Our 10 Day Trip to Slovenia: Where We Stayed, Ate & Explored

If you'd told me a year ago that Slovenia would become one of my favourite countries I've ever visited, I'd have probably questioned you. But here we are, and I am slightly annoyed at myself for not going sooner. Yes, as a country it's small, but it's so wildly underrated, and it packs an almost unfair amount of beauty and charm into its borders.

Sam and I based ourselves across three very different spots: the capital Ljubljana, the disgustingly scenic Lake Bled, and the Adriatic gem that is Piran. Each one delivered something completely different. Whether you're planning a full circuit or picking just one, here are our top picks for where we ate, where we stayed, and what we got up to, so you don't have to figure it out from scratch.

Where to Stay

Ljubljana: Ljubljana Occidental

Is this the best hotel in the world? No. Is it a great option to base yourself for a couple of nights in Ljubljana? Absolutely. Super central, good facilities, lovely staff. Their breakfast spread was extensive, and they had lactose-free milk so a big old tick from me. As a hotel it was exactly what we wanted, quiet, calm and in a truly perfect location.

Lake Bled: Kamp Bled Glamping Pods

We stayed in one of their glamping pods, which was gorgeous. We were there during a heatwave and the pods were pretty hot, though they did provide a fan. There's power in them too, along with a little seating area outside. The standout feature was the hot tub. The facilities were great, and you get your own private shower room.

Piran: Art Hotel Piran

A real gem of a hotel, right on Tartini Square. Our room was on the fifth floor with a sea view and a couple of bar stools outside, we would sit there after dinner with gelato and listen to the live music going on below.

Where to Eat

Ljubljana

Slovenia's capital is a proper food city with a real breadth of options that will surprise you. We ate well here, but more importantly, we ate interestingly. Here's what we'd return to in a heartbeat.

Neks. I'd discovered this café/bar on Instagram and quickly decided we were going. Very popular with locals and tourists alike, it's a little off the beaten track but not by much. The vibe (not sure I like using that word) is cool and chill without trying too hard about it. They do wine and beer too if you're there from lunchtime onwards, although we went at 10:30 and there were already people with beers, so crack on.

Kodila at the Ljubljana Market is a must-do, especially if you want to get a real feel for what Slovenian food is about early in your trip. Get the taste of Slovenia board. That's the instruction. Don't overthink it, just order it.

Ljubo is slightly off the beaten track and all the better for it. Great cocktails, great nibbles, and the people who work there are just lovely, the kind of warmth that makes you feel like a regular by the time you leave. This was a common theme throughout Slovenia: the staff everywhere were just so friendly and warm.

Berg was our dinner choice in Ljubljana. We'd been caught in what I can only describe as an absolute mammoth of a storm, lightning and thunder getting closer before the heavens opened and the street we were on turned into a river about two inches deep. We were stuck in a bar ten minutes away, completely unable to move. They held our reservation fifteen minutes past their late allowance, no questions asked. That kind of grace goes a long way. The food more than lived up to its reputation, and we spent a lovely evening enjoying some genuinely good Slovenian food.

Lake Bled

Lake Bled is almost offensively beautiful, and the food scene matches the setting.

Restavracija Blejski Grad is the restaurant inside Bled Castle, and it has one of the best views you'll find anywhere. Full stop. (They also have a restaurant in Ljubljana Castle, if you're looking for a special dinner in the capital.) Book ahead, this is not a turn-up-and-hope situation; people were turned away while we were there. The food rivals the view, and the view is beyond words. Portion sizes are generous, my truffle pasta was enormous and I still couldn't finish it, and I always finish my pasta.

Zaka at Camping Bled was a real surprise. This is the restaurant at the campsite, and you'd be forgiven for thinking what I thought originally: bad burgers and chicken nuggets. I couldn't have been more wrong. The food was really good, and their pizzas are better than some I've had in proper Italian restaurants. But what made it was, once again, the servers. Some of the best we encountered anywhere in Slovenia. Fun, charming, and knowledgeable. I ordered a glass of Slovenian red wine one evening, wanting to try something local. Our server gave me a look I can only describe as kindly corrective, and said, and I'm not paraphrasing, "no, you don't want that one. Try this one instead." He then proceeded to describe all the tasting notes in full. Reader, he was so right. It was amazing. Trust the servers at Zaka.

Old Cellar Bled was Sam's birthday meal restaurant and surpassed all expectations. Forgive me for sounding like a broken record, but again the server was absolutely brilliant. We asked for a Slovenian wine recommendation and got something fantastic. The food was truly delicious, and the views of the sun setting over the lake were lovely. If you want somewhere to mark a special occasion in Bled, this is it.\

Piran

Piran is tiny, beautiful, and sits right on the Adriatic. It also happens to have a surprising variety of places to eat.

Fritolin Pri Cantini works like this: outside seating, you order through a hole in the wall, and then you wait for a bell to ring and go grab your food. The fish is outstanding, some of the best we had on the whole trip. Thoroughly recommend the sharing plate for two, or at the very least the grilled calamari, which comes in a disgustingly naughty garlic sauce. It gets very busy very quickly, so arrive before 19:00 if you want a table without a wait. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Srebrna Vilica: we came in for a salad and left slightly blown away. The food was exceptional, the waiter recommended wine that actually paired with what we'd ordered, and the whole experience was just really lovely.

Gostilna Ivo is the answer to the question: "but what if I want even more seafood after Cantini?" The answer is: go here. Piran takes its seafood seriously, and Gostilna Ivo is no exception.

Rostelin does pasta. All made on site, with the freshest ingredients, and it shows in every single mouthful. I had a miso vegetarian pasta that I am still thinking about, and Sam had a prawn and stracciatella concoction that looked equally good.

And finally, Piran Pasticceria, located by Tartini Square. This is THE gelato shop. They do the best gelato, with an impressive number of vegan options. I had the vegan pistachio every single night we were in Piran and I would do it again without a moment's hesitation.

What to Do

Ljubljana

The Ljubljana Castle Funicular is the most satisfying way up to the castle, and the views over the old town are worth it. It's quick, it's easy, and it makes you feel like you've earned the view even though the funicular did all the work.

The rest of the time was spent walking and enjoy this beautiful city. Everything is within walking distance, and the famous Triple Bridge is a site to behold. Swing by Stow 2 Go for one of the best coffees you can get in Ljubljana, as the guy who owns it is the most passionate man about coffee. We tried an Espresso Tonic and it was seriosuly good.

Lake Bled

Lake Bled could make you lazy if you let it, it's so beautiful that sitting and staring at it feels like an achievement. But there's a lot of fun to be had, so do get up and move.

The toboggan is exactly as joyful as it sounds and I won't hear a word against it. It's steep. It's fast. It's got views for days, not that you'll be looking as you speed down of course.

The Vintgar Gorge is utterly stunning and rivalled some of the most beautiful landscapes we saw in New Zealand, and for all of y'all who know my views on NZ you know that is saying something. Carved out over millions of years, the walk is like something out of Lord of the Rings. It's basically Rivendell. The water is so clear and blue, and the sounds of nature are just fantastic. The gorge itself is a really easy walk, but the return to the car park is a steeper 30-minute climb, little legs will be absolutely fine, just pack good trainers for the whole family.

The Zipline Dolinka is for when you want to see the landscape at speed and with your heart in your mouth. This was honestly so much fun, even for me, who has a fear of really big heights. I was left blown away by the landscape and enjoyed every minute of it. Sam, as the brave one in the marriage, had the time of his life.

Take a Pletna boat to Bled Island. Whilst this wasn't our favourite activity, it was nice to coast along on the lake. The island itself is very interesting, 99 steps to the top, and a wishing bell you can ring yourself to make one wish come true. Yes, I did this. As to what I wished for, we'll just have to wait and see.

Swimming in Lake Bled is a non-negotiable. There are designated swimming spots around the lake, and the water is so clear, with so many little fish in it — the perfect way to cool off during the heatwave.

After so many people suggested we should go to Lake Bohinj, we drove over there one afternoon and loved it. The way the mountains look like they just rise up from the farendof the lake really reminded us of some of the beautiful landscapes we saw in New Zealand. Can confirm it is well worth a visit from Lake Bled. Enjoy a walk along it's edge, pop into one of the bars and grab yourself a drink.

Piran

On our way to Piran we stopped at the Lipica Stud. Whether you're horsey or not, this is a great thing to do, the Lipizzaner horse is very important to Slovenia, as is the stud itself. We were lucky enough to watch a rehearsal, which I enjoyed so much. We then did a tour of the stud, learning about the history and importance of this breed and this place. My favourite thing was the way they treat the horses, allowing them to live as intended. They're very social creatures, and at Lipica they get to live in large herds until they are four, when training begins. Even then, each horse is assessed individually, and if they aren't suited to the high-stakes demands of Haute École/Dressage, they are allowed to do something else. As a horsey girl, I left feeling really impressed with the care of these animals.

Once you are in Piran, the Town Walls are a must. They give you the elevated view of Piran that the town deserves, walk them early in the day or in the golden hour in the evening if you can.

Hiring an e-scooter to Portorož is a brilliant way to see a bit more of the coast without committing to a full excursion, easy, breezy, and really fun. And swimming in the Adriatic? It's warm, it's clear, and it's the perfect end to any day in Piran.

And one for the journey home: we stopped at the Škocjan Caves on the drive back to the airport, and it might just be one of the most jaw-dropping things we did on the entire trip. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the scale of the underground canyon is so hard to process even when you're standing in it. 158m from floor to ceiling at it's tallest point, and seeing the old walkways used in the 19th century was incredible. You aren't allowed to take photos in the caves, something I really respect as it means you are just fully emersed in this cavernous world, so below is a photo of what it looks like when you resurface into the world.

If you're driving back to Ljubljana Airport from Piran, build in the extra time, it's well worth the detour and an incredible way to bookend the trip.

The verdict

I can safely say that we will be going back to this fantastic country. We went in expecting pretty lakes, good adventure activities and a few good meals, and came home having eaten some of the best food, swam in an impossibly clear lake, stood inside a cathedral-sized cave underground, and wondered quietly why you don't hear more people talking about this place.

The beauty of the Ljubljana–Bled–Piran circuit is that each stop feels completely distinct, a cool, walkable capital; a fairytale lakeside town; a salt-sprayed Adriatic old town, and yet the whole thing flows naturally, especially if you have a hire car. Please, get a hire car. You could do it in a week and feel like you'd seen a lot. You could do it in three weeks and feel like you'd really lived in it.

Either way, go. Honestly, just go to this fantastic country. You will not regret it.

Helena

Points Well Made is a passion project from Sam and Helena. If you've enjoyed this and want to help us keep the lights on, please consider buying us a Ko-fi or subscribing monthly. You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for more of the same. Thanks for reading.