Slovenia Travel Guide

Explore Triglav National Park

Triglav National Park is the largest protected area in Slovenia and covers an area of 838 square kilometers. This alpine wonderland encompasses a huge chunk of the Julian Alps (Julijske Alpe). 

The park’s name is derived from the highest mountain in Slovenia, Mount Triglav (2864 m), which is the mountain depicted on the Slovenian flag.

The park is accessible from many different towns, including Kranjska Gora, Kobarid, Trenta, Bovec, Ukanc, Stara Fužina.

Read our Triglav National Park travel guide to find out how to get to the park, what to see and do, and where to stay.

Triglav National Park Hiking Trails

• Julian Alps Hiking Trails
• Triglav Lakes Valley Day Hike
• Viševnik Day Hike
• Mount Vogel Day Hike
• 2-Day Mount Triglav Summit Hike
• 2-Day Veliko Spicje Ridge Hike
• 4-Day Triglav National Park Hut-to-Hut Hike

Recommended Hiking Guidebook: Cicerone Julian Alps Walking Guide

Eat Štruklji Borovničevi at Kofce Mountain Hut

Štruklji is a traditional Slovenian dough roll (or dumpling) made with various fillings.

One of the best places to eat Štruklji is in Dom Na Kofcah (Kofce), a mountain hut situated below the Košuta ridge in the Karavanke (Karawanken) Mountains.

They make at least five different varieties:

• Štruklji Sirovi – cheese filling 
• Štruklji Borovničevi – blueberry filling 
• Štruklj Čokoladni – chocolate filling
• Štruklj Čokolada malina – chocolate and raspberry filling 
• Štruklj Ajdovi z orehi – buckwheat and walnuts filling 

As you enjoy your loaf of sugar dough, you’ll be surrounded by grazing horses and cattle (in summer).

On a clear day, you’ll see both the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the Julian Alps from the hut terrace.

Learn More: Kofce Mountain Hut

Hike in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps

The Kamnik-Savinja Alps are all about imposing peaks, heart-pounding trails, perfectly situated mountain huts and challenging ridgelines.

This Slovenian mountain range is located in Northern Slovenia, close to the Austrian border, and about 1:30 hours north of Ljubljana.

For some very mysterious reason, the Kamnik-Savinja Alps see very few tourists. Even in high season, there’s very minimal foot traffic on the trails. For the life of us, we can’t understand why.

We spent 4 days traversing this mountain range from Kamniška Bistrica valley to Zgornje Jezersko village, sleeping in mountain huts (dom, koča) along the way. Here’s our hiking itinerary: Kamnik Savinja Alps Traverse.

If you want to experience the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, but don’t want to do a multi-day hiking tour, we recommend visiting Logar Valley, Robanov Kot, and Ravenska kočna Valley (Jezersko).

Day Hikes in the Kamnik Alps

• Kamnik Saddle and Planjava
• Ledinski Vrh Peak
• Češka koča na Spodnjih Ravneh Mountain Hut. Read about this hike in Best Hikes in Slovenia.
• Velika Planina is a high alpine settlement with traditional herdsmen huts that are reachable by cable car. There are lots of trails around here. We wrote about Velika Planina in our 5-Day Slovenia Itinerary.

Visit Kranjska Gora

Kranjska Gora is an alpine resort town in northwestern Slovenia. It’s actually the cheapest ski resort in Europe! So, most people visiting this Slovenian town come in winter.

If you’re visiting in summer, you’ll be happy to know that there’s a lot to do.

With unbeatable views of the Julian Alps and its close proximity to Triglav National Park, Kranjska Gora is a great base for hiking, climbing, and cycling.

Learn More: Kranjska Gora Summer Guide

Where to Stay in Kranjska Gora

Budget | Apartmaji in sobe Tina

Midrange | Apartments and Rooms Bernik

Luxury | Jasna Chalet Resort

Look for accommodation in Kranjska Gora.

Swim in Lake Bohinj

Slovenia’s largest lake is the perfect destination for a summer holiday. With unbelievably clear and clean waters, even I (Sabrina) have no problem jumping in. Side note: I’m a wimp when it comes to water.

Lake Bohinj is located in Triglav National Park, making it an ideal base for exploring the park. Here are some fun things to do around Lake Bohinj:

• Visit Savica Waterfall. Entrance: 3 EUR
• Hike to Mount Vogel. Take the Vogel Cable Car to Vogel Ski Resort and hike to the summit of Vogel. The views of Lake Bohinj from the top station are sensational.
• Hike to Triglav Lakes Valley
• Mostnica Gorge
• Hike to Planina Vogar, a high alpine pasture, from Stara Fužina. There’s an almost secret lookout point of Lake Bohinj, from the mountain hut Kosijev dom.

Learn More: Lake Bohinj Travel Guide

Where to Stay in Lake Bohinj

There are three hamlets around Lake Bohinj: Ribčev Laz, Stara Fužina, and Ukanc.

• Ribčev Laz | Hotel Bohinj (luxury)
• Stara Fužina | Hotel Majerca (midrange-luxury)
• Ukanc | Hiša Erlah (luxury)

Look for accommodation around Lake Bohinj.

Go off-the-beaten-path in Zgornje Jezersko

Zgornje Jezersko is a small Slovenian village, located very close to the Austrian border.

Come here if you want to get away from the crowds, glamp, or simply admire beautiful mountain vistas.

What to Do in Zgornje Jezersko

• Walk to the beautiful lake Planšarsko jezero. At the lake, you’ll find the restaurant, Gostišče ob Planšarskem Jezeru.
• Hike to Češka Koča mountain hut for lunch in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Learn more about this hike in Best Hikes in Slovenia
• Take a walk in Ravenska kočna valley.

Where to Stay in Zgornje Jezersko

• Budget | Glamping and B&B Cvet Gora
• Midrange | Tourist farm Šenkova domačija
• Luxury | Boutique hotel Vila Planinka

Look for accommodation in Zgornje Jezersko.

Discover Pokljuka Plateau

Pokljuka is an alpine plateau located in Triglav National Park, high above Lake Bohinj and Lake Bled.

Blissfully rural and tucked away from Slovenia’s tourist attractions, Pokljuka is a perfect destination to unwind. Slovenians come here in winter to cross-country ski and in summer to hike and bike. If you visit, don’t miss the hike to Viševnik.

You can also hike up to Mount Triglav from Pokljuka.

Learn More: Hidden Wonders of Pokljuka

Where to Stay in Pokljuka Plateau

Check out Šport Hotel Pokljuka (midrange) and Hotel Center Pokljuka (midrange). Both hotels are ideally positioned if you want to do a lot of hiking around Pokljuka. Hotel Center Pokljuka is located at the Rudno Polje trailhead.

We stayed at Alpine Homestead (midrange), which is in Gorjuše, on the edge of Pokljuka Plateau. We loved that it was remote, but also so well-connected to Bohinj and Bled. It felt like a secret – one that you simply don’t stumble upon. The only downside is that it’s a bit overpriced.

Look for accommodation in Pokljuka.

Logar Valley

Logar Valley (Logarska Dolina) is an alpine valley in the heart of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Located in Slovenia’s Solčavsko region, Logar is a bit out of the way, but more than worth the effort to get there.

We highly recommend staying in the valley for a few days, so that you can explore the trails leading into the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, but also the surrounding valleys of Robanov Kot and Matkov Kot.

Read Next: Best Things to Do in Logar Valley

Where to Stay in Logar Valley

Midrange | For a personal and local experience, the family-run Lenar Tourist Farm is the best place to stay in Logar Valley. Situated in the heart of the valley, there’s no better place to base yourself for a hiking, walking, or biking-themed trip in the Kamnik Alps. The breakfast is superb. And, the views are pure magic!

Luxury | Hotel Plesnik is the only hotel in Logar Valley. Stay here for the views, idyllic location, on-site restaurant, and pool.

Look for accommodation in Logar Valley.

Journey Back in Time at an Alpine Dairy Farm

Alpine dairy farming commenced in the 13th century and prospered until the mid 20th century, especially around Lake Bohinj.

As you travel across the Slovenian Alps, you’ll probably encounter many alpine pastures (planina) dotted with herdmen huts. Many of these huts have been converted into accommodations for holidaymakers and tourists.

There are very few active dairy farms left in Slovenia. If you get a chance, visit Robanova planina in Robanov Kot (July and August only) and Dolga Njiva in the Karawanks (Karavanke).

Here, you can sample traditional herdmen fair and homemade sour milk. We visited Dolga Njiva after hiking to Košutnikov Turn.

Learn More: Košutnikov Turn and Dolga Njiva Day Hike

Wine and Dine in Ljubljana

Slovenia’s capital is an approachable city that is best discovered on foot.

As you wander the city’s streets, you’ll notice that Ljubljana is heavily influenced by Viennese and Venetian architecture, resulting in a delightful fusion. 

Many cities in Europe feel like an overwhelming “to-do” list. Ljubljana, by contrast, feels like a “to-be” list. You’ll feel compelled to simply enjoy yourself.

For us, that means hopping between wine bars and cafés along the Ljubljanica River, visiting shops, and hiking up to Castle Hill with an ice cream in hand. 

During your visit, we recommend grabbing a bite to eat at Open Kitchen, a food market that takes place every Friday from mid-March to October.

And, after a day of sightseeing, head to Šuklje with a wine flight, featuring regional wines from Vipava Valley and Goriška Brda.

Where to Stay in Ljubljana

Budget | Atik Rooms

Midrange | Art Hotel

Luxury | Hotel Cubo

Look for accommodation in Ljubljana.