How to Spend 3 Days in Slovenia: 2 Awesome 3-Day Slovenia Itineraries You’ll Love

If you’re worried that spending 3 days in Slovenia isn’t long enough to see and do that much, go ahead and cast those thoughts into the fire right now. Maybe 3 days isn’t enough to see and do every amazing thing Slovenia has to offer, but because this country is so small, you can still cover a ton of ground here!

In June of 2023, my friend Amanda and I spent two weeks road tripping around this beautiful country, but even if you only have 3 days in Slovenia available, you’re in for a treat. Slovenia, though small, is such a diverse country so I’ve put together (not one, but) two incredible 3-day Slovenia itineraries for you to choose from.

If 3 days in Slovenia is all you can swing, have no fear; there’s still plenty of cream cake here. Slovenia is awesome and no piddlin’ amount of vacation time should keep you from seeing it. So sit back, read on, and steal one of my 3-day Slovenia itineraries.

Think you may have a couple extra days? Check out my 5-day Slovenia itinerary here!

How to get around Slovenia in 3 days

While in Ljubljana, you’ll get around mostly using your own two feet (or comparable method). Everything is pretty centrally located here, but for anything outside the city center you can take the super easy-to-use bus system. (They even have dedicated seats for “Book Readers Only,” so do with that information what you will.)

How to get to Ljubljana from the airport

Once you get to Slovenia, the Ljubljana airport is located a ways outside the old town, so you’ll need a reliable way to get between the two. While I was in Slovenia I used the company GoOpti for my airport transfers and it was such a pleasant experience.

Rent a car for the rest

Outside of Ljubljana, the best way to get around Slovenia is with your own rental car, even for just a 3-day trip. Driving in Slovenia is, for the most part, fairly easy and straightforward. (Not counting the harrowing driving experience I had here, so heed my very specific warning.)

And even though the sites you want to visit may look pretty spread out on a map, keep in mind that Slovenia is much smaller than it looks. Even though you’ll be driving “all the way across the country” at times, most of the locations in these Slovenia itineraries are only between 30 minutes to an hour apart.

And for all the important things you need to know for road-tripping here, be sure to read my full guide to driving in Slovenia.

Ljubljana is pronounced like Loo-blee-ah-nuh

3 days in Slovenia: Itinerary #1

The first 3-day Slovenia itinerary covers some of the country’s top sites and my personal favorites as well. With this itinerary you’ll get to experience the charming capital of Slovenia as well as the jaw-dropping beauty of Slovenia’s Julian Alps.

Itinerary #1: Day 1 – Ljubljana

Any great Slovenia itinerary should start in Ljubljana—Slovenia’s charming capital city. While there’s plenty to do here if you have the time, Ljubljana’s also small enough that you can spend just a day here and feel like you’ve seen it all.

What to do in Ljubljana

While in Ljubljana, here are the best things to see and do. Squeeze in as many as you can or pick and choose what speaks to you.

Visit Ljubljana Castle for some cool history and fantastic views over the city. Plus, you get to ride the cool funicular to the top.

Check out all the bridges—the Dragon Bridge (with the cool dragon statues), the Triple Bridge (the weirdest one and my favorite), the Butchers’ Bridge (and all its locks), and the Cobblers’ Bridge (the oldest in Ljubljana)

Get some snacks from the Central Market—A delicious local food market in the center of town that combines an open-air market and a covered market.

Nebotičnik Skyscraper – Grab a drink at the rooftop bar of one of the tallest buildings in the city. (Calm down, it’s only 13 floors, but the views are still great!)

Check out Saint Nicholas’s Cathedral—the big, beautiful, baroque church built between 1701-1706.

Visit Pivovarna Union—Slovenia’s largest brewery is just a short walk from the center of town. There’s a restaurant and beer garden as well as brewery tours. Pro tip: When they ask if you want light beer or dark beer, say “Yes.”

Check out the many World War II sites in Ljubljana – I know this is a super niche suggestion, but you never know! As a WWII historian, I can tell you Slovenia’s history is fascinating.

Where to eat in Ljubljana

There are countless worthwhile cafés, bars, and restaurants in Ljubljana, but here are the ones I personally ate at and loved the most:

Pop’s Place – Delicious burger bar with a riverside patio and the nicest staff. I got the “Slider Duo” and, oh man were those things good! (I ate here twice.)

Figovec – Slovenska Hiša – This place specializes in traditional Slovenian cuisine and all was incredible. I actually ate here twice too (but I did spend longer than 1 day in Ljubljana so cut me some slack). On my first night I had the “Bograč” goulash “which has to be made out of at least 3 types of meat (venison, pork and beef meat), while the onions are roasted in lard,” and a slice of Prekmurska Gibanica—a unique kind of Slovenian apple cake.

On my second visit I ordered the “Kranjska Klobasa”—Slovenia’s beloved “semi-durable” sausage which astronaut Sunita Williams actually took into space with her! It was indeed, dare I say it, out of this world delicious. Amanda ordered the “Ljubljan’c na obroke”—a crispy fried pork tenderloin with “Prleška tünka” ham and creamy “Bovški” sheep cheese sauce on top. I had some; it was amazing.

Fany & Mary – Great pizzas here with lovely outdoor seating along the river near the Butcher’s Bridge. Don’t forget to order a Cockta—Slovenia’s version of Coca-Cola.

Where to stay in Ljubljana

I bookended my Slovenia trip in Ljubljana so I was able to spend time here on two separate occasions, and I stayed in two different hotels. I loved both of them and wouldn’t hesitate to stay at either of them again! They are:

Itinerary #1: Day 2 – Vintgar Gorge & Lake Bled

Having seen most of what Ljubljana has to offer, it’s time to skedaddle. Enjoy an amazing breakfast at Hotel Slamič (where you’re staying, right?) then pick up your rental car and let’s go! Today you’ll be stopping at one of the most beautiful lakes and visiting the just-as-incredible Vintgar Gorge on the way.

It takes about an hour to walk the full length of the gorge but chances are you’ll stop to take tons of photos along the way. This truly was one of my favorite things I did in all of Slovenia. It was such a beautiful day and I just couldn’t get over the scenery or how clear the water is!

Because of the popularity of this place, you must reserve timed entry tickets so they can control the flow of people through here. For our short Slovenia itinerary purposes, you’ll want to choose the earliest time of the day so you can get the most of your time in Lake Bled after this.

The walking trail is super easy—nothing technical about it—but it can get slippery so be sure to wear proper shoes and always pay attention. (I wore my Sorel duck boots but hiking boots or sandals would be great too.) The trail is also one-way, which means you’ll need to plan your parking situation carefully.

There are a few different parking lots to choose from. Some get you closer to the entrance, but then you’ll have to walk farther to get back to your car. Others are closer to the exit but then you’ll have to walk more to the entrance. If you’ve got the extra time, I’d say park closer to the exit. (We were running late so we parked as close to the entrance as we could get.)

All parking and ticketing info for Vintgar Gorge can be found on their website.

Natour Bar

After leaving Vintgar Gorge, there’s a chance you may have to hike a little bit to get back to the parking lot. If you choose this route, be sure to stop at the Natour Bar for some lunch and locally brewed craft beers.

They have a large selection of traditional Slovenian “dumplings” which are unlike whatever dumplings you’re thinking of, I promise. Look for the word štruklji. We opted for one sweet (dark chocolate and raspberry) and one savory (something green that I think was spinach).

I also had a phenomenal local beer. When I asked the owner for the name of the brewery, he pointed across the fields, past the grazing cows, and said, “Over there.” So there you go. You can also get sandwiches and ice cream here.

What to see and do in Lake Bled

After checking into your hotel, it’s time to get out and explore. (No naps, people! We only have 3 days!) Here are all the best things to see and do in Lake Bled:

Take a pletna boat ride to Bled Island – Ride on one of Slovenia’s historic boats to the adorable little island in the middle of the lake. The boat ride takes about 45 minutes each way and costs about €20 round trip. Simply walk up to the boats along the dock and tell the drivers you want to be on the next one.

Ring the church bell – Inside the church on Bled Island, you have the opportunity to ring the “Wishing Bell.” It costs money to get into the church, and ringing the bell is a totally “touristy” thing to do. But, as many European churches as I’ve visited in all my travels, I’ve never gotten to ring the church bell before, so I was not about to pass this up!

Visit Bled Castle – Lake Bled has its own stunning mountaintop castle and you can visit it yourself with just a little cash and a big ol’ climb. The path to the top is mostly concrete stairs (that get slippery after it rains), and you can explore many different areas of the castle on your own.

Walk around Lake Bled – If it’s a nice day, just take the time to stroll around the lake. There are paved walking trails that go all the way around and you’ll get some seriously stunning views.

Hike up the mountain for Lake Bled views – If you’ve got the time and will to climb, there are a couple of moderately-challenging hiking trails around the perimeter from which you can get some incredible views of the lake. Follow the trails for either Mala Osojnica or Mala Ojstrica (the names of the viewpoints).

Ride the alpine coaster – Head over to Straža Bled, purchase your ticket, ride the chairlift up the mountain, then take the super fun (and fast) alpine coaster down. Great views from the top; adrenaline on the way down. (Sorry, no photos; you need two hands to steer!)

Go swimming – If you’d like to relax during your time at Lake Bled, there are tons of free swimming (and sunbathing) areas around the lake.

Try the famous Bled cream cake – A signature dish of the Bled area, I’ll tell you where to get some below…

Where to eat in Lake Bled

Again, there’s so much good food here. Definitely consider the following spots for your Lake Bled dining:

Oštarija Peglez’n – Super cute restaurant serving great food in huge portions. It’s right across the street from the lake and the service here is so nice. Amanda ordered the seafood risotto (which was amazing, yes I ate some of hers too). I ordered some more of that delicious Slovenian sausage.

Restavracija Central Bled – Casual restaurant serving pizza, burgers, pastas, and other local dishes. (Yes, even Slovenian sausage.) I had the “Truffalicious Burger” and it was one of the best burgers I’ve had.

Restaurant Arbor – The location is weird, and the restaurant looks like it’s trapped in the 80s, but the food here is homemade and the service is friendly. I had the ravioli and Amanda had the goulash. Both great!

The View – While many restaurants near the lake have a view, this place is called The View. We popped in here after dinner for some Lake Bled cream cake. The cake was great and the service was over-the-top friendly, as you’ll see is common in Slovenia.

Itinerary #1: Day 3 – Triglav National Park

From Lake Bled you’ll head west into Triglav National Park for some surreal mountain scenery. Use the adorable valley town of Kranjska Gora as your base and explore from here. Visiting Triglav National Park can mean a lot of things, but here are some awesome things you can see and do here in just one day.

You can see it from a couple different lookout points on either side, or you can hike the loop that goes behind the waterfall itself. The whole loop takes about an hour and it’s totally worth it! Afterwards you can rejuvenate in your feet in the ice cold river next to the parking area.

The waterfall is free to visit but you’ll have to pay a few euros to park at the Koča pri Peričniku (which also has restrooms and a small café).

You can’t go inside, but it’s neat to check out and its location in the woods is mysterious and enchanting. There’s a small (free) parking area along the road just past the entrance to the walking path that leads to the chapel. (Just be careful crossing the windy mountain road.)

There’s a restaurant/café here, the Tičarjev Dom lodge with its own terrace and restaurant, and a small souvenir stand. There’s a decent-sized free parking area when you reach the top. (You’ll know it when you see it.)

You can simply hang out here and take pictures, or bring a lunch and eat it at the picnic tables, or even use this as your jumping off point for some beautiful hikes.

OK, again, nothing is really going on up here, but it’s still a fun experience. There are a couple monuments to the friendship between the three countries as well as tons of horses and great views. And it’s cool to say you visited three countries at once. What? It is! I’m cool!

Pro tip: Inside the metal box on the side of the barn building is a special tri-border ink stamp. Second pro tip: Bring your own miniature flags so you can waste tons of time trying to get a good picture of you holding all three.

From Kranjska Gora it’s just a 1-hour drive back to Ljubljana, if that’s where you’re leaving from. Otherwise, the closest major cities are Zagreb, Croatia (2.5 hours by car); Salzburg, Austria (2 hours 40 minutes); Venice, Italy (2 hours 45 minutes); and Munich, Germany (4 hours).

3 days in Slovenia: Itinerary #2

The second 3-day Slovenia itinerary covers some of the same top sites as above, but with this itinerary you’ll also get to experience Slovenia’s tiny bit of coastline.

Itinerary #2: Day 1 – Ljubljana

The first day of this 3-day itinerary looks pretty much like the first day of Itinerary #1, so skip back up to Itinerary #1: Day 1 for all the details of what to do here and where to eat.

Itinerary #2: Day 2 – Lake Bled

Just like Itinerary #1, the second day of your 3-day Slovenia itinerary should be spent at Lake Bled. If you stayed here last night, instead of waking up in Ljubljana and stopping at Vintgar Gorge on the way, you’ll wake up in Lake Bled all ready to go. This way, you’ll have more time in this beautiful town for all the fun things.

See Itinerary #1: Day 2 for the long list of awesome things to see and do and where to eat at Lake Bled. After your full day, I recommend staying the night here in Lake Bled again, but prepare for another early morning tomorrow.

Itinerary #2: Day 3 – Predjama Castle, Škocjan Caves, & Piran

Have yourself an early breakfast at Hotel Lovec then hit the road. Our final destination for the night will be the town of Piran, but we’ll hit up some amazing caves on the way.

Visitors can go inside, but everyone I know who has says it’s not worth it. Plus, tickets are kind of expensive, so I wouldn’t bother (unless you really want to). Otherwise, seeing it from the outside is just as satisfying. You’ll have to pay a few euros to park but you’re free to walk around the area and visit the shops, etc.

This cave complex is absolutely massive. During your tour, you’ll venture underground, through the regular ol’ caves (ho hum), and then into the underground canyon. You’ll walk across the canyon-spanning bridge and you’ll swear you were deep in the Mines of Moria. (YOU SHALL NOT PASS… on the chance for the perfect Gandalf impression.)

For real though, words cannot do this place justice; it’s simply mind-blowing. You can only visit the Škocjan Caves on a guided tour which takes about 2 hours. Consider purchasing your ticket ahead of time so you don’t have to wait.

Photography is not allowed inside the Škocjan Caves for tons of reasons. The only place you can take photos is at the exit, after they tell you it’s OK. The photo above was used with permission by the Slovenia Tourist Board.

The Škocjan Caves on the other hand don’t have any of that cheesy nonsense because they don’t need to; they’re mind-blowing enough just the way they are.

Arriving in Piran, you’ll swear you just crossed over into Italy. (Technically, you did, but then you crossed right back over to Slovenia.) Everything about this town will remind you of Venice. From the architecture, to the trees, to the scenery, to the food, and the fact that most stuff here is written in both Italian and Slovenian. The people are nicer though, just saying.

In fact, you actually can see Italy from here. If you were to walk straight across the Adriatic Sea from Piran, you’d be in Venice in less than 2 hours. You can also drive to Venice from here in the same amount of time. But since you’re not planning to do that (at least not yet), here’s what you need to know about spending a day in Piran, Slovenia.

Visit the Church of St. George – It’s a bit of a walk uphill but you can get great views of the city from here… and then climb the bell tower for even higher views of the city and the surrounding coastline.

Check out the waterfront – or go swimming! There isn’t a true beach here in Piran but you’ll quickly learn that doesn’t matter. People post up on the concrete walkway with their beach chairs and towels regardless.

There are several staircases and ladders that help ease you into the ocean and lots of areas where people can swim. It gets so hot in Piran, so definitely bring your bathing suit.

Pro tip: Town officials have given local artists permission to carve into the rocks that line the waterfront. Don’t miss the mermaid and a few other hidden sculptures.

Second pro tip: Moon jellies don’t typically sting humans, and if they do the effect is extremely mild. So, maybe don’t freak out and yell at everyone to get out of the water because they’re surrounded by jellyfish. They will just float there and stare at you like you’ve just escaped from the asylum.

Try orange wine – Orange wine is the official 4th wine type (after red, white, and rosé) and it’s very popular in Slovenia, especially in this region. So many people recommended that I try it while I was here and I finally did at our hotel’s rooftop terrace, which I recommend visiting if you stay here. It’s a super chill spot where you can drink orange wine, eat orange sorbet, surrounded by orange rooftops, under an orange sunset. *chef’s kiss*  

Where to eat in Piran

If you haven’t figured it out, the big thing in Piran is fresh seafood! And where fresher to eat it then on the boat itself? For one of the best meals you’ll have during your 3 days in Slovenia, make a reservation at Podlanica.

Their menu is minimal but super fresh. What fish you’ll have to choose from will depend on the day’s catch. During our visit, Amanda and I shared some razor clams for an appetizer, then I ordered the “small fish” which was sole, with a side of polenta. (The “big fish” was sea bass.)

The boat is small so reservations are mandatory. Their website says to call for a reservation, but since I don’t speak Slovenian (ahem, understatement), I actually just Whatsapp’ed their phone number and was able to make a reservation that way (courtesy of Google Translate).

Where to park in Piran

Cars aren’t allowed in the city center (which is pretty much the whole city) so you have to park on the outskirts and take the free shuttle bus in. Garage Fornače is the major parking garage in town but there are a few smaller ones around too. Your hotel will (should) help you with instructions. It’s a process, but not a difficult one.

So there you have it – two unforgettable ways to spend 3 days in Slovenia. From Piran, it’s just a 1.5-hour drive back to Ljubljana and about a 2-hour drive to Venice. Like this post? Have questions about either of these 3-day Slovenia itineraries? Leave a comment below and let me know. Have fun in Slovenia!

More resources for your 3 days in Slovenia

• Hotels: Find great places to stay in Slovenia here on Booking.com. (Expedia and Hotels.com usually have some good deals too.)
• Rental car: Check out the best rental car deals in Slovenia here.
• Travel planning: Pick up a Slovenia guidebook for all your sightseeing needs.
• Culture: And this Slovenia Customs and Culture guide for all the other must-know info.
• Tours & Activities: Check out the best local tours and activities here on Viator and Get Your Guide.

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