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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Recommendations for Ljubljana/ Slovenia please

45 replies

Crumpetsandmarmite · 18/10/2022 09:23

Off for the first time in a few days - very excited. Based in Ljubljana but wanting to do some day trips (probably won't be hiring a car so public transport/ guide or small tours).

Any recommendations about things to do, see, places to eat etc very gratefully received!

Travelling as a family with two older teenagers (17 & 16 yrs)

Thank you 😊

OP posts:
Croque · 18/10/2022 18:19

Lake Bled, mine train, caves with interesting formations inside, the Julian Alps if you are there for long enough.

BookwormButNoTime · 18/10/2022 19:25

You can book several tours at the central tourist information office in Ljubljana. We did a day trip to Postojna Caves and Predjama Castle which was awesome.

We hired a car and drove around a bit. Stayed a couple of nights in Kranjska Gora and Lake Bled and just stopped off where we fancied. Absolutely beautiful country.

Nik2015 · 18/10/2022 20:04

Lake Bled, absolutely lovely!
I preferred it to Ljubljana.

Original poster
Crumpetsandmarmite · 19/10/2022 12:48

Thanks @BookwormButNoTime, @Croque & @Nik2015 - Lake Bled & Bohinj on the list as are the caves (either ones).

Any recommendations for Ljubljana itself? Restaurants, unusual things to do? It looks an amazing country all round....

OP posts:
BookwormButNoTime · 19/10/2022 12:54

We had a lovely breakfast here

www.lepetit.si

Ljubliana is one of those places to just wander around and see what you find. We did see the oldest musical instrument in the world in the museum. The House of Experiments was also cool but your children are a bit too old for that 😂😂😂😂

In Kranjska Gora there is a toboggan run from the top of the mountain in the summer (it’s a ski resort in the winter). We also had our best meal there at Hotel Skipass. Lake Jasna was stunning (just down the road)

Eightytwenty · 20/10/2022 00:58

Walk round Lake Bohinj, ring the bell on the island in Bled. Swim across both lakes (in the summer). Take the car train through the mountains in the Soca valley. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

MinnieMountain · 20/10/2022 06:18

Å pajza Restaurant.

@Eightytwenty have you been on a Swimtrek trip there by any chance?

Eightytwenty · 20/10/2022 08:40

@MinnieMountain strel swimming. He set up the swim trek itinerary and then set up on his own.

Deathraystare · 20/10/2022 14:42

Nothing else to add. Everyone else has said it all but you will enjoy your holiday. Lovely place! I enjoyed the caves. Kranska Gora, Lake Bled. The lippizanner horses etc etc and the food was lovely! It is nestled between Italy and also Austria I believe. In the hotels the food was a mix of Italian and hefty Austrian fare.. I particularly loved the doughnuts. As big as your head with plum jam inside. When I say jam, I don't mean the weak coloured slop we get but huge lumps of plum. They were not over sweet but were delicious!

The people were lovely too. One of my favourite holidays! I love lakes and mountains!!

Cranmer · 20/10/2022 15:05

Watching with interest. Off to Ljubljana and Bled on Sunday (flying into Trieste on Saturday).

lennonj · 23/10/2022 12:09

We liked klobasarna which is kind of like a quick takeaway with amazing sausage and a bread roll with mustard! Hisa pod gradom (or something like that) was a lovely restaurant and my sons loved bled cake. It was a really lovely little place.

Wakemeup17 · 23/10/2022 12:33

The Bled cake is called "gibanica". In Ljubljana, check out Metelkova, your kids should like it. Ice cream and coffee are the best. The city centre is small and very walkable, you can go and see the castle as well. Try "burek" in one of many places that sell it in Ljubljana.

Croque · 23/10/2022 13:18

I'm pretty certain it is called kremna rezina.

Wakemeup17 · 23/10/2022 19:18

Oh yes, kremna rezina too but I prefer the gibanica :D I think you should just try all the cakes :)

Cranmer · 26/10/2022 19:52

So this is our last evening in Lake Bled before we fly home tomorrow.

We flew in to Trieste in Italy which is just across the border from Slovenia and had very cheap flights going out of a local airport to us.

Trieste is a bit like Lisbon... a port city, very picturesque waterfront with large squares, a grand canal, castle on a hill, beautiful cathedral and lots of great food.

We took the Flix bus from Trieste after a 1 night stay to central Ljubljana (12 Euros and 1hour 20mins). We stayed in an airbnb in Ljubljana next to the river and the Dragon Bridge. We explored the food market, took a free guided walking tour (everyday at 11am from the Triple Bridge), walked up to the castle, enjoyed the art exhibitions at the city hall, went in the old library and strolled through Trivoli gardens. We enjoyed evening strolls in the old city and eating in local restaurants. We stayed 2 nights (we saw everything we wanted to and absolutely loved the beauty and quaintness of Ljubljana and would totally recommend).

We then took the local bus to Bled (12 euros return, 1hour). We stayed in an airbnb 4 minutes from the lake front. We walked around the lake, hiked up to Osojnica viewpoint (Spectacular views) where we had a picnic lunch overlooking the lake and the island with the church. It is out of season so most things are shut up and there are very few tourists. We had the viewpoint to ourselves for 20 mins. The scenery is stunning as it is Autumn and the leaves are all shades of orange. The weather is sunny and 22 degrees. We really feel like we have the place to ourselves!

After doing a circuit of the lake (3 hours inc the hike to the viewpoint) we got a local bus to Vingtar Gorge (1.3 euros and 9 mins). This place was spectacular...waterfalls, boardwalks through the gorge with huge cliffs and turquoise fast-flowing water. It was 10 euros entry each, but worth every cent!

It was a full-on day but as we were staying in Bled for 2 nights so we were able to relax and enjoy a dinner at a lake side restaurant.

Today we got the local bus (3.6 euros and 30 mins) to Lake Bohinj, a much bigger lake than Bled and very different scenery. Bohinj is surrounded by the Julian Alps and the mountains were spectacular. The lake is a 12km walk to circumnavigate and took us 3 hours. We did take the Vogel cable car up to the ski station to take in the views and have lunch overlooking the lake and mountains. This was 22 euros each return and worth every cent for the experience. The mountain top restaurant had amazing views.

We have 4 hours in Trieste tomorrow before heading for the airport. We have loved all 3 places we have stayed in, had wonderful weather and felt extremely safe and welcomed.

HomerDancing · 26/10/2022 19:52

Lake Bled

One of the most beautiful places I've been to.

HomerDancing · 26/10/2022 19:55

Also, we went from Ljubljana to Lake bled about two/three weeks ago and the coach cost €1,60 per person per way.

Wakemeup17 · 29/10/2022 16:33

Cranmer · 26/10/2022 19:52

So this is our last evening in Lake Bled before we fly home tomorrow.

We flew in to Trieste in Italy which is just across the border from Slovenia and had very cheap flights going out of a local airport to us.

Trieste is a bit like Lisbon... a port city, very picturesque waterfront with large squares, a grand canal, castle on a hill, beautiful cathedral and lots of great food.

We took the Flix bus from Trieste after a 1 night stay to central Ljubljana (12 Euros and 1hour 20mins). We stayed in an airbnb in Ljubljana next to the river and the Dragon Bridge. We explored the food market, took a free guided walking tour (everyday at 11am from the Triple Bridge), walked up to the castle, enjoyed the art exhibitions at the city hall, went in the old library and strolled through Trivoli gardens. We enjoyed evening strolls in the old city and eating in local restaurants. We stayed 2 nights (we saw everything we wanted to and absolutely loved the beauty and quaintness of Ljubljana and would totally recommend).

We then took the local bus to Bled (12 euros return, 1hour). We stayed in an airbnb 4 minutes from the lake front. We walked around the lake, hiked up to Osojnica viewpoint (Spectacular views) where we had a picnic lunch overlooking the lake and the island with the church. It is out of season so most things are shut up and there are very few tourists. We had the viewpoint to ourselves for 20 mins. The scenery is stunning as it is Autumn and the leaves are all shades of orange. The weather is sunny and 22 degrees. We really feel like we have the place to ourselves!

After doing a circuit of the lake (3 hours inc the hike to the viewpoint) we got a local bus to Vingtar Gorge (1.3 euros and 9 mins). This place was spectacular...waterfalls, boardwalks through the gorge with huge cliffs and turquoise fast-flowing water. It was 10 euros entry each, but worth every cent!

It was a full-on day but as we were staying in Bled for 2 nights so we were able to relax and enjoy a dinner at a lake side restaurant.

Today we got the local bus (3.6 euros and 30 mins) to Lake Bohinj, a much bigger lake than Bled and very different scenery. Bohinj is surrounded by the Julian Alps and the mountains were spectacular. The lake is a 12km walk to circumnavigate and took us 3 hours. We did take the Vogel cable car up to the ski station to take in the views and have lunch overlooking the lake and mountains. This was 22 euros each return and worth every cent for the experience. The mountain top restaurant had amazing views.

We have 4 hours in Trieste tomorrow before heading for the airport. We have loved all 3 places we have stayed in, had wonderful weather and felt extremely safe and welcomed.

Looks like a fantastic trip, glad you had fun :)

1990s · 29/10/2022 16:41

That sounds fantastic @Cranmer ! Can I ask in the local buses, is it easy to find out where to get them from and do they take cards or is it cash or prepaid ticket?

BarrelOfOtters · 29/10/2022 16:45

If you can overnight at bohinj or bled it would be really worth it. We did a walking tour of Ljubljana that was fascinating. Think it was the free one that you tip at the end.

Cranmer · 29/10/2022 22:26

@1990s We booked the Flix bus online, here in the UK.

The local buses we paid for in cash on the day, we just paid the driver. They took cards but preferred cash. We found all the details and times of the local buses online, googling 'How to get from... to... by bus.'

Yes, the free tour @BarrelOfOtters was the one where you tip at the end. They are usually excellent and led by locals who give a real insight into the city.

1990s · 30/10/2022 09:11

Thank you @Cranmer

Despairingof · 30/10/2022 16:04

The central tourist office in Ljubljana (sp!) is amazing we did one trip to Lake Bled and one to Bohinj , both were really good value in a small
mini bus

IneedanewTV · 30/05/2023 13:24

Looking to visit this summer - sounds lovely

FritataPatate · 22/08/2023 13:32

@Cranmer on the off chance that you come back to his thread, many thanks for posting your itinerary! We are going to Ljubyana and Bled in May 2024 and this has been so useful. Flowers

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