SLOVENIA
A LOCAL EXPAT'S TRAVEL GUIDE
Embark on an extraordinary journey to the heart of Europe. Expert guides, verified partner agencies and exclusive offers for your stay in Slovenia.
Slovenia at a Glance
Slovenia is a small Central European country tucked between the Julian Alps and the Adriatic Sea, bordering Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia. Within a two-hour drive you can go from the alpine peaks of Triglav to the Venetian alleys of Piran, crossing forests that cover more than 60% of the country.
e-Slovénie is the leading travel guide dedicated to Slovenia, created in 2000 by Patrick Faust, a French expat living in the country since 2004. It gathers over 400 articles, 200 restaurant reviews tested on site and 16 destination guides — from Ljubljana to Lake Bled, from Piran to the Soča Valley, from the Karst to the Goriška Brda vineyards. Every recommendation is based on first-hand experience, not recycled content.
You will find practical itineraries, seasonal advice, detailed budgets and offers from verified local agencies to plan your trip with confidence. This first-hand work has been featured on French national television — Échappées Belles (France 5) and the 1pm news on France 2.
"I've lived here since 2004. I don't publish a price I haven't checked on site, or a restaurant I haven't eaten at."
Checked on site — 2026 prices
€20
the pletna boat at Bled, per person
€15
Vintgar Gorge, with a timed-entry slot
30 min
between every Ljubljana–Bled bus
€50–140
daily budget per person
- When to visit Slovenia?
- May to September for hiking and the lakes; June and September offer the best balance of weather and crowds. Winter is the season for skiing and thermal spas.
- How many days do you need?
- 7 to 10 days cover the essentials (Ljubljana, Bled, the Soča Valley, the caves, the coast). Not sure where to start? See which region to choose.
- What daily budget?
- From €50-70 per person on a backpacker budget to €100-140 for comfort (lodging, meals, activities). Full breakdown in our travel budget guide.
- Currency, language, driving?
- Euro, EU and Schengen member. Slovenian is the official language and English is widely spoken. An e-vignette is required on motorways.
Last updated:
FEATURED DESTINATIONS
Lake Bled
Slovenia's iconic glacial lake in the Julian Alps, Upper Carniola.
Discover Lake Bled
Ljubljana
Slovenia's capital, on the banks of the Ljubljanica.
Discover Ljubljana
Lake Bohinj
Slovenia's largest permanent lake, in the heart of Triglav National Park — the wild alternative to Bled, a 25-minute drive away.
Discover Lake Bohinj
Soča Valley
The great alpine valley of north-western Slovenia, threaded by the emerald Soča from its source at Trenta down to Friuli.
Discover Soča ValleyLATEST ARTICLES
Julian Alps Card 2026: Bled, Bohinj, Soča & Radovljica Compared
Free buses, free parking, gorges and museums included: the Julian Alps Card comes in 4 variants depending on where you sleep. 2026 prices, conditions and honest advice from a local resident.
READ →
Car Rental in Slovenia (2026): Booking Tips, Border Rules & Pitfalls to Avoid
Small fleet, vignette, border clauses, excess: renting a car in Slovenia goes smoothly if you book early and read three clauses. Advice from an expat living here since 2004.
READ →
Portorož, Slovenia (2026): Beach, Spas and the Best Base on the Coast
Portorož is Slovenia's only true seaside resort: the country's warmest water (26–28 °C), brine-bath spas inherited from 1910 — and the smartest base for exploring Piran, Izola and Istria.
READ →EXPLORE SLOVENIA
Ljubljana & central Slovenia
The green capital and its day trips, at the crossroads of every region.
Škofja Loka
One of Slovenia's oldest towns: the Capuchin Bridge, a castle and medieval lanes, 30 minutes from Ljubljana.
Discover
Kamnik
A medieval town at the foot of the Kamnik Alps, 25 minutes from Ljubljana: the Mali grad chapel.
Discover
Velika Planina
One of Europe's largest preserved herdsmen's settlements: shingle-roofed shepherd huts.
Discover
Krvavec
Ljubljana's ski resort: slopes between 1,450 and 1,971 m half an hour from the capital.
DiscoverSlovenian Alps & the North
Peaks, passes, lakes and pastures — from the Julian to the Kamnik-Savinja Alps.
Radovljica
A painted-facade old town 10 minutes from Bled: Slovenia's capital of beekeeping, gingerbread and chocolate.
Discover
Triglav National Park
Slovenia's only national park, covering 880 square kilometres in the heart of the Julian Alps.
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Kranjska Gora
An alpine resort at the foot of Vršič Pass, at the tri-border junction of Slovenia, Italy and Austria.
Discover
Logarska Dolina
One of Europe's most beautiful glacial valleys: 7 km of meadows beneath the walls of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps.
Discover
Koroška
Alpine region in northern Slovenia, on the Austrian border.
DiscoverCoast, Karst & caves
From Piran to UNESCO-listed chasms — Mediterranean Slovenia.
Piran
A Venetian jewel on Slovenia's Adriatic coast.
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The Karst
Mythical limestone plateau between Ljubljana and the Adriatic coast.
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Škocjan Caves
Slovenia's first natural UNESCO World Heritage site (1986): the underground canyon of the Reka River.
Discover
Postojna
The Postojna Cave is Europe's largest system of karst caves open to the public, with 24km of passages.
DiscoverGoriška & western wine country
Vine-covered hills between the Alps and the Adriatic, on the Italian border.
Goriška Brda
The 'Slovenian Tuscany' — gentle wine hills on the Italian border, dotted with medieval perched villages.
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Vipava Valley
Secret wine valley between the Karst and the Soča valley.
Discover
Nova Gorica
Twin city of Gorizia (Italy), Nova Gorica was European Capital of Culture 2025 — the first spanning two countries.
DiscoverStyria & the Pannonian East
Historic towns, spas and vineyards of Slovenia's east.
Maribor
Slovenia's second city, in the heart of the Styrian wine region.
Discover
Ptuj
Slovenia's oldest town: a castle above the Drava, medieval lanes.
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Celje and the Savinja Valley
Slovenia's third city, Celje is dominated by the ruins of the country's largest medieval castle.
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Prekmurje
Slovenia's easternmost region, beyond the Mura River, on the Hungarian and Austrian border.
DiscoverForests of the South
Rivers, primeval forests and brown bears — Slovenia at its wildest.
WHY E-SLOVÉNIE
A local expert, verified agencies, and a passion for Slovenia. Every recommendation is tested and approved.
Local Expert
Patrick Faust, French expat in Slovenia for over 20 years, shares his on-the-ground knowledge.
Verified Agencies
Each partner agency is hand-picked and validated to guarantee the quality of your trip.
Preserved Nature
Destinations chosen for their natural beauty and commitment to responsible tourism.
Exclusive Offers
Tours and activities negotiated directly with local agencies, at the best price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Slovenia or Croatia: which one for a week?
For one week, Slovenia: distances are short (2-3 hours of driving at most) and you can combine the Alps, lakes, caves and the Adriatic coast in a single trip, with no ferries or long transfers. Croatia wins for a fully beach-and-islands holiday. The two pair well over two weeks — Piran is only 30 minutes from the Croatian border.
Can you visit Slovenia without a car?
Yes, for the essentials: buses run from Ljubljana to Bled every 30 minutes, trains reach Bohinj on the scenic Bohinj railway line, and summer shuttles serve Vintgar Gorge and the Soča Valley. Ljubljana, Bled, Bohinj and Piran are easy without a car. A car remains useful for the Karst, the wine regions (Brda, Vipava) and remote valleys.
Postojna Cave or Škocjan Caves: which one to choose?
Postojna for the spectacular, developed experience: an underground train, vast chambers, great with kids. Škocjan for authenticity: it is the UNESCO World Heritage site (1986), with a dizzying underground canyon crossed on foot over walkways. Both work as a day trip from Ljubljana; if you must pick one, Škocjan impresses hikers, Postojna delights children.
Where can you swim in Slovenia: sea or lakes?
Both. On the coast, you can swim off the quays of Piran and the beaches of Izola, in an Adriatic that tops 24°C in midsummer. Among the lakes, Bled and especially Bohinj are swimmable from June to September. The Soča stays ice-cold even in August — admire it, raft it, but don't linger in it.
Do I need a visa for Slovenia?
No for EU citizens, Swiss, Canadian and many other nationals. Slovenia is in the Schengen area. A valid ID card or passport is sufficient for Europeans. Canadians and Americans can stay 90 days without a visa.
Is Slovenia safe?
Very safe. It's one of the safest countries in Europe with very low crime rates. No areas to avoid, even at night. The only risks: pickpockets in very touristy areas (rare) and ticks in forests in spring.
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