Once upon a time there was a tiny little country on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Maybe it was tiny but it had quite some wonderful secrets. Like its huge mountains on the northwest that towered above the green meadows. Their peaks were snow-capped even in the summer and they were home to countless crystal clear lakes and mountain rivers. And if you explored them with your eyes wide open you could find those charming waterfalls and canyons they were hiding.
This tiny country had caves so large that the mightiest kings would have been envy of their giant halls decorated by beautiful dripstone formations. And it had secret azure bays and beaches. The people of this country lived in peaceful villages and lovely cities that had the prettiest streets full of colorful houses.
Well, okay, to be honest this fairy tale was occasionally disturbed by crazy impatient drivers on the narrow mountain roads and random heavy thunderstorms in the mountains. But the good news is that it’s not a place from fairy tales either. It very well exists and we painted this dreamy picture about one of our favorite countries: Slovenia. Let me present some evidence. Then you go and find out the rest. 🙂
Table of Contents
Lake Bled
This breathtaking alpine lake is probably the icon of Slovenia, the symbol of all the natural beauties this small country offers.
Lake Bohinj
We liked crystal clear, incredibly green Lake Bohinj with the towering high peaks of the Julian Alps even more than famous Bled.
Ljubljana, the capital
Ljubljana is one of the smallest and most charming capital cities in Europe.
Vintgar Gorge
The easiest and one of the pretties hikes we’ve done in Triglav National Park: a trail through a narrow canyon carved out by a fast and perfectly emerald green mountain river with its walls rising to 50-100 metres high. That’s Vintgar Gorge in a nutshell.
Soča Valley
In the hidden corner of Slovenia there’s a valley with an incredibly turquoise river.
Check out our hiking guide to the Soča Valley!
Peričnik Waterfall
52 metres high Peričnik waterfall is close to Lake Bled. The most fun thing about it? It’s one that you can walk behind!
Tolmin Gorge
Vintgar Gorge is not the only place of its kind in Slovenia. Hidden in the Soča Valley Tolmin Gorge is also a fairy tale glen with clear water in all the shades of blue.
Mostnica Gorge
Yet another gorge. Not far from the famous Vintgar near Bled, Mostnica Gorge amazed us with emerald green water, crystal clear pools, countless small cascades and a 20 metres high waterfall at the end. And without the crowds. (And yes, it’s a heart shaped cascade…)
Piran, Slovenia’s lovely “little Venice”
A coastal small town with narrow cobblestone streets, medieval and stunning Venetian architecture and colorful houses.
Strunjan Peninsula
The Strunjan Peninsula with several kilometres of untouched cliff and magically blue bays is home to the best beaches in Slovenia.
Martuljek Falls
Two not too well-known, astonishing waterfalls in (similarly astonishing) Martuljek Gorge. Lower Martuljek Fall is 29 metres high, Upper Martuljek Fall is a four tiered waterfall, the highest being 48 metres.
Oh, Martuljek Falls are our favorite in Slovenia! They’re picturesque and powerful, and can be reached on a scenic trail. (Doesn’t the Lower Fall remind you of Yosemite Falls?)
Road trip through Triglav National Park
Slovenia’s only national park in the Julian Alps.
Lake Jasna, Kranjska Gora
A pretty roadside stop on your way towards Vršič Pass in Triglav National Park.
Kozjak Waterfall
Not the tallest, but the most picturesque waterfall in the Soča Valley.
Kamnik Alps
Slovenia is a mountainous country, it has more than the famous Julian Alps. Like the dramatic and challenging Kamnik-Savinja Alps in northern Slovenia.
Logar Valley
A barely known beauty: Logar Valley is a glacial valley in Slovenia’s Kamnik Alps, close to the border of Slovenia and Austria.
Maribor
Slovenia’s second largest city. Cute, colorful, chilled out. See our guide here!
Have you been to Slovenia? What are some of your favorite countries?
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This post was updated in July 2021.
What stunning scenes. Thank you for sharing your travels.
Thanks for reading, Jessica 🙂
Oh my lord your photos are amazing! Honestly, I still don’t know how to pronounce or even spell out the capital of Slovenia (see why I avoided writing the name out?) Hahaha and crazy driver, heard that it gets crazier and crazier the further east you go in Europe! =P
That’s the stereotype, yeah, but the case is similar the souther you go, too. But our most terrifying driving experience was actually in Paris on a weekday morning. 😀
I am glad you love my country. All tourist who respect nature are welcome.
Cheers!