10 Images of Slovenian Splendor

Slovenia is simply stunning. It’s far more beautiful than you’d expect for a country that many people have never heard of (or, at least, might have trouble placing on a map). In a recent post, I shared 10 photos of Lake Bled in all seasons. Yes, Lake Bled is gorgeous, and it deserves all of the attention that it receives. But the beauty of this little country (about the size of New Jersey) goes well beyond that one lake. Here are some photos of my other favorite Slovenian destinations. Enjoy!

Let’s kick things off with a dramatic sunset I enjoyed from the rooftop terrace of my hotel over the pristine main square of Piran, on Slovenia’s 29 miles of Adriatic coastline:

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For mountain scenery, just a half-hour’s drive from Lake Bled is the more remote and rustic Lake Bohinj:

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And just up the road from Lake Bled is the stunning Vintgar Gorge:

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But my favorite scenery in Slovenia is deep in the Julian Alps, which butt up against Austria and Italy. The best route is the one-day drive over the Vršič Pass, then back down along the Soča River Valley. (We designed our Best of the Adriatic Tour to include a day for this journey.) For my money, this is (in good weather) the most spectacular drive in Europe, with scenery like this:

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I know I said “10 images,” but what the heck? Here’s an 11th, for good measure:

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I’m determined to convince more Americans to visit Slovenia — one of Europe’s most beautiful countries, and certainly its most underrated. I hope these pictures stoke your interest in a place you’ll never forget.  (Of course, all of these places are covered in our Rick Steves Croatia & Slovenia guidebook.)

And if you’ve enjoyed these, don’t miss 10 more photos of Slovenia’s showcase mountain resort, Lake Bled.

19 Replies to “10 Images of Slovenian Splendor”

  1. We were in Slovenia last year and can’t wait to go back. We were driving from Croatia to Austria and had two extra days so we spent those days in Bled. We really wished we had more time to explore this beautiful country!

  2. Cameron, I’ve been a Rick Steve’s fan for decades. My Europe travels started out as a U.S. soldier in Wildflecken, Germany, ’69-’70 (before going to Vietnam) when a schnitzel dinner with ein bier was 5 marks ($1.25) in Heidelberg, but have been back to Europe often since. I was in Slovenia in 2015, staying in both Piran and Bled for several days each — did my research ahead of time and was impressed. I continued down the Adriatic coast to Dubrovnik — took over 1000 photos in that ancient walled city in one day — from early morning until well into the evening. I rented a car in Germany, so had to stop at another favorite, Rothenburg, for a few nights along the way (yes, I met Willi Schamman many years ago, and kept in touch for several trips until he passed, but he is still revered by locals — did you know he was a paratrooper in WWII? I loved Willi, and have a few stories). Piran and Bled blew me away on that trip. Hemingway was wounded in the Julian Alps during WWI, working for the Italians. Tito had a palace built on Bled Lake. I walked the path that surrounds the lake, and rented a bicycle for a memorable ride in the country another day. Great restaurants also! Retired now, I go to Europe almost every year (England, Scotland last year, with a hike to the top of Ben Nevis in May). Did a return to Vietnam this year (Apr-May), but, at 68, I still have many more trips to Europe in my plans, and always include hiking, biking, and lots of exploring!

  3. We were in Slovenia last June and did Rick’s tour after using his guidebook for ten days to see more of the country. It’s a treasure!

  4. Love these pictures! I was supposed to have been in Slovenia in mid April along with my son and family who live in Prague. Hopefully I can visit another time when it’s safe to travel again.

  5. We took the Best of the Adriatic tour 2 years ago and absolutely loved Slovenia! The people, the natural wonders and the food! I could definitely go again. Our guide, Barbara, was the best!

  6. We went on the Best of the Adriatic tour last fall. These pictures show how beautiful Slovenia is. Beautiful people, beautiful country.

  7. we went to Slovenia in Oct 2019 loved it all; Skocjan caves, Predjama, Kobarid, Kamp Jelinc (cheese farm) right on the Soca, Lake Bled & Bohinj, Vintgar gorge, & Ljubljana. Loved it all.

  8. Ahhhhhh, we would have been in Slovenia now if it weren’t for the pandemic. Thanks for giving us a little taste! Hopefully next year!

  9. I visited Slovenia for two weeks in the fall of 2018. Beautiful country! We had rain and clouds in the Vrsic Pass and while staying in Ukanc near Bohinj. But we loved it all and want to go back!

  10. Great pics. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our RS Best of the Adriatic tour last year. Slovenia was a wonderful surprise. It was rainy when we visited Lake Bled so we can’t wait to do the Best of Eastern Europe tour so that we can go back to that lovely lake. And the Slovenians are lovely. We were lost wandering around Bled and a lovely young lady was so helpful and gave us many wonderful tips and recommendations on places to eat and visit.

  11. We spent several days in Bled. We drove up from Venice taking small roads. Beautiful country. Sweet people. mazing food and wine.

  12. we drove the other way; south to north through the Soca valley, staying at a cheese farm run by 3 generations, super sweet. Did several places in western Slovenia, would love to check out hot springs and eastern SLovenia.

  13. Thanks for the lovely photos. I’ve been reading the Croatia-Slovenia guide book to prepare for my trip to Slovenia end of March to early April. I was in Croatia in 2017 but didn’t make it to Slovenia, so I’m excited to go this year. Everyone I know or hear of who has been to Slovenia has only high praise for it.

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