While Lake Bled’s romantic scenery and views make it a must-see sight, Slovenia has much more for visitors to see and do besides snap photos of its most popular attraction. As well as its lively yet laidback capital Ljubljana, it has a surprisingly diverse array of landscapes to explore with tiny towns and villages dotted about its mountains, valleys and coastline.
Located in Central Europe, Slovenia is bordered by Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia with rugged mountains and verdant forests coating most of its terrain. Aside from the snow-capped Julian Alps and mighty Pohorje Massif, plenty of rivers, gorges, caves and lakes riddle the karst landscapes near its small stretch of Adriatic Sea coastline.
Despite being home to a large percentage of Slovenia’s total population, Ljubljana is still one of the smallest capitals in Europe. Full of interesting public artworks and pretty riverside promenades, the enchanting city has excellent museums and galleries to check out with the castle, bridges and squares of its attractive old town counted among its main sights.
After arriving in Ljubljana, most people head straight to lovely Lake Bled to take photos of its emerald waters, idyllic island and church backed by lush forests and soaring mountains. The nearby Triglav National Park is another popular draw for its spellbinding scenery and nature which offer all kinds of exciting outdoor activities.
Both Piran and Koper along the coast are also well worth stopping by for their delightful beaches and Venetian old towns. As are the incredible cave systems of Postojna and Skocjan and the captivating cliffside castle of Predjama.