If we had to describe Slovenia’s vibe, we’d say it has the quirkiness of Budapest, and the romance of a small German Village. There’s an undiscovered charm about Slovenia, people truthfully don’t seem to know too much about it. That’s why we’ve got you covered for the best things to eat, see and do while travelling in Slovenia.
Slovenia basics
The currency in Slovenia is the Euro.
The official and national language of Slovenia is Slovene (in English it’s known was Slovenian), but in some areas, Hungarian and Italian are widely spoken so as with all Eastern European countries, you can expect to hear a few different languages on the streets.
The capital is Ljubljana, which looks tricky to pronounce but isn’t really. Just say “Loob-li-arna”. Generally, the language is a bit tricky to those not familiar with Slavic languages, but it’s super fun to try anyway and always a good idea to learn the basics before travelling, even if just to be polite. Here are a couple of basic terms.
Hello = zdravo (“stravo”)
Goodbye = zbogom (“sbo-gom”)
Please = prosim (“pro-sim” – roll the r)
Thank you = Hvala vam (“ka-vala vam”)
Best things to eat in Slovenia
They like to eat well in Slovenia. Inns (AKA pub-style restaurants) are open all day and on Sundays, they truly feast with big four- or five-course meals. Potatoes, meats and desserts are big business which is fantastic news for anyone with a big appetite (all of us). If you want to eat like a local in Slovenia, there are a few dishes you simply must try:
- Carniolan Sausage – a very traditional sausage made with pork and garlic. Sure, they might not be the healthiest meal, but they’re traditional and rustic and sooooo tasty. Plus, holiday food doesn’t count.
- Pršut – this is Slovenia’s answer to Italy’s prosciutto. Light, air-dried ham that goes perfectly with a cold beer.
- Žlikrofi – dumplings are popular all over Eastern Europe and in Slovenia they are filled with spices, onion and potato before being served with a main dish or a simple tomato sauce.
- Štruklji – another type of dumpling, but this time the light dough is rolled to turn into almost a strudel. The most common filling is curd cheese, but you can fill them with anything you like, either sweet or savoury.
- Prekmurska Gibanica – a mouth full in more ways than one, this one sees layers of delicious pastry stuffed with sweet fillings like poppy seeds, apples, cheese or walnuts.
- Bled Cream Cake – if you’re visiting Lake Bled, grab a slice of this local cake made from cream, dough and vanilla custard. It’s to die for!
Image source:WikiMedia Commons
Best things to see in Slovenia
Slovenia is an untapped gem and you might be surprised to realise there are some famous sights on your bucket list that you never even knew were in Slovenia! Here are the best things to check out:
- Lake Bled – actually, the entire town of Bled is worth visiting. You’ve probably seen the pictures and wondered where this beauty is, but this is the gorgeous spot is complete with a picturesque castle in the middle of a stunning lake, so it’s on this list for obvious reasons.
- Predjama Castle – this gorgeous Renaissance castle is built into the cliff in the town of Predjama. Well, into a cave technically, but it’s still very cool.
- Triglav National Park – this is Slovenia’s only national park but boy is it a beauty. The tallest mountain in the park is Triglav and it has a range of things to do like hiking, kayaking and skydiving. This is definitely one for the nature adventurers.
- Dragon Bridge – this is easily the coolest bridge in Ljubljana and yes, you guessed it, it even has dragon statues on it.
- Ljubljana castle – Slovenia has a lot of beautiful castles, but be sure to check out this Medieval one and it’s unique funicular train.
- Tromostovje – okay, there are also a lot of really cool bridges in Slovenia. This triple bridge in Ljubljana is pretty famous and the perfect spot for a photo.
Image source:Pixabay
Best things to do in Slovenia
There’s something for everyone in Slovenia. Whether you’re a nature lover, an architecture buff, a photographer or foodie, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to keeping yourself busy. Here are our personal favourites:
- Explore Ljubljana’s Old Town – some of the most jaw-dropping houses can be found here in these quaint streets. This is your time to get lost and discover something special.
- Metelkova – these old abandoned barracks are the hub of the Ljubljana’s alternative scene. If you want underground art and music, head here to see some amazing street art and listen to tunes you’ve never heard before.
- Step inside a cave – Slovenia has a few very cool caves to check out, but we suggest starting with Postojna Cave. This cave system is almost 25,000m long and is one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions for its beauty and mystery.
- Spend some time on the Ljubljanica – this is the main river that passes through Ljubljana and not only is it very photogenic, it’s also lovely to stroll and take in by foot. BYO picnic!
- Swim in Lake Bled – if it’s Summer, feel free to dive right into Lake Bled! If you prefer to stay dry you can also hire a row boat and see the castle from an even closer vantage point.
- Go on a food tour – if you have the time and the stomach, a food tour in Ljubljana is a must. Try all the best local dishes and find hidden secret spots you never would have otherwise.
Image source:Pixabay
