Slovenia

Overview

The Republic of Slovenia is a country situated in Central Europe at the juncture of main European cultural and trade routes.

The country recorded a population of 2.081 million in 2019 and covers an area of 20,271 km2.

Its capital and largest and city is Ljubljana.

Other major cities are Maribor, Koper, Bled and Piran.

Perched atop a steep cliff rising 130 metres above the glacial Lake Bled, lies Bled Castle.

History

Slovenia joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes after the dissolution of Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918.

The country was occupied by Nazi Germany in 1941 and Italy during the Second World War. When the war ended, Slovenia became a constituent republic of Yugoslavia in 1945.

Slovenia and Croatia declared their independence in 1991. It later joined the European Union in 2004.

Food & culture

The culture of the country is largely influenced by the Mediterranean, German and Slavic cultures for its located at their juncture.

The crops grown in the country are pears, cereals, hops, vegetables and potatoes.

The popular dishes include rolled dumplings, potica, bujta repa, Carniolan sausage, prekmurska gibanica and idrijski zlikrofi.

Wildlife

The main wildlife animals living here include brown bear, lynx and grey wolf.

Festivals & events

The main celebrated events include Lighting Guerrilla Festival, Primorska Summer Festival, Drama Festival, Godibodi Festival and Open House Slovenia Festival.

Things to see

There is the National Museum of Slovenia in Ljubljana that displays the country’s cultural heritage.

There is also the Museum of Modern Art that preserves the 20th-century Slovene paintings and sculptures.

People also like going to Ljubljana for hiking and rafting on its white waters.

Other must-visit places are Lake Bled, Postojna Cave, Soteska Vintgar, Predjama Castle, Ljubljana, Lake Bohinj and Skocjan Caves.

Interesting facts

It is home to Vogel Bohinj, which is one of the cheapest ski resorts in Europe.

The national language is Slovenian.

The official religion is Christianity.

City guides

• LjubljanaCapital city
• BledAlpine lake town with an island church
• MariborSlovenia's wine city on the Drava

Cities & towns I’ve visited

• Bled
• Ljubljana
• Radovljica

Run a marathon in Slovenia

Ljubljana Marathon

Ljubljana · usually October

A small, friendly race through a small, friendly capital.

Dates move from year to year, so check the race website before you book.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Slovenia

1 of 5 visited. See every site I've been to.

• The works of Jože Plečnik in Ljubljana – Human Centred Urban Design 2021
• Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe 2007
• Heritage of Mercury. Almadén and Idrija 2012
• prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps 2011
• Škocjan Caves 1986

My photos from Slovenia

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Plan your trip to Slovenia

• HotelsBooking.com
• Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
• FlightsKiwi.com
• Attraction ticketsTiqets
• Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
• Car hireAuto Europe
• Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
• GuidebooksAmazon
• Small-group adventuresMuch Better AdventuresActive small-group trips run by local experts.

Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.

Neighbours

• Austria
• Croatia
• Hungary
• Italy