlocked and only has 47 km (29 miles) of coastline, with only three main coastal towns, Piran, Koper and Izola.  Piran is reputedly the best, so we knew this was the one for us.

Piran is a gorgeous destination and often called one of Europe’s hidden gems.  Its Venetian-style architecture, cobbled alleyways and lively Tartini Square create the ideal spot for sight-seeing.  Even in August Piran felt uncrowded and relaxed and I would happily have stayed longer.

The drive from Bovec to Piran was our longest transfer, but we took a scenic route through Italy to avoid the hairpin bends on the mountain roads.

It was extremely easy getting across the borders and we didn’t even get our passports checked on our way back in.  It is a pleasant drive which hugs the coastline.

The drive from Bovec to Piran takes about 3 hours.  You could stop at the Škocjan Caves  to break up the journey, but the tickets were sold out, so we went on our return to Ljubljana.

We absolutely loved our accommodation in Piran.  We stayed at the Sunrise Seaview Apartment, Fiesa, which was on a cliff top above the beach.  The Sunrise Seaview is air-conditioned and has a great outdoor living space, with a kitchen, table and loungers.  It was about 0.5 miles from Piran centre and had a garage where we could park the car.

If you want an apartment in Piran town centre, the Apartment Buena Vista Piran looks amazing.  However, you would have to leave your car in a car park outside of the town.

There are only two hotels in Piran, the Hotel Piran and the Art Hotel Tartini.  Both have an excellent central location and fabulous reviews.

Piran is a compact, pedestrian-friendly town, best explored on foot.  Its traffic-free streets make it ideal for wandering, whether along the scenic seafront promenade or through the narrow, cobbled alleyways that wind through the historic centre.

As you explore you will naturally stumble across Piran’s wealth of historic sites and Venetian buildings, but make sure you don’t miss a climb up the city walls for the best views over the Piran peninsula.

At the heart of Piran, Tartini Square serves as the town’s vibrant gathering spot, perfect for a leisurely coffee, a bite to eat, or simply people-watching.  From here, stroll down to Piran Harbour or stop by one of the gelato shops for some Italian ice-cream.

While Piran doesn’t have sandy beaches, the clear, refreshing Adriatic waters are perfect for cooling off after exploring the town. It’s a good idea to wear water shoes, as the shoreline is pebbly.

We spent three days in Piran as part of our Slovenia itinerary, enjoying the laid-back charm of this beautiful coastal town.

Read more:  Best things to do in Piran

On the journey from Piran to Ljubljana, we stopped to visit two of Slovenia’s top attractions, the Škocjan Caves and Predjama Castle.

The first stop was at the Škocjan Caves, which is about 45 minutes’ drive from Piran.

The Škocjan Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are among the largest underground cave systems in the world.  Visitors have to follow a guided tour, which leads you to a series of subterranean canyons, carved over millions of years by the Reka River.

You’ll pass through various gigantic caves filled with dramatic stalactites, stalagmites, and dripstones.  In the final cave you’ll see and underground river and waterfall.  The Škocjan Cave tour takes about two hours, but there is an option to explore further caves with a self-guided tour.

Predjama Castle is a magnificent, medieval castle perched high in the Slovenian cliffs.

Just 30 minutes from the Škocjan Caves, Predjama Castle has been nestled in the rocky cliff for over 800 years and is the world’s largest cave castle.  It is magnificent!  Once inside the castle you can follow in the footsteps of ancient knights in the secret tunnels.

Even if you don’t want to go inside Predjama Castle, it is worth a visit to see the exterior.

From Predjama Castle it is a straightforward drive on the E61 to Ljubljana, which takes about an hour.

There is plenty of choice of accommodation in Ljubljana to suit all budgets.  Here are some popular suggestions.

• Luxury:  AS Boutique Hotel
• Mid-range:  Occidental Ljubljana
• Budget:  Holiday Inn Express

We stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton.  This 4-star hotel is about 3 miles from the city centre, but has an indoor pool and is very good value.  Although we couldn’t walk to the centre, driving in Ljubljana is much easier than in other capital cities and parking is cheap.  In fact, on Sundays it is free!

Ljubljana is one of Europe’s smallest and most picturesque capitals.  The Old Town has restricted car access and is extremely pedestrian-friendly, so is ideal for exploring by foot.

In Ljubliana’s old town, you’ll find narrow, cobbled streets lined with historic buildings and plenty of outdoor cafés. If you’ve worked up an appetite, head to the area by Ljubljanica River, which is brimming with vibrant restaurants and bars.

Ljubljana has a wonderfully laid-back vibe, making it easy to stroll and soak up the sights at a relaxed pace. While you can enjoy wandering aimlessly, there are a few main attractions you shouldn’t miss, like the iconic Dragon Bridge and Ljubljana Castle.

We took the funicular up to the castle, which sits atop a hill just east of the Old Town and offers fantastic views over the city. You can purchase a round-trip ticket, but we opted for a single and came down on foot.

We spent an enjoyable day exploring Ljubljana Castle, strolling along the Ljubljanica River, and exploring the Old Town. With plenty of stops for ice cream, drinks, and lunch, we wrapped up our day with a visit to Tivoli Park, a large park on the edge of the city.

The following day, we paid a short return visit to Ljubljana,  before heading to the airport to return our car and catch our flight home.

Unless you are going to explore the museums, you don’t really need more than one full day in Ljubljana to see the main attractions and sights.

The currency in Slovenia is the Euro.  Cards are widely accepted and can be used for payment nearly everywhere.

As with most European countries, you will be expected to pay tourist tax before departure from your accommodation.  It is currently €3.13 per adult per night.  Children from 7-18 have a concession of 50%.

Although you could use public transport, this would take away a lot of your flexibility.  However, if you didn’t want to hire a car, there are plenty of organised day trips to the major destinations.

You don’t really need a car in Ljubljana and taxis are easy to get and reasonable.

It would be easy to condense our 2-week itinerary into a 1-week or 10 day Slovenia itinerary.  You could easily reduce the time spent at each destination and skip some of the longer walks and hikes.

Alternatively, consider omitting the overnight stop in Bovec and do the watersports activities on the Soča River as a day trip from Kranjska Gora.

Here are some of the websites we use when planning our trips:

• Discover accommodation to suit all budgets at Booking.com or Hotels.com
• Get some of the most affordable prices on flights with Expedia
• Compare the price of rental cars with Discover Cars.
• Look at some of the most popular tours and trips in Slovenia.

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Pin for later or share with a friend who’d love to go:  14 days in Slovenia:  the perfect road trip itinerary

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