12 Best Things to Do in Slovenia | From Lakes to Alps

Slovenia pulls in those who would rather hike quiet paths than hit crowded beaches, thanks to open trails and friendly folks cutting down tourist crowds. Ljubljana shines like a hidden gem, baroque walkways mix with lively markets selling hot potica, walnut bread near the riverbank. Tiny streets hum with coffee shop noise from sunrise till nightfall. Float across calm waters, not only Bled’s famous boat rides, but early morning kayaking on Bohinj, surrounded by birdsong. Underneath it all? Real kindness shows up: unplanned chats on benches beneath dappled lime trees, quick meals shared under grapevines, moments that somehow seem ageless. Stay connected no matter where you are in Slovenia thanks to SimCorner’s eSIM, perfect when rowing around Lake Bled in a wooden pletna boat, hiking misty trails along the Julian Alps, enjoying homemade potica at a cozy Ljubljana coffee spot, or talking with people near Triglav National Park.

1. Row Lake Bled in a Pletna Boat

Pulling through the water in a handmade pletna boat changes how you see Row Lake, part of a short list of standout moments possible in Slovenia. Crafted like old Venetian designs, these wooden boats move quietly thanks to oarsmen balanced at the back. Just two dozen families have passed down the right to row them, keeping alive customs that began long before modern times. From the dock close to Hotel Park, twenty minutes brings you face-to-face with Bled Castle clinging to rock walls and mountains rising behind it. Stepping onto the island means climbing nearly one hundred uneven stones to reach the church named after Mary's ascent. At the top, striking the bell three times is said to bring luck later on. A small fee gets you there and back, eighteen euros each grown-up. The trip takes its time, giving forty calm minutes where pines fill the breeze. Picture it: bright fabric above your head, soft light through leaves, water just beyond sight. That image sticks, the kind that feels like a page torn from an old storybook. This ranks as one of the top things to do in Slovenia.

2. Hike Julian Alps Trails

Hikers favoring peace over packed shores find their match here. Open routes wind through land where few tourists wander, guided by locals who keep things low key. Across wide fields, footpaths twist like old stories, some so thin they feel made for wild creatures. Bright flowers paint hillsides when the sunlight hits just right. Up high sits Triglav National Park, among Europe's first nature refuges. Its peak stands tall, Mount Triglav, a name whispered deep in national pride. Up high, metal rungs guide you along rocky faces with sheer drops that keep your pulse steady. Paths across Pokljuka open wide under open skies, dotted with blue stars of gentian and woolly edelweiss. Few experiences here match the thrill found in these things to do in Slovenia.

3. Wander Ljubljana Riverbanks

Ljubljana shines like a hidden gem, baroque walkways mix with lively markets selling hot potica, walnut bread near the riverbank. Tiny streets hum with coffee shop noise from sunrise till nightfall. Stroll across Ljubljana’s old bridges, watched by dragons made of green copper above the river; when the sun fades, hit Prešeren Square where musicians play accordion tunes on worn stones, baroque styles clash with graffiti energy. Castle trams climb high, offering wide-open views; hidden tunnels reveal color-filled chambers glowing with candlelight. The small city buzzes alongside parks and tales of dragons; ride a cable car to Ljubljana Castle for full-circle looks across tile roofs and the winding river below. Walking Ljubljana’s riverbanks stands out as one of the 12 best things to do in Slovenia.

4. Unwind in Piran Seaside

Clinging to Slovenia’s shoreline, Piran's old Venetian watchtowers overlook sharp sea breezes; tight alleyways conceal fish joints where grey mullet sizzle on live fire. The sharp tang of salt shapes life here; on this jagged shore, explore Tartini Plaza, then hike up St. George’s steeple for sea views across the Adriatic. Locals crowd Fritolin pri Cantini for seafood spreads (try charred squid); dive into Fiesa Bay to spot octopi hiding in meadows of seagrass. Paddle a kayak out to Strunjan’s rugged bluffs. Catacombs twist under the harbor; shipwrecks lure swimmers near coral-draped ridges. Relaxing in Piran emerges as a top entry in the 12 best things to do in Slovenia.

5. Explore Postojna Cave

Caverns pulse with sharp stone drops; within still water, eyeless salamanders glide quietly. A hidden rail path runs below ground here, winding past glowing worm caves and steep chasms. Watch for olms, "man-fish", in ponds, shape-shifting creatures that never saw light. Nearby, Predjama Fortress grips a rocky face, full of covert passages used for quick getaways. Audio tours explain rocks half a billion years old; daredevils take on the "Brave Souls" climb down steep walls. Discovering Postojna Cave thrills as one of the 12 best things to do in Slovenia.

6. Kayak Soča Valley

Paddle the Soča River’s greenish rapids; sneak behind beech thickets hunting for scratch marks; spot dippers zipping along water edges. Gorges amplify sound, swim outdoors when cherries blossom overhead. Hemingway called it the prettiest war-torn spot, where Soča’s electric-blue water, tinted by glacier dust, powers top-tier kayaking or fly-fishing for spotted trout. Walk wooden paths at Kozjak Falls or tackle stretches of the legendary Soča trek. Kayaking Soča Valley delivers adrenaline among the 12 best things to do in Slovenia.

7. Visit Velika Planina Plateau

Up at 1,800 meters, this shepherd’s spot surprises with 140 cone-shaped storage cabins (called strehe), topped with mountain grass roofs. See how they make cheese during warm months, try raw tolminc made from cow milk. Walk along Preseker Ridge for wide views of the Julian range; when snow falls, ski those routes on cross-country gear. Scattered huts line old grazing trails; bells ring at dawn to kick off the day. Velika Planina offers pastoral charm in the 12 best things to do in Slovenia.

8. Wine Taste in Maribor

Along the Drava, close to a very old vine, sits the Old Vine House, where paths twist past former Habsburg homes, then open under wide-spreading chestnuts for sudden glasses of local pour. While dawn lifts, you might find yourself gathering grapes on sunlit slopes beside people who have done it for generations, watching storks circle overhead. This taste stands out among twelve standout things to do in Slovenia. The juice comes from Žametovka plants that have grown here for more than four centuries, their age officially recognized by global record keepers. Autumn brings harvest festivals where you can try pressing grapes yourself, then sample wine straight from barrels. Down in the Lent cellars, walk through cool stone halls while tasting cheese and salami matched to regional wines.

9. Discover Ptuj Fortress

High up on a ridge, Ptuj Fortress guards quiet thermal springs bubbling beneath. When festivals light up the calendar, streets fill with cloaked dancers named kurents shaking heavy bells. Down the river, flatboats glide past houses painted in sun-worn colors. This old stronghold gives context to twelve standout things to do in Slovenia. Inside its stone walls, climb narrow staircases leading to relics from Roman times and rooms once used for harsh judgments. Just outside town, warm waters flow into open-air pools, water that has moved underground since long before cities rose. Each February, drums roll through town as costumed figures march to scare off cold winds.

10. Ring Bled Island Bell

Take one of those wooden pletnas to reach the island church from the 1600s, walk up nearly one hundred stone stairs, then tap the bell thrice if you want good fortune. Near snowy peaks, Bled's little church sparkles below a rocky fortress; it glides across on wooden boats as pastry smoke curls out from splash-side spots. Ringing the Bled bell completes the 12 best things to do in Slovenia. Visit the Gothic church's ornate interior with 15th-century frescoes. Wish upon the Freedom Bell cast in 1534 for health and happiness. Admire wishing well traditions before returning on gentle waves.

11. Local Food & Dining Guide

Mountain meadows bring strong flavors - porcini mushrooms give a rich, soil-like kick. Meanwhile, buckwheat žlikrofi works well with sharp rebula cheese. Over heat, the juha soup slowly cooks with fresh wild plants. As for štruklji? Imagine thin dough rolled tight around creamy cheese inside. On the curb, garlic-flavored crickets sizzle, crisp, bold, with a hint of smoke. The cured sausage thickens, gaining earthy, tangy depth. Potato derunyk fry up golden-brown, then get a cool sour cream dollop. Berry-based nalivka gives a slow burn, drawn from wild woods. Sampling Slovenian cuisine features prominently in the 12 best things to do in Slovenia.

12. Best Photography Spots

Mist hangs on the Chamois ridge above Triglav when day breaks near Bled. Over Bohinj, herons fly low while mountains flip upside down in the water. Light hits Ljubljana Castle at that perfect angle. Wind whips banners tight against stone faces. Rains bring kingfishers; along Piran’s coast, crabs dart across damp sand. From the cable car, you spot wooden huts clinging to mountain rims; beneath old stone arches, dusk thickens, holding echoes of salty laughter when the sun dips low. Capturing Slovenia's photography spots counts as one of the 12 best things to do in Slovenia.

Staying Connected With SimCorner

Alpine flats get solid 4G or 5G, yet the signal fades up top in remote trails like Triglav or Soča Valley, leaving you without maps, photos, or emergency calls mid-hike. SimCorner’s Slovenia eSIM solves it: instant activation, unlimited data, reliable 4G/5G from Ljubljana cities to off-grid peaks. Better than roaming, explore all Slovenia & Europe eSIM plans. Text trail tips, stream tunes, pay seamlessly. Pack power banks; download maps, translate speech on the fly. Stay connected for all your favorite things to do in Slovenia.