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

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:
Cranmer · 22/08/2023 13:47

Ahh, thank you @FritataPatate . I am glad you found it helpful. Enjoy your trip to Bled in May.

(I always record my holiday itineraries on Mumsnet, in case it helps others and reminds me of logistics, what we did and what things cost. My DD decided to do the same trip with her friend in June, Trieste-> Ljubljana -> Bled -> Trieste so my notes on mumsnet were invaluable as an aid memoir!)

CoolShoeshine · 22/08/2023 23:26

Following this thread for future reference 👍Also a lakes and mountains fan 😍

ReviewingTheSituation · 22/08/2023 23:36

This is a v useful thread- travelling to Slovenia in 2 weeks time, and can't wait!

MinnieMountain · 23/08/2023 05:36

Ohh. I’m going back in 3 weeks @ReviewingTheSituation . Where are you staying?

ShortKipper · 23/08/2023 06:18

Just wanted to add the Lipica Stud and the Danse Macabre Frescoes to this thread. We enjoyed both.

ReviewingTheSituation · 16/09/2023 15:54

Just back from our Slovenia trip, so thought I'd add my itinerary to the thread.

We did 3 nights at Bohinj (arrived late on night 1, so 2 full days) and loved it. Walked around the lake, inc the trip up the gondola where we had a walk and lunch, on day 1, then paddle boarded, walked to a nearby village and relaxed by the lake on day 2.
The next day we got the bus to Bled (40 mins) where we stayed 2 nights. In Bled we rowed to the island (obvs!) and mooched around on day 1, then did the castle, the walk around the lake and an afternoon at the Lido (inc lake swimming) on day 2.

Whilst the 2 lakes are close together, I'm gald we overnighted at both, rather than visiting one from the other. It was a very different vibe at each (Bohinj much less touristy) and they're really quite different.

From Bled we got the bus (1hr10 ish) to Ljubliana. As PPs have said, it's a small city. We had 3 nights, and I wondered initially how we would fill the time. Easily - as it turns out! Afternoon at the castle on day 1, long walk around the river banks on day 2 (stopping for refreshments along the way...), then another walk in Tivoli on day 3 (the hilly area behind the gardens is massive), plus mooching through the narrow streets/squares and then back up castle hill for a drink at the wine bar there. We also did a cookery course and learnt to make traditional dumplings. So we easily filled our time and didn't go in any of the museums/galleries, or do a boat trip etc. I was glad we had the time.

From there we got the bus to Piran. Again for 3 nights - we had one day at a beachclub in Portoroz (2 mile walk along the sea front to get there), then 1 day walking down the other side of the peninsula to the salt pans. There are really good circular walks mapped out and clearly marked along the route, which is helpful. Plus exploring the town, visiting the church/bell tower, swimming etc.

The only thing I'd love to have done but didn't was visit the caves - not the ones beginning with P, but the ones starting with S. Apparently they are way better and much less theme-park like. If we'd had a car, we definitely would have gone, but we had decided to travel by bus, and the excursions were all at inconvenient times for us and/or very expensive indeed.

It was a lovely country to visit though. I'd go back for sure - I feel we just dipped a toe in the water. We were pleased we decided to stay in 4 locations, and having 3 nights at each (apart from Bled) meant we didn't feel like we were constantly unpacking and repacking.

The people were lovely, everything was so clean, the wine was tasty, the food too, and the views/sights were interesting. Weather was excellent too. I have brought back an unopened packing cube of long sleeve tops. I'd definitely recommend it.

Newgirls · 16/09/2023 16:04

One of my favourite places!

ljubiana castle had open air films and you book at bottom of cable car

you can hire paddle boards on the river but quite a walk from the centre

bike hire with teens would be nice and you can go out along the canal and quieter roads

there is plenty of street food and some very affordable teen friendly food near the river and youth hostels. if you want to eat in restaurants book as some were very popular

You can buy tickets to get to bled at the bus office opposite the rail station. Make sure you do as when we did it people got turned away. A car might save you money long term as you can stay in quieter less central places.

lake bohinj is fab and quieter than bled. Bled has a good swimming area near the main hotels that you pay to go in but worth it. You can’t just get in the lake and swim. You can at bohinj. Both very beautiful and kept so tidy and clean.

Cranmer · 16/09/2023 17:44

@ReviewingTheSituation sounds like you had a great time! Loved your itinerary.

cobden28 · 16/09/2023 18:12

I stayed in Ljubliana with the youth club I belonged to at the time in 1972, when I was just turned 17 (the same age as your children) and although things have changed somewhat in that part of Europe since then, it's a place I've often thought of visiting again IF funds permit.

Lake Bled is definitely worth a visit. Do avoid the local 'brew' - slivovka, which I was told is a kind of plum brandy. I didn't try any myself but others did and it's really strong stuff🍷.

Shakenbutbarelystirred · 19/09/2023 22:12

Sounds amazing! How warm is the water in the lakes? Would you need wetsuits to swim?

MinnieMountain · 19/09/2023 22:26

Apparently Lake Bohinj was 19 degrees when I swam in it today. No need for a wetsuit but a touch cool if you want a long swim. Late June last year was perfect.

Shakenbutbarelystirred · 20/09/2023 07:57

Thank you very much @MinnieMountain

ReviewingTheSituation · 20/09/2023 08:26

I swam in Lake Bled last week (which is apparently a bit warmer than Bohinj) and it was lovely. And I NEVER swim in the sea/lakes normally. I can't stand getting cold (even to cool off when it's hot), so if I can swim in the lakes then anyone can!!

Beebumble2 · 20/09/2023 11:07

Don’t forget the coastal towns such as Portoroz. Also a trip along the very short coastline to Croatia is pretty.

moderationincludingmoderation · 03/03/2024 21:42

Seriously considering Slovenia for our summer holiday July/August.

It'll be me, DH and our DD10.

All these recommendations are great. Just wonderig, where did everyone stay? Hotels, Air Bnb's ?

Any other advice?

moderationincludingmoderation · 04/03/2024 21:20

Brilliant thanks for those links!

Anyone do any glamping?

I think we'll do 2 nights in Ljubljana and 5 nights somewhere in Bled

I guess it's best to rent a car..?

BlackForestCake · 05/03/2024 00:21

Do avoid the local 'brew' - slivovka, which I was told is a kind of plum brandy. I didn't try any myself but others did and it's really strong stuff

Because of the sweet liqueurs sold as "schnapps" here, people imagine that they will get the same sort of thing if they order fruit schnapps in Central Europe. This is not the case. You will get real fruit spirits, the strength of brandy or whisky (or more). It is serious stuff.

MinnieMountain · 05/03/2024 06:30

Buses are good and cheap, trains are infrequent @moderationincludingmoderation . So you probably do want a car.

I’d suggest lake Bohinj over lake Bled. It’s much less built up.

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