The Perfect One Week Slovenia Itinerary: Europe’s Hidden Gem

If you’re planning a trip to the beautiful Balkan country of Slovenia, this is the only one week itinerary you need.

I spent 11 days traveling in Slovenia, and I came back with the info you need to plan your trip. I’ve compressed my trip into an easy to follow one week itinerary to Slovenia’s emerald rivers, show-stopping alps, and fairytale lakes.

Use this one week Slovenia itinerary to plan your amazing trip to Slovenia!

And if you plan to spend longer than one week in Slovenia, I have also included even more options for extending your Slovenia itinerary.

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How Much Time Do You Need For A Slovenia Itinerary?

You can technically visit Slovenia for as short as long as you want, or are able to! However, Slovenia is deceptively ‘small’. There is SO much to see. So, for that reason, I think the longer the better.

One weekend in Slovenia is enough to see Ljubljana and take a day trip or two. But, you’ll likely be left wanting so much more.

However, if you want to get the full Slovenian experience, one week is the minimum I would recommend!

I have included ideas for what to do to extend your trip in Slovenia if you’re planning a longer stay.

READ ALSO: Best Way to Spend One Day in Ljubljana, Slovenia

How to Get Around in Slovenia

When traveling in Slovenia, you have a few options for how to best get around.

Personally, I prefer to stick to public transport, trains, and buses while traveling on my own to simplify things. And Slovenia has buses and trains that will take you just about everywhere you want to go.

But, if you feel comfortable with the idea of renting a car or are traveling with someone, it can be a more time efficient way to get around the country. On top of that, having a rental car can get you more access to places that are harder to reach with public transportation.

Whether you choose public transportation or a rental car will also depend on your travel style. For me, I didn’t want to deal with parking a car everywhere I went and liked the idea of using public transport to get around for the week.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Slovenia?

I have visited Slovenia in both Summer and Autumn, and enjoyed both! Of course, in Summer you will be able to swim in Lake Bled or down on the coast in Piran. In Autumn, it isn’t quite warm enough to enjoy the lakes of Slovenia, however you’ll run into less crowds and lower prices.

While much of Europe is crowded in Summer, I found Slovenia to be the exception. Lake Bled can get a bit busy, but if you venture out towards Bohinj or into the mountains, you will be surprised at the lack of crowds. July to September are idea for the Summer months in Slovenia.

One Week Slovenia Itinerary Overview

@nikkionherway I spent 11 days in slovenia on my very first ever solo trip and had the time of my life. Here is my slovenia itinerary that you can copy 😁 You can shorten the itinerary, add or subtract, and make it your own! What to do in Ljubljana: – Ljubljana castle & wine bar – Ljubljanica river boat – day trip to Postojna – eat at Julija What to do in Lake Bohinj: – swim obviously – Vogel Mountain cable car – Savica waterfall hike – eat at Divja Jaga What to do in Lake Bled – swim – rent a rowboat – pletna boat to the island – Vintgar Gorge – hiking – summer toboggan at Straža – stay at Hotel Triglav – Mala Osojnica viewpoint Other towns to consider visiting that i didnt make it to: – Maribor (in the north) – Portorož (on the coast) – Bovec (Soča valley) #slovenia #solotravel #solofemaletravel #sloveniatravel #feelslovenia #europesolotravel ♬ Acoustic Folk Instrumental – Yunusta

• Day 1 & 2: Ljubljana & Day Trip to Postojna
• Day 3 & 4: Lake Bohinj
• Day 5 & 6: Lake Bled
• Day 7: Kranj or leave

I have included options for extending your trip at the end of this itinerary, as well.

Map of Points of Interest

READ ALSO: 20 Photos To Inspire You To Visit Slovenia, Europe’s Most Underrated Destination

The Very Best One Week Slovenia Itinerary

Let’s get right into this fun and adventurous one week Slovenia itinerary!

I visited at the end of August, when the Summer weather is still fantastic, but there are less visitors. August & September are the perfect months to visit Slovenia.

Day 1: Ljubljana

Begin your Slovenia itinerary in the beautiful and charming capital city of Ljubljana. Fly into Ljubljana Airport, which is about 45 minutes outside of town.

If you’re renting a car, do so at the airport. If you plan to get around using public transportation, hop onto a bus that takes you right into Ljubljana’s city center. The bus takes about 45 minutes and costs around €4. Buy your tickets directly from the driver at the bus stop outside of baggage claim. You can find more info about the Ljubljana Airport bus here.

On your first day in Ljubljana, get to know the city! Explore the Old Town of Ljubljana by wandering the pedestrian-only streets along the Ljubljanica River. In the Summer, you’ll find tons of activities happening around the city including food markets, flea markets, live music, and even water volleyball on the Ljubljanica River! 

Ljubljanica Boat Ride

I recommend you take a boat ride down the river as a great way to cool off in the Summer and get a different perspective of the city. I recommend buying a ticket at one of the little stands along the river (location noted in my Slovenia Itinerary map). 

The price for one hour is €14 for an adult ticket. The Visit Ljubljana website can give you more information on the Ljubljanica River tourist boats.

The boat ride I went on was an hour and took us up and down the river in town. Be sure to get your camera out because you’ll love these views of town from down here! 

Visit Ljubljana Castle

If you do one thing in Ljubljana, make it a visit to Ljubljana Castle.

From the castle, you get the best views of town and a great history lesson about the significance of the castle in Ljubljana’s past. The most interesting history of the castle, in my opinion, is that it held prisoner’s of war in WWII.

To get to Ljubljana Castle, you can either take a short uphill walk that starts below the castle, or take the funicular. You can buy tickets to Ljubljana Castle that include the funicular ride, so I think it’s the best way to visit the castle your first time. An entry ticket without the funicular is €12 for adults, with the funicular it is €16.

BUDGET TIP: If you’re on a budget and don’t want to pay to visit Ljubljana Castle, you can visit the grounds for free. I went back to the castle for sunset without going inside the castle, and I took the walking path to do so! It only takes about 10 minutes.

The best sunset views in all of Ljubljana are at the wine bar located on the side of the castle, called Grajska Vinoteka.

Buy your funicular and castle tickets together and ahead of time!

Dragon Bridge

As you walk around Ljubljana and enjoy the beautiful architecture, stop by the Dragon Bridge. Zmajski Most is a quick stop to make while in the city, but it’s a fun bridge that’s well known for it’s beautiful Dragon Statues.

Tivoli Park

If you’re looking for wide open green space for a picnic or just to enjoy a slow afternoon in Ljubljana, Tivoli Park is the perfect spot.

It only takes about 20 minutes to walk from the center of Old Town Ljubljana to Tivoli Park. This is also one of the best free activities in Ljubljana if you’re on a budget.

Central Market Ljubljana

Central Market in Ljubljana is a meeting place where locals sell their flowers, locally made cheeses, organic vegetables, and crafts. The market is open daily, except on Sundays. From mid-March until the end of October, you’ll find a huge food market with local restaurants offering quick bites, called Open Kitchen.

You’ll find that Old Town Ljubljana is very walking friendly and not very big. You can see much of what the city has to offer in one full day. Read my full Ljubljana travel guide for more information on what to do in Ljubljana! 

READ ALSO: Best Way to Spend One Day in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Where to Stay in Ljubljana

Luxury: InterContinental Ljubljana

Mid-Range: Bloom Hotel Ljubljana

Budget: Ars Longa Apartments

Hostel: Turn Hostel

Day 2: Ljubljana & Day Trip to Postojna

On your second day in Ljubljana, take a day trip to the impressive Postojna Caves & Predjama Castle. This is one of my favorite places in Slovenia and a truly hidden gem!

Postojna Caves & Predjama Castle

Postojna Cave is one of the largest cave systems in Europe, and was the very first cave to install a train to take visitors inside!

On top of that, you’ll also find ‘baby dragons’ in the caves. These ‘dragons’ are actually the Proteus Anguinus, otherwise referred to as an Olm, are small white animals that resemble salamanders. However, they are unique to this area of the world and their main habitat are these caves. Therefore, they have no eyes as they live in total darkness with the caves. Fascinating!

You can take a bus or a train to Postojna to see the caves if you don’t have a rental car. The bus runs from Ljubljana’s bus depot straight to the entrance of Postojna caves. Refer to this timetable for bus times throughout the year and to reserve your bus ticket. I recommend booking your bus ticket ahead of time to make sure you have a spot.

Be sure to book your cave ticket online ahead of time as you’ll need to reserve a tour time. Postojna caves can only be explored with a tour group, so buying a ticket is a must. I recommend buying the combined Postojna Caves & Predjama Castle ticket with costs about €41.90.

The tour of Postojna caves takes around 90 minutes. There is a shuttle that will take you over to Predjama Castle after your caves tour that runs about every 15 minutes. Optionally, you can drive if you brought your own car. You will need cash to pay for the shuttle, around €2 each way, so make sure you have some change with you!

Day 3: Lake Bohinj

In my opinion, Slovenia’s beauty lies in its mountains and crystal clear lakes. Triglav National Park and the Julian Alps of Slovenia are where you’ll find these gorge-ous (pun intended) landscapes! 

Head over to the ‘hidden’ secret of Slovenia, and the local’s preferred vacation spot, Lake Bohinj. This is the perfect place to relax, hike, swim, and generally enjoy the beauty of Slovenia’s alps.

The town of Bohinj is a very small, laid back town with a few hotels and restaurants. Unlike Lake Bled, it’s much less developed and therefore more affordable and quiet. But don’t be fooled, it does get busy in the Summer, just mostly filled with day-tripping locals!

While at Lake Bohinj, I stayed at a mountaintop chalet only accessible by cable car! It was a very fun, unique accommodation experience that I loved.

Swimming in Lake Bohinj

On your first day in Bohinj, enjoy the lake and its beauty by taking a dip! You can swim just about anywhere in the lake that you can find a spot to wade. I recommend walking along the path that circles the entire lake until you find a suitable spot. 

If you’re looking for a spot to eat, a popular place to have lunch is Restavracija Kramar. However, I preferred a grab-and-go stand called Divja Jaga serving delicious locally sourced wraps, sandwiches, and kombucha. You’ll also find a free water fountain with pristine drinking water beside Divja Jaga. 

Panoramic Boat

Take an electric boat ride from one end of the lake to the other as a fun way to get a different perspective of the lake. You can ride a public bus, as well, but a boat is much more fun! You’ll pay onboard and it will run you €9 one way, or €14 for a return ticket.

Paddle Board on Bohinjsko Jezero

Another great activity for your first day in Lake Bohinj is to rent a paddle board, canoe, or kayak to get out onto the water. You can do this at either end of the lake by walking up to the rental shop. At the Ukanc end of the lake, you’ll find rentals at Camp Bohinj. If you are on the other end of the lake, you can rent right next to the Zlatorog statue near the dock.

Where to Stay in Lake Bohinj

Luxury: Hotel Bohinj

Mid-Range: Hotel Majerca

Budget: Accommodation Resman

Hostel: Hostel, Rooms and Apartment Ceklin

Unique Stay: Chalet Burja

Day 4: Lake Bohinj 

For your second day in Bohinj, I recommend doing some hiking and chasing waterfalls. Lake Bohinj is surrounded by massive Alps and there is so much to do and see within them. 

Vogel Cable Car

Start your day by taking the Vogel cable car up to Vogel Mountain. This is a ski resort in the winter and hiking hotspot in the summer. From up here, you’ll get the most incredible views of Lake Bohinj below and the Julian Alps beyond.

A return ticket to the top of Vogel is €29.50 for adults, so be sure to spend a good amount of time up here enjoying the views!

While at the top of Vogel, you can grab a drink and a bite at Bajtica, a little chalet that serves food throughout the day.

Bajtica is also a guesthouse that hosts hikers in the evening, and can be a really fun stay while in Bohinj. I actually stayed at Bajtica Guesthouse and loved it (yes I did have to take the cable car with my luggage to get there!)

Savica Waterfall (Slap Savica)

Once you’re ready to head back down from Vogel, catch a bus at the Vogel bus stop that will take you to Savica Waterfall. You can also walk through the woods on a nice walking path if you prefer. This will take you about an hour from the lake, but it’s a shorter walk downhill on the way back. I took the bus there and walked back for efficiency.

To walk to Savica Waterfall, follow the path from Ukanc to Savica, with signs along the way. You’ll walk through some residential streets, but you’ll eventually end up on a gravel path to the waterfall entrance.

You can purchase tickets at the entrance to Savica for just €4.

Day 5: Lake Bled

On day 5, you’ll head over to Lake Bled, the veritable jewel of Slovenia. Lake Bled is likely the most recognizable landscape in Slovenia. You’ve probably seen a picture of the beautiful mountain lake with a small church island in the middle on your Instagram!

And if you only have time for a day trip to Lake Bled, no worries! Use my Lake Bled Day trip guide to plan your trip!

Bled Castle

On your first day in Lake Bled, head up to Bled Castle first thing to beat the crowds. From here, you’ll find some of the most beautiful views of Lake Bled and learn the history of the castle and its inhabitants.

An adult ticket to visit Bled Castle will cost you €17, check the official website for opening times and to purchase your tickets ahead of time.

After Bled Castle, take a walk around the lake, as far as you want! As you walk around the lake, the views are constantly changing, and you’ll find cute restaurants, benches to sit, and a really peaceful atmosphere. 

Swimming in Lake Bled

If you’re looking for a swimming spot in Bled, there are a few designated swimming areas. However, you can swim anywhere that there isn’t a ‘no wading’ or ‘no swimming’ sign. My favorite places to swim are right near the Mlino bus stop or at Camp Bled (exact locations saved on my Slovenia map)

Assumption of Maria Church

Time to head over to the island! The island in Lake Bled is home to the Assumption of Maria Church and is a must do while in Bled. The best way to visit the island is from the Mlino side of the lake (furthest from the castle). 

You can get to the island a few ways: swimming, renting a rowboat, or hiring a Pletna. If you want to try your hand at swimming over to the island, just be sure you feel comfortable doing so! It is further than it looks. 

You can rent a rowboat from any of the spots in Mlino where the row boats are docked. If you would rather have someone else row for you, take a Pletna instead. A Pletna is a larger boat that is motorless but can hold around 20 people. Just walk up to the Pletna and you can ask the operator when the next ride is and pay directly with cash or card! It cost me €18 for my return ticket.

Once on the island you can wander around, grab some gelato, ring the church bell for good luck, and stop for tea or a drink at the cafe.

End the night with some pizza from Pizzeria Rustika and call it a night!

Where To Stay In Lake Bled

Luxury: Adora Luxury Hotel

Mid-Range: Hotel Triglav (this is where I stayed, and I HIGHLY recommend)

Budget: Penzion Pibernick

Hostel: Pr Močnk

READ ALSO: How To Take The Best Day Trip To Lake Bled From Ljubljana

Day 6: Lake Bled & Vintgar Gorge

While in Lake Bled, Vintgar Gorge is a must visit spot. You’ll find an emerald green river rushing through tall gorge walls into a fantastic waterfall at the end.

Vintgar Gorge

To visit Vintgar Gorge, you can either walk about 45 minutes from Bled (quite a beautiful walk), or take a bus from Bled’s main bus stop to Podhom, then walk an additional 20 minutes to the gorge. You can also take the train from the other end of the lake to Podhom, then walk another 15 minutes to the gorge. 

It costs €10 for an adult ticket, which you can purchase in person or online here in advance. 

The gorge takes you on a wooden path built onto the rock and along the Radovna Valley river. The path is a single person track, though it is wide enough to pass by people as the stop and look. You’re welcome to take as much time as you want to enjoy the views once you enter the gorge. But, keep in mind that it can get rather crowded in the busy months and the path gets fairly full. I recommend going as early as possible to beat the crowds. 

At the end of the gorge, take a right by the snack hut before crossing the bridge and head down to the viewpoint across the river. From here, you’ll get an amazing view of the Šum waterfall. 

Once you leave the gorge, you’ll either be directed left, back to the carpark if you drove yourself, or you can continue on to the right and hike your way back into Bled. To walk back to Bled, follow the signs to St. Katherine Church (Sv. Katerina), and then all the way into Bled. 

Toboggan at Straža Bled

@nikkionherway Probably the most fun I’ve had in ages!! If you’re in Lake Bled, please make sure you go tobogganing at Straža. You can walk to the lift in about 10-15 minutes from the lake, and it only costs €11 for one lift and one ride. This is such a fun activity to do in Lake Bled in the Summer! #lakebled #bled #slovenia #lakebledslovenia #tobogganing #europetraveldestinations #CapCut ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim

If you’re in Bled in the summer, you have to go over to Straža Hill and do the summer toboggan track. It costs €11 for an adult ticket to ride up the lift once, and down the track once. I thought this would be a kids thrill ride, but no! It’s incredibly fun for adults, too. 

Have dinner at Gostilna Pri Planincu for some delicious traditional Slovenian food and beer. 

Hike To Mala Osojnica Viewpoint At Sunrise

The best hike to do in Bled is the Mala Osojnica viewpoint on the Mlino side of the lake. The trailheads are marked and you can access the trail near Camp Bled, or near Vila Draga Bled (trailhead locations marked on Slovenia itinerary map).

Day 7: Kranj OR Extended Itineraries

If you’re ending your one week Slovenia Itinerary here, head to Kranj, near the airport. I don’t recommend going back to Ljubljana as you’ll just end up backtracking to get to the airport.

Kranj is an adorable town dubbed the capital of the Slovenian Alps. It’s situated on the Sava River and has fantastic views of the mountains just northwest.

If your flight leaves early out of LJU airport, I recommend staying the night before in Kranj and getting a taxi to the airport. If you have time to explore Kranj for the day, there is plenty to do.

Find the history beneath Kranj and take a guided tour of the Old Town Kranj Tunnels below your feet. The tunnels were designed and built in WWII to keep the residents of Kranj safe during bombardment. Walk through Old Town and admire important cultural monuments like Kranj Town Hall, the Church of St. Cantianus, and the art museums within Layer House.

Where to Stay in Kranj: Layer Residences

Ideas To Extend Your One Week Slovenia Itinerary

Add these destinations to the 7-day itinerary above for a wider tour of all Slovenia has to offer!

• Piran, the Adriatic jewel of Slovenia and a gorgeous addition to any Slovenia trip. Swim in the beautiful waters of the Adriatic Sea, taste Slovenia’s local wine, and spend your time in the sun in Piran.
• Koper is a fantastic way to round out your Slovenia itinerary and get to see the country’s fantastic, yet small, coastline.
• Celje is the fourth largest city in Slovenia, just east of Ljubljana and in the region of Styria. Visit Celje Castle and Celje Cathedral while enjoying the beautiful green landscape that surrounds you.
• Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia, is a must visit in the northern part of the country. It is set amidst the wine region of Slovenia, making it a great destination for cultural experiences like wine tours.
• Triglav National Park has much more to explore than the small amount we saw in this itinerary! If you’re able to, hop on a bus to Kranjska Gora or Bovec to experience more of the Julian Alps. Canyoneering and white water rafting are two very popular activities in the area.

Final Thoughts

If you’re planning a trip to Slovenia, this is the perfect first-time itinerary!

Save this post to Pinterest for your Slovenia trip planning!