Many travelers don’t know much about Slovenia, a small country often overshadowed by its more popular neighbors of Italy and Croatia.
But this Central European nation packs a surprisingly large punch despite its small size.
It’s full of beautiful nature, a charming capital city, fewer crowds, and more affordable prices than some of its neighbors.
Here are the top reasons to add Slovenia to your bucket list this year:
1. Stunning Scenery
Slovenia is an incredibly picturesque country with so much stunning scenery.
One of the most popular destinations in the country is Lake Bled, with its fairytale-like scenery and famous 17th-century church on a small island in the middle of the lake.
Kranjska Gora in the north is another beautiful place that’s known for its winter sports like skiing. It’s also a great place to hike during the summer. Triglav National Park is another spot that nature lovers need to visit while in Slovenia.
Although the country has a tiny coastline (just 29.2 miles along the Adriatic Sea), you can find quaint towns like Piran along the coast.
2. A Charming Capital City
Slovenia’s capital city Ljubljana (pronounced loo-blee-ah-nuh in case you’re wondering) is extremely charming and should not be missed.
It’s one of the smaller European capital cities with a population of just 279,000 people.
However, you shouldn’t skip Ljubljana when visiting Slovenia. This picturesque and safe city is home to sprawling Tivoli Park, the vibrant Central Market, and scenic Ljubljana Castle.
If you’re short on time in Slovenia (for example, you only have three or four days to spend in the country) then basing yourself in Ljubljana and taking day trips is a great idea.
3. Fewer Crowds
If you’re looking for an underrated destination in Europe where you won’t have to fight off massive crowds, Slovenia is the place to go.
Not only is it a smaller country itself, but it’s also not as popular of a tourist destination yet as neighboring countries like Italy and Croatia.
This means that you can enjoy lower crowds even in the peak summer months than you might find elsewhere in Europe.
4. Affordable Prices
Another reason to visit Slovenia is its affordability. While it’s not quite as cheap as some of the Balkan countries or Eastern European countries, Slovenia falls into the more affordable end of Europe as a whole.
Slovenia is part of the European Union and uses the Euro, but prices are much lower than you might expect.
Especially compared to Western Europe, travelers will find that their money goes much further in Slovenia.
5. Outdoor Activities
If you want to get your adrenaline pumping, Slovenia is a great place to do so. This country is well-known for being an excellent destination for outdoor and adventure activities.
Hiking and biking are two extremely popular ways to explore the countryside.
Kayaking or whitewater rafting on the Soča River is another can’t-miss activity in Slovenia.
For thrill-seekers, canyoning and bungee jumping are more popular activities to try.
6. Compact Size
The total size of Slovenia is 7,827 square miles, or roughly the size of the U.S. state of New Jersey, making it compact and easy to explore.
Many of the most popular destinations in the country are no more than one or one and a half hours from the capital city of Ljubljana.
The best way to explore the country is by car. You can rent a car for a week and see the majority of the country in that time. Or if you prefer not to drive, Slovenia also has good public transportation, including buses and trains, that make getting around the country a breeze.
