Foggy and damp, November is best suited for urban and cultural exploration: museums and galleries, caves and castles. While this may be a less than ideal month to visit weather-wise, November ushers in wine season, with Martinovanje kicking off a host of awesome wine festivals throughout the country. Find out what to do and where to go with this month's guide.

Weather

The days are extremely grey with 4 hours of sunshine along the Adriatic coastline and only 2 hours of sunshine in and around Ljubljana. Temperatures drop to an average of 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the western plains of the country, and 41 degrees inland. The mercury hovers freezing at this time of year up in the high mountains.

Crowds & Costs

While the cold and wet weather typically keeps tourists away, November welcomes in wine season on November 11 with festivals popping up across the country drawing in local crowds. Though still off-season, prices will have dropped significantly offering great bargains.

Where to Go

This is a good month to rent a car and drive cross-country exploring Slovenia’s diverse landscape. Begin in Ljubljana, a great hub to many popular points of interest, like the Capuchin Bridge in Škofja Loka and the shepherding community of Velika Planina north of the city and the medieval Predjama Castle to the south. A typical route option is to head to Lake Bled, drive through Triglav National Park stopping at Lake Bohinj and continuing west to Bovec before driving amid vineyards in the bucolic hills of the “Slovenian Tuscany” and to the UNESCO-protected Škocjan Caves.

A trip to Slovenia isn’t complete without exploring the coastal cities, like Koper and Piran and if time isn’t an issue, consider exploring the area east of Ljubljana, like Celje and the wine region in and around Ptuj and Maribor.

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What to Do

Now is a great time for urban sightseeing in Ljubljana. People watch from a café in Ljubljana’s Old Town and stay warm inside any of the numerous museums and galleries. For stunning views over the capital, ride the funicular up to the medieval Ljubljana Castle before joining a tour dramatizing the centuries of history. November 11 kicks off wine season and Ljubljana hosts the Ljubljana Wine Route, an event that showcases wines from across the country.

Alternatively, wine lovers will enjoy traveling through Slovenian wine country to sample local varietals directly from the wineries themselves, like Goriška Brda. Dotted with family vineyard estates, quaint churches, and cypress trees, the region accurately earns its nickname as the 'Slovenian Tuscany.'

The Karst region also boasts dozens of vineyards and wineries. Try the teran, a red native to this area. Another great option is to explore the Styria wine country on the outskirts of Ptuj. Drink wine in Ptuj’s oldest cellar in the country and then witness the oldest grape-producing vine.

Adventure seekers will want to check out the Koroška region in northern Slovenia for a truly unique mountain biking and kayaking experience. Head to Mount Peca in Mežica and go underground into a disused mine. Gear up with warm clothes and a headlamp and ride the 3 miles (5 km) over moderately rough terrain in the pitch dark. If kayaking is more your speed, pick up a paddle and kayak the nearly 2,300 feet (700 m) of water, a section that flooded after the mines were closed.

For more adventurous options read 7 Places Most Travelers Miss (But Shouldn't) in Slovenia. 

Events in November

All Saints Day. Slovenes honor their deceased loved ones and head to the cemetery with candles and red lanterns.

Martinovanje (St. Martin’s Day). A nationwide event (November 11) celebrating young wine (most) becoming wine. Celebrations take place throughout the wine region and in larger cities, showcasing locally sourced food, music, alongside spectacular wine.

Traveling to Slovenia in November? Check out these great itineraries.

Highlights of Slovenia - 4 Days. Four days is just enough time to check out Slovenia's unbelievably scenic countryside. This 4-day road trip begins in the lively riverside town of Ljubljana, then heads to the scenic shores of Lake Bled before finishing in the medieval coastal town of Piran. 

Ljubljana, Lake Bled, and the  Soča Valley - 5 Days. Combine a storied history with rugged alpine scenery on this relaxed five-day itinerary. This guided tour starts and ends on the cobblestone streets of colorful Ljubljana, completing a loop that includes the serene Lake Bled, rolling hills of wine country, and prehistoric Škocjan Caves—a UNESCO-listed site surrounded by diverse flora and fauna. 

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