Slovenia first came onto my radar when I saw some stunning photos of Lake Bled on Instagram. And while it’s still an off-the-beaten-path destination for most American tourists, it’s definitely seeing a huge increase in tourism. This past summer, we decided to road trip from Germany to Croatia, stopping in Slovenia along the way.
We fell in love with Slovenia quickly — from the beautiful glacial lakes to the majestic Julian Alps to the charming capital city of Ljubljana, Slovenia is truly Europe’s hidden gem.
Renting a car and driving through Slovenia was a great and easy way to explore the country. Whether you’re planning on driving through Slovenia or flying into the capital city, Ljubljana, this itinerary is a great way to see the highlights.
Here’s our five day itinerary through beautiful Slovenia!
DAY 1: Lake Bohinj
Lake Bohinj is situated in the heart of Triglav National Park, one of the most beautiful areas in Slovenia. Depending on where you’re coming from, you’re arrival time will vary. It’s about an hour’s drive from Ljubljana but since we were driving from Austria, we arrived in the late afternoon.
I recommend staying at the far end of the lake in the very small town of Ukanc at either Chalet Zlatorog or Hotel Stare. Spend the afternoon getting settled into your lodging, go for a walk along the lake and, in the evening, have dinner at Picerija Ukanc.
DAY 2: Lake Bohinj
Spend the day exploring beautiful, serene Lake Bohinj and soaking in the beauty of Triglav National Park. Some of my favorite activities in Lake Bohinj were paddle boarding, hiking up to Savica waterfall, and taking the cable car up to Mount Vogel for breathtaking views of the Julian Alps.
Read the full guide to Lake Bohinj here!
DAY 3: Lake Bohinj + Lake Bled
Enjoy the morning in Lake Bohinj and any final activities before heading to Lake Bled. Lake Bled is only a 30-minute drive so leaving mid-afternoon is fine if you’re wanting to spend more time in Lake Bohinj!
Arrive in Lake Bled and stay at either Vila Bled or Grand Hotel Toplice — both are located on the lake which I would recommend to make the most of your time there.
Spend the afternoon walking around the lake, rent a paddle boat and row to Lake Bled Island. Make sure to ring the bell in the church on the island — legend says that you’ll be granted one wish while doing so!
Enjoy the lake views from your hotel restaurant over dinner or head to Wine Bar & Restaurant Sova for some delicious truffle pasta.
Read the full guide to Lake Bled here!
DAY 4: Lake Bled to Ljubljana
If you’re an early riser, get up and hike to the Ojstrica lookout point at sunrise for incredible postcard-like views over Lake Bled. Definitely bring a camera as this is a great photo op — and likely where you’ve seen most photos of Lake Bled taken from on Pinterest and Instagram!
After your hike, head up to the Lake Bled castle and spend the rest of your morning exploring Slovenia’s oldest castle. Bonus: the castle also has sweeping lake views!
Grab lunch at nearby Grajska Plaza and enjoy your last moments on the lake before driving to Ljubljana, which is a fairly quick 45-minute drive.
In Ljubljana, stay at Vander Urbani Resort for upscale, modern rooms located in the heart of the Old Town — the perfect base for exploring! Once you’re settled into your room, spend the rest of the day wandering the charming Old Town, taking in the river views and visiting the many beautiful bridges.
Ljubljana has some of the best restaurants in Slovenia; check out Restavracija JB for an upscale dinner from renowned Chef Janez Bratovž.
DAY 5: Ljubljana
Spend the morning exploring the Old Town and head to the Central Market to see locals mingling and doing their shopping from the open-air vendors selling local goods and produce. Stop at one of the outdoor cafes along the river for lunch, and then head to the Ljubljana Castle (either hiking up or taking the funicular).
The highlight of the Ljubljana Castle is the views over the city! Note that there are also some great, upscale dining options for lunch at / near the castle. If you haven’t eaten yet and are up for another excellent dining experience (think: delicious tasting menu style courses on par with many Michelin restaurants in Europe!), check out Restavracija Strelec or Gostilna Na Gradu for excellent food and views.
If you have more time to explore, check out the Metelkova neighborhood which is an artsy urban area with bars, cafes and night clubs.
Read more on how to spend one day in Ljubljana here!
PIN FOR LATER
This guide has been super helpful! Thanks so much for the recommendations. Leaving for a 5-day trip through Slovenia on Wednesday. Can’t wait to put all of your tips to use 🙂
– Kaitlyn & Dave
trustme-travel.com
So glad to hear it! Slovenia is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve visited. Have an amazing trip! 🙂