Written by ANNA TYLER
reasons to visit Slovenia, a gem at the heart of Europe
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Flying over alpine valley, Slovenia
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Despite its breathtaking natural beauty, the central European nation of Slovenia remains off the radar for many travellers.
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Yet in an area less than a tenth the size of the United Kingdom you can find towering mountains, picture-perfect lakes, vast caves, elegant cities and fast-running rivers.
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With even just a few days at your disposal, it’s easy to pack all the country’s major highlights into your trip without ever feeling like you're in a rush.
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Breathe in the beauty of Lake Bled
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Chances are, if you’ve only seen one photo of Slovenia, it’s Lake Bled. And the turquoise lake, with a steepled church on a tiny islet and a backdrop of mountains, is just as gorgeous in real life.
Lake Bled, Bled Island during sunset, Slovenia
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Glide across the lake to the island aboard a traditional pletna rowing boat, take a dip in the crystal-clear waters, or hike up the hill to storybook medieval Bled Castle.
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For active types, the area offers many hiking opportunities, as well as mountain-biking and canyoning.
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And if Lake Bled is a little touristy for your liking, you might find you agree with the many locals who prefer Lake Bohinj, just a 26km drive away, which has a similar alpine beauty.
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Stroll the compact capital, Ljubljana
Timelapse of Ljubljana Triple Bridge, Slovenia
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Some European capitals can seem overwhelming, unfriendly or even ugly when you first arrive, but not Ljubljana, which is clustered in a compact pedestrianised area on the pretty Ljubljanica river.
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For superb views of the city, take the glass funicular up to Ljubljana Castle, where you can also dine in two of the city’s top restaurants – Gostilna na Gradu and Strelec.
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Beneath the castle lies the Old Town, a warren of 19th-century wooden shop fronts, quiet courtyards and cobblestone passageways, as well as the city’s various markets.
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A stroll or boat ride along the Ljubljanica river, flanked by elegant colonnades and squares, and crossed by several pretty bridges, is a great way to familiarise yourself with the city.
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The lively riverside cafes and bars are the perfect place to relax. Later on, head to quirky Metelkova Mesto, where art installations, nightclubs and more bring a former army garrison to life.
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Explore enormous cave systems
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Slovenia’s Karst region hides a treasure chest of secrets. Whole rivers have been swallowed up by the porous limestone bedrock and once underground the water has carved vast subterranean landscapes.
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Slovenia's most famous cavern is Postojna Cave. The cave has been receiving tour groups since 1819, when the Emperor of Austria Ferdinand I came to visit.
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Each hour hundreds of visitors are whisked into the cave on a 3.7km-long underground railway. Inside there are vast caverns filled with elaborate stalagmites and stalactites.
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Whilst Postojna brings to mind a baroque cathedral dripping with elaborate mouldings, visiting nearby Unesco-listed Škocjan Caves is like stepping into the pages of The Lord of the Rings.
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The highlight of a visit is crossing the jaw-dropping 150m-deep underground canyon – you might wish you had Gandalf with you as you stare into the abyss from the narrow Cerkevnik bridge.
Ljubljanica river