8 Days in Slovenia - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Slovenia - Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Bovec, Goriška Brda & Piran

This outdoorsy eight-day road trip is perfect for adventurous travelers who want to explore the most beautiful highlights of Slovenia's countryside. Hike, bike, and raft your way through Lake Bohinj and Bovec, taste some wine in Goriška Brda, and finish off your trip by exploring the Skocjan Caves and the Adriatic Coast. 

Begin your adventure with a day exploring Ljubljana, then make your way to Lake Bled, the most famous example of Slovenia's beautiful pastoral countryside. There, you can visit the church on the island in the center of the lake, choose a short hike to discover more of the area, or visit Vintgar Gorge a popular destination just 2.5 miles (4 km) from town. 

On day three, head out bright and early to spend the day at Lake Bohinj, Lake Bled's less famous but equally scenic neighbor. There you can choose from a plethora of hiking options, or even go rock climbing. In the evening, head back to Lake Bled and consider splurging on a royal dinner with a view at Bled Castle's restaurant. The following day, drive through Vršič Pass in the central Julian Alps and stop for lunch at a cozy Alpine hut. In the afternoon, continue through the Soča Valley to the town of Bovec. 

Spend day five enjoying Bovec's outdoor scene. In the morning, hike or bike along some of the area's moderate trails to see bright turquoise pools, historic forts, and river gorges. Spend the afternoon on the brightly-colored Soça River. You can relax on the shore or join a guided rafting tour down the river. After you've dried off, continue on foot to the town of Kobarid, home to the area's WWI museum. Enjoy some famous Soça trout for dinner. 

The following day, drive to Goriška Brda, Slovenia's wine region, sometimes called the "Slovenian Tuscany," and taste some of the area's wines, along with local specialty cured meat and cheeses. 

Spend day seven exploring Skocjan Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's largest known underground caverns. Then drive along the coast to Piran to see its old city walls, Venetian-style architecture, and stony beaches. Finally, return to Ljubljana on your final day in Slovenia, and catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Hiking and Biking - Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Bovec, Piran & More

This hiking and biking eight-day adventure takes you through the most beautiful scenery the Slovenian Alps have to offer. From a visit to Lake Bled, a day hiking the central Julian Alps, a bike tour of the Soça Valley, rafting and wine tasting in Goriška Brda, and a visit to Skocjan Caves, this action-packed itinerary has it all. 

Kick your hiking and biking adventure off with a day in Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital, before traveling to Lake Bled and its postcard-worthy scenery. Spend your day hiking in the area, or hop on a boat to visit the island at the center of the lake. Next, head to Pericnik Waterfall to start the day's hike through the breathtaking central Julian Alps. The following day, head to the top of Vršič Pass by following a fascinating road built during WWI and descend into the Soça River Valley.

On day five, venture out into the Soça Valley and its famous emerald-colored river. Hike along the river through the valley and past alpine meadows. Halfway down the trail, pick up a bike and pedal the rest of the way down to Bovec, the adrenaline capital of Slovenia. Spend the following morning rafting on the river. In the afternoon, a leisurely hike will take you through the wine hills and hilltop villages, and you'll have the chance to visit a local winemaker and samples some of this year's wine. 

Day seven takes you to the Skocjan Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site carved by the Reka River, before heading to Piran and the Adriatic Coast. Enjoy a final fresh seafood dinner and explore the town before heading to the airport for your flight home in the morning. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Hike, Wine, and Dine - Ljubljana, Bled, Bovec & Goriška Brda

This eight-day summer itinerary combines culinary delights with outdoor adventures to give you the best of both worlds. Browse the open-air markets of Ljubljana, hike to Alpine dairy farms and go river rafting in the Soča Valley before indulging in some wine tasting in Goriška Brda, Slovenia's wine region. 

When you land in  Venice, Ljubljana, or Zagreb, a driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel in Ljubljana. Once you've settled in and rested a bit, explore the city center on your own, or join an optional tour that introduces you to the cuisine and culture of the city, including a visit to the Open Kitchen market, where you can speak with chefs and sample a variety of Slovenian dishes. Spend the following day exploring the capital at your own pace: stroll along the Ljubljanica River, pop into a restaurant for a prix fixe lunch menu, and admire the traces of modern architect Jože Plečnik's work around the city, including the National Library, Central Market, and Triple Bridge. 

On day three, start in the Karst region with a tour of the Škocjan Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk along boardwalks through one of the world's largest known underground caverns, and head back to the surface for lunch. Afterward, enjoy some traditional fare at a local wine and prosciutto producer, or try a classic Slovenian lunch with a contemporary twist at a nearby restaurant. In the afternoon, head to popular Lake Bled, where you can climb up to the castle, ride a boat to the island at the center of the lake.

Spend day four in Triglav National Park hiking through the spruce forests of Pokljuka, overlooking the Bohinj Valley. The trail leads to Lake Bohinj, where you can wash off your hike with a refreshing swim in its crystal-clear waters. Then, spend day five hiking through the ice valley of Vrata and up to the Peričnik Waterfall, and from there to the cliffs of the Vršič Pass before arriving in Bovec, Slovenia's outdoor adventure capital, to spend the night. 

Spend day six rafter on the emerald-colored Soča River, then visit the town of Kobarid and its WWI museum before returning to Bovec for the night. Finally, spend your last full day in Slovenia in Goriška Brda, the country's wine region, to see family vineyard estates, small churches, and lots of cypress trees. Then drive back to either Venice, Ljubljana or Zagreb for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Ultimate Bike Trip in the Julian Alps - Bled, Kranjska Gora, Bovec, Tolmin & Bohinj

This eight-day bike trip is designed for biking enthusiasts who want to explore the beautiful scenery of the Slovenian Alps.  The route includes stops to swim in Slovenia's famous lakes, hike in Triglav National Park and the Soča Valley, and sample lots of tasty Slovenia cuisine, with a quick stop in Italy to visit the glacial lakes of Laghi di Fusine. 

After you land Ljubljana, transfer directly to Lake Bled to start your bike trip. Spend the afternoon exploring the lakeside by touring the castle or visiting the island at the center of the lake and savoring a traditional Bled cream cake. The following day, hop on your bike to explore the pastures, forests, and villages around Bled and visit the popular Vintgar Gorge 2.5 miles (4 km) outside of town. 

On day three, cycle into the Triglav National Park, through the glacial valley of Vrata and up to the Peričnik waterfall. Then continue on to your destination for the day, the Kranjska Gora ski resort. If you feel up for it, ride across the border to Italy's Laghi di Fusine, or spend the evening relaxing in Kranjska Gora. The following day, bike over the Vršič Mountain Pass to Bovec, through the heart of the Julian Alps. 

After breakfast on day five, cycle along the banks of the emerald-colored Soča River. If you want a break from biking, raft your way down instead. Make sure to visit the grotto of the Kozjak Waterfall and the small historic town of Kobarid before settling in for an evening in the town of Tolmin. On the following day, bike to Lake Bohinj and spend the day swimming or paddleboarding around the lake. Finally, bike your way back to Bled on day seven, and then transfer to Ljubljana for your flight home. Learn more

More Great 8-Day Slovenia Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your Slovenia trip? Check out these other 8-day Slovenia itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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